ACS 2009-2010

HEALTH, HOUSING, AGING,

Report to the
EDUCATION, WORKFORCE,
Community
IMMIGRATION, DISABILITY
TRANSPORTATION ,HEALTH ,
HOUSING, AGING, EDUCA-
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GRATION,DISABILITY,
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TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH,
HOUSINGH, OWARD
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EDUCA-
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HUMAN ,
IMMIGRATION ,
SERVICESDISABILITY
TRANSPORTATION
410-715-9545
Association of Community Services
10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Suite 920 Columbia, MD 21044
info@acshoco.org www.acshoco.org
 Helping Members Do Their Jobs Better
Howard County’s human services and nonprofit community rely on ACS for
education, training and networking opportunities. ACS makes sure that these are not
only of the highest quality, but accessible both in cost and scheduling.

In 2009-2010 ACS’ training and education programs were complemented with

expanded members-only sessions which not only provided additional skill-building
and networking opportunities, but offered timely information in areas ranging from
social media to public policy issues.

Monthly Meetings
A mainstay of ACS’ community efforts, free General Membership
Meetings in 2009-2010 presented information on issues ranging
from the new health care policy, to the changing media, and
initiatives designed to move people from homelessness to self-
sufficiency in our county. An average of 60 people attended
each month.

Trainings: Strengthening Organizations

More than 220 members and non-members took advantage of ACS Training
Programs in 2009-2010. These offered in-depth opportunities to help
human service providers deliver their services and manage their
organizations. Trainings included “Finding Funders and Winning Grants,”
“Cultural Connections: Reaching Culturally Diverse Communities,” and
“The Management Equation: Customer Service + Staff + Volunteers.”

More for Members: Strengthening Staff and the Organization

Hot Topics
Seven sessions with more than 95 attendees ranging from Board members,
to volunteers to staff reflected the increased popularity of these members-only
meetings. Hot Topics coupled informal presentations with discussions of new
products, services and initiatives as well as timely topics of interest to human
service providers. 2009-2010 topics included “Overcoming the Language Barrier,“
“Advocacy,” “Connecting Clients with their Social Security Benefits,” “Promoting
Financial Literacy,” “Preventing Compassion Fatigue,” “Making the Right
Referral,” and “Immigration Status and Its Implications.”
Back-Office Group
Eight Back-Office Group sessions complemented the Hot Topics but focused on more hands-on
demonstrations and discussion of new technology and ways to streamline operations. Topics included
effective website design, augmenting staff with volunteers, accounting software, open-source technology, and
organizational Facebook Pages.

Expanded Networking For Leaders

The Gavel Group and First Fridays, the latter in partnership with the Columbia Foundation, offer Executive
Directors and Board presidents the opportunity to share leadership strategies and discuss organizational
issues.
Improving Human Services In Howard County
During 2009 – 2010, ACS continued to play a significant role in addressing
human services needs in Howard County especially for those whose house-
hold income is less than $50,000 for a family of four.
 ACS continued strong advocacy for the needs of underserved
populations through participation on the Howard County Board on Self
Sufficiency.
 In partnership with the Policy Analysis Center, ACS updated the Self
Sufficiency Indicators for Howard County .
 Through the Nonprofit Resource Development Council ACS continued
its collaborative efforts to find practical solutions to the pressing
problems facing the human services community in both service delivery
and operations..
 Meetings with legislators and the County Executive offered opportunity for
community education, and also on issues such as the Hardship Indicators
report.
Priority Issues
ACS focused efforts on three priority issues developed in this year: housing,
human services delivery infrastructure and work support.. The housing initiative concentrated
on securing funding for a housing trust fund for affordable housing in Howard County. The
human services infrastructure explored the feasibility and appropriateness of co-locating
human services. The work support initiative studied ways to improve access to training
opportunities for students and entry level workers.
Legislative Highlights
ACS successfully advocated to preserve human services funding in the County budget in-
cluding the Community Partnership grants. ACS monitored approximately 40 State and
County bills providing testimony on more than half of them, including the Columbia Village legis-
lation and FY 2011 operating budget. ACS representatives met with the State Delegation to protect fund-
ing for human services from State budget cuts and with the County Executive to discuss specific concerns
regarding human services.

