MASC November 2023 Bulletin |
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In Memory ofKhalia WilsonClass of 2024Aberdeen High SchoolHCRASC Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils |
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Giving Tuesday For over 70 years, MASC has committed itself to fostering a statewide environment for student expression, developing young leaders, and promoting student representation in bodies whose decisions impact youth. Through our programs, students develop crucial leadership skills and a life-long commitment to serving their communities. |
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MASC became a 501c3 organization in 2021 and as a new nonprofit, our ability to continue to offer leadership development opportunities is leveraged by donations from supporters like you who understand the immense value our work has on student leaders. To celebrate Giving Tuesday, on November 28, 2023, we encourage you to support the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC). Any amount you donate will be greatly appreciated.
This year, MASC has multiple ways for you to donate, allowing us to continue to inspire, build, and support student leaders throughout the state.
RaiseRight Gift Card Fundraiser: Select from 750+ popular brands, including Amazon, Starbucks, Target, and many more, with options for eGift cards (available immediately), physical gift cards, and reloadable gift cards. Buy gift cards and support MASC with no extra money spent! Electronics Recycling Fundraiser: Donate your old electronics to have them recycled and save the environment from e-waste! Simply dust off your old electronics, place them in a box, print the FREE pre-paid shipping label, and take it to the nearest FedEx to ship. Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation to MASC! Any amount you wish to give will be used to serve the students in Maryland.
Make sure to also follow MASC on Instagram @md.stuco to view our #GivingEveryTuesday social media campaign, a series of weekly Instagram posts in the month of November that illustrates our impact on each week’s theme. Thank you for your support. Our young leaders have been working hard to properly represent this great organization. |
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MASC 2023-2024 Membership Now Open Student voice, leadership skills, networking, resources, recognition representation, friendships, and fun – are just a few of the reasons why your school's student council should join the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC). The process is exclusively online and only a school advisor or administrator may complete the application. Click on the picture to the right for information and the application. |
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Fall Leadership ConferenceNovember 18, 2023 Seneca Valley HS, Montgomery County Registration closes Wed., Nov. 8 |
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The first conference of the year is MASC’s annual Fall Leadership Conference. Participating in this conference helps students hone their leadership skills while meeting other student leaders from across the state. |
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Advisors from member and non-member schools may register students to attend this event. Note: MASC has a motivational speaker who will be facilitating a special advisor workshop! |
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Pop For A Cause MASC is hosting a popcorn fundraiser in collaboration with Pop for a Cause! Enjoy gourmet popcorn while supporting student leaders statewide. Participate in the following ways.
Order Online: Purchase popcorn online at https://tinyurl.com/mascpopcornonline - choose from any of the flavors and sizes available online! Select “Maryland Association of Student Councils” in the Donation Recipient dropdown in your cart for MASC to receive a portion of the profits! Your popcorn will be shipped to your home for free
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Order In-Person at Fall Leadership Conference: Have your school advisor or administrator register your school's delegation for the Fall Leadership Conference at https://tinyurl.com/MASCFLCinfo Order in person on November 18 at the Fall Leadership Conference during the morning check-in or during lunch Menu: small bags of butter and kettle popcorn - $3 per bag Pay with cash or Venmo Pick up the popcorn during dismissal - This is perfect for enjoying popcorn on the ride home!
