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Greetings!
It is the holiday season and at MLW there is much to celebrate. Since finishing summer core and outreach programs, the office has been busy preparing for 2012 including revamping application materials and expanding the year round community outreach programs. As we look to next year, it is important to reflect on what has been accomplished: an engaged Board of Directors, a new Executive Director with expanded responsibilities, and a Program Committee with a renewed commitment to designing and supporting quality programming. And the biggest accomplishment of all - reaching over 600 students across Maryland through our core and outreach programs who are leading in their own lives at school, home, and in their communities every day.
On December 28, active and alumni staff will come together to celebrate these successes and thank the supporters that make our work possible. For more information about the celebration, contact office@mlw.org. It is not too late to give an end of the year gift that will ensure that even more students have this life-changing experience in the year ahead.
Delegates from 2011 will have their chance to reconnect at our annual delegate reunion on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring. This is a chance to visit with team members and staff, get a refresher on workshops and touch base on action plans. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to office@mlw.org.
Read about the 2012 programs and meet some of the directors below. Applications for delegates and staff are now at www.mlw.org.
Most of all, we cannot finish this year without a profound and heartfelt thank you to Ron Dhindsa, MLW's #1 Champion across the state, for his decades of contributions (see photographic proof below!) to the organization. His determination to keep MLW strong has made it what it is today and ready for a new chapter in the organization's proud history.
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| A Message from the Chair | |
 | | Eliot Pfanstiehl, Chair, MLW Board |
My friends,
In the dark and cold of December, it's hard to remember the bright, hot days of last summer's MLW workshops at Washington College. December could use the kick-start energy of Morning Sing! MLW is still hard at work with outreach programs, planning for SAIL, and preparing new materials and curriculum for next summer.
A talented and driven staff and Board of Directors are already convening to brainstorm program ideas, expand recruitment, raise support for operations and scholarships and ensure the long-term sustainability of this remarkable organization.
With Ilaya Hopkins, now firmly grounded in the legacy, logic and operating realities, MLW is in the perfect place to stretch its wings and vision State-wide with other youth leadership programs and associations. New alliances with the State Teachers, State Board of Education, MASC, Legislators, corporations and Leadership Maryland will create a solid foundation for future growth. New collaborations and partnerships will leverage resources, talent and assets we've never had.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. But early returns are hopeful and energizing. If you ever found value in your MLW experience, this is the time to re-connect. Animate your passion for leadership through MLW.
Eliot Pfanstiehl
Chair, MLW Board of Directors
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| Program Board and Beyond | | At the October Board of Directors meeting, new bylaws were adopted that renamed the Program Board the Program Committee. Elections for the Program Committee were held in October and in November, the newly installed Program Committee selected their first Chair and Vice Chair, Marcy Leonard and Dustin Jeter, respectively, who will serve a one-year term. The six general members are the chair and vice chair, Kevin Taylor, Charlie Gayle, Catherine McCall, and Jackie Fludd and the two student members are Moya Shpuntoff and Olivia Keithley. Together, they represent a variety of program experience as delegates, staff, and directors. At a retreat in early December they brainstormed and planned on ways to provide direction, guidance and support to the ongoing development of programs.
One of the most important responsibilities of the Program Committee is appointing Program Directors. We are happy to introduce Core Program Directors for 2012 and have included messages from them below.
MSEL - Kevin Tervala and Adam Carey, co-directors 
Hey MLW! How do you feel?
Hopefully, the answer is "Getting excited for summer 2012 programs!" Yes, that's right. Even though the thought of facilitating workshops, leading workshops, and hanging out with phenomenal MLW delegates and staff may be far from many of your minds, summer programs officially begin in less than five months! Indeed, planning for the summer is already in full swing! And no two people could be more excited for the rapidly-approaching core programs than the two of us. We are indescribably thrilled to be returning the direct the 2012 Middle School Experience in Leadership program. As second-year MSEL directors and sixth-year MLW staff members we know that this year will be the program's best yet, bringing with it phenomenal staff, endlessly talented delegates, and transformative experiences that will indelibly change the lives of everyone involved. We sincerely hope that each and every one of you will join us in experiencing MSEL's revolutionary magic. And, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at mseldirectors@gmail.com.
