November 2007 Networking Breakfast
Olson marks one year on Council
Last year at this time, Prince George's County Councilman Eric Olson (pictured) was getting his feet wet after a 10-year stint on the College Park City Council. The differences between the two legislative bodies are vast, Olson told a group of nearly 50 at the November 30 Breakfast.

Since taking office, he's helped make communities more liveable through a number of measures, such as a cap on pawn shops. Citing these types of quality of life issues as his main priority, Olson also talked about development concerns, environmental sustainability, and the hiring of more code inspectors and police officers.

Clean, safe communities are essential, Olson said, but so is the teaching of character education in schools, since many students do not receive this training at home. He hopes that such efforts will address the root causes of crime, and specifically touted the Latin American Youth Center in Riverdale as an example of a worthwhile program. Eric urged members to contact him about any matter of concern in the County. His phone number is 301-952-3060 and his email is EOlson@co.pg.md.us

Principal Donna Potenza (pictured at center with CBN-PG President Jim Palmer and Vice-President Joe Hines) received this month's grant for St. Columba School in Oxon Hill.

She said the money would be used towards the purchase a Kurzweil electronic learning aid for special-needs students.

The sponsor of the meeting, Tony Laubach (pictured) of Laubach and Regnell Financial Services, LLC, is also a CBN-PG Key Leadership Member and former president.

He described his typical client as someone who has investments scattered around in various places and needs someone to pull them together to create a long-term plan. He mentioned that many CBN members who are his clients already can attest to his laid-back approach and reassuring manner.

Tony's address is 8720 Georgia Avenue Suite 1000 Silver Spring, MD 20910. His phone: number is 301-588-6610 and he can be reached at tony@lrfinancial.net.

October 2007 Networking Breakfast
Fr. Ray Kemp urges members to track
investments in schools, parishes
It wasn't long into Fr. Ray Kemp's address at the October Networking Breakfast before his skill as a teacher, preacher and priest became evident.

Fr. Kemp, cousin to former CBN-PG President Steve Kemp, (both pictured at left,) is an Archdiocesan priest who teaches at Georgetown. He urged members to keep close watch on what goes on in their parishes and schools, and to "track the investment" to ensure Catholic education is preserved for future generations.

Fr. Kemp also challenged members to expand the circle. Quoting his former student, Georgetown basketball standout Jeff Green, Kemp said, "Y'all don't know how to invite anyone in." Fr. Kemp urged CBN-PG members to extend that welcome as they continue to serve the common good.

This month's grant was awarded to Christian Family Montessori School in Mount Rainier. Director Wendy Shenk-Evans pledged that the $1,000 will supplement their scholarship fund, which is needed now more than ever as rent and tuition have increased. Wendy is pictured on the right joking with CBN-PG Grants Chairperson Debra Myers and President Jim Palmer.

Vice-President Joe Hines (pictured on left,) outlined a new parish outreach initiative to strengthen relationships between priests, schools and the business community through CBN-PG.

The process is simple: to have members explain to their priest how CBN-PG benefits Catholic schools and builds rapport among business owners in the parish. The desired result is for CBN-PG to have a greater presence in the bulletin and to invite priests and parish administrators to a Networking Breakfast to see the power of networking first hand. Members who would like to contact Joe about being a representative in their parish should call him at 301-390-9032 or email jhines467@comcast.net.

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