Join a committee and have some fun!

Fundraising: Are you known as the hostess with the mostest? Are you part of the booster club at your children’s school? Have you ever ran a bake sale for your church? Then we need you! Individuals with a flair for creativity and party planning skills...this committee is for you! Learn more….

Public Relations: Are you a networking guru, graphic designer, public speaker or just know how to get the word out when something amazing happens? Then we need you to help us keep our community up to date with project information and how to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. Learn more….

Site Selection: Are you in the “know” when it comes to real estate? Are you an investor or agent? Then we need you to help us find the next build site! Learn more….

Building and Construction: Can you swing a hammer, operate a saw, install siding? If you are experienced in the construction trades, we need you to join our team and lead our crews of volunteers through the home building process. Learn more….

Family Selection: Do you have public speaking skills? Can you conduct an orientation to educate families on how Habitat works? Do you have compassion and understanding for those in need? Then we need you to help us find partner families to participate in the Habitat experience. Learn more….

Family Partnership: Do you have experience in Health and Human Services? Do you enjoy helping others achieve their goals? The Family Partnership committee is the liaison between our homeowners and the affiliate. Learn more….

Faith and Church Relations: Are you a mover and a shaker in your congregation? Is your church looking for ways to get more involved in the community? Come help us build our Faith and Church Relations committee and bring faith and hope to those less fortunate. Learn more….

  Public Relations     Building & Construction     Site Selection     Faith Relations  
  Family Selection     Family Partnership     Fundraising  

Public Relations

• Be familiar with the basics of public relations and public awareness/education campaigns
• Be familiar with working with the media
• Be familiar with special event planning
• Be enthusiastic, creative, committed, and advocacy-oriented
• Be able to commit for one year
• Be prepared for meetings
• Actively participate in meetings
• Be willing to participate in the activities planned by the PR Committee
• Know the Affiliate Covenant principles and the principles that HFH procedures are based on
• Know how to develop fact sheets, press releases, brochures, write letters, etc.
• Able to interact with all kinds of people from all walks of life

Building and Construction

• The Committee shall be comprised of people with background in the following areas whenever possible: Carpentry practice, General Contracting, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Trades, Plumbing Trades
• In addition, there will be other members who have the interest of quality, adequate, affordable housing as defined by the Board
• There shall be one representative that serves as a Board liaison
• There will be one representative that serves as a maintenance advisor to the Family Support committee
• There will be a qualified chairperson

• Work with the Site Selection Committee to ascertain appropriate properties and develop pre acquisition budget estimates
• Present appropriate house plans to the Board for approval
• Assist staff or volunteer site supervisor develop comprehensive work lists and schedules
• Solicit bids for sub-contracted labor (a minimum of 2)
• Develop lists of materials for the Fundraising Committee to acquire
• Conduct monitoring of sites to ensure quality, safety, and stewardship.
• Advise the Board on policy changes that relate to house design, project specifications, and disbursement of resources
• Request an annual budget for discretionary spending on tools and equipment under $1,000.00. All major equipment purchases exceeding $1,000.00 will require Board approval
• Meet monthly at a time appointed by the Chairperson
• Advise Volunteer Committee regarding need for volunteers
• Ensure positive, productive communication with the Family Support Committee

Site Selection

• Real estate experience
• Construction experience
• Prior involvement in low-income housing
• Familiarity with the community of need
• Significant contact with persons or entities in a position to secure land for Habitat projects

• Evaluate the affiliates' geographic service area to determine appropriate and viable target neighborhoods/outlying communities in which the affiliate could build/renovate
• Work with the Board to establish a process by which properties are acquired and a range of permissible costs per building site
• Implement necessary research to comprehensively determine the appropriateness and viability of each site that is identified or offered to the affiliate
• Seek consultation of the construction/building committee to determine the build-ability of an identified site
• Be looking for additional sites, always two to three years down the road when options are limited
• Provide for the maintenance of all acquired sites until construction or renovation begins

