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Committees & Advisory Groups

OASW’s Committees & Advisory Groups play an important role in achieving the Association's mandate.

 

Advisory groups accept new applications each fall

OASW members play a meaningful role in shaping the association's policies, advocacy priorities and strategic focus.  

OASW seeks new advisory group members each fall. Follow us on social media or check out our email newsletters to be alerted when 2027 advisory group positions open.

Advisory Groups

Advisory Groups are member-led groups representing different sectors of social work practice. Advisory Groups work to provide advice to OASW’s staff and Board of Directors to develop, promote, and advance the social work role across the province.

Equity Integration Advisory Group
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Equity Integration Advisory Group is to advance the highest standard of professional practice of social work by meaningfully supporting a specific understanding of the experience of and opportunity for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging within OASW as well as the profession of social work in Ontario.
OBJECTIVES
  • Support the development of processes to enhance the integration of equity within OASW.
  • Recommend ways to collect data that substantiates equity, diversity and inclusion within the Association and the profession of social work in Ontario.
  • Recommend practice principles and guidelines for equity integration in social work services.
  • Advance the continuous professional development and awareness of OASW members as this relates to concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Advise on OASW activities to ensure they are aligned with equity initiatives.
  • Recognize leaders in equity, diversity, and inclusion in social work.

Contact: [email protected]

School Social Work Advisory Group
PURPOSE
 The purpose of the School Social Work Advisory Group is to develop, promote, and advance the practice of School Social Work in Ontario. Advisory Group members serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors and CEO, making recommendations on matters that impact the experience of students and families, staff and the value of social work in school-based mental health.
OBJECTIVES
  • Monitor trends and develop response strategies to influence legislation and regulations that may impact social work practice in schools and the clients we serve.
  • Identify and prioritize ways to advocate for the role of School Social Workers.
  • Support members in the field and encourage education and research that informs evidence-based social work practice in schools.
  • Collect, develop and generate knowledge related to social work in school-based mental health.

Contact: [email protected]
Health Care Advisory Group
PURPOSE
 The purpose of the Health Care Advisory Group is to develop, promote, and advance the social work role in health care in Ontario. Advisory Group members serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors and CEO, making recommendations on matters that impact the experience of patients and the value of social work in health care.
OBJECTIVES
  • Monitor trends and develop response strategies to influence legislation and regulations that may impact social work practice and the patients we serve.
  • Identify and prioritize ways to advocate for the role of social workers in health care.
  • Support members in the field and encourage education and research that informs evidence-based social work practice in health

Contact: [email protected]
Long-Term Care Subcommittee

PURPOSE
 The Long-term Care (LTC) Subcommittee is a subcommittee of the OASW Health Care Advisory Group. The purpose of the LTC Subcommittee is to develop, promote, and advance the social work role in the long-term care sector in Ontario. Subcommittee members serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors, CEO, and the Health Care Advisory Group.

OBJECTIVES

  • Monitor trends and develop response strategies to influence legislation and regulations that may impact social work practice, residents, and caregivers in the long-term care.
  • Identify and prioritize ways to advocate for the role of social workers in the long-term care.
  • Support members in the field and encourage education and research that informs evidence-based social work practice in long-term care.
Contact: [email protected]

 

Private Practice Advisory Group
PURPOSE The purpose of the Private Practice Advisory Group is to develop, promote, and advance the social work role in private practice in Ontario. Advisory Group members serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors and CEO, making recommendations on matters that impact the experience of clients and the value of social work in private practice.
OBJECTIVES
  • Monitor trends and develop response strategies to issues in private practice that have the potential to impact clients, social work practice, employment and/or professional opportunities.
  • Identify and prioritize ways to advocate for the role of social workers in private practice.
  • Support members in the field and encourage education and research that informs evidence-based social work practice in private practice.
  • Collect, develop and generate knowledge related to social work in private practice.

Contact: [email protected]
Motor Vehicle Accident Subcommittee
PURPOSE
 The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Subcommittee is a subcommittee of the OASW Private Practice Advisory Group. The purpose of the MVA Subcommittee is to develop, promote, and advance the social work role in the automobile insurance sector in Ontario. Subcommittee members serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors, CEO, and the Private Practice Advisory Group.
OBJECTIVES
  • Monitor trends and develop response strategies to issues that impact the experience of clients and the value of social work in the automobile insurance sector.
  • Identify and prioritize ways to advocate for the role of social workers in the automobile insurance sector.
  • Support members in the field by providing them with updates and relevant information to support their practice in this unique sector.
Contact: [email protected]

Committees

Committees operate under the direction of the Board of Directors and help to support and strengthen OASW’s governance, financial, and ethical responsibilities.

