Introduction

With more than 800 persons attending and more than 50 sponsoring agencies and institutions, the Fifteenth Annual Symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), held in New York City in October 1993, was the largest in the organization's history. The symposium was rejuvenating for the many veteran practitioners and educators who were present and eye-opening and exciting for the many newcomers who were attending their first group work symposium. It was four days of serious work and intense involvement in presentations, papers, and discussions, along with the fun and joy of meeting others who share common experiences, concerns, and interests.