AAH Planningmanual

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
of
CHARLOTTE
ADOPT-A-HOME PROJECT
PLANNING MANUAL
Revised 1/07
0
Introduction
Your organization has taken on an exciting task: Adopting a Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte home which
includes raising the money to finance a house and building that home in partnership with the family who will
buy it. It is a task that will be both challenging and rewarding, and most importantly, it is a task that will make a
real and lasting positive impact on our community.
This Adopt-A-Home Planning Manual is provided to give your group step by step instructions on organizing and
executing your Adopt-A-Home. A project of this scope is best accomplished by a team of committed volunteers,
called the Project Team in this manual, who are responsible for different functions. This manual suggests a break
down of tasks, where each member of the Project Team has the responsibility for one of the tasks/sub-committees
listed below. If a committee is needed for a task the person who sits on the Project Teams acts as the chair. There
are many different ways to organize your Adopt-A-Home, the following are suggestions based on previous
groups’ experiences. You may take a different approach and/or combine some responsibilities.
Please forward this manual to each member of the project team. We have inserted hyperlinks for your
convenience.
• Project Leader……………………………………page 11
• House Leader…………………………………….page 14
• Fund Raising Coordinator……………….……….page 21
• Publicity Coordinator…………………………….page 25
• Amenities Coordinator…………………………...page 28
• Family Partner……………………………………page 32
• Volunteer Coordinator……………………………page 36
Other information contained in this manual includes:

• Building on Faith page 45
• Building Schedule - Typical page 9
• Construction Leader Skills Evaluation Form page 47
• Dedication –Sample Programs page 59
• Directions to Habitat office page 3
• Evaluation of Habitat form page 44
• In-kind donation Values, Material & Sub page 52
Specs
• In-kind donation Report Form page 55
• Leadership Team Form page 43
• Minors Release of Liability page 65
• Mission Statement page 5
• Organizational Chart page 7
• Policies of Habitat Charlotte page 10
• Press Release Sample page 58
• Safety Guidelines page 50
• Sign in sheets/Release of Liability Forms page 63
• Sponsorship Agreement page 3
• Staff Contacts page 2
• Summary of Habitat Charlotte’s Work page 56
• Task Leader Job Description page 20
• Timeline for Project page 41
• Tool Requirements page 49
• Volunteer Confirmation Letter Sample page 62
• Volunteer Interest Sign-up Sheet page 61
• Youth Activities page 38
1
Habitat Contact Information
The information below is included to facilitate your communication with Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.
Mailing Address Physical Address

Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte
P. O. Box 220287 3815 Latrobe Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28222-0287 Charlotte, NC 28211
Web Site: www.habitatcharlotte.org
Directions to Habitat Office: on web at http://www.habitatcharlotte.org/Direct-NewOffice.htm

From uptown - Go out of town on 7th Street which then becomes Monroe Road, turn right on Wendover. Turn
right at the light on Latrobe. Turn right into the parking lot. The office is on the side of the building facing
Latrobe, with the entrance under the tall canopy.
From south-east Charlotte –Take Providence or Randolph towards downtown, turn right on
Wendover/Runnymeade. Turn left at light at LaTrobe. Turn right into the parking lot. The office is on the side
of the building facing Latrobe, with the entrance under the tall canopy.
From I-77 South Bound - Take the I-277 exit (Brookshire Freeway), towards downtown, stay in the left hand
lane to exit to Independence Boulevard. Take Wendover Road exit, (245A). Turn right at light at Latrobe. The
office is on the side of the building facing Latrobe, with the entrance under the tall canopy.
From I-77 North Bound - Take the second downtown - I-277 exit (Brookshire Freeway), towards downtown, stay
in the left hand lane to exit to Independence Boulevard. Take Wendover Road exit, (245A). Turn right at light
at Latrobe. The office is on the side of the building facing Latrobe, with the entrance under the tall canopy.
From I-85 (North & South bound) – Take the Brookshire Freeway exit turn towards downtown (Right turn for
northbound I-85, left turn for southbound I-85), stay in the left hand lane to exit to Independence Boulevard.
Take Wendover Road exit, (245A). Turn right at light at Latrobe. The office is on the side of the building
facing Latrobe, with the entrance under the tall canopy.
Habitat Staff Contacts

Habitat Fax Number. 704-342-1797
Habitat Phone Number 704-376-2054
Area Staff member E-mail Phone

Construction & In Kind Materials Brian Sanders bsanders@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7064
Fund Raising & Publicity Linda Blum lblum@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7073
Family Services Darryl White dwhite@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7079

