Presentation Outline Introduction. Taswo objectives. Activities done. Taswo Members situation. Taswo Kilimanjaro. Taswo Kilimanjaro Activities. Challenges. Way forward. Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION: Tanzania Association Of Social Workers (TASWO) is a nonprofit, non-Governmental organization of Social Work professional. It was established and registered in May 1982 with a registration no. SO 629. Tanzania Association of Social Workers (TASWO) has approximately 300 members from all over Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. In the past ten years TASWO was somehow dormant due to financial constraints. From April 2010 it regained its strength after the AGM election which put into power new EC leaders and once again election been update in 2016. The new leadership is now working with different stakeholders outside and inside the country in transparency in order to spearhead TASWO development. TASWO head office is in Dar where it operates its activities by communicating with other members wherever they are in the United Republic of Tanzania.

TASWO planned activities aims to establish regional branches offices respectively to easier communication amongst its members. The current established regional branches are eleven while three regional which are Manyara,Iringa and Shinyanga are in process to establish its branches.Kilimanjaro branch is among of the established branch and the best one.

TASWO OBJECTIVES TASWO has the following mandated objectives which are:- To make the Social Work Profession demonstrate its impact in enhancing the wellbeing of people and promoting Social justice at local and global levels. To bring together professional Social Workers of different professional subcultures from governmental and non-governmental agencies. To promote social workers unity in addressing social work challenges facing the country. To act as a liaison body with national, regional and international associations involved in furthering social work professional interests.

TASWO Objectives cont........... To set standards, policy and guidelines of the social work practice in Tanzania. To encourage and support the participation of social Workers in socio-economic and culture planning and implementation. To ensure effective social justice and welfare for vulnerable groups in the society.

ACTIVITIES DONE Amendments on TASWO constitution were done from 2013-2014. TASWO is conducting one meeting a year where every member has given opportunity to attend and contribute his/her idea. Through TESWEP(Tanzania Emerging social work Education Programme) TASWO has been embraced by institutions of higher learning and its significance has recognized i.e.

This has enabled TASWO to utilize the expertise of academicians from the following institutions:- Institute of social work. Open University of Tanzania. Agape college. University of Dodoma. Mwenge University.

Registration of Social workers and establishment of licenses to practicing individuals and institutions. The bills for license are still in process. Taswo conducted several trainings such as Disaster management, GBV and VAC,(135 Social workers trained), Key Population Training in HIV/AIDS(planned to cover 145 social workers).

TASWO MEMBERS SITUATION Currently, Taswo has 780 registered member out of that ,320 are identified to be active in either attending meeting/conference or paying dues. Taswo is still believing that there is more social workers operating in either government or private sector not been identified. From the survey which was conducted specifically to Kilimanjaro -2015, there are 34 social workers in the Government sector and 27 social workers in other private Institutions, and 30 prospective students who graduate each year from social work or Community development training Institutions. All these people can subscribe to becoming active members of TASWO K. However as indicated that, out of 91 social workers visited, only 23 social workers have paid their dues currently and are active members.

Taswo Kilimanjaro The inauguration of this branch happened on 12 February 2011 under steers committee ,Since then the committee has worked hard to make sure that all social workers from Kilimanjaro region registered and get informed about joining Taswo and its constitution. TASWO Kilimanjaro established its relationship with FO since 2012 and in April 2013 signed an agreement for three years which last April 2016, and there are specific projects or activities agreed between TASWO K and FO to be updated for the new agreement though there is no changes. According to Taswo constitution every member entitled to be aware of the following issues before joining to the association. Membership There is 3 types of membership: Full members Associate members Honorary members

Full Membership Full membership shall be open to individuals who have attained minimum qualification of advanced Diploma in Social Work or its equivalent, plus a practical working experience of not less than one year in a recognized social agency. Associate membership Associate membership shall be open to the following: Individuals who have certificate in Social Work, Para social workers and who have practical working experience of not less than one year in a recognized social agency. Institutions of higher learning in the field of social work. Agencies engaged in promotion of social work activities.  

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP Individuals of outstanding achievement in the field of social work may be granted honorary membership status. RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP Every member shall have the right to attend and participate at the General Meeting of the Association, but only full or otherwise designated ordinary member shall be entitled to vote Every member shall be entitled to receive copies of all publications and reports issued by the association upon such terms as the Executive Committee shall determine;

Provided that a member who has not paid up subscription for more than three years shall not be entitled to such publications. Ordinary members may opt to become life member by paying a lump sum of money equivalent to ten years subscription. Upon this remittance, the life member shall be exempted from paying subsequent annual subscriptions and will continue to exercise his/her full rights and enjoy the privileges of his/her full membership in the association during his/her life time. FEES AND SUBSCRIPTION All members except students shall pay Tshs 30,000/= as entry fee, and an annual subscription of Tshs 50,000/=. The entry fee and annual subscription shall be subject to revision by the General Assembly as need arises

Taswo Kilimanjaro Activities: TASWO Kilimanjaro has continued to maintain the collaboration with partners from Bergen (FO). The exchange program is going on well and we have got good representatives from FO. TASWO Kilimanjaro is conducting two meetings a year, one is General meeting for April and other is Annual General meeting in November. Also we have been participating in international events like social workers day every year and international forums. TASWO executive Committee visited social workers in their respective work places to learn their working environment. Taswo Kilimanjaro is struggling to generate its income by printing t-shirts but still looking for other sources.

Recruitment of social workers, One of the tasks of TASWO K executive committee is to recruit new social workers to join the association by visiting the work places and training institutions in the region and publicize about TASWO K, and the importance of becoming members. From the survey which was conducted in 2015, there is 91 social workers working in government and private institutions.

CHALLENGES Despite the efforts to insist on payments of dues, the speed to which members confirm to payments of their dues has been very slow. Limited time for Executive Committee.(We have no permanent personnel) Process of getting bill has been gone slowly. WAY FORWARD To continue lobbying the registration of social work Council which we think will speed up the process of getting bill. To maintain the partnership with FO. To continue recruiting our members. Plan to accommodate internship for social work students.

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