CBN-NV Awards Dinner Planned for May 4

Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 3/27/03)

The eighth annual Catholic Schools/Business Partnership Awards Banquet, sponsored by the Catholic Business Network of Northern Virginia (CBN-NV), will honor local businesses and individuals who have supported Catholic education in the Arlington Diocese.

The event will be held Sunday, May 4, at the McLean Hilton at Tysons Corner. A reception and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, entertainment by the Linton Hall Fife and Drum Corps and the awards presentation.

Proceeds from the dinner will be used by the Office of Catholic Schools to fund professional development opportunities for diocesan teachers and for student scholarships. The 2002 banquet raised just under $20,000.

More than 700 pastors, principals, teachers, business people and supporters of Catholic education attended last year’s event.

CBN-NV, an association of Catholic business persons who gather monthly at a Tysons Corner restaurant for fellowship and networking, was formerly known as the McClunn Society. Michael Zorio serves as the CBN-NV president.

By recognizing local businesses and individuals who have supported Catholic education in the diocese, CBN-NV hopes to promote cooperative partnerships between Catholic schools and businesses.

Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools, recently addressed members of CBN-NV at a monthly breakfast meeting.

"Thanks to you, we have one of the most unique programs in the country for staff development," McNiff said, referring to the Diocese of Arlington Seminars for Teachers, a CBN-sponsored event. Now in its eighth year, over 1,750 teachers have participated, with 392 enrolled in 12 programs last year. Summer seminars include "Catholic Virtues for Everyday Life," Technology (basic and advanced) and curriculum support programs. Through this program, CBN-NV helps to support the 17,826 students, 1,200 teachers and 42 principals in the diocese.

For information about the dinner call Maureen Dowling at 703/448-3397 or Shelly Biechman at 703/841-2551, or go to the CBN-NV Web site at www.cbnnv.org.

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