Where Do Your Dues Go?

Hello! I’m Martina Stanley, the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager at NASW, a clinical MSW student at the University of Georgia, and a proud NASW member.

From my unique vantage point as both a leader in NASW’s national office and a graduate student immersed in the day-to-day challenges of social work, I’ve seen firsthand how your membership dues make a tangible difference. Whether its ensuring social work voices are heard on Capitol Hill, providing resources to advance our practice, or connecting members to a vibrant community of peers, your dues are hard at work every day.

Let me walk you through exactly where those dues dollars go and how they’re shaping the future of our profession.

1. Policy Initiatives: Amplifying Our Collective Voice

Advocacy is at the heart of NASW, and your dues power initiatives that make meaningful change at every level. Here’s how:

• Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact
  As a clinical MSW student, I know how important it is to address workforce shortages and make services more accessible. NASW led the charge to develop this compact, allowing social workers to practice across state lines and helping us meet the growing demand for services.
• Student Loan Debt Cancellation
  Like many of you, I understand the weight of student loans. NASW’s relentless advocacy for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and student debt reforms has brought much-needed relief to our members, making a difference in their lives and careers.
• Lobby and Advocacy Days
  Your dues fund Advocacy Days, equipping members—including students like me—to meet legislators, champion our profession’s priorities, and advocate for policies that uplift the communities we serve.
• Election Information
  NASW provides resources to help you navigate elections, offering nonpartisan guides on candidates and ballot measures that impact social work. Being informed strengthens our collective impact!

2. Practice: Empowering Excellence in Social Work

From my dual perspective as an FP&A Manager and a social work student, I’ve seen how NASW resources enhance the practice environment:

• Practice Updates and Guidance
  NASW ensures members stay compliant and effective with timely updates on emerging issues, such as telehealth best practices and ethical considerations.
• Support for Specialized Practice Areas
  Whether you’re in school social work, mental health, or substance use, NASW tailors tools and guidance to help you thrive in your area of expertise.

3. Professional Development: Investing in Your Growth

One of the reasons I’m proud to be an NASW member is the access to unmatched free and discounted professional development opportunities.

• Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  Affordable, high-quality CEUs help members meet licensure requirements while expanding our knowledge and skills.
• Conferences
  I’ve witnessed the transformative power of NASW’s conferences, where members can learn from top speakers, explore groundbreaking research, and build lasting connections with colleagues. I look forward to meeting you all at this year’s conference in Chicago!

4. Member Engagement: Connecting Social Workers Everywhere

Membership is about more than benefits; it’s about belonging to a community that understands your challenges and celebrates your successes.

• Special Interest Groups and Networking
  As a Black woman, I’ve found immense value in the networks NASW fosters, from BIPOC social worker groups to clinical and macro-focused communities.
• Chapter Activities
  NASW chapters bring members together through workshops, events, and networking opportunities that create vibrant, supportive spaces for social workers.

5. Legal and Ethical Support: Protecting and Guiding You

Legal and ethical challenges can feel daunting, but NASW ensures members never face them alone.

• Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
  The LDF provides critical support for members facing professional legal challenges, protecting the integrity of our work.
• Ethical Consultation Services
  I’ve seen how NASW’s expert consultations help members navigate complex ethical dilemmas, ensuring adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Guidance on Regulatory Issues
  Your dues support NASW’s advocacy for policies that impact our practice, keeping members informed and prepared for changes in the field.

Why Your Dues Matter

As someone who works behind the scenes at NASW while also preparing to join the field as a clinical social worker, I see the powerful impact of your dues every day. Every dollar you contribute helps amplify our voices, support our growth, and protect our practice.

Thank you for being part of this incredible movement. Together, we are shaping the future of social work and creating a more just and equitable world.

Want to see more ways your dues work for you? Visit the NASW Member Benefits page to explore the full range of resources and opportunities available to you.

Let’s keep making a difference—together!

Visit NASW’s website for more information about NASW’s work on behalf of social workers:

• NASW’s advocacy contributed to the passage of the Mental Health Matters Act in the U.S. House, which allocates significant funding to increase access to school-based mental health providers, including social workers, particularly in high-need schools.
• NASW, in partnership with the Student Borrower Protection Center, has been a driving force behind student debt relief efforts, advocating for Public Service Loan Forgiveness reforms, contributing to federal debt relief proposals, and holding servicers accountable to ensure a fair and functional student loan system for social workers and other public service workers.
• NASW, alongside advocacy partners, successfully forced the City of Lebanon, Ohio, to remove provisions in its anti-abortion ordinance that criminalized social workers and advocates for assisting residents in accessing lawful abortion care, marking a critical advocacy victory for reproductive rights.
• In response to mass overpayment requests from Optum United Behavioral Health, NASW successfully advocated for extended appeal and repayment timelines, improved communication, and dispute options for in-network providers, ensuring greater fairness for clinical social workers affected by the payment error.
• Through advocacy with federal agencies such as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and through support for legislation such as “Improving Medicare Access to Mental Health Act,” NASW works for expanded reimbursement for clinical social workers, and the creation of an equitable health care system with better access to high quality and affordable care.