Off the CUPF: Community Use of Public Facilities

Off the CUPF: Community Use of Public Facilities

Welcome to Off the CUPF, a Community Use of Public Facilities Podcast. We are one of many Montgomery County Government podcasts that focuses on sustainability and innovation, all while making sure our community is aware of the services provided in Montgomery County, Maryland. Are you looking to reserve an outdoor or indoor facility at a library, school, or County Government building? Available venues are here to be reserved, and we are the office that can make it happen.

Episodes

February 9, 2026 31 mins

In this episode, we’re welcoming a new voice to the team! Join us as we sit down with one of our newest staff members, Operations Manager, Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, Miguel Lozada. During this episode we will learn more about Miguel’s journey and role within the organization. Tune in as Community Relations & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross sha...

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Great teams aren’t just assembled – they’re aligned. In this episode, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross and Community Relations & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy focus on building unity and fostering team collaboration through clear communication and mutual respect. Are you familiar with the HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) guidelines in school facilities? No worries. We got you covered...

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In this podcast, Community Relations and Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy and Communications and Outreach Program Manager Derek Ross will discuss the visible changes at CUPF. During this discussion, they give shoutouts to all the new faces at CUPF. On this episode, we are joined by our special guest, CUPF's new Director of Community Relations, Eric Rasch!!

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December 26, 2025 22 mins

In this podcast, Communications and Outreach Program Manager Derek Ross and Community Relations and Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy will be discussing their plans for 2026. During this discussion we will learn more about the new faces at CUPF. More importantly, why should you listen to our podcast.

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In this podcast, Community Relations and Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy and Communications and Outreach Program Manager Derek Ross will be discussing their plans for 2026. During this discussion we will learn more about what it will take to get ready for the New Year, starting right now. Listen as they share some of their fondest moments, thus far, from 2025 while working at CUPF.

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December 19, 2025 7 mins

Welcome to the podcast team, Emily!! In this podcast, Communications and Outreach Program Manager Derek Ross and Community Relations and Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy will discuss upcoming goals for the podcast. During this discussion, they will give the community a sample of our upcoming PSA's and CUPF voiceovers. Season 2 has started, and we are ready to provide our latest updates to the community. Stay tuned!! 

C...

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Listen as CUPF Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross and CUPF Program Specialist - Childcare & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy discuss their goals for the new podcast season. With great excitement, we will once again be joined by Acting Director Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas. In this episode, we will do a recap of our first season and the importance of revamping and enhancing our communication in the community. Wa...

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In this podcast, CUPF Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross will be joined by CUPF Program Specialist - Childcare & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy. Our special guests will include CUPF’s Acting Director, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas. Spoiler Alert!! We have a new co-host. Plus, we have exciting news!! We would like to introduce our listeners to our new Operations Manager, Eduardo Fuentes.

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In this podcast, CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, will be joined by Summer Fellow, Sarah Hoffman and Program Specialist – Childcare & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy. Listen as we exchange stories, sharing more about our backgrounds, focusing on our community involvement. Learn about each of our experiences and how they have played a key role in helping us thri...

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In this episode, we are saying goodbye to our podcast co-host and CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson. Please join Communications and Outreach Specialist Derek Ross, along with CUPF Summer Fellow Sarah Hoffman as we say goodbye to Ramona and Ron. On this podcast, we will be joined by CUPF Program Specialist – Childcare & Special Projects, Emily Brewster-McCarthy. Plus, the questions are rolling in regarding school reservation po...

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Are you interested in reserving a facility through CUPF? Have you heard of ActiveMONTOGOMERY.org? In this podcast, CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, will have a roundtable discussion with CUPF's New Summer Fellow, Sarah Hoffman, highlighting the resources that are being made available to the community. Listen as we discuss the importance of making sure our community is a...

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In this podcast, CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, will discuss with CUPF's New Summer Fellow, Sarah Hoffman the unique experience of working for Montgomery County Government. Listen as we share our backstories about volunteering and how it has shaped our roles with CUPF and in our communities. Are you familiar with CUPF's Quick Survey? Learn more about how we are u...

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This podcast episode discusses the general usage of school athletic fields that can be reserved through CUPF. Listen as CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, clarify athletic field usage pertaining to the user experience. In this podcast, Ramona and Derek will be joined by CUPF Financial Administrator, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas and Operations Manager, Ron Maxson Jr. Learn more about t...

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This podcast episode is a continuation from the previous Episode 6 | Series 2: CUPF's New Simplified Fee Structure. Once again, come join CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, along with CUPF Financial Administrator, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas and Operations Manager, Ron Maxson Jr. In this riveting discussion about CUPF's New Simplified Fee Structure, listen as our panel of g...

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Are you aware of CUPF's New Simplified Fee Structure? Did you know you can reserve a parking lot to host your outdoor events? You have questions, we have the answers. Join CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, as we dive deeper into CUPF's New Simplified Fee Structure. In this podcast, we will once again be joined by CUPF Financial Administrator, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas. J...

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Have you ever wondered how offices such as CUPF prepare for a budget hearing? In this podcast, CUPF's Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, will discuss with our Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Financial Administrator, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas their roles in the budget hearing process and the preparation that goes into our presentation. 

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This podcast episode is the first of many discussions regarding CUPF’s New Simplified Fee Structure. Listen as CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and CUPF Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, jump start the discussion regarding CUPF's New Fee Structure. In this podcast, Ramona and Derek will be joined by CUPF Financial Administrator, Vanessa Lopez-Cuevas.

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In this episode of Off the CUPF, Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, discuss CUPF's Facility Fee Assistance Program (FFAP) and the opportunities it provides for the community. This episode also focuses on the conversation regarding school safety surrounding inclement weather and cancellations, plus the decision to halt school site visits for user groups. 

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CUPF is closing out 2024 and getting ready for 2025. Listen as CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and CUPF Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross discuss our goals as an office for 2025. This episode will include a general overview of our fee study, #CUPFCares Initiative, highlighting our focus on volunteering in the community. More importantly, CUPF’s upcoming Opening Day Reservation for Auditorium Use on Saturday, Feb...

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Listen as CUPF Director, Ramona Bell-Pearson and Communications and Outreach Specialist, Derek Ross, discuss the power of CUPF and the benefits we provide to the community. This episode will be answering the tough questions regarding reservations, all while enlightening the community about CUPF Opening Day Reservations.

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