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Finding Aid to the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
Records, 1925-1996, bulk 1978-1989
BANC MSS 83/132c
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Table of contents
Collection Title: National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
records
Date (inclusive): 1925-1996,
Date (bulk): bulk 1978-1989
Collection Number: BANC MSS 83/132c
Creators :
National Association of Social Workers, California
Chapter
Extent:
Number of containers: 44 cartons
Linear feet: 55
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), California
Chapter records provide early background information, dating from the 1930s to 1950s, for
various professional associations and also includes materials of NASW Golden Gate Chapter,
NASW Los Angeles Chapter, and California Council of NASW Chapters. These chapters preceded
the founding of the NASW California Chapter in 1976. The records include correspondence;
bylaws; organization structure; policy statements; procedures; Board of Directors,
Executive, and other committee meetings; conference and Chapter activity materials; reports;
proposals; financial information; and publications. Also contained in the collection is an
extensive subject file, including such broad topics as adoption, federal issues, health,
legislative activities, mental health, social services, and welfare.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite
and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these
materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection is open for research.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University
of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as
the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from
the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
[Identification of item], National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
Records, BANC MSS 83/132c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Associations, institutions,
etc.--California--San Francisco Bay Area
Associations, institutions,
etc.--California--Los Angeles area
Social service--California
Social service--California--Los Angeles
Social service--California--San Francisco Bay
Area
Social workers--California
Legislation--California
Aid to families with dependent
children--California
Welfare--California
Social workers--Legal status, laws,
etc.--California --Periodicals
Social service--Law and legislation--California
Supplemental security income
program--California
The National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter records was given to The
Bancroft Library by The National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter in
1982. Additions were made in 1983, 1989, and 1994.
Additions are expected.
Arranged to the folder level.
Processed by Janice Otani in 2009.
When the NASW was founded in 1955 by the merger of five existing professional social work
organizations, it was set up so the basic unit of participation was the local chapter.
Chapters were organized wherever there were a significant number of interested social
workers in California. Over the years, sixteen chapters developed, each operating on its
own. This lack of cohesiveness limited effectiveness with state legislators and
uncoordinated input from many chapters prevented social workers' professional views from
being considered seriously. As a step toward correcting this situation, the sixteen chapters
formed a State Council, composed of one delegate from each chapter. This provided a vehicle
for developing positions on key issues, but proved to be an inadequate instrument for
dealing with the rapidly changing circumstances in Sacramento and lack of permanent funding.
From 1968 to 1974 several attempts at reorganization were developed by the Council and
rejected by the chapters. Finally, in 1974, the Council took the approved new plan for
national reorganization from the 1973 Delegate's Assembly with the State as a basic unit,
and applied it on the statewide basis. Thirteen of the sixteen chapters voted to merge and
form the Greater California Chapter with more effective organizational structure, policies,
and procedures. By 1976, all regions had joined to form the California Chapter.
Scope and Content of Collection
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), California Chapter records provide early
background information, dating from the 1930s to 1950s, for various professional
associations and also includes materials of NASW Golden Gate Chapter, NASW Los Angeles
Chapter, and California Council of NASW Chapters. These chapters preceded the founding of
the NASW California Chapter in 1976. The records include correspondence; bylaws;
organization structure; policy statements; procedures; Board of Directors, Executive, and
other committee meetings; conference and Chapter activity materials; reports; proposals;
financial information; and publications. Also contained in the collection is an extensive
subject file, including such broad topics as adoption, federal issues, health, legislative
activities, mental health, social services, and welfare.
The American Association of Medical Social Workers (AAMSW), the American Association of
Psychiatric Social Workers (AAPSW), and the American Association of Social Workers (AASW)
are some of the professional organizations represented in the collection. Besides chapter
records, the NASW Golden Gate Chapter and Los Angeles Chapter files both include
correspondence and legal documents relating to the 21st Century Investment case. The
California Council of NASW Chapters' correspondence focuses on legislative issues concerning
the social work profession and social services.
The majority of the California Chapter records date from 1978 to 1989 and consist primarily
of officers' correspondence and committee meeting minutes and materials, particularly the
Legislative Committee. Almost half of the collection contains the subject files with the
bulk of these relating to legislative activities, including lobbying information, press
releases, correspondence in support of bills, and background materials on bills and
amendments. The House of Representatives and Senate bills are filed in numerical order.
There is also a large section on Welfare which includes subheadings relating to Aid to
Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).