habitat for humanity of hood county board member training

Habitat for Humanity of Hood County

Board Member Training

HFHHC - Board Member Training2

Mission Statement - Habitat for Humanity for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership

with God and people everywhere in need by building and renovating houses, so that there

are decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and

grow into all that God intends.

Updated: April 2015


Our Beginning . . .

A non-profit, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry

Habitat for Humanity International– Founded in 1976– Located in Americus, GA

Habitat started in Hood County in 1996 as an “affiliate” of HFHI

Updated: April 2015


Who Operates Habitat in Hood County?

Our Habitat affiliate is an independent, locally operated, 501(c)3 non-profit organization– All volunteer Board of Directors– All volunteer committees

We coordinate all aspects of Habitat building in Hood County

Construction work is accomplished with volunteers, with the exception of a few paid contractors

Updated: April 2015


What Do We Build?

Build 4 to 5 houses per year, depending on:– Number of qualified and selected partner families– Number of construction volunteers – Availability of land suitable for building houses– Amount of money and material donations

Houses are 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms– 900 SF 1,156 SF 1,250 SF

Updated: April 2015


What does a Habitat House Look Like?

Habitat houses are attractive, simple, and comfortable The exterior is Hardiboard siding The size depends on the number of people who will be living

there Houses are sturdily built and designed to be safe and energy-

efficient Standard features include: central air-conditioning and heat, a

fenced back yard, and a tool shed Homeowners are allowed to customize their home by selecting

things such as: flooring, light fixtures, roof shingle color, exterior paint colors, and kitchen countertops

Updated: April 2015


Who Builds the Houses?

About 175 dedicated volunteers from Hood County and surrounding cities work on each house

Construction volunteers– 16 years of age to volunteer– 18 or older to use power tools

Building cycle September through May– No building in the Summer

Building days Wednesdays & Saturdays– Weather permitting

Updated: April 2015


How Does Habitat’s Program Work?

Habitat homes are sold to qualified families– No profit to our Habitat affiliate– Financed by our Habitat affiliate

Mortgages – Interest-free, 20 year mortgage– $700 down payment

Current 3 bedroom house cost = $50,500

Updated: April 2015


How are Families Selected?

Families are selected by our local affiliate based on three criteria:

1. Must have a need for housing, meaning that current living conditions are inadequate, substandard, or overcrowded, and unable to obtain a loan through conventional financing

2. Must have the ability to make regular monthly house mortgage payments

3. Must be willing to “Partner” with Habitat and work 300 hours of sweat equity to build their home

Must have lived in Hood County at least 1 year

Updated: April 2015


What is the Selection Process?

Partner families are selected by an extensive selection process

Applicants must attend one of the scheduled application days to– Learn about Habitat for Humanity– Complete an application– Submit required paperwork

Guidelines based on HFHI requirements Application days determined by Board

Updated: April 2015


What Must Applicants Provide?

All Applicants & Co-Applicants (husband & wife) must be present at the time of application

Applicants must bring COPIES of the following:– Texas Driver’s License or Texas I.D. Card– Social Security Card– Green Card (if applicable)– Copies of 1722 Tax Letter for past 3 Years– Last 3 Months Paycheck Stubs– Last 3 Months Pension/Disability/AFDC Checks/Child Support Receipts (if

applicable)– Last 3 Monthly Bank Statements– Most Current Water, Electric, and Telephone Bills– Rent receipts for the last 3 Months and the Landlord’s Name– Credit Card Statements for Last 3 Months – Account numbers for all liabilities or money owed to others– If divorced, a copy of the divorce decree

Updated: April 2015


How Long is the Selection Process?

Selection process takes about 2 months and involves– Applications & paperwork reviewed– Record Checks: credit, criminal history, and

sex offender– Visits to current living conditions– Habitat for Humanity Board of Director

approval Selection is usually 1 or 2 times a year

Updated: April 2015


How does Habitat Pay for Houses?

