Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County, MD

The Latest BBBS News . . . July 1, 2009

USA Today Recognizes Big Brothers Big Sisters as
one of the nation's top 25 charity organizations!

BBBS receives 2008 BBBS Gold and Pinnacle Award

A review and selection criteria for the annual awards was completed by a committee of peers. Recently Sushil Bhattacharjee (BBBS Executive Director) and John Schmehl (BBBS Board President) were interviewed to determine the finalists and winners of the Agency or Board of the Year Award. We are pleased that our agency is running for the Agency or Board of The Year selection at the national conference.

These awards are presented to motivate agencies to achieve improved performance as well as provide well deserved recognition for winners that embody the criteria for outstanding success. These Top Performers met the following criteria:

Minimum of 150 children served and $150,000 revenue, and
2008 Children Served growth of 7% higher than 2007, and
2008 Revenue growth of 9% or higher than 2007, and
Meets 2008 national average Closure Rate of 39% or lower, OR
If closure rate of up to 41%, must demonstrate Match Support of 90% done or better

Thirteen agencies met the criteria for Gold Standard Performers in 2008, and they are:

BBBS of San Luis Obispo County – San Luis Obispo, CA
BBBS of the North Bay – San Rafael, CA
BBBS of the Siouxland – Sioux City, IA
BBBS of Northeast Indiana – Fort Wayne, IN
BBBS of Southeast Indiana – Seymour, IN
BBBS of Frederick County, Inc. – Frederick, MD
BBBS of the North Country – Watertown, NY
BBBS of Oklahoma, Inc. – Tulsa, OK
BBBS of Columbia Northwest – Portland, OR
BBBS of Southeastern Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA
BBBS of Greater Columbia, Inc. – Columbia, SC
BBBS of Middle Tennessee – Nashville, TN
BBBS of Puget Sound – Seattle, WA

All 17 of these agencies are eligible for the Agency of the Year and Board of the Year Awards. The NLC Judging Panel will begin interviews with these agencies soon and determine the finalists and winners for the awards. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County is pleased with the selection.

Bowl For Kids' Sake Raised $79,600 So Far

We would like to thank profusely Gail Wood for raising over $19,000. We are grateful to Sue Keller, one of board members and a Big Sister, and 130 colleagues at the CitiMortgage have raised over $13,000. Thanks to Sue and Gail for their outstanding effort. We knew from the beginning that it will be tough to raise funds this year due to general economic down turn. We have not reached our goal yet. You can help if you have not bowled yet, any $ amount will be welcome. Additional information with a total amount and a list of businesses will be forthcoming by the end of June. The following businesses/groups participated in the event: CitiMortgage, Gail Wood and friends, Daly Computers, West Frederick Middle School, Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick Rotary Club, WFMD Radio, Macintosh Realtors, Frederick Teacher’s Association, Canam Steel, Kohl’s Department Store, Fugro Earth Data, National Council of Jewish Women, Frederick News Post, Frederick County Bank, Circuit Court, State Attorney’s Office, City of Refuge, Graceham Moravian Church, Fredericktonian Lodge #12, Fur & Feathers, Congregation of Kol Ami, Login Systems Inc., Frederick Ski Club, Dustin Construction, First United Bank & Trust, Chris Kennedy and others.

Board Members Wanted

BBBS of Frederick County is looking for a few board members who are willing to help the program in setting up policies and procedures, organizing and assisting in fund raising and promotional activities. Currently the agency has eighteen members and we can certainly benefit from a few new ones. Please call Sushil or any of our current board members for an orientation.

BBBS Event Calendar

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is ranked in the top 1% of all charities in America in terms of fiscal responsibility and effective use of donations.

When you give a holiday gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you are giving to one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country!

Yet more importantly: your gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters gives a vulnerable child a new perspective on life and teaches them how to make good choices.

But there are many more children in your community that need your help.

Help us reach our end of year goal so we can begin 2009 strong – and reach more children in need of a caring adult role model.

Dear supporter, this holiday season you can give a child the gift of a brighter future. Please send a gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters today – simply click the button below. Thank you!

Look What We've Done in Frederick!

Improved academic and behavioral outcomes for children matched six months or more is measured through written response from children, volunteers, and some parents. A Performance Outcome Evaluation (POE) instrument, already being used by this BBBS agency will be used to measure outcome. The aim is to determine whether a one-to-one mentoring experience made a tangible difference (academic, social, and inter-personal) in the lives of children.

The following 2005 outcome result is based on a small number of data collected from parents, and Big Brothers Big Sisters in response to questionnaires.

»79.49% Have improved self confidence
»79.48% Are able to express feelings better
»74.36% Can make better decisions
»76.93% Have improved hobbies and interests
»51.38% Have better attitude toward school
»68% Have improved academic performance