Nancy Pugh npugh@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7074
Volunteer Coordination & Building on Faith Beth Van Gorp bvangorp@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7077
Executive Director Bert Green bgreen@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7068
http://habitatcharlotte.org/about_staffList.cfm has information on how to contact other staff members or call Beth
Van Gorp at 704-716-7077 with any other questions about Habitat.
2
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Inc.
3815 Latrobe Dr. – PO Box 220287
Charlotte, NC 28222-0287
Sponsorship Agreement
This agreement entered into this _____day of ____________, 2009, between Habitat for Humanity of
Charlotte, Inc. and___________________________. The parties agree to engage in a building project
(or a portion of a building project) to construct a simple, decent, affordable home which will be
purchased upon completion by a local low-income family.
Habitat agrees to:

1. Provide a fully developed building site, the necessary materials (excluding tools), hire sub-
contractors, and obtain the necessary building permits and inspections. Habitat will also provide a
qualified Habitat homeowner family.
2. Provide opportunities for volunteers from the sponsoring organization to participate in the building
project, and provide a qualified Site Supervisor to assist our group during our project.
3. Provide financial management for the project.
The Sponsor agrees to:

1. Make a contribution of:
a. $_______________cash payment representing the full $60,000 sponsorship fee for 2007.
b. $_______________cash payment representing a partial (_____%) sponsorship fee for 2007.
c. $_______________for in-kind donations of materials and/or services (as outlined on pg. 51)
d. $_______________Total Contribution
One-half of the cash contribution amount committed above is payable six weeks before the scheduled volunteer
construction start date.
The balance is due immediately prior to commencement of volunteer construction.
In the event of a partial sponsorship, Sponsor has the option of finding a Co-Sponsor(s) to complete
the full sponsorship; or Habitat will work to find a Co-Sponsor(s) to complete the sponsorship and
schedule the start of volunteer construction at a mutually agreed upon schedule.
2. Organize and participate in the building project by providing volunteers (some skilled volunteers
required) on each assigned workday. Continue with the volunteer effort until the project is
completed. Sponsor expects volunteer work to commence in month of ___________, 2009
3. Work in cooperation and partnership with Habitat staff and the future homeowner family to
construct a well built, substantial home.
4. Support, within its organization and the community at large, the Habitat concept of eliminating
substandard housing in the Charlotte area and throughout the world. This includes cooperating with
Habitat in any publicity and public relations activities associated with the project.
Accepted on ___________________, 2009 Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Inc.
Sponsor____________________________ Signed: _______________________________
Signed By: _________________________ Date:________________________________
3
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte’s Mission
Founded as a Christian Ministry, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte works in partnership with
God and people from all walks of life to develop community with people in need by building and
renovating homes, so that people can live and grow into all that God intended.
Habitat Charlotte’s mission is accomplished by:

• Constructing simple, decent, and affordable houses,
• Selling the houses at no profit and no interest and using the mortgage payments to build more
houses.
• Demonstrating the love and teachings of Jesus Christ,
• Providing a way for sharing between the affluent and those in need,
• Working in partnership with representative local leadership,
• Selecting families in greatest need first, without favoritism or discrimination.
Overview of the Adopt-A-Home Process

1. Make the Decision.
• Will the members or our group support the project with their time, talents and money?
• Do we have the approval and support of our leadership?
• Are there people within our group who have the skills and the time available to lead our project?
• Can we raise the sponsorship fee?
2. Submit the Sponsorship Agreement.
Once a decision has been made to proceed with the AAH project, the Sponsorship Agreement
enclosed in this packet should be submitted to Habitat. This Adopt-A-Home Planning Manual
as well as a Construction Manual are provided to help your group organize and complete the
project.
3. Organize a Project Team.
The Project Team’s responsibility is to guide your project through to completion. Habitat
recommends that your Project Team, chaired by the Project Leader, consists of the following:
Publicity Coordinator, Fund Raising Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Amenities
Coordinator, as well as the Family Partner and your House Leader.
4. Raise the Funds.
Once your group is committed, you will need to determine how you will raise the funds. Sources
of funding often include such things as special events, individual campaigns, and in kind
donations of services and materials.
4
5. Plan the Project.
• With the Habitat staff set a start date and build schedule.
• Recruit and organize volunteers.
• Construction leaders meet with the Habitat Construction Superintendent
• Plan for snacks & lunches.
• Prepare publicity if desired.
• Sign up volunteers for specific tasks.
6. Meet the Family.
Approximately four-to-six weeks before the start date of your house, an approved Habitat family
will be paired with your group. This family will have already completed the first portion of
sweat equity requirement (usually 75 hours), and chosen a lot and a house plan. Your Family
Partner should meet and get to know the family. A pre-construction kick-off event is a good
time to introduce the family to the group and build excitement for the project.
7. Build the House.
Habitat’s construction staff is responsible for preparing your building site, laying the foundation,
constructing the floor system and arranging for all building materials, sub-contractors and
building inspections.
Your group of volunteers is responsible for framing, hanging drywall and vinyl siding, trimming
out the house (doors, baseboards, cabinets, etc.), installing hardware, the concrete driveway and
VCT tile, painting and landscaping. Habitat’s construction staff will provide guidance and
direction for your building team.
After you are finished, final inspections are completed, carpet and appliances are installed and
the family can move in. Our goal is to have homeowners move in with-in 45 days of the final
volunteer construction day.
8. Dedicate the House.
The dedication ceremony is a celebratory service that provides a chance for recognition of your
group, an opportunity to share, and sense of completion for all. Although we have occasional
group dedications most Adopt-A-Home groups have the dedication service at the home. The
program usually includes a house blessing, an opportunity to thank all those who helped on the
project, a Bible presentation to the family, and recognition of your group. Samples programs are
included in this manual.
5
Adopt-A-Home Organizational Chart
Project
Leader
Publicity Fund Raising Volunteer Amenities Family