Habitat receives generously from donors throughout the United States, but most donations are from those living in Hood County

With the support of local businesses and contractors, and donations of materials and services that help to reduce building costs

Updated: April 2015


How are Donations Used?

Monetary donations build the houses in Hood County with minimal overhead costs

Expenses include– Construction = 98%– Administrative and Fundraising = 2%

Our affiliate has no paid staff Majority of administrative expense is for insurance and

financial audit

Updated: April 2015


Global Responsibility

Habitat is a worldwide, unified movement To recognize God’s overwhelming provision for our

local Habitat and to celebrate Habitat worldwide– Our affiliate tithes 10% of undesignated donations

to Habitat for Humanity International– Our affiliate tithe goes to our partner affiliate in the

country of Kyrgyzstan Habitat in Hood County’s tithe has funded over 80

homes internationally

Updated: April 2015


Local Responsibility

Updated: April 2015


Executive Committee

Consists of: – President– Vice-President– Secretary– Treasurer

Must be members of the Board of Directors Each holds office of 1 year term

– Maximum 3 terms = President and Vice-President– Maximum 6 terms = Secretary and Treasurer Executive Director also sits on EC

Review position descriptions on the website under Board Member area

Updated: April 2015


Executive Committee - Duties

Exercises the authority of the Board of Directors Oversees implementation and administration of policies and

procedures for – handling and accounting for the finances; and – relating to volunteers and employees, if any

Prepares an annual revenue and expense budget Coordinates development of, and monitors the resources

needed to meet the revenue goals of the budget Coordinates the strategic and long range planning activities;

and monitors and evaluates the performance of the affiliate with respect to the achievement of its mission, purposes, and goals

Updated: April 2015


Executive Committee Meetings

Sets the agenda for the Board meeting 2nd Wednesday of the month

– No meetings in July and December 2:00 p.m. meeting time 1 ½ to 2 hours in duration Meeting location varies Open to all Board members

Updated: April 2015


Executive Director

Appointed by the Board of Directors Is the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation Subject to control of and reports to the Board of

Directors Has overall responsibility for the routine management

of the Affiliate Coordinates activities of the operating committees Represents the Affiliate in the community Supervises the administrative functions May not be elected to serve on the Board of Directors

Review position descriptionon the website under Board Member area

Updated: April 2015


Board of Directors

All Corporate powers are exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors

Directors serve because of spiritual commitment to love their neighbors

No less than 12 directors or more than 24 directors Each Director holds office for a term of 3 years

– May not serve more than two successive terms No compensation of Directors

– May be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Affiliate

Updated: April 2015


Board Meetings

2nd Thursday of the month– No meetings in July and December

6:30 p.m. meeting time 1 ½ to 2 hours in duration Acton United Methodist Church

– Room E101: This is the usual meeting place Committee Chairperson must attend the meetings If not able to attend, please notify the Board President Open to the public – except for Family Selection meetings Board meeting minutes & financial reports are distributed

prior to the next meeting and posted on the affiliate website

Updated: April 2015


Your Responsibilities – 1

As a Board member, you will help– Develop strategies– Allocate resources– Set goals, ensure proper and adequate evaluations of

programs– Provide for financial solvency and security– Preserve independence– Enhance the public image– Assess the overall performance of the affiliate

As a Board member you will not receive a salary or stipend

Updated: April 2015



Faith Commitment– Reflect a commitment to Habitat’s mission and

purpose

Legal– Ensure that the Corporation is operating within

the legal boundaries set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and as allowed under the State of Texas

Updated: April 2015



Directing– Develop the policies of the affiliate according to

the mission

Fund Raising– Be responsible for raising and administering the

funds– Be an example and leader for the rest of the

organization and the public in its financial support

Updated: April 2015



Program– Continually evaluate the programs to ensure the

mission, purpose, and goals are met– Serve on at least one committee

Advocate– Be a public advocate of its mission and policies

Updated: April 2015



Auditing & Budgeting– Ensure proper and accurate accounting of

Habitat’s resources– Develop a budget and determine cash flow needs– Direct an annual audit of the accounting records