SHW - Dustin Jeter
Hello, My name is Dustin Jeter and I am excited to be directing the Senior High Workshops in 2012. This summer marks the 12th year that I have worked for Maryland Leadership Workshops and the 16th year that I have been a member of the MLW family. Over the past few years, I have had a chance to staff most of the programs within MLW. I have also spent five years directing the MSEL, Gear Up, and ALS programs. My hope is that I can bring some of my previous experiences to SHW as we work to create an exceptional leadership experience for all of the high school students in attendance. I can't wait to experience the MLW magic once again this summer and I hope to see you at Washington College for SHW 2012!
ALS - Farah Sheikh 
Hi there MLW - I hope you're all as excited as me about summer 2012! This will be my seventh year with the organization, and my second year directing the Advanced Leadership Seminar. MLW has influenced and shaped many of my experiences over the past few years, and I'm delighted with the opportunity to spread the magic for another year.
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| You can Build the Foundation of MLW |
No matter the path taken since your time at MLW, inevitability you recall a compelling workshop, a fun ice breaker or team building exercise, or even the tune of a morning sing song. And, most of all, you remember the people-delegates, staff, and extradordinary individuals like Mike Michaelson, a lifelong educator and mentor-who have helped to make it all possible. The experience of MLW is as needed and relevant for today's young people than ever and we need your help in keeping it strong.
A former delegate - now a non-profit executive and a mother of two-wrote to Mike recently and captured what so many know:
 | Mike Michaelson with delegate Sarah Weinstein at
2011 SHW Registration. |
"Thank you for all the energy you put into MLW and the youth engagement work you were a part of when I was in High School. It definitely created a foundation for me as I embarked on my nonprofit career. I keep saying that the most important component we can offer in our youth service initiatives is to ask youth what they think, what they want to do and not to refer to them as "future leaders" but to honor the voice and vision they have today. That sense of respect was so prominent in MLW and as I work with youth programs I hope that I can create programs that have the sense of depth and long lasting impact."
As Maryland Leadership Workshops prepares for its 57th year, we are more energized than ever. To continue the work of this extraordinary organization, the Board of Directors has launched the Build the Foundation campaign to raise $50,000 in the coming year.
This will not be possible without your support. Your donation is directly tied to the programming, staff training and scholarship support that makes the workshops accessible to students throughout the state.
A gift in any amount shows the breadth and depth of support for MLW and helps secure additional grants and corporate support. For example:
$1,000 Funds a scholarship to cover the full cost of a delegate's summer program experience
$675 Provides tuition for one delegate to attend a summer program!
$325 Defrays the difference between the actual cost per delegate ($1,000) and our tuition ($675)
$200 Supports the Staff Training Fund to cover a portion of the extensive staff training
$150 Pays for a staff member's stipend for one outreach program
$50 Covers the costs onsite materials for one delegate
The Build the Foundation goal of $50,000 recognizes contributions made by alumni and active staff to the Alumni Partners Campaign, pledges and donations to the Mike Michaelson Endowment fund, and individual gifts from friends and supporters. Please go online at www.mlw.org or download the donation form to lend your support to MLW today.
Thank you for your support and continued involvement investing in today's leaders and MLW.
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| Of note, Alumni Notes! | |
Pictured are First-time MSEL delegates Jane Guidera and Julia Park this past summer with their MLW parent alums; Aimee Rogstad Guidera was Chan Park's group leader in the '80s at Senior High. According to Aimee, "Chan's greatest moment of the drop off was when the staffers confirmed that yes, they still have FreezePops and then he got to tell them that HE was the originator of that great MLW staff tradition!"
Soham U. Dave, ALS, MSEL Staff (2001-2009) started a medical service trip to India at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. While there are several trips to the Central and South America, no trips to India from his medical school have ever occurred. The inaugural trip will occur December 17, 2011- January 2, 2012. Through health camps as well as door to door medical service, we hope to help at least 3000 underserved individuals get basic health services, free medicines, and free vitamins. They will travel to both urban and rural health centers and interface with nonprofit organizations and doctors in India to ensure that we can get the best healthcare possible for these patients. Awesome!
