At a glance (from the bottom up) ...
The work of DeKalb Habitat is done mostly by dedicated volunteers as a non-profit charitable organization funded mainly by sponsors (church, corporate, and individual), donors, and homeowner mortgage payments. Construction volunteers work on building sites under guidance of skilled construction managers and crew leaders. Nonconstruction volunteers may serve on one of ten committees where most of the behind-the-scenes work gets done before, during, and after actual construction.
Committees meet regularly and report to our Executive Board. The Executive Board manages day-to-day business and prepares reports and the agenda for the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors oversees the organization and deals with policy and planning.
DeKalb Habitat (formally Habitat For Humanity - DeKalb, Inc.) is an official county affiliate of the well-known Habitat For Humanity International (HFHI) organization headquartered in Americus, GA. We also encourage and support the work of other affiliates including college and high school chapters in DeKalb County... as well as other state, national, and international affiliates.
COMMITTEES (with estimated time needed to serve)
Site Selection (1-3 hrs/month)
Finds property suitable for home building or rennovation
Evaluates property (site readiness, title search, permits, etc.)
Acquires property (negotiation of donation or purchase)
Construction (1-5 hrs/month)
Manages construction materials (selection, ordering, inventory,payment)
Solicits skilled supervisors and house leaders
Coordinates scheduling of skilled supervisors, house leaders,and volunteers
Staffs the volunteer table at work sites
Participates in actual house construction
Volunteer Recruiting and Coordination (4-5 hrs/month)
Collects info from submitted Volunteer Application Forms
Maintains volunteer database
Staffs Volunteer Coordinator role to schedule volunteers
Contacts new volunteers and holds volunteer orientation programs
Family Selection (1-10 hrs/month)
Evaluates applications for housing
Visits qualified applicants to recommend those chosen for homes
Keeps a priority waiting list of qualified future homebuyers/partners according to Habitat policy
Family Support (1-10 hrs/month)
Provides a Habitat Partner to assist each new homeowner
Conducts homeowner meetings and social activities
Maintains homeowner's work records for sweat equity
Fund Raising (1-10 hrs/month)
Solicits funds from all sources including churches, corporations, foundations, and individuals
Organizes community events and fundraisers
Provides speakers for organizations, churches, businesses, and schools
Develops planned giving programs with churches
Church and Community Relations (1-5 hrs/month)
Develops and implements plans for recruiting and nurturing churches and civic organizations as sources of volunteers and sponsorship
Tells the Habitat story and explains our needs by making public presentations
Established donor recognition programs
Communications (Newsletter, Web Site, Media and Public Relations, Internal) (1-5 hrs/month)
Researches, writes, produces, distributes newsletter
Maintains affiliate web site and updates as needed
Produces press releases (both standard PR info and special releases for events such as new build, dedications of finished homes, etc.)
Keeps inventory of affiliate media materials (in print, video, photos, etc.)
Keeps list of media contacts
Keeps mailing and e-mail lists
Supports internal communication needs (among commitee and board members working together)
Finance (1-10 hrs/month)
Handles bookkeeping and financial reporting
Administers construction funds and mortgage financing function
Receives and deposits funds from sponsors and donors
Reviews, certifies, pays expenses and invoices
Prepares reports and documents in compliance with regulationsand accounting standards
Oversees budget process and financial plan
Administration (1-5 hrs/month)
Assists staff with various projects
Develops and oversees policies concerning employees and volunteers
Assists with compter projects