Reaching Young Members

Thank you for Elizabeth Clark's terrific piece about the urgency in us reaching out to the next generation in our profession (January News).

I made just that point at a recent talk to the New York Chapter of the Society of Social Work Leaders in Health Care, concerned about whether we are passing on the torch. Just recently I was asked to join a clinical practice policy group and joked that at 68, I am the youngest member.

Actually, while I do consider myself youthful, I see a serious issue here. We also need to be cognizant that younger members may try to balance family demands with career; thus availability in early evenings may also shrink the pool of talent.

I attend many meetings where retirees, valuable as they are, are the individuals with fewer time constraints.

Sue Matorin, MS, ACSW
New York, N.Y.