The work of Habitat San Bernardino is implemented with the assistance of volunteers. Final decision-making responsibility rests with the Board of Directors. It is the task of the Board to ensure that the committees and all of the affiliate’s activities are carried on in a manner consistent with Habitat for Humanity International’s Standards of Excellence.
A brief description of each committee is listed below. To become active in Habitat’s work in any function, we invite you to attend a volunteer information session. The sessions are hosted as needed at our office in Redlands – call for details.
Committees
Resource Development Committee:
- Organizes annual fundraising events, including coordination of publicity, arrangement of food and decorations, execution of mailings (solicitations and invitations), tickets, etc;
- Handles donation drive mailings;
- Seeks material donations, corporate or private;
- Finds and assists in applying for grants;
- Provides speakers for local organizations who want to know more about HFHSBA and staffs booths at special events;
- Assists with generating informational literature;
- Generates press releases for all affiliate events;
- Meets once a month. Speaking engagements or special events will require more time.
Construction Committee:
- Researches available lots within the affiliate area and builds “land bank” in accordance with the 5 year plan;
- Fosters and maintains a good working relationship with the city planning commissions and real estate professionals in the area;
- Pursues available federal or local funds to help with the purchase of lots;
- Inspects lots offered and makes recommendations to accept or decline, based on potential infrastructure costs and desirability;
- Makes decisions regarding house plans and construction;
- Facilitates the drawing up of plans with architect/engineer;
- Plans the building schedules for each home;
- Establishes and maintains standards for construction and safety;
- Meets once a month.
Family Selection Committee:
- Formulates policies and procedures for family selection process;
- Organizes community meetings to inform prospective partner families about how to apply for a Habitat Home;
- Takes the applicant group through the entire selection process, following the affiliate guidelines;
- Keeps accurate records of the entire process, with complete files on each selection;
- Maintains confidentiality throughout the process;
- Presents top selections to Board of Directors for final decision;
- Reviews the plans with partner family, helps family choose options;
- Finds sponsors for each partner family when they have been chosen for a home. These sponsors:
- become part of the committee;
- support the family throughout the selection process, the building of the home, and up to two years following the completion of the home (the transition can be overwhelming);
- monitor the partner family’s sweat equity hours (500) and suggest ways for the families to complete them;
- Serve as the advocate for the partner family and represent their interests at the Board of Directors meeting, if necessary (re: late payments, neighborhood complaints, foreclosures, etc.);
- As needed, organizes social functions, mini-classes, or skill clinics to aid the families;
- Meets once a month as a committee; sponsors have more of a time commitment.
Family Partnership Committee
- Assists families through the construction and with the challenges of first-time home ownership. Provides a one-on-one contact through the family’s sponsor. Encourages on-going involvement with Habitat.
Volunteer Committee:
- Receives and screens volunteer contact information;
- Makes the initial contact with volunteers and sets them up with the appropriate committee or crew;
- Organizes and schedules the work crews for home builds;
- Holds mandatory Volunteer Orientations once a month for all new volunteers;
- Functions as a phone tree to remind or notify crew leaders of workdays, cancellations, changes etc.;
- Maintains first aid kit, supply of release forms and volunteer information;
- Arranges for water and refreshments at work site;
- Recruits and trains greeters for the site;
- Meets as necessary.
Public Relations Committee
- Keeps Habitat’s mission before the public, generating support for the mission in material and dollars.
- Occasionally presents major events.
Church Relations Committee
- Encourages giving, prayer and volunteers from each covenant church.
- Encourages more congregations to become Covenant Churches