News & Notes - Start of the 2011 HOBY Season - Mark Your Calendars!

[Aaron M. Bernstein]

In this edition...

1)  Committee Meeting Dates

2)  Annual Volunteer Applications

3)  2011 Seminar Registration is Open!

4)  Team Alumni Applications

5)  The new LSC blog and following us on the web

6)  A Special Request

7)  September HOBY Happenings

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1)  Committee Meeting Dates

We've announced our Seminar Committee meeting dates for the program year and we'd love to see you there for all of them.  Mark your calendars now.  Meetings are open to all alumni, parents, volunteers, and friends.

Sunday, October 24

Sunday, January 23

Sunday, March 20

Sunday, May 1

All meetings will take place from 2pm to 4:30pm at the Frost Center in Rockville.

The Frost Center

4915 Aspen Hill Road

Rockville, MD 20851

We would love to see you there!

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2)  Annual Volunteer Applications

If you have any intention of helping HOBY Maryland this year, it is imperative you fill out an annual volunteer application.  Even if you have in year's past, you must complete a new one each year.  Until you, you will not receive some of the vital information from HOBY Maryland or HOBY International.  All potential volunteers MUST fill out this application.  It takes less than 5 minutes.

Fill out the application at:  https://reg.hoby.org/HOBYVolunteerApplication/

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3)  2011 Seminar Registration is Open!

Did you know that registration for the 2011 seminar has already started?  Packets went out to guidance counselors and principals this month.  For those of you still in high school, check in with the person who recruited you to HOBY to make sure they got this year's packet.  And for those of you no longer in high school, why don't you join our recruitment team?  

We even have a poster you can quickly and easily print and post in your high school: 

http://www.hoby.org/assets/files/downloads/HOBY_Poster_LetterSize.pdf

Need more information on recruitment?  Contact Aaron at semina...@hobymd.org

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4)  Team Alumni Applications

We know you want them!  Team Alumni applications are expected to come out in November.  Until, stay tuned to our Facebook page and email updates.  We'll be sure to let you know when they're available.

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5)  The new LSC blog and following us on the web

Every year, people wonder exactly what it takes to make the seminar happen.  This year, you have the opportunity to get a little insight from LSC Aaron Bernstein's blog.  Things are already rolling, just take a look:  http://hobymdlsc.blogspot.com/

Plus, you can always find us elsewhere:

On Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/hobymd/

On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hobymd/

On the Web:  http://www.hobymd.org/

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6)  A Special Request

It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to our 2011 seminar season.  The past year was an overwhelming success for us, and as seminar chair, I very much would like to repeat and build upon that success.  To make this happen, a number of you have already promised to join me in what I think will be an outstanding year.  However, for some of you, this will be your first time volunteering with HOBY, and others you've lost count.  Either way, I hope you will think about just 1 way you would like to make the seminar better this year.  Whatever that one way is, consider what it will take to make that one thing happen.

Many of our volunteers commit all the time they can to us, even if that is primarily working only during the seminar weekend.  But HOBY is truly a year-long process.  We will be working tirelessly from now through May to make this year truly outstanding.  If we are to be successful, take a moment and consider what time you will be able to give to HOBY during this entire year -- not just being there seminar weekend -- but to make your one thing happen from start to finish.  We are always welcome to another helping hand, and I promise you, there is a place for everyone to help.  Whatever it is you have interest in making happen, just let me know.

I sincerely look forward to working with each of you this year.  Being asked to be the first MD alumnus to chair the seminar is an honor and a privledge I do not take lightly.  I thank you in advance for the hours I know each of you will put in to make HOBY a reality for another group of outstanding sophomores.  

