Dennis Powell
Volunteer for National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)

“it’s a national organization that advocates on behalf of children”

Q & A with Dennis
How long have you been with this organization?
Since 2003, I have had some relationship with the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)—it’s a national organization that advocates on behalf of children (not just African American children) in the areas of early care and education, elementary school education, health and well-being, and middle school children who plan to someday attend college or higher education.

What were your reasons for joining?
It’s one of the few organizations that address the special needs of the poor, children new to our country, and children who live in high conflict areas. If we can get all children to perform well in schools, then the future of our nation will be brighter.

What things do you do?
Lots of things! I help out in a consulting capacity (pro bono) offering marketing and promotional support. I am also responsible for running NBCDI’s exhibition showcase at its annual conference—dealing with vendors and sponsors, giving away show prizes, and playing “hype-man” to the 2,000 people who attend every year.

How much time do you spend volunteering each month?
This is difficult to answer because when they call me…I am there. It’s really that simple. During the annual conference, I use my vacation time and put in long hours for at least 5-7 days. But the work is well worth the time and effort.

Benefits of joining the organization?
NBCDI has a one-of-a-kind conference. The workshops are mostly unconventional and cutting-edge. So educators who attend learn innovative ways to deal with children that most educators cannot get anywhere else! These educators, who attend the conference and support this organization, literally influence the lives of 5 million children. Essentially, supporting NBCDI is promoting parental involvement, improving the morale for educators who deal with children with special challenges, and promoting education before children start formal education or kindergarten.

In your opinion what impact has NBCDI had on the community?
For more than four decades, this organization has saved the lives of millions of children who lived in impoverished areas or experienced conflicts with which educational systems weren’t always prepared to handle. But if you saw the enthusiasm of the educators who attend the conference, you’d be convinced that this organization rewards and recognizes the hard work of professionals who rarely seem to get a “job well done” from communities.

Bill Bodine
Frederick Giving Project (FGP), Grants Committee member

“The whole is more than the sum of its parts.”

Q & A with Bill
How long have you been with this organization?
I’ve been involved with FGP for almost two years now. I am honored to have become a member of the FGP team as a member of the grants committee from the onset.

What is FGP and what do you do?
The FGP is “a group of extraordinary people looking to improve their community, inspire more giving, and nurture the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists.” FGP pools their charitable contributions and members volunteer their talents to give support to small, emerging, Frederick County, MD-based nonprofits. We plan and participate in group service projects and events with our grantees, we network, and we socialize at all kinds of events, from happy hours to house parties – all while raising awareness for numerous issues that affect thousands of lives. I think FGP is different because we don’t just give a grant every year – we supplement that with our varying expertise and strong volunteerism attitude and help the nonprofit awarded the grant with a variety of projects! As we say on our web site, “Our time is just as valuable as our money, and when we donate our time in combination with our money our impact is even greater.”

Our fundraising events help raise money outside of membership fees to cover operating expenses so that 100% of our membership fees go to a local non-profit. Each year, we accept applications from nonprofits, our membership votes, and we make a combined grant to a local Frederick County nonprofit and the people they serve. Last year, we made our first grant award. FGP was able to raise more than $8,000 and give that as a grant to Cakes for Cause.

In your opinion what impact has FGP had on the community?
FGP is a fantastic group of people who simply want to improve the Frederick, MD community by collectively giving back. We also want to inspire others to give with us. The idea behind FGP is that we can make a bigger difference collectively.

What were your reasons for joining?
I’m a giver! Giving in this way has been very rewarding for me as an individual, knowing that my contribution is combined with others to make a larger difference. As Aristotle once wrote, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.”

What are the benefits of joining the organization?
I have the opportunity to help nonprofits achieve their vision and also build meaningful relationships with the other awesome people at FGP and the nonprofits we support. I was interviewed by Comcast about what we do at FGP: watch it here! http://www.comcastcreative.com/video/

Chris Biscardi
Founder and President of Knine Rescue, Inc (KRI)

“Our goal is to promote responsible animal ownership”

Q & A with Chris
What is Knine Rescue and how long have you been with this organization?
It’s a D.C. area dog rescue organization. I have been involved with dog rescue since 1994 and established KRI in 2005.

What were your reasons for joining?
My passion and dedication to animal care and protection.

What things do you do?
Our goal is to promote responsible animal ownership and to assume those responsibilities when others are unwilling or unable to do so. We conduct adoption events where potential adopters can meet our dogs, we conduct fundraising in order to raise money to keep our organization operating (we operate solely on donations), and we hold fun events like an annual picnic and annual Pet Photos with Santa. We also operate a Pet Food Bank sponsored by the Petco Foundation where we collect and distribute pet food and supplies to financially-strapped pet owners.

How much time do you spend volunteering each month?
LOL, most of my free time. At least 25 hours a week and that’s low-balling it.

Benefits of joining the organization?
Volunteers are the grass roots of KRI. They support the mission by supporting KRI in whatever capacity they can whenever they can! Without volunteers working for our cause, there is no way we can continue saving dogs’ lives! Our volunteers help us as much as their schedule permits. KRI is grateful for all our volunteer’s contributions. They make things happen! They make a difference! Some of the tasks our volunteers assist us with are: Fostering dogs/puppies, processing adoption applications, home visit counselors, event help, transportation, newsletter mailings and other Ad-Hoc Tasks, such as fundraising, recruiting more volunteers, grant writing and photographing our foster dogs. It’s challenging but certainly very rewarding!

In your opinion what impact has Knine Rescue had on the community?
We have sustained community awareness and encouraged responsible pet ownership by placing homeless, neglected, and abandoned animals in forever homes where they • Receive veterinary care when needed • Not add to the pet overpopulation problem • Be controlled so it will not roam free in the neighborhood • Be happy with its owner and the owner happy with the pet Our Pet Food Bank has prevented a good percentage of local pet abandonment by supporting economically-stressed pet owners.

Where can we find out more information about Knine Rescue?
www.kninerescue.petfinder.com