Finance and Audit Committee

Purpose

To oversee all aspects of financial planning and financial management of the Association.

Objectives

  • To develop and apply appropriate policies and procedures for preparation of the annual budget.
  • To recommend approval of an annual budget to the Board of Directors at their last meeting before the fiscal year.
  • To recommend approval of policies and procedures for financial management to the Board of Directors.
  • To ensure that a plan for the long-range financial viability of the Association is in place.
  • To review quarterly financial statements and recommend corrective actions to the Board, as necessary.

Contact: [email protected] 

Nominating Committee

Preamble

The strength, vitality and viability of the Association are dependent upon strong volunteer leaders who are committed to the mission and goals of the organization. To ensure the ongoing relevance of the Association, succession planning must reflect the changing composition and needs of the professional community.

As a guiding principle, the Nominating Committee will focus on the integration of equity across all responsibilities and strive to identify gaps in representation based on a “vision of OASW for the future” which takes into consideration criteria which is inclusive of, but not limited to: race, ethnic origin, religion, age, (dis)ability, mental health status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, geographic location, practice sector and expertise.

Mandate

The role of the OASW Nominating Committee is to advise the Association on the development and implementation of strategies to ensure that leadership positions on the Board and Committees are filled with the most appropriate and qualified candidates. The Nominating Committee also plays an important role in recommending strategies to fill positions on Advisory Groups, Committees and Task Groups.

Contact: [email protected] 

Ethics Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the OASW Ethics Committee is to provide ethical guidance and advisory support to OASW leadership and staff, and to support the Association in responding to complex and emerging ethical issues in social work practice across Ontario.

Objectives

  • Provide advisory input to the CEO, Board of Directors, and staff on ethical questions and considerations facing OASW.
  • Support the Association in identifying and responding to emerging ethical issues affecting social workers in Ontario.
  • Inform OASW initiatives, policies, and practices through an ethical lens grounded in social work values.
  • Ensure committee work is guided by the CASW and OCSWSSW Codes of Ethics.
  • Align ethical guidance with OASW’s Equity Integration Policy and broader committee work.

Contact: [email protected]

Governance Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the Governance Committee is to support the Board of Directors by recommending and implementing good board governance practices. The Committee works to help the Board reach its full potential by strengthening its capacity for effective governance based on leading practices.

Responsibilities

  • Provide recommendations to the Board, including ongoing programming related to:
  • Board policies and bylaws
  • Board education, including onboarding and orientation
  • Board succession planning
  • Board committees, including Terms of Reference
  • Board evaluation
  • Strategic planning

The Committee is composed of a minimum of five Board members, including the Chair. Members serve two-year terms and may serve up to four consecutive terms. The Committee is supported by staff.

At least one member of the Governance Committee shall be selected from the Nominating Committee to ensure alignment with the broader organizational governance framework.

Contact: [email protected]

Awards Committee

Terms of Reference

The Awards Committee is a standing committee of OASW’s Board of Directors. The Board grants the Awards Committee the authority to fulfill the specific terms outlined in these Terms of Reference.

Purpose

The Committee serves as a vehicle for sharing OASW’s work and values through the awards framework. Its strategy is developed and regularly reviewed to reflect Board guidance and ensure alignment with the Association’s strategic plan. The Committee also ensures the integration of equity across all responsibilities, in alignment with the Board’s Equity Policy.

Responsibilities

  • Create, oversee, and support the implementation of OASW’s awards program.
  • Conduct an inventory of all OASW awards.
  • Develop and refine the evaluation process for award nominations.
  • Recommend award nominees and recipients to the Board.
  • Share award nominations with OASW members.
  • Make recommendations to the Board regarding the awards program.
  • The Chair and/or Board Liaison will provide a report at each Board meeting, as required.

Contact: [email protected]

Access Terms of Reference for Advisory Groups and Committees below

Health Care Advisory Group
(Adobe PDF File)
Long-Term Care Subcommittee
(Adobe PDF File)
Awards Committee
(Adobe PDF File)
Ethics Committee
(Adobe PDF File)
Executive Committee
(Adobe PDF File)
Governance Committee
(Adobe PDF File)
Nominating Committee
(Adobe PDF File)

Government Submissions

Read OASW's latest submissions to the Ontario government

Learn more 

Board of Directors

OASW's Board of Directors sets the Association's policies and strategic directions, ensures that the organization stays on course to fulfill its mission, and advises on issues affecting the profession and the public at the provincial level.

Learn more 
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