HOBY Hugs,

Aaron M. Bernstein
2011 Seminar Chair
HOBY Maryland

semina...@hobymd.org

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7)  September HOBY Happenings

 

HOBY Happenings E-Newsletter For Volunteers September 2010

In this Issue: 2010 TI Review Musings from the President/CEO Fundraising Corner Recruitment Corner Nestle Very Best in Youth WLC Update Announcements: HOBY Store 2010-2011 Key Dates Calendar Did you know? (NEW) 2010 HOBY Training Institute Review Visiting Texas in August may seem crazy considering the heat, but it didn’t stop HOBY volunteers from across the country from gathering in Houston to learn, share and network with other volunteers and discover the possibilities for improving their HOBY programs.   “HOBY:  Mission Possible,” the 2010 TI Training Institute (TI), brought together 134 participants, or “Agents in Training” at the Omni Houston Hotel, August 12-15, 2010.  Participants gathered for a social event on Thursday evening provided by the Omni Hotel and then engaged in their first small group best practice sharing opportunity facilitated by select HOBY volunteers from across the country.  Friday morning, attendees were introduced to the team of “HOBY Special Agents” or TI Core Team, led by Head Agent/TI Chair Jacquie Lonning from South Dakota. With an inspirational message from keynote speaker Dr. Michael Paul Gallo before the training sessions began.  Throughout the day, participants attended courses such as “Managing Risk and Liability,” and “Social Media Tools:  Twitter, Facebook, Blogging and More.”  Friday evening, participants had a free night and several participants gathered together for the TI service project which sorted donated books and toiletry items to three organizations in the Houston area.  Steven Harvill energized the group in his keynote address on Saturday morning before participants moved on to additional classes.  That evening, the awards banquet honored sites for outstanding achievements in corporate board and leadership seminar management, alumni programming, CLeW programs, recruitment achievements, quality web sites and program books, and Volunteers of the Year.  Sunday followed through with additional classes and best practice sharing before sending off the attendees to their affiliate sites to work on making their HOBY missions possible.  HOBY staff members in attendance included:  Javier La Fianza – President/CEO; Vicki Ferrence Ray – Senior Director of Programs/ B Region DNP; Judith Martinez – Finance and Program Associate; Dionne Young – Program and Communications Manager; Noel Elgrably – International Programs and Development Associate; Kim Noble – H Region – Director of National Programs; Rose Santini – Y Region – Director of National Programs; Cheryl Brenn – Director of International Programs and O Region DNP; and Kevin Grace – O Region Program Consultant.  The TI Core Team included:  Jacquie Lonning – Chair – SD; David Mulvihill – Vice Chair – IL; Jason Pike – Core Team Member – AL; Jessica Santini Levenhagen – Operations Chair – ND; Samantha Kundinger – Operations Assistant – ND; LeAnne Gompf – Photographer – OH; and the Texas Gulf Coast Volunteers – Host Team.  Board of Trustees members in attendance included:  Brian Wakefield – OH; Ron Gillet – AZ; Donna Sizemore – OH; and Richard Honiball – TX.  The training and proctoring team consisted of volunteers and staff members:  Aaron Bernstein Josh Shearer Amy Spry Kevin Grace Caryll Lawrence  Kim Noble Chenique Murphy LeAnne Gompf Cheryl Brenn Rich Honiball David Mulvihill Ron Klinger Dionne Young Rose Santini Donna Sizemore Roy Kammer    Jacquie Lonning  Shelly Laviana Jason Pike Stephanie Eakins Jessica Santini Levenhagen Vicki Ferrence Ray Overall, there were 59 HOBY affiliate sites represented by the participants: Region H:       29 attendees, 15 sites Sites represented: Alaska, Arizona, California-Central, California-LA, California-North, California-South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota,  Utah and Washington Sites not represented: California-North, California-South, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming Region O:      34 attendees, 17 sites Sites represented:  Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas City Metro, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York Central, New York East, New York Metro, New York West, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin   Sites not represented: Maine and Oklahoma Region B:  26 attendees, 11 sites Sites represented: District of Columbia, Illinois Central-South, Illinois-North, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio North, Ohio South, Southwest Ohio, Ohio West, Pennsylvania Central and West Virginia Sites not represented: Delaware, Pennsylvania East and Pennsylvania West Region Y:       45 attendees, 16 sites Sites represented: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida-Mid, Florida-North, Florida-South, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina-East, North Carolina-West, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas Far West, Texas Gulf Coast, Texas North and Virginia Sites not represented: Louisiana and Texas Capital Area Two volunteers from each site are invited to attend free of charge and may represent many of the HOBY positions.  