Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE)

In order to accomplish our Chapter Mission, we endorse candidates that support social work values, mission and proposed legislation.

NASW-MA PACE, the political action arm of NASW-MA, endorses candidates seeking political office in Massachusetts at the local and state level. Please note that we are only involved in local races if a social worker is running.

PACE endorses candidates that support our Legislative Agenda and social work values, and supports endorsed candidates by providing them with financial or in-kind support. PACE also co-sponsors forums for gubernatorial and congressional candidates though we cannot endorse in these races. We also make formal endorsements of ballot initiatives and concept campaigns or initiatives. PACE is on the board of the Mass Alliance, an organization which is made up of 27 statewide agencies working together to elect progressive candidates.

Help us support our endorsed candidates by making a donation to PACE!
Donate to PACE

Activist Opportunity: Join PACE!

NASW members have the opportunity to participate in the endorsement process and to work on the political campaigns of PACE-endorsed candidates. PACE typically meets on the last Tuesday of every month from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at the NASW-MA office: 11 Beacon Street, Suite 510, Boston, MA. A remote option of calling in or using Go To Meeting is also available.

2018-2019 Executive Board of PACE:
Staff- Sophie Hansen, LCSW
Chair- Alison Freeman, LCSW
Secretary- Mark Lane, LCSW
Treasurer- Carly Burton, MSW

To join PACE, or audit a meeting if a non-member, please e-mail the Political Director.

Check out our map of our 2018 endorsements and winners at www.facebook.com/naswmapace

Find your legislator and district here.

Candidates- Are you seeking an endorsement?

Thank you for your interest in seeking an endorsement from NASW-MA PACE!

Please keep in mind the following:

We do not get involved in local/municipal races unless you are a social worker who is running, or there are extenuating circumstances.
Our process begins with a short questionnaire submitted along with a letter of recommendation from a Massachusetts social worker (unless you are a social worker), and an interview to follow with members of the committee either in person or by phone.
Some ways we support our endorsed candidates have included a combination of: a press release to the candidate's choice of media, an email to NASW members in the candidate's district, and/or a monetary contribution to their campaign.

If you are interested in seeking our endorsement, please email the Chair and Political Director to receive our questionnaire and begin the process.

For Members: Help Them Get Elected!

Endorsements are a powerful tool; they boost a candidate's platform by declaring that an organization trusts them to be an ally to their cause. Many candidates seek PACE's endorsement to show their constituents that the largest group of professional social workers stand with them.

Even if you're not a member of PACE, you are still able to help endorsed candidates get elected several ways:

1. Visit their website and tell voters who live in their district about their key issues/platform.
2. Donate to their campaign. Even small donations like $10 can add up to big change- and campaigns aren't cheap!
3. Phone bank to help them fundraise. Candidates will often hold phone banking nights at their campaign headquarters, some have the option to do it remotely from your home. These shifts are typically 1-2 hours.
4. Door knock (aka canvass) the voters in their district. Canvassing are typically short shifts (2 hours) and happen during weekday evenings and mid-afternoon on weekends. You're typically paired with a buddy and knock doors in the neighborhood to drop literature, talk about the candidate and collect feedback to bring to the campaign manager.
5. Volunteer your special skills. Do you have a knack for graphic design or social media? In addition to paid staff, candidates are always looking for people to lend their special talents.

To learn more about ways to support PACE-endorsed candidates, please contact Sophie.