MASC Newsletter

• September Workshop Presenter Certification
• October Executive Board Meeting
• SMOB Informational Webinar
• Connect with Congress Webinar
• Fall Leadership Conference
• December Executive Board Meeting
• MASC Membership
• Convention Registration

On September 21, 2024, the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) held its September Workshop Presenter Certification at Western High School in Baltimore City. This intensive workshop day equipped students with essential skills to lead and facilitate engaging, high-quality workshops at MASC conferences throughout the year. Attendees honed their presentation abilities, developed effective strategies for creating workshops, and explored interactive games and activities. With delegates from various regions, this event was a huge success, and we can’t wait to see them in action at our upcoming conferences! A special thanks to ASCBC and Western High School for hosting and the Student Workshop Coordinators for preparing this event!

At the October Virtual Executive Board Meeting, key topics were covered, including hosting plans for the Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) and Winter Leadership Conference (WLC). For FLC, we heard fantastic bids from both Harford County and Charles County—shout out to both regions for their impressive presentations! Congratulations to Harford County, who hosted FLC at Havre de Grace Middle/High School. Montgomery County also delivered an exceptional bid and will be hosting WLC at Walter Johnson High School. Thank you to all schools that submitted bids! To wrap up, we had some final announcements, and the meeting minutes taken by our amazing secretary are linked below!

On October 10th, students across Maryland had a chance to attend the MASC SMOB informational Webinar. The webinar discussed the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) and the role of the Student Member of the Board (SMOB), covering responsibilities, the application process, and insights from former SMOBs. One speaker was the State Board of Education President, Dr. Michael, who was the Student Member on the Board of Education from 2005-2006. The webinar was hosted by MASC Vice President, Madison Watts, MASC Chief of Staff, Jordan Salkeld, and current 2024-25 Maryland State SMOB, Abhiram Gaddam! Here are some key takeaways from the webinar:

• Importance of Advocacy: The SMOB role is crucial for representing diverse student voices and influencing education policy in Maryland. Engaging with students across the state is essential for effective advocacy.
• Time Commitment: Serving as SMOB requires significant dedication, potentially 10-15 hours per week.
• Preparation and Research: Candidates should familiarize themselves with education policies and current issues in Maryland schools to effectively represent their peers and contribute meaningfully to discussions.
• Support System: Having supportive family and teachers is vital, as they can assist in managing the dual demands of being a student and a SMOB, especially during busy periods.
• Networking and Collaboration: Building relationships with other student leaders and education stakeholders.
• Passion Over Prestige: Genuine motivation for advocating for student issues should be the primary reason for wanting to serve as SMOB.
• Nomination Process: The selection process involves nominations from principals, interviews, student election at Winter Leadership Conference, and approval from the Maryland Senate and Governor.

More information can be found using the YouTube link below!

On October 24th, MASC hosted its Connect with Congress event, a virtual voter education webinar. The event featured an insightful presentation from the Maryland Civic Education Coalition, led by Program Director, Genie Massey, followed by a focused session on civic engagement and mental health, facilitated by the MASC State Legislative Affairs Coordinators. The highlight of the event was the Congressional Panel, where students had the unique opportunity to engage with candidates Sarah Elfreth (Congressional District 3) and Robert Steinberger (Congressional District 3), fostering meaningful discussion on important issues. A huge shoutout to the MASC State Legislative Affairs Coordinators for their hard work and dedication in making this event a success!

The Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) held its annual Fall Leadership Conference on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Havre de Grace Middle-High School. This event brought together student leaders and advisors from across Maryland to enhance leadership skills, share experiences, and build networks. High school participants engaged in meaningful discussions during roundtables and attended "Project Playbook" workshops led by MASC Appointed Staff members. Middle school students participated in a Mock General Assembly after their workshops, putting their newly learned Parliamentary Procedure skills to the test. Advisors had the opportunity to attend new advisor training sessions facilitated by Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City (ASCBC) regional advisor, Haley Tilt.

A huge thank you to the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) and Havre de Grace Middle-High School for hosting and ensuring the event ran smoothly. Additional thanks to the MASC Leadership Team, Student Workshop Coordinators, Workshop Presenters, and everyone else who contributed to making this event a success! We look forward to seeing you all at the Winter Leadership Conference (WLC) in January!

On December 14, 2024, MASC held their December Executive Board Meeting at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore City. At this meeting, officers, staff, state SMOB, and regional representatives gave updated reports. Business items included legislation for election rules for the State Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) and MASC officer positions, the standing rules for the Winter Leadership Conference and the Convention, and stances on legislation in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly. Attendees were also able to participate in many different discussions throughout the day and attend an #ICanHelp Workshop! Thank you so much to the Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City (ASCBC) for hosting us!

MASC School Membership is still open! Ensure your school becomes a member to participate in our many leadership events such as MASC Convention. These events offer opportunities to strengthen social skills, improve leadership qualities, amplify your voice, and enjoy workshops while meeting new people. To apply, talk to your student council advisor and visit the MASC website or click the link provided. The deadline to register is February 7th!

It's that time of year again! Registration for MASC's annual Convention is still open! Convention will be taking place from March 11-13, 2025 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City. Delegates will be able to participate in exciting and engaging student-led workshops, listen to a motivational speaker, network with students across the state, vote on stances for youth-related bills in the MD General Assembly, and so much more! Delegates will also be able to vote for their MASC Officers for the 2025-2026 school year!

Registration will be open until February 7th and to MASC member schools only. More details on this event can be found using the link below. We can't wait to see you all in Ocean City!

Stay updated on all things MASC by following us on social media (@md.stuco) or checking out our website (linked below)!