Participants this year included volunteers in the following positions: Corporate Board Members – 7 Corporate Board Presidents – 7 Leadership Seminar Chairperson – 31 Regional Project Directors – 7 Seminar Committee Member – 33 Board of Trustees – 4 Alumni Advisor – 10 TI Volunteers – 5 Community Leadership Workshop Director - 2 Staff = 9 Director of Recruitment – 11 Guests – 3  Director of Fundraising – 8   If you didn’t get a chance to attend the 2010 event, all courses and resources are available on HOBY Online in the “Volunteer Resources” section under the “Training Institute Materials” category.  Contact your DNP if you are looking for something specific.  The awards banquet culminated with Baird Krueger – Ohio and Brock Holman – Iowaaccepting the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award. They both gave moving speaches highlighting the impact of HOBY in their lives. In addition, congratulations are in order for our 2010 Volunteers of the Year Ray Brown from HOBY Montana and Steven Hall from Florida North. Their overall contributions have been immesuarable as noted by the graditude shown from their indivdual sites. The two Volunteer of the Year recipients for 2010 were announced at the 2010 Training Institute awards banquet Saturday August 14th. Choosing the Volunteer of the Year recipients is no easy task! Nominations are solicited from field volunteers to create the pool of candidates.  These nominations are reviewed by a volunteer selection committee.  Criteria include the nominators’ written comments, the candidate’s years of service, contributions to HOBY, and other community service involvement. Thank you to the volunteers and staff who worked to make the 2010 TI an outstanding experience.  Additionally, thank you to all the attendees for their ideas, suggestions, and energy to make HOBY programs across the country the strongest they can be.  We are excited to have the 2011 event chaired by David Mulvihill from Illinois, August 11-14, 2011 in Houston, stay tuned to HOBY Happenings for opportunities to be on the volunteer team. Musings From the President and CEO August and September are the start of a new HOBY program year.  No matter how your last program year ended, a new one is beginning. A new opportunity to inspire and lead Ambassadors; to collaborate and work with other volunteers; to bring the vision of another outstanding HOBY seminar to reality.   To all the new volunteers, I want to welcome you to your new leadership roles within HOBY.  Thank you for sharing your new adventure with us.  To all the returning volunteers, thank you for coming back.  You already know the work and the success that is to come.  We look forward to working with all of you in the coming year as we create amazing HOBY programs. This is going to be an exciting adventure.  Few organizations offer volunteers the opportunities HOBY does. Through HOBY, you will positively impact the studentss who attend your program, the volunteers who serve with you and the communities across your state.  The ripple effect of HOBY, through the service and leadership of our alumni, is nearly unimaginable and last for years, if not decades.  We’ve all met alumni and heard their stories of how HOBY changed their lives.  This year, you have the opportunity to create that foundation of success for your Ambassadors. You also have the opportunity to contribute to the foundation of HOBY’s success as an organization. This year, we are starting a new strategic planning process.  The planning initiative is being chaired by new HOBY Board of Trustee Member and current Texas North Coporate Board President, Rich Honiball and includes volunteers, Board of Trustee members and staff.  Soon, you will be asked to provide input and we hope you will take the opportunity to share with us your hopes and aspirations.  The more input we receive, the better the overall plan will be and the greater our chances of success. As we start this new year, I want to leave you with these words of advice: Plan early and often – the most successful sites understand and operate as a year long program.  They provide on-going opportunities for alumni engagement and are constantly planning, executing and delivering; Communicate – your challenges, successes, ideas, hopes etc.  We want to hear from you.  Other sites can learn from you or you can learn from them.  The earlier you communicate, the greater the chances for success;  Have fun – HOBY is fun!  Positively impacting youth is fun!  Developing and supporting your program is fun!  Love and be inspired by what you’re doing and others will be inspired as well. Thank you for all you do and all you will do this year. HOBY and our Ambassadors and alumni are forever grateful for your tireless dedication, hard work and passion. I look forward to another Outstanding year working with each of you.   -Javier La Fianza, President/CEO

