Partnering for Impact:

SW2E and NASW-CA Team Up for

2026 Legislative Lobby Days

SW2E (Social Workers to Elected Office) is proud to announce a landmark institutional partnership with the National Association of Social Workers – California Chapter (NASW-CA). This collaboration is designed to provide a comprehensive leadership development experience for participants of the 2026 Legislative Lobby Days (LLD) Conference.

The Program: Leading with Ethics to Build Civic Power

Under the guidance of Dr. Victor Manalo, a former Mayor, Councilmember, and seasoned social work professional with over 30 years of experience, participants will embark on a Three-Phase Advocacy Journey. This curriculum moves beyond a single day of lobbying to help social workers build a permanent advocacy presence in their communities.

Phase 1: Pre-Conference – Establishing Local District Roots

The journey begins with a virtual workshop, “Your Community as Your Client,” focusing on relationship-based advocacy grounded in social work ethics. Participants will receive tools for Community Relationship Mapping and learn how to initiate professional contact with state legislative offices before the conference even begins.

Phase 2: LLD Conference – Relationships Are Our Superpower

At the LLD Conference, SW2E will deliver an interactive in-person session: “Relationships Are Our Superpower: Building Political Influence Through Connection”. This session features the signature “Influence Without Authority” framework, training social workers to use their natural skills of empathy and systems thinking to influence policy ethically.

Phase 3: Post-Conference – Sustaining Your Influence

To ensure lasting change, the partnership includes virtual accountability meetups and a workshop titled “Influence Assets: Continued Engagement”. This phase provides social workers with monthly action prompts and technical expertise to maintain ongoing relationships with their legislators.

Why This Matters

SW2E was founded on the belief that when social workers step into civic leadership, our communities gain ethical decision-makers who turn social work values into social justice. By partnering with NASW-CA, we are ensuring that social work values have a seat at every decision-making table, from local city councils to the state legislature.

"Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, relationships, and purpose." — Victor Manalo, Ph.D., MSW, President of SW2E

Exclusive Benefits for NASW-CA Members

As part of this partnership, NASW-CA members will receive early access to future SW2E workshops, events, and leadership content.