First CRISP Boot Camp Gives Social Workers a Jump Start in Political Arena

by Carrie Fowler, MSW

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Meade 

     The Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP) hosted its first ever Political Boot Camp in Washington, D.C., from July 9 through 12, 2017, hosted by Gallaudet University.  This three-day intensive training was designed to help social workers get a jump start on a career in the political arena, where our knowledge, skills, values, and leadership are needed more than ever.  Dr. Charles Lewis, the director of CRISP, has had the dream of running such a Boot Camp for a few years, to empower social workers to enter the field of politics.  He was finally able this year to make his dream a reality, and I am proud to be the first to tell you, it was a brilliant success.  

     This Boot Camp was inspired by the work of Dr. Nancy Humphreys, a pioneer and advocate for the concept of political social work. Dr. Humphreys founded the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.  

     On Sunday, July 19,  twenty-five (25) social workers who represented schools and states throughout the United States were welcomed with a warm reception, dinner, and orientation. As students, not only did we represent our nation with our geography - we also represented our diversity as a nation.  

     There were multiple ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations or identities, and all ages among our group of political social workers. Our schedules, assignments, and introduction for the week had been placed out for us, and there was no doubt this would be a concentrated three days.

     This Boot Camp held sessions for social workers who were planning to run for office, for those who would like to manage or work in political campaigns, and for those who desired a career as a spokesperson for a candidate or cause. The days were long, the presenters were remarkable, and the assignments were directly related to the material we had covered during our many sessions throughout the day.  

     We had three focused days of coaching by gifted presenters who had worked on campaigns in battleground states for President Obama, Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and even former Democratic nominee for President John Kerry. These impressive sessions included topics such as building your network, getting ready for a race, campaign operations, developing your leadership skills, and campaign operations, to name a few. A session concentrating on breaking into the media was supported by Danni Starr, co-host of the incredibly popular iHeart Radio nationally broadcasted morning program, The Kane Show. Jason Green, who served as associate counsel in the White House for President Obama, was a lead consultant for the CRISP Boot Camp and assisted in bringing in the talent to educate the boot campers.

     Social workers are change agents. We are public servants, and we are progressive with our ideas, values, and ethics.  Currently, social workers represent just above one percent of Congressional representatives in the House and Senate. They are: Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, and in the House, with Rep. Barbara Lee, are Reps. Karen Bass (CA-37), Susan Davis (CA-53), Luis Gutierrez (IL-4), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9), and Niki Tsongas (MA-3).  

     Can you imagine how much more effective Congress would be if 20 percent or more of its members were social workers? I highly encourage any social worker who is interested in running for office - no matter if it is local, state, or federal - or working within a campaign or becoming a spokesperson for a candidate to consider attending the next CRISP Political Boot Camp. I know I feel more grounded and ready to turn the next page in my political social work career after attending.  

Carrie Fowler, MSW, is a political social worker living in Harrisburg, PA. She is running for School Board Director for the Harrisburg City School District. She won in the Democratic primary and will be on the ballot in November 2017.