We are honoured to recommend recognition of Richard Gregory through the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Distinguished Service Award.
Richard regularly expresses his pride in being a social worker for over 30 years. He has worked in both the child welfare and the young offender systems, he has worked with youth and families in crisis at a runaway and homeless shelter and with families of children with special needs. In Calgary, Richard was a sessional instructor in the Social Work Program at Mount Royal University. He was the Coordinator and instructor in the social work diploma program at Medicine Hat College from 1998 to 2015 and served as Department Chair – Health and Human Services.
Richard has also contributed many hours and years of volunteer work, including 19 years with HIV and AIDS. He was president of the board for the HIV Network in Medicine Hat for six years and was the president when they opened the harm reduction program in Medicine Hat. He has been the chairperson of the Social Development Advisory Board with the City of Medicine Hat, on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Shelter, and was one of the Human Rights Advisors at Medicine Hat College for 13 years. He served as secretary for the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education (CAPDHHE). Richard has been a strong advocate for equality and social justice. In Calgary he was very involved with the gay community and was one of the organizers of the first gay pride parade in Calgary and lobbied for the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected right in Alberta. In 2013 Richard received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award in recognition of his volunteer commitments. In 2016 Richard received a Hero Award from the Chinook Foundation of Calgary in recognition of his endeavors in advancing the quality of life for GLBTQ people. Richard was presented the Sunny Andrews Award from the Association of Social Work Boards for outstanding regulatory social work board service in November 2016.
With a decade of service to the Alberta College of Social Workers, Richard's service to his profession has been outstanding and his commitment steadfast. Richard has been a Member at Large, Treasurer, Vice President and President. He has completed volunteer terms of over 10 years on the Council of the Alberta College of Social Workers. Through service on numerous committees year after year, he has worked to uphold the principles and strength of the profession of social work. He has worked to foster good working relationships with social work educators and members of legislature. He is well known in social work education and social work advocacy circles as a strong supporter of the role that regulation and registration of professionals plays in serving and protecting public while strengthening the profession. He actively participates in national and international organizations including the Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators, the Canadian Association of Social Workers and the Association of Social Work Boards.
Richard's leadership on the ACSW Council and in the social work community in the Province of Alberta has been appreciated and recognized by colleagues for his understanding of leadership at governance levels as well as leadership within grassroots advocacy for our province and country’s vulnerable citizens. Within his leadership roles his value for strong ethical principles and values shine.
"Over and above" perfectly describes his caring and commitment to engaging, collaborating and serving with others to the betterment of the social work profession and of our communities.
The Council of The Alberta College of Social Workers