Maggie Leahy just got a job in San Diego with Invisible Children, the non-profit she's been volunteering with for the past year. She'll be managing four teams that work with middle/high school and university students. Her team will be doing a lot of empowerment work, much like MLW tuning! She wanted to add that if there are any teachers out there that want to bring a fantastic presentation to their school in Maryland to let her know.
Devita Bishundat received a promotion at her current job at the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. She is now responsible for overseeing and managing the development, administration and implementation of the APIASF Scholarship Program. APIASF is the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted to providing scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and we provide resources to underserved AAPI students that increase their access to higher education. She also recruits and train volunteers who serve as readers for the scholarship program (She's also looking for volunteers so if you're interested, email her at dbishundat@apiasf.org!) Additional responsibilities include analyzing, assessing and enhancing the vision & operation of the scholarship program which serves over 500 students annually.
Annabelle Smith is engaged to Andrew Ma! He popped the question on November 20th! A 2012 wedding is planned! Congratulations and best wishes to the couple!
Geoff Burgan just got his first post-college job. He'll be working on the congressional campaign of Rob Garagiola, who is running for Congress in Maryland's 6th District. He'll be his personal aide and call-time manager. Rob is the Maryland State Senate Majority Leader and currently represents Germantown and other parts of Montgomery County in the Maryland State Senate. Excellent, Geoff!
Jason Israel is now engaged to Caroline Blanch! They met in graduate school and got engaged in Port Douglas, Australia by the Great Barrier Reef. She is a consultant at Boston Consulting Group. The wedding will be in her hometown of Sydney, Australia in December 2012.
Karen Crawford and her husband celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary on Nov. 29th! Here's to 25 more!
If you have information to share, please send it to Lauren Lee at laurenlee82@gmail.com.
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MLW Behind the Scenes
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As staff and delegates, we are all familiar with the "MLW Magic" that occurs during our summer and community outreach programs. Whether it is a workshop that changed your worldview, an interaction that opened your eyes to the differences that exist in our community, or a particularly strong bonding experience at hall meeting, the magic of MLW is something we all know and love.
Beyond these transformational experiences that occur during our programs, there is a different type of MLW magic that happens each and every day: the behind-the-scenes work that takes place at the MLW office in Gaithersburg. Like many of us, before I started working in the MLW office in May, I had no idea what the office did. I thought, what's so hard about making some copies and ordering some pizza for staff days?
Oh how wrong I was. From my first day on the job, I was busier than I ever could have imagined. Whether I was processing delegate applications, answering a phone call from another inquiring parent, dealing with even more parent e-mails, prepping for staff days, or filling my car to the brim with MLW visual-making supplies I learned the valuable role the office and its staff play. Every summer, extra help is hired to manage the uptick in activity. Watch for job announcements and other ways you can experience the behind-the-scenes magic that is happening.
- Kevin Tervala, Office Staff 2011
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| Outreach Spotlight: Carroll County | |
In early December, close to 50 students from Carroll County middle and high schools gathered in New Windsor for a conference on multiculturalism. MLW worked with CCPS Coordinator of Minority Achievement and Community Outreach to conduct this outreach program. Students began the conference being introduced to concepts of multiculturalism. On Friday there was a full day of workshops starting with self awareness, MLW's signature workshops on diversity and ending with the recently revised workshop called Passion. Students even got to produce and record public service announcements that will run on the community cable channel.
MLW community outreach programs are a terrific way to work with a small group to meet their unique needs and to bring the MLW magic to all corners of the state. For more information, see www.mlw.org or contact the office at office@mlw.org.
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| MLW Through the Years |
 | | MLW Onsite Group Photo 1988 - Recognize anyone? |
Thanks to people like Mike Michaelson, Steve Sultanoff and Karen Crawford, we are building the MLW Photo Archive and putting it online for all to see.
