When I grow up I want to be a Community Organizer.

[dnalexander]

Actually, those social workers are now called case managers where I used to work, now that Wilma brought that up. I guess their new business cards will say Community Organizer.

David

p.s. Pam welcome back. I knew you couldn't stay away for long. I look forward to your posts.The conversation was already missing your point of view and passion.

[dnalexander]

I think I'll become a community organizer and see if I can lead some of the forum folks to peace and harmony.

Flo, sometimes we definitely need that. I think to be successful you will have to work harder than Mother Teresa. I think she is up for Sainthood isn't she.

[sixdogsmom]

Pam, I loved your reply! Being a community organizer would not be an easy job in my estimation, trying to energize people who have never dealt with government to stand up for themselves must be exasperating at the least.

[dnalexander]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_organizing.

"Community organizers work actively, as do other types of social workers, in community councils of social agencies and in community-action groups. At times the role of community organizers overlaps that of the social planners.[1]

[1] http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761563084/Social_Work.html#p5


Thanks for your help. Between you all and my own research my question has been answered.

David

[flo]

  got a question? Find your answer on the Forum 

[Catwoman]

There is actually a community organizing group called Communities In Schools, whose primary job is to assist children who need the help with resources that are provided by the businesses out in the public sector.  Another community organizing operation is the United Way, for whom some very dedicated people work.  However, they would never generalize themselves with the non-descript label of "Community Organizer".  That label is reserved for those who do work that doesn't fall under any specific heading.  And, no, I'm not poking fun at the label...yes, there have been some heavy hitters who were 'community organizers'...it's just that they did that activity under the auspices of a different heading...Nun, civil rights activist, Red Cross worker, Salvation Army volunteer/member, etc.  Genuine jobs have genuinely recognizable labels, genuinely backed up by genuine credentials.

[twirldoggy]

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I have been in private practice doing mental health counseling.   During my first colleege experience at KU, I studied social work.  At that time the social work professors taught community organization but a social worker did not need a licence to do community organization.  That was in the 1960's.  I believe this is true now that one does not need a license to do community organizing.   Obama had a law degree and the knowledge to do community organizing.  He may have taken some social work classes along w3ith his law degree.  Don't get me wrong I am no fan of Obama.  But he did help the communities by doing work with those who really needed his help.  Clara Barton was a good example of a community organizer and social workers have a long history of this kind of work.       Susan

[Catwoman]

I stand corrected, Susan...thank you for your post...I will openly admit that I have never delved into the Social Work or Psychological/Psychiatric areas, so was unaware that those courses of study existed.  I have to wonder, as you point out, whether or not Obama took some of those courses on that topic, since he ended up doing that line of work for awhile.  They say that it's a day wasted if you don't learn something...so today was a good day! 

[Diane Amberg]

Thanks Susan!

[dnalexander]

When I typed the subject line to my original post I did it as a catchy title to get people to read it. You all answered my legitimate question as to a job title I heard a lot about recently and had no ideal what it was.  After I read your posts and researched I learned a community organizer is a social worker and social planner.I knew a LCSW is similar to a psychiatrist and does counseling. I did find everyone to be a little uncertain or incomplete as to what  the community organizer job title meant. Together with your info and the links I posted I hope we all know more than we did yesterday. Thanks for the info. I look forward to anyone that can expand on our knowledge. Ironically to my catchy title I find I did grow up to be a paid community organizer for a time. Now my mental health volunteerism makes me an unpaid community organizer.
David