Email the MASC Treasurer, Lumina Zhang, at Lumina.Zhang@mdstudentcouncils.org with any questions! Thank you for your support. |
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State Student Member on the
Board of Education (SMOB):Application Information
School SMOB Nomination
Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Nov. 20
Each public high school in Maryland is invited to nominate one student (current sophomore or junior) for the position of 2024-2025 student member on the state Board of Education. Read about the position and read the application letter by clicking on the picture to the left. |
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The Mental Health Thought Box The MASC Mental Health Affairs Coordinators are seeking the input of students around the state to submit commentary and general topics that they feel are disregarded and/or need to be discussed more deeply. |
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These responses – particularly the most prevalent or frequent ones – will be the basis for facilitating conversations at future mental health events led by the Mental Health Affairs Coordinators, with the support of the Mental Health Committee. The hope of the Mental Health Affairs Coordinators is that the Thought Box brings forth notable change within the mental health sphere in Maryland. (Please click on the "Mental Health" graphic or the "Thougth Box" blue link to complete a Google form with your suggestions and topics. Please note that some school systems block Google items so you may need to use a personal devise to access this.) |
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MASC Committee OpportunitiesThere are still a few openings available! There are still a few committee opportunities open for students. Many are looking specifically for representation from Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Committees are an excellent way for students in Maryland to get involved in issues for which they are passionate or skilled and to learn more about MASC. Click on the picture to the left to go to the MASC Committee website to read about the variety of opportunities and to apply. |
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November Green Goals and Green Crabs Newsletter Happy November, MASC! During the November holiday season, we often relax our sustainability practices to accommodate to the needs and wants of Thanksgiving. However, it only takes a few extra steps to add eco-friendly exercises to this holiday. Check out the November Green Goals to learn more! "GreenCrabs," MASC's environmental newsletter has well-researched and relevant environmental news pieces to keep you informed, as well as other interesting features, like upcoming environmental service opportunities, scholarships, and more. Click here to subscribe so you get all future GreenCrabs editions sent straight to your mailbox. Happy reading! |
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MASC AwardsDeadline 5:00 p.m., March 8 It's never too early to start the paperwork to nominate an advisor, principal, or student for a MASC award or recognition! The middle and high school principal and advisor of the year awards must go through the regional organization (except for counties with no regional organization). Note: The Felix Simon Award for Leadership and Service is completed by the school and goes directly to MASC. This is a recognition award for school student councils. MASC awards and recognitions are open to MASC MEMBER SCHOOLS. |
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Hosts Needed for MASC 2023-2024 Events Throughout the year, there are major conferences and several smaller events for which MASC needs hosts. Click on the picture for application information. Heads up on the NEW Convention and Spring Leadership Conference - we are still looking for a host. Reach out to the MASC executive directors with any questions! Click on the picture to the right for details. |
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Support MASC Donate Your Old Electronics and also Buy Something for Yourself or a Friend Need to get rid of those old electronics lying around in your house? Need to find that perfect gift card for a special occasion? MASC has two ongoing fundraisers where you can donate your old electronics and also shop gift cards from over 750+ brands while supporting MASC in the process! MASC appreciates each and every single contribution. Click on the picture for detailed information. |
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2023-2024 MASC Calendar As you are planning your activities for the new year, please bookmark the MASC calendar (MASC Google document) to avoid conflicts. MASC will update the calendar as new (free) webinars are planned. Click on the graphic to the right for the Google document or go to our Events and Conferences webpage. |
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Maryland Page Program
(various deadlines in October and Early November) During the 2024 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) will host student pages. Since 1970, Maryland's high school seniors have had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process by serving as student pages during the annual session of the Maryland General Assembly. Click on the picture to the right for more information including the Page Coordinator in your County/Baltimore City. |
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Click on the logo above for the Membership Application |
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Administrators: Put this on your calendar!#ICanHelp / Digital4Good WebinarCo-Hosted by NASSP!Admin TechTalk: Trends + Tricks4:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 7th Is your school grappling with the overwhelming challenges of social media issues, cyberbullying, and the ever-present fear of school threats? Do you find yourself struggling to ensure that students and parents grasp the appropriate use and associated risks of social media? The time for action is now! Join NASSP and #ICANHELP for a groundbreaking Admin TechTalk Roundtable that delves into the heart of these pressing issues. Come hear Admins talk about what they are doing to prevent their nightmares from becoming a reality on their campus. Unlock the power of digital trends! Dive into our webinar designed exclusively for School Administrators. Discover how to navigate the currents of technology trends, spot positives, and mitigate negatives. Gain expert insights on fostering digital citizenship, safety, and wellness while elevating your campus environment with effective strategies, program options, and engaging Q&As. Your journey towards a digitally empowered school community starts here. |
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#ICANHELP NEWS FREE Webinar 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 5 “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.”
Join us as we celebrate kindness and thankfulness. Student speakers will be able to dive deeper into how they show their kindness and support in the month of giving thanks and for International Suicide Survivors Day.