Fundraising Corner: 3 Steps and You Have a Plan! Step 1 - Set a Goal  Determine the needs for your site. Are you fundraising to close out last year’s debt? Do you need to focus on the upcoming seminar? Or are you looking to provide a cushion for the future?  What ever the needs are please set your monetary goals at the beginning so can set up realistic benchmarks. Step 2 - Recruit a Committee "Many hands make light work" ~John Heywood~  Delegate, delegate, delegate. Putting together a team will be an invaulable resource. Be very judicious and thoughtful about who you bring on board. This committee will have a direct effect on the how easily you can manage your monetary obligations. Having a diverse group fosters creativity and the ability to tap into non-traditional assets. Step 3 – Create a Timeline Once you have a list of events, targeted companies, and grant makers, put it into action. Having a calendar helps to keep everyone on track and shows clear expectations of deadlines and responsibility. Using this tool allows everyone to stay organized while recognizing that there is an end point. Successful fundraising begins with a successful plan. As you craft it, consider the following elements: Source, Budget Goal, Action Steps, Person Responsible, and Timeline and Date for Completion. See HOBY Online for Fundraising resources. Recruitment Corner: What's in your Toolbox? Your Recruitment Tool Kit Should Include the Following: Key Date Calendar- Use this to keep track of HOBY’s mass e-mails to schools, students, and parents. Try to schedule your site’s communications following these e-mails to provide a more personal touch. Be sure to include current contact information and site specific data (seminar date and location.) Registration Kit- Review this document prior to speaking with anyone regarding your seminar. Make sure you are familiar with this document as you may be questioned regarding its content. In addition many simple frequently asked questions are listed on the back cover for convenience. This kit will be mailed to all schools in our database on September 13th, which is the same day the registration system will be open and the Registration Kit will be avaliable electronically. Please ask them to be patience or review the contents on line at www.hoby.org. Completed Seminar Declaration Sheet- Once this information is completed and approved it is immediately loaded into our system. The sooner this information is submitted the fewer questions you will receive regarding seminar date and location, and more time you can spend recruiting new schools. Recruitment Committee- This team can consist of Jr. staff and committed volunteers who are excited about bring HOBY to more students. Split your school list and, give each committee member a script, and FAQs. Depending on your school list size and saturation rate, recruitment can seem like a daunting task, but if you carry these tools with you at all times you will find the job a little easier. See HOBY Online for Recruitment Resources.

