NASW Virginia Annual Awards Nominations

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Thank you for your interest in the NASW Virginia 2025 Annual Awards. Applications are now OPEN through FEBRUARY 10, 2025.

 

Self-nominations are welcome.

 

Every year, NASW Virginia recognizes social workers, legislators, citizen leaders, and social work students who go above and beyond their professional and academic excellence, and exhibit extraordinary commitment to the values of social work to make even more of a positive difference.

 

All recipients are honored at an Awards Luncheon, which in March 2025 will be held during the NASW Virginia and Metro DC Annual Conference in Charlottesville, Va.

 

Please read below for the different award categories and their application requirements and materials. If you have any questions or want to discuss potential awardees, please email Executive Director Debra Riggs, driggs.naswva@socialworkers.org to set up a conversation time.

 

Awards are a wonderful and meaningful way to recognize the influential but often behind-the-scenes individuals whose work and dedication are models to others in the field. Don’t miss this chance to spotlight these social work champions!

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Requirements for BSW & MSW Student of the Year Award

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To be nominated, the nominee must:

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• Demonstrate outstanding academic work

• Demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and work in the Social Work field during an internship or field placement

• Demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities

• Be a member of NASW

• Be enrolled in a CSWE-accredited social work program in Virginia

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To submit a nomination, the nominator must: 

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• Complete the online form below

• Upload a one-page minimum summary document which describes the nominee's... 

  • Academic achievements, leadership roles, and accomplishments in the area of social work​

  • Volunteer activities (academic or otherwise) that promote a positive image of social work, benefited a population at risk, or demonstrated leadership

  • Awards, scholarships, honors or other recognition not previously mentioned

• Upload a letter of support​

• Upload at least 3 high resolution photos (jpg format preferred) 

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Requirements for Citizen of the Year Award​

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To be nominated, the nominee:

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• Cannot be a member of the social work profession

• Must have made contributions to the public's knowledge and positive image of social work

• Must have made a substantial contribution which benefited the community

• Must have made specific outstanding accomplishments in the human services field

• Must have personally represented ethics compatible with those defined in the NASW Code of Ethics

 

To submit a nomination, the nominator must: 

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• Complete the online form below

• Upload a one-page minimum summary document which describes... 

  • What the nominee has accomplished

  • What risks the nominee took to achieve results

  • Who the beneficiaries were

• Upload a letter of support​

• Upload at least 3 high resolution photos (jpg format preferred) 

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Requirements for Social Worker of the Year Award

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To be nominated, the nominee must:

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• Be a social worker and member of NASW

• Demonstrate service beyond their job requirements

• Take risks to achieve results

• Have made contributions to the public's knowledge and positive image of social work

• Demonstrate leadership qualities

• Have made volunteer contributions

• Have made a demonstrable difference in the field of social work in areas such as:

  • Advocacy for clients​

  • Impact on social policy

  • Exceptional practice

  • Program development

  • Administrative leadership and innovation

  • Noteworthy applied research

  • Education and publications

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To submit a nomination, the nominator must: 

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• Complete the online form below

• Upload a one-page minimum summary document which describes... 

  • What the social worker has accomplished

  • What risks the social worker took to achieve results

  • Who the beneficiaries were

• Upload a copy of the nominee's Curriculum Vitae​

• Upload a letter of support​

• Upload at least 3 high resolution photos (jpg format preferred) 

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Requirements for Lifetime Achievement Award

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To be nominated, the nominee must:

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• Be a social worker and current or past member of NASW

• Meet all requirements of the Social Worker of the Year award, above

• Demonstrate repeated outstanding achievements over an entire career

• Have received recognition from organizations other than professional social work organizations

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To submit a nomination, the nominator must: 

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• Complete the online form below

• Upload a one-page minimum summary document which describes... 

  • What the nominee accomplished

  • What was outstanding about the nominee's action(s)

  • What risks the social worker took to achieve results

  • Who the beneficiaries were

  • What long-term effects were achieved

• Upload a copy of the nominee's Curriculum Vitae​

• Upload a letter of support​

• Upload at least 3 high resolution photos (jpg format preferred)