McHenry, MD – Leadership Garrett County’s Class of 2026’s goal was simple – but that didn’t make the objective any easier.
“We knew many people were interested in giving back to the community – they were just unsure where to begin,” said Andrew Tichinel, a Garrett County Government employee who was one of the seven members of this year’s class. “Our goal became to find practical and sustainable ways to increase awareness of community service opportunities.”
The 10th LGC class, which graduated last Thursday, met at Garrett College throughout their five-month program. After much consideration, the group settled on one major strategy and several related initiatives to support their ultimate goal.
“We developed a volunteer interest survey,” reported LGC participant Kimberley Harless, who works at First United Bank & Trust. “The survey identified past experiences, interests, and volunteer categories that could help match volunteers with organizations.”
Respondents to the survey, launched at this spring’s Garrett County Job Fair, identified those community service initiatives they would most be interested in supporting. More than 54 percent indicated animal services while 47 percent identified environmental/outdoor/parks as an interest. (Respondents could identify more than one choice.)
Class member Jeff Hovis, who works for the Green Room Lounge, said the “challenge was to create a catalyst to get from Point A” – willingness to be involved – “to Point B” – actually becoming a community volunteer. The survey ended up being an effective strategy toward that goal.
While the survey provided important information, it didn’t achieve the cohort’s ultimate goal – providing an online opportunity to connect potential volunteers with organizations needing additional volunteers. The cohort is looking for a local entity to step forward and match volunteers with organizations needing assistance.
Class of 2026 member Mandy Sturtz, a mortgage officer with First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, said local businesses can play a huge part in supporting community engagement. She noted several of the community-related initiatives First Peoples supports.
“First Peoples offers employees time off to participate in volunteer activities,” said Sturtz. “They provide employees the opportunity to take Volunteer Time Off [VTO] in increments of eight to 16 hours.”
First Peoples also tracks volunteer hours so that employees can qualify for the company’s annual Volunteer Award while providing “dollars for doers” – a program where First Peoples permits employees to designate funding to benefit volunteer organizations they support.
Anca Johnson (Ace’s Run), Chelsie Warnick (Dove Center), and David Middleton (Garrett County Government) were also honored as graduates of the seven-member class.
Notes: Representatives of Leadership Garrett County’s Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 also provided updates on their projects as part of the LGC graduation, which took place in the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College.
The 2027 Leadership Garrett County cohort will start in February 2027. Individuals interested in applying for a slot in next year’s cohort should contact Kimberly Govi at kimberly.govi@garrettcollege.edu or 301.387.3084.