Do You Know A Nestlé Very Best In Youth? One of Nestlé USA’s signature programs, the Nestlé Very Best In Youth is proud to team up with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) organization to recognize the selfless work young people across America are doing to make their communities and the world a better place.  The Nestlé Very Best In Youth program honors young people for their outstanding academic achievements and community service.  Winners of the Nestlé Very Best In Youth award receive fabulous prizes including $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice; an all-expense paid trip for them and their parent to attend the amazing award ceremony, to be held on July 23, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA; and are featured in a special publication.  Complimentary copies of this special book are distributed to schools and community groups nationwide and serve to inspire others to do their very best.  We invite HOBY Volunteers to nominate outstanding youth (13-18 years old) for this nationally recognized award.  The young personmust complete their online application before the November 1, 2010 deadline at http://verybestinyouth.nestleusa.com.  We encourage students to apply early.  Also, by entering the Nestlé Very Best In Youth competition, eligible contestants can apply to the Nestlé Very Best In Youth Foundation to receive grants up to $1,000 to continue their community service. Young people are making a profound difference in lives other than their own.  Nestlé Very Best In Youth and HOBY are proud to recognize their efforts. 2010 World Leadership Congress Update OUTSTANDING!!!  A possibly overused word in HOBY, but very appropriate for the 2010 WLC as we moved across the country to UCLA, welcomed many new volunteer members into the family and had a highly engaging program, in line with the new curriculum, which encouraged ambassadors to return home to create their own project to impact their school or community.  This WLC was unique in that it involved many more HOBY staff and required a step up in the level of commitment from the volunteers, especially the Program Team, all the Directors and the Section Leaders. Here are some highlights from the week: Craziest moment?  Finding 500 cheerleaders on the steps and in front of the building where we were to take a full-group photo; no worries, some negotiating and they moved and we were done in an hour and fifteen minutes. Way to go Photographer Erica Short and the new HOBY PA system of radios!!!  Most fun?  The Amazing Race with all its clues and leadership challenges, or maybe my “date” with 400 HOBY ambassadors at the charity tennis game to benefit the Andre Agassi Education Foundation.  We got last minute tickets and Jon Lovitz was hilarious, amongst several other celebrities in attendance. Most amazing?  The International Presentations were stunning and the Talent Show was unbelievable in the range and talent of the ambassadors.  Or, possibly two new choir songs with a challenging arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” arranged by our wonderful choir director, Paul Geer. Most endearing?  This one is personal, but I had a sore elbow and calves because I am so short and received so many hugs from ambassadors who truly embraced their chance to be themselves, learn from challenge and grow out of the box they came in. In fact, the ambassadors are still sending messages of thanks and invitations to their new community service events and projects.  It is exciting to see what they have done in only a few weeks.  It was truly a team effort this year as we faced the unknown with a new location and many volunteers in new positions.  The UCLA staff was very gracious and the HOBY volunteers were out of this world—so dedicated and willing to do what was needed to ensure the ambassadors had a wonderful WLC.  The tears and hugs as everyone left werr evidence of knowing we had all experienced something special and were changed “For Good” as the song goes.  The Wizard of Oz theme was heartily embraced by all with these lessons it taught of Courage, Heart and a Brain. We all made it home knowing we had found who we truly are at our best: a HOBY hallmark. My gratitude and thanks is insufficient for the time, effort and talent that was put into making the 2010 WLC one for the record books.  The synergy of the team was amazing from all involved: Team Alumni, Directors, Operations Staff and Assistants, Program Team, Alumni Section Assistants and their SASA, Section Leaders and Facilitators all came together to have a wonderful time while building new HOBY friendships for a lifetime.  I cannot express my pride in their accomplishments and as far as HOBY Momma is concerned, I could not ask for more. Kara E. Belew HOBY Momma 2010 Announcements HOBY Store HOBY is excited to launch our new online HOBY Store, you’ll find t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, office and home items available for retail purchase. This HOBY Store is intended to provide alumni, ambassadors, volunteers and parents a vehicle to purchase logo imprinted items through a secure online storefront. New products will be offered throughout the year, so bookmark the store site and check back as we continue to expand the store. This online HOBY store is not intended to be a fundraising vehicle for local sites. HOBY’s Collaborative Purchasing Program will fill that need for local sites and more information about that program will be available in the coming week. 2010-2011 Key Dates Calendar September 3        Deadline to declare seminar month, fee choice for additional students, how many students accepting initially per school, and address for checks to be mailed – all to DNP September 3        HOBY mails L4S award packets to 2009 alumni and sends e-mail that they are mailed September 7        HOBY begins posting all seminar dates and locations on website calendar page September 7           HOBY emails 2010 alumni re: L4S 100 hour challenge September 13      Web2Project ready for use September 13      HOBY e-mails school counselors/principals re: forthcoming registration kits September 13      HOBY mails 2011 Registration Kits Did you Know? Are you confused about an item? Want clarity on how to use certain tools and resources that HOBY provides? Well this is your space. Each month we will highlight a feature or resource HOBY is providing for your convenience. Ever wonder where HOBY is as far as check processing? Or if a new document has been uploaded to HOBY Online? Or if the Key Date e-mail went out? Well did you know that HOBY uses HOBY Online as a communication tool? The Announcement Window is updated frequently with answers to the above questions and more! Be sure to check back frequently for changes and updates.

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Aaron M. Bernstein

Maryland Leadership Seminar Chair

Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Maryland

semina...@hobymd.org

301-318-2256

http://www.hobymd.org/

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