Reference no: EM133988556

Question

You are an organizer working with a coalition of local neighborhood groups. You have had great difficulty getting the groups to overcome their turf battles and other parochial interests in order to come together toward the unifying goals of neighborhood improvement, crime reduction, and youth engagement. Attendance at meetings has been low, and leaders have spent more time arguing with one another than working together. You are surprised and elated, then, to arrive at one coalition meeting to find more than 80 people gathered and enthusiastic to present a new workplan for the coalition. Apparently, leaders from several of the organizations have concluded that recent immigrants in the neighborhoods are to blame for the conditions of housing deterioration and rising crime. They want to work together to form a "neighborhood watch"-style organization that would investigate immigrants' legal statuses and turn undocumented immigrants over to federal authorities. They also want to stop publishing any neighborhood documents in multiple languages, as "that only encourages them." There appears to be near unanimity about this problem and the proposed solution-the neighborhood leaders have gone through the coalition's established channels to win support from the grassroots supporters. As the organizer, you are very concerned, though, as this idea and these positions are contrary to your values and your emphasis on the well-being of all area residents.

(Adapted from A List of Ethical Dilemmas Facing Social Work by Patrick Gleeson.)

1. How should you respond at this meeting?

2. How could you use the ethical rules screen NASW Code of Ethics to assist you in ethical your decision-making?

3. Rank order the conflicting ethical principles or standards.