Library to host media forum for nonprofit groups

Charles County Public Library will host a Meet the Media forum 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, to discuss how to best promote news, events and accomplishments of nonprofits and community organizations. The forum will feature representatives from the Maryland Independent, Southern Maryland This Is Living, The BayNet, Somar Communications, Maryland Radio Network, CSM-TV and Macaroni Kid Charles County. Questions should be directed to 301-645-1395.

CSM to host annual Nonprofit Institute Conference April 28

Nonprofit employees, board members, volunteers and supporters are invited to participate in this year’s annual Nonprofit Institute Conference “Jumpstart Your Leadership!” at the College of Southern Maryland. The seventh annual conference, which features a wealth of local experts on nonprofits and leadership issues, will be held 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 28 at CSM’s La Plata Campus.

The conference is a chance to rethink, recharge and prepare for the future, all while networking with others in the nonprofit world. The event will feature workshops led by leaders in the field in a variety of topics that affect every nonprofit — marketing, fundraising, management, strategic planning and leadership.

Conference participants can choose from a variety of workshops, including social media analytics, content marketing, branding, fundraising, management, unemployment insurance, building diversity, nonprofit financial literacy and more.

Following lunch, the conference will culminate with a panel discussion on leadership in the nonprofit community featuring Director of Hospice of St. Mary’s Kathy Franzen, CEO of Walden/Sierra Dr. Kathy O’Brien, U.S. Navy veteran and veteran advocate Bill Buffington, Southern Maryland Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center Ellen Flowers-Fields and founder of Farming 4 Hunger Bernie Fowler Jr.

For information, go to www.csmd.edu/NPIconference.

Sheriff’s office joins DEA for prescription drug take back day

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office will join the Drug Enforcement Administration in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day — a program held annually to encourage people with unwanted prescription medications to dispose of them safely and in a way that is environmentally friendly from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Although the CCSO offers residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications at any time, the agency is promoting this national event to highlight the importance of ridding homes of medicines that are no longer needed.

Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high, particularly among teens and young adults who often get the drugs from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet.

Prescription drugs, such as Oxycodone and Percocet, are popular among addicts who often turn to stealing or robbing to feed their habits. During the most recent National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in April of 2016, the DEA and over 4,200 of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners collected a record-setting 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines — about 447 tons — at almost 5,400 sites across the country. Agencies in Maryland alone collected more than 11,400 pounds at 78 collection sites.

To drop off unwanted medications, simply bring the medicines to either the Waldorf station at 3670 Leonardtown Road or the La Plata station at 6855 Crain Highway.

Prescription, non-prescription, pet medicines and vitamins are accepted, but they must be in tablets, capsules and other solid dosage forms. Intravenous solutions, injectibles and syringes are not accepted. For additional information, go to www.ccso.us.

Register for the 2017 Tot Olympics

The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism are partnering with the Chick-filA’s of Charles County and Macaroni Kids Charles County to present the 2017 Tot Olympics. The Tot Olympics Games will be held 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 13, at North Point High School (rain date is Sunday, May 14). Registration begins at 9 a.m. and opening ceremonies start promptly at 10 a.m.

Fun-filled events for children ages 3-6 include running, jumping, kicking, and throwing. Vendors will be on site. Athletes will have their participation recorded on a special tracking form distributed during opening ceremonies.

The registration fee is $15 for residents, $17 for non-residents, and $20 the day of event.

Each child will receive an award and snack for his/her efforts. Parent/guardian participation is required for each athlete.

Register online at www.CharlesCountyParks.com or call 301-932-3470.

CSM to dedicate Hughesville Campus

Southern Maryland elected officials and business and community leaders will join the College of Southern Maryland in dedicating the new Center for Trades and Energy Training (CT Building) at CSM’s Regional Hughesville Campus at 2:30 p.m. on April 25.

The 30,000-square-foot building, the first completed on the new campus, includes labs, classrooms and administrative space and provides residents throughout the region easier access to specialized training in career fields that have substantial growth potential. The CT Building houses trades training for the college — HVAC, plumbing, electrical, welding and carpentry — as well as the Maryland Center for Environmental Training (MCET). Marking its 35th anniversary this year, MCET provides environmental, safety and health training and compliance assistance for workers in the region and throughout the state.

Other building phases proposed for CSM’s 74-acre Regional Hughesville Campus and reflected in the master plan include a Health Sciences building, which has received state funding in FY 2018 for design to begin, followed by a fine arts center, a field house and relocation of the college’s athletic fields, as well as space to accommodate future needs.

The Regional Hughesville Campus is located at 6170 Hughesville Station Place in Hughesville. To attend the dedication, RSVP by April 18 at www.csmd.edu/Dedication or call 301-934-7602.