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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Local Responsibility
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Your Responsibilities – 2
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
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Your Responsibilities – 3
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
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Your Responsibilities – 4
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
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Your Responsibilities – 5
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
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Your Responsibilities – 6
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
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Your Responsibilities – 7
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
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Your Responsibilities – 8
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
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Your Responsibilities – 9
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Board Member
Area
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www.habitatofhoodcounty.org
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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
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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