Catch up with the latest updates, announcements, and initiatives from the MASSB Foundation — delivered monthly to board members and staff across Maryland.
Message from the CEO, welcoming new board members, a refresher on the Open Meetings Act, and more.
As we begin a new fiscal year and welcome new members to Social Services Advisory Boards across Maryland, I want to thank both our incoming and returning volunteers for their commitment to public service and community engagement. The success of our boards depends on dedicated individuals who generously contribute their time, experience, and leadership to support vulnerable children, families, and communities throughout our state. This is an ideal time to orient new members, review board responsibilities, and identify meaningful opportunities for engagement that strengthen the effectiveness of your board.
As you continue this important work, I encourage you to make plans now to attend the 2026 MASSB Annual Conference this October. The conference provides an outstanding opportunity to learn, network, share best practices, develop leadership skills, and celebrate the collective impact of volunteer service across Maryland. Together, through active participation, strong local leadership, and a shared commitment to service, we can continue to strengthen Maryland's human services system and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
Best,
Tony
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 a handbook, contact us for our template.
Please email your updated board roster to massbftrustee@gmail.com so we can add your new members to our correspondence. Thank you!
The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) is the official compilation of all administrative regulations issued by agencies of the state of Maryland and authorized by the General Assembly.
The Annotated Code of Maryland is a compilation of the statutes enacted by the Maryland Legislature, generally organized by subject (e.g., Human Services Articles). The Annotated Code includes the statute directing each local Department of Social Services, with the exception of Baltimore City, to have a local board. Section 3-501 outlines the board member requirements, and Section 3-503 lists the duties of board members. Contact us for the full statute text.
The Open Meetings Act is a Maryland law that requires public business to be conducted openly and publicly. It ensures that citizens receive adequate notice about when and where public meetings take place, so they can attend if they wish.
The Open Meetings Act applies to Advisory Board Meetings, so it's important for Board Chairs to be familiar with the specific requirements of your county, including recommended or mandatory training. A summary of open meeting requirements:
Contact us for Maryland's Open Meeting Act: A Quick Guide.
The Open Meetings Act requires agendas, which is a best practice, anyway! So what makes a good agenda?
If you're struggling with the best format for your board, here are some examples to consider:
“We meet from 5:00–6:30pm on the 3rd Monday of the month. We use a hybrid format with members both in-person and on-line. Our agendas and minutes are accessible to the public through our board's website hcssboard.org.”
“We meet from 6–8pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month. That allows sufficient time for Chair and Director's reports, old and new business, and reports from our six committee chairmen. We wrap up with an action item review. If we have guests, they present first, allowing us to have our confidential discussions after they depart.”
We continue to increase our presence on social media to build brand awareness, and to advocate, educate, and publicize issues important to MASSB. With this effort comes the responsibility to protect our reputation. As a nonprofit, our reputation is a key factor in drawing donors, volunteers and partners to our cause.
To that end, a draft social media policy was circulated to MASSB membership for comment in February. The policy has now been approved and is available for your use. This policy applies to anyone posting on MASSB social media platforms or who may be perceived as representing MASSB due to their personal online presence.
Request Social Media PolicyRemember that our social media platforms belong to you, too! We would love to share your projects, fundraisers and successes. And please follow our pages so you can like and support the work of board members across the state in our shared mission to Bridge Gaps and Lift Lives.
E-mail your content to Nate Poerio for posting at massbftrustee@gmail.com.
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.
Request ApplicationIt's not too early to start thinking about the Lifting Lives Award! 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.
Nominate Your ProjectYour 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.
Request a VisitBrowse previous editions of The MASSB Minute.
Greetings Everyone! As we move into summer, I want to thank each of you for the dedication and compassion you bring to your local boards and communities every day. The stories and initiatives highlighted during the last Community Meeting and in our monthly newsletters remind us that meaningful changes happen through connection, partnership, and service. Whether it supports innovative programs like the Charles County Public Library Storybook Program, planning strategic board initiatives, or volunteering your time to strengthen local services, your efforts truly make a difference.
Although we are still a few months away from one of our signature events, I also encourage everyone to begin thinking about our Annual Conference on October 9 at Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf Course in Washington County and nominations for the Lifting Lives Awards. This year's theme, From Policy to People: The Power of Partnership in Advocacy and Beyond, will provide an important opportunity to learn, collaborate, and energize our shared mission. Volunteers are the heart of MASSB, and your continued engagement is what allows us to grow stronger together. Let us keep the momentum focused on lifting the lives of others.
Best,
Tony
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.
Request a VisitDuring this time of year when we celebrate mothers and fathers, we recognize the extraordinary impact of the Charles County Public Library Storybook Program. Our thanks to Sarah Anderson, Program & Outreach Manager, for explaining the program and the vital role it plays in maintaining parent-child bonds while parents are incarcerated.
The Charles County Public Library operates a fully operational library branch within the Charles County Detention Center offering a variety of programs to incarcerated individuals including resume building, job interview preparation, chess tournaments, book clubs, and other reentry-focused services. However, the most popular offering is the Storybook Program. The Storybook Program promotes early childhood literacy and fosters a connection between incarcerated individuals who have young children at home that they are separated from.
About the Program
The Storybook Program began in April 2023, alongside the opening of the Charles County Detention Center Library branch. It was envisioned as a meaningful way to promote early childhood literacy and help incarcerated individuals stay connected with their children, which can be a strong source of motivation. It helps the parent stay positive and focused during incarceration, providing something meaningful to look forward to in an otherwise difficult environment. For the child, preserving that connection makes it easier to rebuild and strengthen the relationship once the parent is no longer incarcerated and helps create better emotional outcomes for the child.
The Storybook Program provides participants the opportunity to record themselves reading a recordable children's book that is provided by the library. They are able to include a special message at the beginning of the book, allowing them to speak directly to their child or children. While reading, they can also personalize the story by adding comments, using the child's name, or including small, meaningful messages throughout. In addition, parents may write a letter or note that we include with the book, giving them another way to connect and share a personal message. After recording, each book is packaged in a gift bag along with a stuffed animal that corresponds with the book's theme. Once children receive their recorded books, they can open their new book and read along to a story while hearing their parents' voices at any time. Having a recorded story allows children to hear their parent's voice whenever they need comfort, which can be incredibly meaningful.
Monthly board meetings are great for connecting with your Director and discussing community needs. But dedicating a larger block of time each year for brainstorming and developing goals and plans will accelerate your board's impact. Find a time when most (or ideally all) of your members can meet for at least half a day. Schedule a conference room at a library or other venue. Develop a structured agenda to keep discussion on track. End the session with a plan to move forward with renewed energy to tackle your goals. Need help? E-mail massbftrustee@gmail.com for assistance from one our experienced members. Good luck!
Please use the most recent Withdrawal form when requesting funds. The form includes a list of Allowable Expenses and an area to indicate how many people you will help by program (Basic Needs, Health & Safety, Growth & Opportunity). These important metrics are needed for our tax return and grant writing. Providing them at the time of the request eliminates the back and forth e-mails at the end of the year. Thank you!
Request Withdrawal FormGrants 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.
Request ApplicationIt's not too early to start thinking about the Lifting Lives Award! 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.
Nominate Your ProjectLooking for an older issue, or want to be added to the mailing list? Contact massbftrustee@gmail.com.
