The MASSB Minute

Greetings Everyone. I hope this message finds you well and that all of you are enjoying summer. As we move into the second half of 2025, it is clear that we have already accomplished a great deal together. The dedication, creativity, and heart that our local boards continue to bring to their communities are truly inspiring. A wonderful example is Allegany County's recent "custard for a cause" fundraiser. It is another uplifting reminder of how even small efforts can create meaningful change.

As we look ahead to the Annual MASSB Conference on October 16–17, 2025, let us carry that same spirit forward. This year's theme, Rising to the Challenge: Strengthening Local Boards Through Advocacy, captures our shared mission of service, support, and local impact. I encourage you to submit nominations for the 2025 Lifting Lives Award to honor those who go above and beyond in lifting others. Stay connected with us and please continue to share your stories — your work deserves to be celebrated and amplified across the state.

Best,
Tony

Caren Kurtz — Allegany County Board Member

A small fundraiser is a great way for your board to gain both fundraising experience and visibility in your community. For even greater reach, Allegany's DSS posted on their Facebook page: "Thanks to all who came out last night to support our Safe & Snug Program!! And a HUGE thank you goes to our Board of Directors and the Queen City Creamery for hosting this event! We're grateful for your support and dedication to our community!" Board Member Caren Kurtz graciously took time to answer our questions.

What gave you the idea for this event?
I saw other organizations and groups in the area collaborating with the Queen City Creamery and knew it would be an excellent opportunity for our local DHS to collaborate with a small business to earn funding to support the children in the community. Queen City Creamery is a locally owned business in downtown Cumberland, MD.

How was this different with your role as a volunteer worker?
My role as a board member is to support and give back to the local community. Collaborating with a local business in the newly renovated downtown area was the perfect opportunity to be part of the community and support an essential program of the Department of Social Services, the Safe and Snug program. I had a great time taking orders, scooping the delicious frozen custard, and serving the wonderful people of Allegany County.

What project were you raising funds for? Were there other benefits?
The funds raised will benefit the Safe and Snug program, which provides warm clothing, such as coats, hats, and gloves, to local children in the community. A total of $114.80, which was 20% of sales for the evening, was donated by Queen City Creamery. Approximately $40–60 in cash donations were collected at the event, and 48 hat and glove sets were donated during the event. Other benefits included visibility in the community, more awareness of the Safe and Snug program, and collaborating with a wonderful local business.

How did you advertise your event? How much work was it for the board?
I worked with Jennifer Saeler, Supervisor of the Customer Service Team and Administrative Assistant to the Director of our local Social Services, to create a flyer which was shared on the DHS Facebook page, among DHS staff, and on personal Facebook pages. It was not a lot of work for the board because we are blessed with outstanding employees who immediately jumped in to help and volunteer their time.

Do you have any advice for other boards that would like to try this fundraiser?
It is important to ask the business you are working with the key questions to ensure the event goes smoothly, such as how many volunteers are needed. Also, the employees of the agency are experts in working with the community and hosting events, so ask their advice. You'll also want to plan for monetary and item collections — who will be available, and what will be used to collect the items.

Thank you, Caren, for sharing this "sweet" idea and congratulations on a successful event!

July 1st, the first day of the DHS fiscal year, is the day we welcome new members to our local advisory boards. It's an exciting time as we look forward to tapping into their energy, ideas and experience. Help new members acclimate by reviewing your board's operations and brainstorming how they can best engage. Your handbook is a great onboarding tool — if your board hasn't developed one, download our recently updated template below.

Please email your updated board roster to massbftrustee@gmail.com so we can add your new members to our correspondence. Thank you!

Download Board Handbook Template

First, let's talk about MASSB…the "Maryland Association of Social Services Boards." MASSB is a long-standing organization that brings together advisory board members from all Maryland counties to learn about, and act on, issues that involve family preservation and/or the protection of children and vulnerable adults. MASSB also serves as an important link to the Department of Human Services. MASSB is operated according to the MASSB Bylaws, which require that MASSB officers be elected at the annual conference, and that the officers' responsibilities include conducting an annual conference and disseminating pertinent legislative information.

What about the MASSB Foundation? The MASSB Foundation was the idea of the local boards! When an Anne Arundel County after-school program called Building Blocks was cancelled due to lack of funding, board members began discussing the possibility of fundraising to cover needs unmet by government programs. They sensed a single community fund would be more efficient than each county standing up their own nonprofit. So, during the 2007 MASSB Annual Conference, the local boards officially voted to form the MASSB Foundation. During the following year, 2008, the IRS approved MASSB Foundation as a 501(c)(3) charity to support Maryland-based programs that involve family preservation and/or the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

MASSB Foundation is operated according to a Trust Agreement, which is a legal document that outlines the charitable purpose of the Foundation. Funds raised by counties are held in sub-accounts, one for each county, within the Foundation's bank account. MASSB Trustees are responsible for overseeing the account and dispersing funds to counties for charitable expenses allowed by the Trust Agreement.

Together the MASSB Officers and Foundation Trustees form the "Executive Committee." The Executive Committee is responsible for promoting and coordinating the statewide efforts of the Foundation, and providing guidance to Local Boards in their efforts to assist vulnerable people in their communities.

MASSB Officers: Melissa Teitlebaum, President (Howard) • Renita Alexander, Vice President (Calvert) • Shawn Ashworth, Secretary (Anne Arundel) • Ed Hinde, Treasurer (Frederick)

Foundation Trustees: Tony Wohlers, Executive Committee Chair • Ed Hinde, Treasurer • Nate Poerio, Assistant Treasurer • Chris Cummings • Karen Lane • Ken White

Note: Pro Bono Legal Counsel provided by Mark Poerio, Esq.

Awarded annually as part of MASSB's October conference, the Lifting Lives Award recognizes projects or initiatives that are innovative or impact the local community in a positive way. Projects may be DSS-led or Board-led, however, board involvement is strongly encouraged. Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place include a monetary allocation to the winning board's MASSB Foundation account of up to $1,500.

Nominate Your Project

Join us September 5, 12–1pm, for Conference Preparation and Round Table Discussion.

Rising to the Challenge: Strengthening Local Boards Through Advocacy. Host: Howard County.

Grants up to $2,500 are now available for local boards. The funds are intended to address community needs or kick-start larger initiatives for which boards lack funding. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply Here

Developing or revitalizing a non-profit board can be hard! Experienced MASSB members are available for training or coaching sessions. We are all volunteers so help is free of charge. Reasonable funding for training offered by other organizations such as Maryland Nonprofits is also available. Please e-mail massbftrustee@gmail.com.