The MASSB Minute

Greetings, everyone. Social work has become a major force for good in our country and within the county we call our home. Living in our country is a blessing that many of us often take for granted. Unfortunately, there are also families living in poverty, children in unsafe environments, and homeless people braving the cold of winter. Fortunately for all of us, there are dedicated social workers right here in our communities who address these problems every day: the hundreds of social workers who are employed by the Department of Social Services across the state.

For more than 100 years, this noble profession has offered hope and provided a wide range of services to communities across our country. In its long history, countless leaders and practitioners like Jane Addams, the mother of social work and the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, have not only shaped the profession, but brought healing to our communities. Inspired by her legacy and drawing on a strong sense of professional pride, the important work of our social workers has neither ceased nor faltered during unprecedented recent times. They remain steadfast in their commitment and believe in what Albert Schweitzer once said: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate.”

Best,
Tony

We are so grateful for the skill, dedication and compassion shown by Maryland's DSS workers as they serve vulnerable Marylanders every day. On behalf of Advisory Board members across the state we say “Thank You!”

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Thanks to everyone who attended our conference on February 11th! The hybrid format brought together more than half of our counties either in-person or virtually. We are grateful for your dedication to strengthening our community through your questions and discussion.

Our featured speaker was Rachel Sledge, Acting Director, Office of Government Affairs, MD DHS. The OGA's responsibilities include coordinating the development and review of legislation important to DHS; facilitating briefings and committee hearings; and coordinating responses to constituent concerns. Rachel reported that Acting Secretary Lopez has already begun to engage with the local DSS Directors and his team recognizes that the diversity of Maryland (urban/rural, socio-economic, etc.) requires a diversity of services. If you missed the conference, please take a moment to review Rachel's presentation, which includes legislation of interest during the current session.

MASSB Foundation Chair, Tony Wohlers, presented the 2022 Annual Report and summarized 2023 focus areas including more professional development opportunities for local boards and the development of a marketing plan to increase the Foundation's visibility for recruiting and fundraising.

View Conference Presentation View 2022 Annual Report

Collectively, we assisted more than 3,000 individuals in 2022. Thank you for making a difference!

Keep board members engaged by working together to set realistic goals. Allow time for discussion and consensus building when pursuing major initiatives such as projects, fundraising or outreach events. Consider individual board members' passions and interests when assigning tasks (homeless outreach, fundraising, admin, etc.). Communicate on a regular basis to keep your board up-to-date between meetings and to request input for meeting agendas. Leverage the diverse knowledge and experience of your board members to achieve your goals!