The MASSB Minute

Greetings, everyone. I hope that all is going well with you and your families. We are entering another month of a new year that will offer both challenges and opportunities. Considering all the competing responsibilities we have, we sometimes forget the power of choice. Professionals, practitioners, and volunteers in this field make important choices on a daily basis meant to help others, and the cumulative impact of that support and engagement has profound impacts on our communities.

At the same time, resources are needed to make a positive impact. Accordingly, MASSB will be on your side to offer resources and support to carry out your responsibilities and accomplish the many tasks meant to help vulnerable individuals and families in your community. I hope you enjoy this month's MASSB Minute and encourage each of you to reach out to us for support.

Best,
Tony

Boost your board members' knowledge of the current legislative climate as it affects our local Departments of Social Services, and meet our new liaison, Rachel Sledge, DHS Director of Government Affairs. A member from each board is encouraged to attend to be updated and learn how local boards may be supportive of legislative efforts during the current session.

Michael Francis, Advisory Board Chair

"Most people call my wife Bon Bon and for me I go as Mikey in most Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Queen Anne's County. We have been serving for the past 17 years providing Non-Denominational Church Services to the people we love living in these homes. After retiring from county government I wanted to find out about services that may help those in the homes. Little did I know that after a year I would be selected as Chairperson for the Queen Anne's County Social Services Board.

The QACDSS Board has a great team of compassionate members with some awesome skill sets. We are currently bringing our By-Laws up to date and working on a set of goals the board outlined in a recent workshop. Please come over and visit us and find out what life on the Shore is all about."

The theme of our 2022 Conference was "Eldercare," and one presentation explained how Queen Anne's County joined the Villages movement with the establishment of Queen Anne's at Home, a volunteer organization that promotes connectedness, empowerment and purpose among its members. Learn more about the movement at the Village to Village Network.

If your Strategic Plan includes projects that require fundraising, creating a Fundraising Plan is the next step in helping your board realize its goals. Consider these factors:

1. Fundraising Goals — how much do you want to raise, and for what specific purpose?
2. Fundraising Methods — be honest about your available manpower; start small and look for local grant opportunities.
3. Plan — develop a timeline and assign actions to board members or volunteers.
4. Tell Your Story — advertise using stories that speak to the heart.
5. Execute, Wrap Up & Thank Your Donors — document expenses and revenue, and ensure donors receive the MASSBF tax ID #26-1192752.

Presented by Maryland Nonprofits, February 10, 9:00–10:00am, and every 2nd Friday of the month. E-mail trustee@massbfoundation.org to register.