Updated: April 2015



Counselor– Serve as a counselor to the Executive Director– Be open and honest and foster the seeking and

giving of advice with the Executive Director Communications with Habitat International

and State or Regional Coordinator– As needed, attend state, regional, and national

Habitat meetings and training events, and share valuable information learned

Updated: April 2015



Legal Standards of Conduct– All Board members must avoid all appearances of

impropriety of conflicts and interest as directors– Duty of Care – Act as a prudent person and do your duties

in good faith and with diligence, care, and skill– Duty of Loyalty – Be loyal to Habitat, avoid conflicts of

interest, not take personal advantage or corporate opportunities, never realize personal gain, be fair with other directors, keep information confidential, and not disclose certain items without the express authorization from the President or Executive Director

Updated: April 2015



Legal Standards of Conduct– Duty of Obedience– Carry out the mission and purposes of

Habitat– Duty of Transparency – Make records, meetings, and

decisions available to the community and donors– Program Participation – Have a general knowledge of the

programs and activities and a specific knowledge of one facet of these programs and activities

– Information – Make a diligent effort to understand the operations of the affiliate

Updated: April 2015



Legal Standards of Conduct– Evaluation – Continually evaluate the

performance and management of the affiliate– Legal Protection from Liability

Director’s and Officer’s Liability Insurance– You are protected from liability when the organization

suffers a loss or is a victim of a lawsuit– Not protected if a director does not fulfill their duties, e.g.,

negligent– Not protected if the affiliate fails to pay its proper taxes

then the government may hold the Board members liable

Updated: April 2015


Expectations – 1

Board members are expected to– Actively serve and participate on at least one

operating committee– Visit or work at the worksite for at least one house

during the year– Attend house dedications whenever possible– Help to foster a relationship between the church

they attend and Habitat– Associate with and get to know the Habitat

partner families, as appropriate

Updated: April 2015


Expectations – 2

Board members are expected to– Assist with fundraising, as needed– Attend Board meetings and participate in

discussions– Identify and develop potential successors– Be able to explain the philosophy of Habitat to

people– Pray for the success of Habitat for Humanity– Contribute financially to Habitat at whatever level

possible

Updated: April 2015

Operating Committees

– Public Relations Church Relations Speaker’s Bureau

– Family Selection– Family Support– Technology

– Building– Site Selection– Audit– Safety– Volunteer Lunches

Updated: April 2015 HFHHC - Board Member Training34

Review the descriptions on the website under

Board Member area

Prayerfully consider which of these committees you want to serve on and then contact the committee chairman


www.habitatofhoodcounty.org

Work Schedule Contributors – Carpenter’s

Club Contact Information with e-

mail addresses, telephone, address

Newsletter Information About the Organization FAQs How to Apply for a House Board Member Area

– password protected

How to Donate– Check – Credit Card – Electronic Funds Transfer – Online Bill Pay– Memorial or Honorarium Gifts– In-Kind Contributions of

Construction Materials and Services

– Employer Matching Gifts – Employer Payroll Deduction – Cars for Homes – A Vehicle

Donation

Updated: April 2015


Board Member

Area

Updated: April 2015


www.habitatofhoodcounty.org

Updated: April 2015


Policies & Procedures

Accident Procedures Board Leadership Common

Pitfalls Board Member

Responsibilities and Expectations

Criminal Background Check Policy

Family Selection Policy Family De-Selection Policy Family Support Policy Grievance Procedure Policy

HFHHC Articles of Incorporation 4-1-1996

HFHHC By-Laws 4-18-1996 Identity Theft Policy Nominating Committee

Procedures Payment and Delinquency

Policy Safety Policy Sex Offender Check Policy Volunteer Recruitment Flyer Youth Involvement Policy

Updated: April 2015


Thank you!

Thank you for volunteering your time to serve as a Director of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of

Hood County

As you start on this journey please join us in prayer for the continued success of the Habitat ministry

Thank you for your support!!

Updated: April 2015

habitat for humanity of hood county board member training

Documents