The MASSB Minute

Greetings, everyone! Hopefully, all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. This is a great time to reflect on our accomplishments of the past year, and to be grateful for the people who have made a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. As you will see below, Karen has provided a lovely summary of this year's interviews and articles. It's really eye-opening to think that this represents a fraction of what our DSS staff and volunteers do, so I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for who you are and what you do. Each of you, whether you realize it or not, has made a difference to the families, children and vulnerable adults that share this beautiful state with us. Be mindful of the stories that you hear – whether it's about a family who escaped eviction due to your efforts, a child who was placed into a loving foster family, or one of our seniors who was able to remain in their homes because they received needed medical devices or services. In the ten years that I've been associated with this group, I have heard so many uplifting stories, and that's what keeps me energized and wanting to do more.

There is some great news on the horizon…Maryland will be operating with a significant budget surplus over the next several years, and looking at Governor-Elect Moore's priorities, I believe we will have the opportunity to seek grants for some of the work we do. Additionally, the MASSB Foundation will have a turnover in leadership in January. Vice Chair, Tony Wohlers, will be taking the reins and moving us forward in conjunction with our strategic plan. He will be an outstanding leader, and will bring a fresh perspective to the team. We have lots planned for you, but I will let Tony tell that story in the January Minute. I will remain as a Trustee with the Foundation, and will still be working closely with you. I would like to thank the people who have helped me be successful in this role – starting with the Executive Team, and including several board chairs and Directors along the way. I look forward to continuing to serve you, and wish you all the best in this Holiday Season and beyond.

Chris

As we approach the end of another year, let's take a moment to express our appreciation for the staff at DSS who work so hard to help vulnerable people in our communities. Do you have a special way to say "thank you"? Here are some ideas shared by local boards…

• Sign a card to pass around the DSS office
• Post handwritten notes on the DSS bulletin board
• Write an Appreciation Letter for the DSS director to share with staff via email
• Make a video of your board members expressing thanks
• Express your appreciation in-person at a DSS all-hands meeting
• Ask board members to "pitch in" (or partner with a local business) to provide small treats such as gift cards for ice cream, a drawing for a basket of goodies, or a cake or breakfast items

We introduced the MASSB Minute in January to share experience and ideas, and connect us as a community of volunteers. We hope you've found this resource useful, and perhaps picked up an idea or two. We've covered lots of topics and introduced some amazing team members as you can see in the year's summary. Missed a topic? Past issues are archived on our website MASSBFoundation.org.

Please help us keep our newsletter interesting and relevant by submitting topic suggestions and sharing the activities of your board. You are doing great work…let's shine a light on it in 2023!

Feb 11 — Legislative Meeting & 2022 Financial Review (Annapolis & virtual)
What topics would you like to see on the agenda? Let us know! trustee@massbfoundation.org