AU Students, Professor Address International Conference

AURORA, Ill. October 24, 2006 - Aurora University students and a professor addressed the 2006 international symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG) at San Diego, Calif. on Oct. 14.

Presenters were Pamela M. Leonhardt, AU student from Oak Brook; Byron J. Powell, former AU student, Oswego; and Ann M. Bergart, associate professor of social work.

The trio delivered a paper, “Passing the Torch: Developing Student Branches of AASWG.”

The presentation chronicled the recent development of an AU-based, student branch of the AASWG Illinois chapter. Leonhardt and Powell discussed what drew them to the branch, experiences in meetings, and what keeps them involved.

Bergart initiated the branch in 2005. She said club members are graduate social work students and faculty who are all enthusiastic about group work. The branch meets on campus bi-weekly and membership in AASWG is required.

According to Bergart, goals of the branch are to build student membership in AASWG, advance student skills and enthusiasm about group work, and to help students build a support system around group work practice which can continue beyond graduation.

The branch draws members, Bergart said, for three reasons: meetings are conveniently held on campus, members share common ground through their shared experiences as MSW students, and members shape the branch’s purpose and process, and learn by reflecting on the group process as it takes place.

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