Be sure to include the year, program and individuals in the photo so we will know who everyone is! Ron Dhindsa is hanging five in the picture above. Do you know other MLW staff and delegates in the photo? |
Join the legacy and be a part of MLW 3.0 as we continue to enrich, empower and engage Maryland youth. Stay in touch through www.mlw.org, facebook.com/MLWExperience and LinkedIn.
Let us know what you would like to see in our next newsletter at office@mlw.org.
Are you interested in supporting MLW?
Donate online or contact the office at 301-527-8222 to find out how you can make a tax deductible contribution.
Contributions of $500 or more may qualify for a tax credit.
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| 2012 Program Information | |
The 2012 calendar
is set!
Delegate appliations will be available at www.mlw.org by January 1, 2012.
All core programs will be held at
Washington College in Chestertown, MD.
ALS and MSEL
July 15 - July 21
SHW
July 22 - July 28
Visit www.mlw.org for more information and the 2012 program brochure.
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Quick Links | |
Follow MLW on Twitter
@MLWExperience
Join the Maryland Leadership Workshops Group on LinkedIn Check out the new look of |
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Thanks A Bunch!
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 | A 'bunch' of
2011 Delegates
playing Tape Shape |
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MLW continues to thrive and offer programs to a wide range of students thanks to the generous support of key foundations, corporations and many individuals.
Thanks to all who donated since April 2011.
The Broad Foundation
(alumna Erica Lepping),
Frederick N. and Phyllis H. Leonard Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, George B. Todd Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation,
Northrop Grumman
Anita Barrett, Maria Bonavente, Eric Brotman, John Cammack, Kim Coble, Neil Coffee, Karen Crawford, Rose Crunkleton, Lawrence Cullen, Lloyd Etheredge, Kathy Getty, Karen Goldman, Ann and Kirk Hines, Holly Huntley, Tom Jarboe, Eileen Jones, Rose Krasnow, Marcy Leonard, Coleen Luzier, Ovetta Moore, Eliot Pfanstiehl, Sue Simmons, Kevin Taylor, Darren Thompson (and the AMEX Employee Matching Program)
Donations have been made in recognition of:
Ron Dhindsa
Mike Michaelson
Caroline County past, present and future leaders
It's not too late to make your end of the year tax deductible donation!
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Important Dates
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December 28 -
6:00 p.m.
Corporation Staff Celebration
January 7, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SAIL
2011 Delegate Reunion
James Hubert Blake HS, Silver Spring
January 9, 2012
Board of Directors Meeting
February 1, 2012
Returning Staff Applications Due
February 15, 2012
New Staff Applications Due
May 1, 2012
MSEL and SHW
Early Bird Tuition deadline
(complete delegate applications must be postmarked by May 1 for the Early Bird rate)
July 15-July 21, 2012
ALS and MSEL on site
July 22 - July 28, 2012
SHW on site
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| MLW Board of Directors | |
Executive Committee
Eliot Pfanstiehl,
Chair
President and CEO, Strathmore Hall
Sean M. Looney,
Vice Chair
Vice President, State Government Affairs, Comcast
Katherine Getty, Treasurer
Managing Director, Susquehanna Bank
Kim Coble,
Secretary
MD Exec Dir, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Inc.
Ranjit Dhindsa,
Attorney, Hollingsworth LLP
Marcy Leonard,
Chair, Program Committee
Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Ilaya R. Hopkins
Executive Director
Board of Directors
John Cammack
Commack and Associates
Lloyd Etheredge
Project Director, Policy Sciences Center
Nancy Grasmick
State Superintendent (retired)
MD State Dept of Education
Holly B. Huntley
Vice President, Human Resources, CSC
Thomas Jarboe
COO, Technology Security Associates
Rose Krasnow
Division Chief, M-NCPPC
Nancy Minieri
President, Leadership Maryland
Ann Misback
Alumna
Betty Morgan
Executive Director Grad Nation
America's Promise Alliance
Wilson H. Parran
Asst Sec - Mission Support, MD DNR
Skipp Sanders
Lecturer, Morgan State University
Susan C. Simmons
Director, Caroline County Recreation & Parks
Cathleen Vitale
Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates
Betty Weller
VP, Maryland State Education Association
Amanda Werrell
Student
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