Same Sisterhood, Done Differently
Have you ever wondered how to go further than just being a member of our Facebook group? Are you ready to experience a next-level community for Black women in Social Work inside of an exclusive and limitless space for networking, support, advancement, and membership to local chapters? We are pleased to introduce to you a shift in our platform, a new height for our brand, The BGSW Network!
Membership Redefined
We’ve gained insightful feedback from members of our private Facebook community over the last few years. We learned that a more flexible and interactive platform was needed to cultivate a more intimate and enhanced sisterhood experience. This confirmed what was already envisioned. In 2019, our Creator added to her vision board a photo of Black women holding hands that she clipped from an Essence magazine. The photo represented her idea of cultivating definite membership to our platform that provides elevated in-person and digital experiences, surpassed the capabilities of a Facebook group. Join the the beginning of a new legacy for BGSW membership today!
Benefits of Joining
How to Join
Apply for Membership
We prioritize maintaining a safe space for Black women and we are properly vetting applicants before membership is offered. Check our FAQ below for membership criteria.
Application Review
Our team will review your application submission and ensure that you meet our eligibility criteria. Please allow up to 7 business days for processing. Current members of our Facebook Group may be processed sooner.
Invitation to Join
After we review and approve your membership application, you will be emailed an invitation to join our network with additional information!
General Membership
$14.99/month or $144/year
The General Membership subscription provides all of the listed membership benefits at an affordable price point. This plan is for members that have completed a Social Work degree program with an accredited university or college. A member may choose a monthly or annual renewal form of payment. This plan provides flexibility in membership with the benefit of enjoying a 7-day FREE trial and ability to cancel and rejoin at any time!
Student Membership
$9.99/month or $96/year
The Student Membership subscription provides all of the same membership benefits but with further affordability. This plan is for members currently enrolled in a Social Work degree program at an accredited university or college. A member may choose a monthly or annual renewal form of payment. This plan provides flexibility in membership with the benefit of enjoying a 7-day FREE trial and ability to cancel and rejoin at any time!
FAQ
About the Network
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The Network is the transformative way to obtain membership to Black Girls in Social Work. When you join the Network, you not only gain access to various online and in-person membership benefits, but you become an official member of our platform.
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Membership to BGSW is for Black women currently enrolled in or a graduate of a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Social Work program. This includes the following degree programs only: BSW, MSW, DSW, PhD in Social Work.
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We are on a mission to create a long-lasting and more impactful structure to membership within our platform. We aim to provide opportunities that may afford members with personal and professional advancements through this form of expansion.
Joining the Network
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Top Reason #1: You will have the special opportunity to officially join a Social Work sisterhood for Black women and grow with us as we expand over time.
Top Reason #2: You may join a local chapter of BGSW soon or spearhead chartering a chapter in your local area within the next year.
Top Reason #3 You will gain exclusive access to our Network hub, members-only chapter events and branded merch, scholarship opportunities, mentorship matching, and FREE admission or special discounts to events and other services.
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To join, you simply apply for membership. A member of our team will review your application and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
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Please allow 7 business days for your application to be reviewed. You will be notified via email. Those that are current members of our Facebook Group will have priority reviewing.
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Membership is not offered to recruiters. However, we have an internal employment and internship board for members across the U.S. that we welcome you to list positions on. If you are interested in learning more about this process, please email us at info@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com with the subject line: Job Board.
BGSW Membership
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We offer two membership plan options: General Membership and Student Membership. Both options provide the same benefits at affordable rates including a 7-day FREE trial. However, we separated the plans to provide currently enrolled students further affordability.
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Both membership plans have the options for monthly or annual renewing. Being a member of the network hub is how you stay an active member of our platform.
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Yes, you can cancel your membership at any time.
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When you cancel your membership, you will no longer be a member of Black Girls in Social Work or have access to membership benefits. However, you are more than welcome to join us as an affiliate by joining the BGSW Facebook Group.
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Yes, you may rejoin at any time by completing the Member Reactivation form HERE.
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When cancelling a monthly membership, your membership will continue for the rest of the month that you elected to cancel in. At the end of the month (billing cycle), your membership subscription will expire and you will not be charged. Refunds are not provided when cancelling membership.
When cancelling an annual membership, your membership will continue for the rest of the year and will expire at the next billing cycle. You will not be charged at the next billing cycle when cancelling. Refunds may be requested if cancelling 30 days after your free trial period. After the 30-day period, refunds will not be provided. To request a refund, please email membership@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com.
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No, membership to the Network is the only way to pay for and have membership to our platform.
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Please feel free to contact us via email with any questions not found here at membership@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com.
About the Facebook Group and Groupme Chats
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Our Facebook Group will remain active as a FREE resource for Black women in pursuit of or in the field. There will be changes within the group’s content but it will always be available.
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Those in our Facebook Group and local Groupmes are now BGSW affiliates.
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No.
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If you do not join the Network, you are not a member of BGSW. You are a BGSW affiliate by solely being in our Facebook Group or one of the local Groupmes. As a BGSW affiliate, you will have access to certain events such as our conference, virtual trainings and workshops. Events that are open to affiliates will be shared in our Facebook Group, on our socials, and through our email newsletter. You will also be able to apply for our Stipend Initiative, when available.
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No.
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At this current time, yes. Once chapters are established within the Network, in-person events will be exclusive to chapter members unless otherwise specified by the chapter.
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Currently, all Groupmes will continue as is. However, all BGSW locations will eventually be completely removed from Groupme. During Phase 2 (2024-2025), we will begin the chartering of chapters. Once a location’s chapter is chartered, the location’s Groupme will transition to a private online space housed within our Network hub. The location’s Groupme will be completely phased out and permanently deleted once the transition is complete.
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We will no longer be recruiting for State Representatives as the position is being phased and transitioned into Chapter Chair roles. More information will become available about chapters and new roles within BGSW soon.
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We will be implementing our membership changes in three phases.
Phase #1 (Completed): The launch of the BGSW Network and opening of membership applications.
Phase #2 (Current phase) :The development and initiation of chapters for locations with a current State Representative; completing a transition from Groupme into the Network hub for chartering locations.
Phase #3: The launch of applications to form a chapter for locations with State Representative vacancies and newly formed locations.
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Please feel free to contact us via email with any questions not found here at membership@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com.