The MASSB Minute

As we continue our summer journey, I am inspired by the commitment of our local advisory board members who volunteer their time, expertise, and passion to strengthen Maryland's communities. This month marks another major milestone as the MASSB Foundation officially became a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. This affirms our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and stewardship. We also encourage every board to continue recruiting passionate and diverse community leaders and to continue exploring and applying for the MASSB Foundation Mini-Grant program as a catalyst for collaborative and innovative local initiatives. We are especially excited to share our new MASSB website, which provides enhanced resources, improved communication, and a platform to better connect and support advisory boards across the state.

Most importantly, I hope you will join us for our Annual MASSB Conference on October 9 at Rocky Gap Resort in Washington County. Guided by "From Policy to People: The Power of Partnership in Advocacy and Beyond," this year's conference will offer outstanding professional development, networking, and inspiration. Together, we continue building stronger boards and stronger communities. I look forward to celebrating our collective accomplishments with you this October.

Best,
Tony

Please join us for our annual conference hosted this year by Washington County DSS and Board at the Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf on October 9. We are continuing our focus on advocacy with the theme "From Policy to People: The Power of Partnership in Advocacy and Beyond." Hear expert speakers address:

• The Nuts and Bolts of Effective, Intentionally, Successful Boards
• From Data to Impact: Helping Board Members Become Stronger Ambassadors
• Driving Social Impact and Policy Change Through Nonprofit Advocacy

The program also includes Board Member Interactive Training, a DHS presentation of their Legislative Priorities, and the Lifting Lives Award Presentations. A group dinner is planned for attendees arriving on Thursday night.

Virtual Community Meeting, September 18, 12–1pm. Please join us for conference updates and round table discussion. Dial-in details will be e-mailed prior to the meeting.

We are proud to announce that on July 17th, MASSB Foundation became an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance. The Alliance strengthens public confidence in charities by promoting wise giving and trustworthy charity practices. Charities are evaluated on 20 BBB Charity Standards which address key areas of charity accountability, including governance, finances, effectiveness reporting, transparency, and fundraising practices.

Transform your recruitment process from a task into a strategy. Use these actionable steps to build a well-rounded, impactful board. Building an effective board of volunteers is a challenging task for any organization. We are grateful to Sherri Spray for sharing the process her county uses to recruit a first rate Advisory Board to support Kent County's DSS and community.

1. Cast a Wide Net (Sourcing Candidates)
Leverage Your Networks: Post engaging recruitment calls across all social media channels. Tap Internal Expertise: Consult with DSS staff—they often have excellent, firsthand recommendations for community champions. Brainstorm Local Leaders: Think outside the box. Look for community members, business owners, or advocates whose vision aligns with your mission.

2. Work Smarter, Not Harder
Borrow Best Practices: Reach out to neighboring counties' Advisory Boards or local DSS offices. They likely have proven marketing materials and recruitment strategies you can adapt. Utilize State Resources: If you are building from the ground up, dive into the MASSB website for curated tips, toolkits, and ready-to-use collateral.

3. Build with Intention
Aim for a Well-Rounded Board: Don't just fill seats; strategically recruit for a balance of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives to drive your mission forward. Pro-Tip: Before you reach out, define a quick "elevator pitch" explaining why someone would want to join your board and the specific impact they can make.

As a relatively new Board Chair and a new Trustee with the MASSB Foundation, I've been stretched to learn as much as I can to serve in both roles to better assist the needs of our residents locally and statewide. Since we are embedded in MASSB, I wanted the board to have a clearer understanding of the organization structure and have open dialogue with the MASSB Executive Team for clarity and alignment.

The engagement reinforced the importance of community collaboration and outreach to expand resources for residents in need. I strongly encourage my fellow Board Chairs to connect with MASSB to learn more about the resources and support that's readily available. Each board has significance to make a meaningful and lasting impact within their county.

The Maryland Resource Parent Association (MRPA) invited us to participate in their Chesapeake Baysox Family Appreciation Event on June 20th. It was a pleasure to see so many resource parents, children, youth, and families come together for a day filled with fun, fellowship, and appreciation.

Renita Alexander, MASSB VP, and Tony Lawrence, MASSB Foundation and St. Mary's County Board Chair, attended along with Shirley Newton-Guest from the Prince George's County Board. A special thank you to Shirley who graciously assisted at our information table and thoughtfully brought candy for the children, helping create a warm and welcoming experience for families.

The event provided meaningful opportunities to expand awareness of the MASSB Foundation among organizations and attendees who were previously unfamiliar with our mission. We were also honored to serve alongside several dedicated community partners, including the National Foster Parent Association, the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), and Suitcases of Hope.

Thank you to the MRPA Board for your work in hosting this fantastic event and for all you do for Maryland's Resource Families. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and look forward to future collaborations that allow us to expand our outreach, strengthen community partnerships, and continue serving families across Maryland.

Grants up to $2,500 are now available for local boards. The grant funds are intended to kick-start new initiatives and may be used for direct customer support or fundraising expenses. The project or initiative should be board-led, or conducted in partnership with DSS. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

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. The deadline for submission is October 2, 2026.