Faith Relations

• A qualified chairperson who will convene the meetings
• A member who is clergy and can readily access the local ministerial association or alliance
• Members who are representatives of church mission/outreach committees
• Whenever possible, homeowners who can share their story should participate
• Others who are interested in engaging churches in para-church ministry
• A board Liaison
• A solid understanding of the HFH ministry and be able to articulate it

• Develop or find a roster of congregations in the affiliate's geographic service area
• Create a database including the name of the congregation, the rabbi or minister, the address, phone and if possible an e-mail address
• Divide the above list into 5 categories of congregations:
  • List of congregations currently active with the affiliate in any way
  • List of congregations that supported the affiliate in the past but are currently inactive
  • List of congregations of which the Board, staff and key volunteers belong
  • List of congregations that you have read or heard about that may be interested in partnering with Habitat
  • The remaining congregations
• Organize presentation materials and teams to approach the congregations:
  • List # 1 to the chair
  • Lists #2, 4 and 5 to the various members
  • Visit in teams of 2, preferably 1 is from the congregation (use list 3 for names)
• Maintain records of contacts made and information given out
• Follow-up immediately after visits
• Maintain on-going communication with each congregation visited
• Draft partnership agreement form when appropriate
• Work with the Board to develop annual committee goals
• Ensure that gratitude and recognition are extended to participating congregations when appropriate
• Provide a monthly report to the Board
• Coordinate the International day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat (3rd Sunday in September
• Work with the Board and other committees to implement Building on Faith week activities (2nd week of September, ending with IDOP above)
• Assist congregations in ordering the Church Relations Newsletter

Family Selection

• Have good "social/people" skills
• Know the three selection criteria
• Understand how to read credit reports
• Be comfortable conducting home visits
• Know HFHI House Design Criteria and understand the principles the design criteria is based on
• Know the parameters for decisions families can and cannot make regarding house design and decorating options
• " Be familiar with the work of the other committees, especially the Family Support and Site Selection committees
• Know the "Lines of Communication" between the family and the affiliate
• Know how to develop annual plans and budgets

Family Partnership

• Have good "social/people" skills
• Understand the difference between "enabling" and "empowering"
• Understand the difference between "doing for" and "doing with"
• Understand HFH sweat equity policy
• Know HFH House Design Criteria and understand the principles the design criteria is based on
• Know the parameters for decisions families can and can not make regarding house design and decorating options
• Know HFH "closing" process
• Be familiar with HFH Family Selection process and homeowner orientation procedures
• Know the basics of house construction and maintenance
• Know the volunteer sign-up procedures
• Be familiar with the basics of Public Relations and dealing with the media
• Be familiar with adult learning principles and curriculum development

• Support families as a friend and information resource
• Provide homeowner training resources
• Train family sponsor / advocate / friends (S/A/F)
• Develop tools and materials for supporting families, which may include a homeowner manual and tracking sheet
• Provide feedback to the Board regarding the effectiveness of current policies and procedures and an update of sweat equity hours
• Assure that families understand and complete required sweat equity hours
• Assist families throughout the entire process of becoming homeowners (answering questions, helping with planning and budgeting, recording sweat equity hours, identifying other community resources, follow-up explanations of training workshop materials, providing home maintenance tips, etc.)
• Maintain an environment of strict confidentiality
• Develop an annual plan and submit a budget to the Board

Fundraising

• Have the courage to offer the opportunity for giving to others
• Know the intricacies of HFH and be able to answer questions regarding HFH principles, policies, and procedures
• Have good networking connections in the community
• Have creative ideas and plans to generate resources
• Be able to work with all different kinds of people
• Know how to put together a budget and a fund development plan

• Take the Board's annual approved budget and shape a comprehensive fund development plan that includes target sources and amounts, dates and assignments
• Work with the treasurer to ensure that processes are in place for donor recognition, IRS substantiation and categorized record keeping by source of income and donor
• Request an annual budget from the Board for necessary expenses
• Set up an appropriate sub-committee or work groups to handle efforts with churches, individuals, businesses, financial institutions, fraternal organizations, civic groups, foundations, etc.
• Maintain records of where contacts have been made to avoid duplication of effort
• Seek a list of in-kind donations desired by the building committee and develop strategies to meet those needs.