The MASSB Minute

Greetings Everyone! MASSB exists to strengthen local social services boards, support meaningful advocacy, and advance the well-being of individuals and families across our state. At the heart of this mission are dedicated volunteers whose local knowledge, compassion, and commitment help ensure that community needs are recognized, resources are mobilized, and vulnerable residents receive the support they deserve.

That essential connection between service, advocacy, and partnership will take center stage at our annual conference in October. Under the theme "From Policy to People: The Power of Partnership in Advocacy and Beyond," we will explore how local boards can strengthen their leadership, use data to communicate community needs, advance effective advocacy, and build partnerships that translate policy into meaningful outcomes. We are especially pleased to welcome Stacy L. Rodgers, Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services, and look forward to interactive board training, discussions of legislative priorities, and the presentation of our Lifting Lives Awards. I encourage all local boards to register, participate, and consider bringing donations to support Children In Need and the Boys & Girls Club in Washington County.

Please do not forget to join our virtual Community Meeting on September 18 from noon to 1 p.m. for conference updates and discussion. Your continued volunteer service matters because lasting change begins locally.

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.

To thank Washington County for hosting our conference, we are highlighting local needs. Please consider bringing a donation to support one of these charities:

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.

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.

This is a question board members ask about our Chief Financial Officer, Nate Poerio. Yes…Nate does live in Italy! He lives in the centrally located town of Bevagna, near Assisi, where he owns and operates Lunabell B&B, an 18th century country house. In 2008, Nate and his wife, Ashleigh, also founded The English Camp Company for children aged 6–14 to foster cultural exchange in Italy and Austria through English language camps. We caught up with Nate (virtually!) to learn more about his interesting background. Thank you, Nate, for answering our questions!

After growing up in the Annapolis area, how did you end up living in Italy?
Our family always talked about how we are Italian but only the older generation can speak the language. My great grandparents moved with their children and my two great aunts from Calabria, Italy to upstate New York. My grandparents both spoke Italian as their first language but they never taught my dad's generation. As my grandparents were getting older I decided that we needed to continue the tradition and so I moved to Italy to learn Italian. I never moved back. Fast forward 18 years and I've got 2 kids that were born in Italy and correct my Italian.

How did you get involved with MASSB?
My dad, Mark Poerio, was an Anne Arundel County board member and founding trustee of the MASSB Foundation. Growing up I spent a lot of time listening to him talk about the organization and it's great work. Much of his time was spent working on the financial aspects with the help of Chris Cummings. After many years of that responsibility, both were ready to hand the reins to someone else. When my dad was visiting us in Italy in 2024, we discovered that my accounting system for English Camp and our B&B and his system for MASSB were almost identical. He asked if I would be interested in taking over his position and of course I said, "YES." MASSB serves so many people. It's a pleasure to be part of the team. The Executive team is also a pleasure to work with. They are all interesting and bring a lot to each meeting.

What advice do you have for new board treasurers?
Get in touch with us. Please don't hesitate to organize half an hour to talk so we can explain MASSB's workflow. It's not difficult and we're here to help.

Any final thoughts?
The best part of my role is reading the Withdrawal Request Forms. It's amazing how many people need assistance and the variety of issues people face. It's also equally incredible how many people volunteer and donate.

Adapted from Better Impact's blog post by Karen Goulet.

We are fortunate to have leaders from all walks of life on our local boards. But being a leader in an organization with paid employees is not the same as being a leader of volunteers! Most volunteer leaders are wearing multiple hats — parent, employee, caregiver, scheduler, recruiter, and conflict-resolver all at once. Few people receive formal volunteer management training before stepping into these roles, so what can a new volunteer leader do to prepare?

1. You don't need to be a perfect leader to be an effective one.
Volunteer leadership is built on clarity, communication, and appreciation. Set expectations early: who is responsible for what, how decisions are made, and how information flows. One of the most common breakdowns in volunteer organizations is communication. Create simple, consistent ways to share updates. Invite feedback. Explain decisions when possible. Volunteers don't expect perfection but they do need transparency. Mistakes will happen. Learn from them, adjust, and move forward. Modeling flexibility and accountability builds trust far faster than trying to do everything "right."

2. Avoiding burnout by leading with balance.
Burnout is one of the biggest threats to volunteer sustainability, especially for leaders. Strong volunteer leadership includes setting boundaries and role-modeling healthy expectations. Build a leadership circle instead of carrying everything yourself. Delegate responsibility, trust your team, and spread the workload. Volunteers have jobs, families, and full lives—expectations should reflect that reality. When volunteer leaders burn out, organizations lose far more than a role. They lose experience, continuity, and institutional knowledge.

3. The heart of a volunteer-driven organization is its people.
People volunteer for meaning, not just need. Effective volunteer recruitment strategies focus on connection and purpose. Every volunteer is a leader in their own way. Small actions build strong communities, and recognition matters more than we often realize. Publicly acknowledge effort. Say thank you often. Celebrate progress, not just outcomes.

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. For additional criteria and to apply, view the application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Your board is meeting with your Director monthly to discuss the social services situation in your county. Also monthly, the MASSB Minute is arriving by e-mail. What is MASSB? How is MASSB related to your board? Invite an experienced member of our leadership team to your board meeting to answer these questions and discuss how we can help your board reach its goals.