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Strengthening Engagement: Access to SSWAA’s Board Meeting Minutes
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW
Board Secretary
At the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), we believe that a strong professional association is built on transparency, connection, communication, collaboration, and meaningful member engagement. We are committed to creating opportunities for members to stay informed about the work being conducted on behalf of the profession and the association.
To support this commitment, the SSWAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Board Meeting Minutes will be made available to members through the SSWAA Membership Platform. We will begin by posting Board Meeting Minutes starting from January 2026 forward.
This initiative reflects our ongoing efforts to increase transparency, strengthen communication, and provide members with greater visibility into the governance and strategic direction of the association. We hope this resource will help members stay connected to the important work occurring across the Board and committees that support SSWAA's mission.
Why This Matters
SSWAA exists to serve and represent school social workers across the country. Our members bring valuable perspectives, expertise, and lived experiences that strengthen our profession and our organization. Providing access to Board Meeting Minutes allows members to:
Stay informed about Board activities and organizational priorities
Gain insight into strategic initiatives, decisions, and ongoing projects
Better understand how the Board conducts business on behalf of the membership
Increase opportunities for member engagement and feedback
Strengthen accountability and shared governance within the association
Transparency is an important component of effective leadership and organizational trust. By making Board Meeting Minutes accessible to members, we hope to foster a stronger sense of connection between the Board and the membership while encouraging greater participation in the work of the association.
Use of AI for Board Meeting Documentation
As part of our commitment to transparency, we would also like to share information about how Board Meeting Minutes are developed with the assistance of AI. During some Board meetings, SSWAA utilized Fireflies, an AI-powered meeting assistant, as a note-taking support tool. Fireflies can assist with capturing discussions, identifying action items, and generating draft summaries to support the documentation process. Other Board meetings did not utilize AI tools and relied solely on traditional note-taking methods.
Like many organizations exploring the responsible use of emerging technologies, SSWAA recognizes that AI can provide meaningful benefits when used thoughtfully and ethically. Potential benefits of AI-assisted note-taking include increased efficiency in drafting meeting minutes and reduced administrative burden.
At the same time, we recognize that AI tools have limitations and should never be viewed as a substitute for professional judgment. Potential risks of AI-assisted note-taking include inaccurate summaries or omissions of important discussion points, Misinterpretation of context, and biases or errors within generated content.
SSWAA's position is that AI should be used as a support tool rather than a replacement for human oversight, governance, or accountability. Any meeting minutes developed with AI assistance undergo review, editing, and approval by Board leadership before they are finalized and shared. The Board Secretary and Board leadership remain responsible for ensuring that Board Meeting Minutes accurately reflect Board meeting discussions.
Looking Ahead
SSWAA will continue to strengthen communication with members and enhance organizational effectiveness. We encourage members to regularly visit the SSWAA Membership Platform to review Board Meeting Minutes, stay informed about organizational updates, and explore opportunities to become involved in committees, leadership initiatives, professional development activities, and advocacy efforts.
We are grateful for your dedication to students, families, schools, and communities, and we look forward to continuing to build a more transparent, engaged, and connected association together.
Transparency Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence
In alignment with SSWAA's commitment to transparency and ethical technology use, artificial intelligence (AI) was utilized as a writing support tool in the development of this communication. The content was reviewed, edited, and approved by Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz to ensure accuracy.