Register for FREE HERE |
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#ICANHELP - Free Monthly Download: Sextortion Defense - In 2022, law enforcement received over 7,000 reports related to the online exploitation of children and teens, resulting in more than 3,000 victims and causing the FBI to issue a national public safety alert. Digital4Good has developed a new resource to aid schools, parents, and caregivers in addressing sextortion and other forms of cyber-sexual harassment and abuse. Download it for free HERE. |
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FREEBIE: Social Media Emergency Plan (#ICANHELP) - It’s finally here! When campus threats, cyberbullying, or other dangerous online behaviors arise, school leaders need a plan to take action and keep students and staff safe. #ICANHELP Social Media Emergency Plan equips schools with the tools and resources to handle social media incidents quickly, safely, and efficiently. Download our newest resource for free HERE! SPECIAL OFFER: Social Media Engagement Course ($29.99) - Learn what and how to post on social media for your school or clubs. Our student marketing team teaches you the best practices, how to use analytics to grow your social media accounts, and the impact a good social media account can have on your campus! |
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IT'S NOT TOO LATEJUST FOR ADVISORS!! |
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National Advisor Conference ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE on STUDENT ACTIVITIES (NCSA) Burlingame (San Francisco), California Dec. 1 to 3, 2023 Advisors registering to attend this conference, please use code KC23MD. MASC will receive a rebate after the conference. Read the information below and if you have never attended, apply for the Barrie Finnemeyer Scholarship! |
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NCSA is a unique conference that brings together the advocates, advisors, administrators, and allies of student activities for a weekend of learning, networking, and fun! After NCSA 2023, you'll be inspired - and equipped - to make the most significant difference possible in the lives of your students, colleagues, and members of your school community! Airfare looks pretty reasonable right now, so talk with your administration as soon as possible. Click HERE for a letter about NCSA that you can share. Click on pictures to go to the NA4SA website for details and registration. |
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Remember - Advisors registering to attend this conference, please use code KC23MD. MASC will receive a rebate after the conference. |
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The Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) was allocated funding from the Maryland Children’s Cabinet to provide grants to youth-led organizations and projects across the state. This grant project will allow young people in Maryland to better their communities and support youth initiatives. The grant is open to youth-led, adult-supported projects which aligns with one of the Council’s priorities. (Click on the article title to read the details on the MYAC website). The Council is offering virtual information sessions to help your group prepare your application and answer any questions about the submission/preparation process. These sessions will take place on November 9, 2023, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm and November 11, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Attendance at the information sessions is optional but highly encouraged. REGISTER HERE! |
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The Explore.Act.Tell Program is a Family and Consumer Science aligned and fully-funded (free) service leadership program for students in grades 6-12. Register at exploreacttell.org/registration and students will join the fight against hunger by researching hunger security in their community, practicing skills needed to become good citizens through a project, and advocating for community involvement and service. Plus, students can enter projects into the competition for a chance to win a grant for a charity involving hunger and food insecurity. |
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Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Are you looking for a way to build on your leadership skills, network, and help your community all while supporting cancer patients? The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is looking for student leaders to participate in the "Student Visionaries of the Year" campaign. This 7-week philanthropic leadership program is a great way to give back and provide you with lifelong skills. Recruitment is happening NOW and spots are limited, email Andrew.Steckel@lls.org if you are interested in hearing more. Check out this short video! |
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The Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) invites students to apply for the 2023-2024 student focus group, Students Advocating for Safety (SAS). Joining SAS will empower students to play a vital role in shaping student-centered recommendations for the Advisory Board and influence the Subcabinet's decision-making process. Becoming a member will also allow students to learn more about the diversity of the current school and students' safety-related issues, develop government relations and leadership skills, and grant them first-hand exposure to the inner workings of state agencies and boards. Applications are open year-round. Documentary Trailer & Resources: Hiding in Plain Sight: Ken Burns presents this youth mental illness documentary film by Erik and Christopher Ewers. Work2BeWell is creating 24+ lessons to go with the film that will be released this fall. It’s free to watch on PBS with a school email or a few bucks on Amazon Prime. Work2BeWell: is a digital wellness program focused on positively impacting the emotional well-being of teens and promoting mental health. Check out a ton of free resources! Questions? support@work2bewell.org https://work2bewell.org/ Also, be sure to bookmark and listen to Work2BeWell Podcasts! From conversations on social justice and mental health activism to navigating digital learning or supporting mental health during the holidays, we explore topics that build meaningful dialogue and student activation around mental health. Listen on Spotify or Apple Music. Emerging Student Leaders Recognition (middle school) and Distinguished Student Leader Recognition (high school), sponsored by the National Association of Student Principals (NASSP) is open year-round. a program allowing high school students to build a personal leadership portfolio, leading to an earned designation that is highly prized for inclusion with college and scholarship applications. (Opening in early September.) |
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If this Bulletin was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly, please sign up with the link on this page. If you are a student who has graduated, please email Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils to be moved to a MASC alumni list. If you are no longer an Advisor, thank you so much for your past work with our student leaders in Maryland. Please email Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils and send the name and email of your replacement. |
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Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. |
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