EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         We, the  undersigned  directors  of the  Registrant,  hereby  severally
constitute  and  appoint  Theresa A.  Cornish our true and lawful  attorney  and
agent,  to do any and all things in our names in the capacities  indicated below
which said person may deem  necessary or advisable to enable the  Registrant  to
comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and any rules,  regulations
and requirements of the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  in connection with
the  registration  statement on Form S-8  relating to the Sandy Spring  Bancorp,
Inc. Directors' Stock Plan,  including  specifically,  but not limited to, power
and authority to sign for us in our names in our capacities as directors and, as
applicable,  as members of the plan administrative  committee,  the registration
statement and any all amendments (including post-effective  amendments) thereto;
and we hereby  approve,  ratify and confirm all that said person and/or  persons
shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

  Signature                        Title                            Date

/s/ JOHN CHIRTEA                   Director                   December 17, 2003
- ----------------
John Chirtea

/s/ SUSAN D. GOFF                  Director                   December 17, 2003
- -----------------
Susan D. Goff

/s/ SOLOMON GRAHAM                 Director                   December 17, 2003
- ------------------
Solomon Graham

/s/ GILBERT L. HARDESTY            Director                   December 17, 2003
- -----------------------
Gilbert L. Hardesty

/s/ JOYCE R. HAWKINS               Director                   December 17, 2003
- --------------------
Joyce R. Hawkins

/s/ CHARLES F. MESS                Director                   December 17, 2003
- -------------------
Charles F. Mess

/s/ ROBERT L. MITCHELL             Director                   December 17, 2003
- ----------------------
Robert L. Mitchell

/s/ ROBERT L. ORNDORFF, JR.        Director                   December 17, 2003
- ---------------------------
Robert L. Orndorff, Jr.

/s/ DAVID E. RIPPEON               Director                   December 17, 2003
- --------------------
David E. Rippeon

/s/ CRAIG A. RUPPERT               Director                   December 17, 2003
- --------------------
Craig A. Ruppert

/s/ LEWIS R. SCHUMANN              Director                   December 17, 2003
- ---------------------
Lewis R. Schumann

/s/ W. DREW STABLER                Director, Chairman         December 17, 2003
- -------------------                of the Board
W. Drew Stabler