I want to recognize Wayne Martin for the time and effort he has given to our Society as the chair of the Virginia Legislation & Advocacy (L&A) Committee over the past few years. He has faithfully reported the important issues going on in Virginia that impact us as clinical social workers. He attended meetings with our Virginia lobbyists, Susan Rowland in previous years and Mark Smith, this past year, along with colleagues from the Virginia Society’s L&A group, to discuss priorities and strategies involved in reaching our goals with specific legislation. In general, and for me personally, he provided wise and calm council. We all owe him our thanks. Now he is truly retired and can travel at will! Safe travels, Wayne, and all the best! 

But that brings me to another part of this report - we need somebody to step up and become part of our Virginia Legislation & Advocacy team! I believe we all want to have the greatest impact possible in all our jurisdictions, including in Virginia. Whoever steps forward will have the amazing opportunity to work with Mark Smith, our dynamic and delightful new lobbyist in VA. Mark, our colleagues from the Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work (VSCSW), and the GWSCSW team together decide on priorities and strategies to keep protections for our clients and our profession in place, and to propose new strategies when necessary. You cannot believe how empowering (and how much fun) this will be!

I look forward to meeting our next Virginia L&A advocate! Please let me know. You can reach me at 301-717-1004 or at judy.gallant@verizon.net.