SAVE THE DATE!

HONORING OUR ROOTS – NURTURING OUR GROWTH

The Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups
encourages you to save the dates June 24-28, 2009 in the hope that you
will join us at our 31st Annual Symposium, to be held in Lake Geneva,
Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. Bridging two sites with deep-rooted
histories of planting seeds for social change through groups, this
dynamic symposium, hosted by the Illinois Chapter, seeks to honor group
work’s roots and nurture our growth.

An exciting program of pre-symposium events will begin on June 24 at
the George Williams College campus of Aurora University, on the
tree-lined shores of beautiful Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. George Williams
College, an institution historically devoted to social group work,
served as one of two training schools during the early years of the
YMCA movement. Currently, it is a vibrant academic community in a
serene setting, continuing to provide small group experiences through
educational and retreat programs.

The main Symposium will convene on June 26 at The Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago. This historic hotel is in the heart of the city, a few steps from the Art Institute, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue, the theater district, and only a short distance from the building that first housed Jane Addams’ Hull House. In addition to being the site of historic social work and group work innovation, Chicago is rich with arts and architecture, a stunning lakefront, and excellent shopping and dining – providing fertile ground for entertainment and cultural enrichment.

The Chicago portion of the Symposium seeks presentations by practitioners, students, field work instructors, teachers, researchers, and professionals across disciplines. Though not a requirement, presenters are especially invited to offer papers, workshops, and poster presentations elaborating on group work’s past, present, and future– both its “roots” and its “growth”.

For additional information please contact Symposium Co-chairs:
Ann Bergart (abergart@aurora.edu) or Joyce Webster (joycewebster@gmail.com),