Dear Maryland Performance Excellence Community:

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Maryland Performance Excellence Foundation (MPEF) and Awards Program.  The Board of Directors and Transition Team would like to inform you of changes to the 2010 Awards Program and to update you on our progress and future plans.

 Maryland Performance Excellence Awards (MPEA) Program Changes

The Maryland Performance Excellence Foundation (MPEF) is now the sponsor for the MPEA program.  We are working on plans for a scaled-back 2010 awards program to begin in early 2010.  In these financially challenging times, we are far short of our financial goals and no longer have a salaried, full-time Program Director.  After continuing to support the MPEA as a volunteer for the last several months, Marty Stephens recently left the program to pursue other career goals .

The scaled-back 2010 MPEA Program plans include:

• Utilizing only previously trained, experienced examiners, as training new examiners requires a significant investment of resources.
• Running the program with 100% volunteers who would serve in key roles as awards program coordinators.  We are currently recruiting for an examiner coordinator, training coordinator, applicant coordinator, and awards ceremony coordinator. 
• Limiting the number of award applications from organizations for full assessments, feedback reports, and award recognition.

The scaled-back 2010 awards program will provide continuity to keep the MPEA viable during this difficult economic period and will afford applicants who are actively pursuing Baldrige journeys the opportunity to receive feedback and recognition.  It will also keep our dedicated, talented pool of experienced examiners engaged, and help them continue honing their knowledge of the Baldrige Criteria and improving their skills for assessing applications and writing feedback reports.

Once we have obtained additional resources, we plan to offer a full program, including recruitment and training of new examiners, workshops, user groups, and other activities in support of the MPEA program and the Baldrige Criteria. 

 MPEF Corporate and Funding Update

Below is an overview of our progress and results:

• The Maryland Performance Excellence Foundation is incorporated in Maryland and has been approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, charitable organization.
• The Foundation has a Board of Directors of experienced examiners, but is seeking additional members with name recognition, well-established networks, and diverse experience in all sectors in Maryland.
• Our grant-writing team has submitted 22 grant applications.
• Members of the Board and Team have met with more than 30 government and business leaders throughout the state to solicit support for and raise awareness of the MPEF and MPEA program.
• The Partners in Excellence Campaign has received cash and in-kind contributions totaling more than $12,000, but that is far short of our goal of $275,000 to $300,000 to staff, house, and run a successful full-scale performance excellence program in Maryland. 

Conclusion

We hope that you will continue to partner with us as we navigate through these challenging times.  We have at the helm an energetic, incredibly capable group of volunteer leaders, who are long on dedication and hard work, but we still have a lot of work to do in the coming months to make continuance of the MPEA program a successful reality.  We need everyone’s help.

 We hope that you or a person or organization you know is interested in and will consider volunteering, making a cash or in-kind contribution, or submitting a name for consideration as a Board member.  Please feel free to contact any member of the Board or Transition Team if you have a question or suggestion.

Thanks again for your interest in and support of our program to enhance the lives of all those who live and work in Maryland.  We will send more details about the 2010 awards program in the next few weeks and will continue to keep you apprised of our progress and future plans. Also, please continue to watch our website at www.MarylandExcellence.org  for updates and information about the program.

The Foundation received notification from the Internal Revenue Service of its approval as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, donations to the organization are tax-deductible. Contributions may be mailed to the Foundation or made here with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account.

Visit the Foundation Page for additional information.