KERALA ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS
Report & Minutes of AGM held on 09 Jul 2016
Inaugural Ceremony
Inaugural programme started with Prayer
Psw Dr.Ipe Varghese (President, Kottayam District Chapter) welcomed the gathering. He briefly presented the growth of KAPS in terms of growing in memberships, involvement in the formation of INPSW and affiliation to IFSW, organizing Students Congress at Bharathamatha college and the general body conducted in 12 districts in Kerala.
Psw Fr.Joye James presided over the meeting. In his presidential address he shared the recent developments in the social welfare sector and need for Social workers to improve skills and compete with other streams in the field.
Dr.P.R Sona, Municipal Chairperson inaugurated the function. She offered all the support to KAPS and promised involving social workers in the development programmes of the municipality.
Psw Fr.Philmon Kallthra (Bursar, BCM College, Kottayam), Psw Dr.Cherian P Kurian (Vice President KAPS and INPSWA, Psw Mr. Benoy Kattayil George (Gen. Secretary), Psw Dr. Susheel Samuel (Former World Bank Consultant), Psw Mr. Saseendradas (Treasurer, KAPS), Psw Dr. Anish KR ( Secretary ASSK) and Psw Dr.Fr. Prasant CMI (Member, EC) also addressed the meeting. There was general opinion on developing skills of Social Work professionals and also put efforts for bringing an identity for the profession.
Mr. Raju Abraham MLA (Ranni) joined the meeting and addressed the members. PSW. Benoy Kattayil welcomed the chief guest by presenting some of the concerns of Social Work profession in Kerala. Mr. Raju Abraham in his address promised to take up the concerns and he asked the meeting to make a representation to the government by arranging a meeting with Minister K.T. Jaleel.
Business Meeting
Business meeting started with self introduction by all participants. There after Psw. Benoy Kattayil George presented a comprehensive annual report. The report was passed after pointing out a few omissions and repetitions..
Psw Mr. Saseendradas presented the annual audited accounts which was passed after clarification on distribution of share to district chapters.
Most of the members shared the problems they face in practice. The main problems shared were lack of job security, low payment, use of ‘social work title’ by persons in other fields etc. The meeting has formed a committee comprising Psw Shahul Hameed Palakkad, Psw Joby Babu ( Idikki), Psw James Philip (Kottayam), Psw Biju Kannur, Psw Dr. Anish KR and the office bearers for preparing a petition and submit it to the government.
Psw Dr. Cherian P Kurian proposed the idea of online continuing education programme for professional social workers. General Body has accepted the proposal and formed a committee consisting of Office bearers, Psw Dr.Cherian, Psw Dr. Sushil and Psw Dr. Anish to discuss the fee structure and other modalities for implementing the programme.
Decided to discuss the proposal for giving membership in KAPS to BSW degree holders will be discussed later.
Discussed the feasibility to start a Social Work journal for KAPS (Kerala Journal of Professional Social Work). A committee was formed comprising Psw Jobi Babu, Psw Sushil Samuel, Psw Anish KR, Psw James Philip and office bearers.
It was decided that all the official communication should be done through email as there are chances of missing messages in ‘whatsApp’ because of heavy load of messages in ‘whatsApp’ .
Psw Dr. Ipe Varghese (President KAPS Kottayam chapter and acting as program office r in KAPS secretariat) informed the KAPS web site has been made dynamic and the district chapters can send news for publishing in the website.
It was also decided the AGM should be attended by all the office bearers of district chapters including committee members.
The requirements for maintaining INPSWA/IFSW membership will be discussed after getting related intimations from INPSWA.
Palakkad chapter shared their willingness to conduct next AGM at Palakkad chapter.
Decided that the office bearers of district chapters to visit the Social Work colleges in their respective districts and initiate student membership. Also they should encourage and take possible measures so that all passing out students to become life member of KAPS.
All the district chapters should make a presentation of the activities of respective chapter in the annual general body.
The meeting extended a special appreciation to Psw. Jobi Babu, Secretary, KAPS Idikki chapter for securing PhD in Social Work & for receiving award from MG University for best NSS programme coordinator.
The following people are selected as new office bearers and members in the governing body:
President : Psw Fr. Dr. Johnson Palackappillil (Fr. Prasant)
Vice President : Psw Mr. Benoy Kattayil George
Gen.Secretary : Psw Dr.Ipe Varughese Podimattathil
Jt.Secretary : Psw Abdul Rahiman
Treasurer : Psw Dr.Anish KR
Other Governing Body Members:
Psw Ms. Francina P X
Psw Dr.Cherian P Kurian
Permanent Invitees in Governing body:
Psw Mr. Kochukrishnakurup
Psw Mr. Varghese Chacko
Psw Mr. Santhosh P Thomas
Psw Dr. Mary Venus
Psw Mr. Saseendradas
Psw Mr. Abdul Rahiman
Psw Mr. Subairullavan
Psw Ms. Honey Dileep
Psw Mr. Bibin
Psw Mr. Biju John T
Psw Mr. Thankachen
Psw Mr. Susheel Samuel
Psw Fr. Jose Melottukochyil, ASSK President.
Psw Devasia Joseph, President, PROSA
The meeting was dispersed after deciding to hold a formal handing over function.