Reaching Out Recognizing Excellence

In 2010 ACS In 2010 the Audrey
expanded its Robbins Humanitarian
Awards celebrated its
outreach. In 35th Anniversary. This
addition to year we not only rec-
our electronic ognized this year’s
newsletter, honorees, but cele-
brated the more than
we continued 70 exceptional volun-
to distribute teers, institutions, and
print copies of service teams in the
our popular Directory of Ser- human services com-
munity, who have con-
vices: Looking for Answers, tributed so much to
and plunged into Social Media. Howard County.
We established a Facebook 2010 Audrey Robbins Humanitarians.
page that featured ACS news, news on Back row, standing: Terry Owens, Emcee; Janet Edelman, NAMI-
developments of importance to ACS members, and Howard Country, President, Volunteer Team of the Year; Donna
interesting resources, and regularly posted on Ho- Wells, Howard Country Mental Health Authority, Employee of the
Year; Jay Blackman, ACS President. Front row, seated: Nancy
CoMoJo. The Business Monthly in February 2010 Huggins, Audrey Robbins Awards, Co-Chair; Susan Rosenbaum,
again featured ACS and its members. Lifetime Achievement Award, Kathleen Dugan, Center for Adop-
tion Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), Volunteer of the Year .
 M EMBERSHIP FUNDING
ACS’ membership increased almost 10%, to 150
partners, community advocates and ACS Annual Report
organizational members.
FY10
Members benefits included monthly meetings,
listings in the annual directory, and on the ACS
website, a monthly e-newsletter, members-only Expenses $134,654
events, access to Board Development Programs, Administration $34,168 (25.5%)
insurance savings and discounted rates for Education and Training $30,176 (22.5%)
Education and Training events, and the annual Member Services $55,574 (41.4%)
Audrey Robbins luncheon.
Advocacy $14,195 (10.6%)
ACS also sponsors The
Gavel Group, and First
Fridays, which Revenues $136,025
attract substantial
numbers of Executive Membership Dues $38,777 (28.5%)
Directors and Board Partnerships $17,925 (13.2%)
Presidents. Grants $50,000 (36.8%)
Audrey Robbins Luncheon $10,849 (8%)
Our investment in the
Wild Apricot website Education and Training $6,114 (4.5%)
system also paid dividends in 2010. ACS Mem- Other $12,360 (9%)
bers now register for events, renew memberships
and update profiles, enhancing both our produc-
tivity, and ability to maintain timely,
up-to-date member information.

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2009-2010 2010-2011
President: Jay Blackman President: Harry Schwarz
Vice-President: Harry Schwarz Vice-President: Jackie Eng
Secretary: Jodi Finkelstein Secretary: Debra Popiel
Treasurer: Debra Popiel Treasurer: David Shippee

Dick Barnard Dave Michener Dick Barnard Laurie Remer

Peter Beilenson Jessie Newburn Jay Blackman Mary Schiller
Rene Buckmon Debra Popiel Gail Doerr David Shippee
Bob Causer Dave Roura Vidia Dhanraj Laura Smit
Vidia Dhanraj Caroline Sherman Lisa Dolce Sue Song
Lisa Dolce Kelli Shimabukuro Steve Girard Rev. Robert Turner
Kari Ebeling David Shippee Mary Lorsung Cathy Yost
Jackie Eng Laura Smit Jessie Newburn
Steve Girard Sue Song
Mickey Gomez Rev. Robert Turner Anne Towne, Executive Director
Mary Lorsung

Association of Community Services 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Suite 920Columbia, MD 210-410-715-9545 info@acshoco.org www.acshoco.org