Coord. Coord. Coord. Coord. Partner
House Leader
Assistant/Co
House Leader
Framing Task Siding Task Drywall Task Trim Task Painting Task Tile/Hardware/
Leader Leader Leader Leader Leader Punch Leader
Crew Leaders Crew Leaders Crew Leaders Crew Leaders Crew Leaders Crew Leaders
Crew Members Crew Members Crew Members Crew Members Crew Members Crew Members
6
Volunteer Positions on a Habitat Project
Project Leader: Recruits and encourages all key volunteer positions. Leadership, communication,
flexibility, and organizational skills are key aspects of this job.
House Leader & Co/Assistant House Leader: Ensures that volunteers have leadership and tools
on site, either directly or through Task Leaders. This person is the contact for Habitat construction
staff. Leadership and construction skills are desirable. This person should also enjoy working with
and teaching inexperienced volunteers. Select your construction team to insure leadership and
construction skills will be present on the job site. For instance, if your House Leader is a strong
leader but knows relatively little about construction, you could recruit an Assistant House Leader
who knows construction but has less developed leadership skills.
Construction Team of Task & Crew Leaders: Task Leaders are in charge of an entire
construction task, for example drywall or siding. They are experts on doing the task. Crew Leaders
manage a small group of volunteers who will work together as a team on part of the house. For
example, three siding crews (each of four members and a Crew Leader) would work together under
the direction of the Siding Task Leader. Crew Leaders do not have to be experts, but should have
worked on the task several times.
Family Partner: Acts as a liaison with the Habitat Family. Qualities of a good family partner
include open-mindedness and appreciation of diversity, good listening skills, and patience. The
Family Partner should have the capability to encourage their Habitat homeowner partners to use their
strengths to solve their own problems. If the family is not a native English speaker, the ability to
speak an additional language may be helpful.
Fund Raising Coordinator: Qualities of a good Fund Raising Chair include a knowledge of fund
raising, the ability to convey excitement about the program, and persistence. This person and sub-
committee are key in making the Adopt-A-Home happen.
Publicity Coordinator: Good written and oral communication skills are important. If you are
looking for someone to get your group exposure in local media outlets, you may want to look for
someone familiar with soliciting publicity. You will also want someone knowledgeable with the
ways information is shared within your organization - its newsletters, meetings, etc.
Amenities Coordinator: As this person will arrange for food on the job site, you will want someone
who has contacts with cooks and restaurants. This person will also plan the dedication. Someone
who is organized and plans ahead will do best as it can be difficult to get food at the last minute.
Volunteer Coordinator: The Volunteer Coordinator should be someone with both organizational
skills and the ability to persuade and energize other folks.
Other Possible Key Volunteers: A Project Secretary records Project Meetings and send out
agendas and minutes; The Site Host is on the job site to register, welcome, and give out name; A
Devotion Leader provides opening devotion and/or prayer; the Construction Buddy works beside
homeowner; the Safety Leader explains safety requirements and stops unsafe activity; Child care
allows other volunteers to work; A Tool Coordinator helps acquires tools, such as saws and
ladders, for the job.
7
Typical Volunteer Building Schedule
Most sponsored homes are scheduled to be completed within a 4 to 12 week period. The schedule you choose will
depend primarily on the number, availability, and skill level of your volunteers. We list the number of volunteers to
bring to allow folks to have a good work day where folks are utilized effectively and safely. Please follow these
guidelines.
PROJECT DAY ACTIVITY BY WHOM No. OF VOL. DATE CHOSEN
Pre-Project Family and lot selection Habitat Staff

Footings/Foundation/Floor
House Lay-out/Wall plates
Porta-Jon/Saw Service/Materials
Project Day 1 Wall Framing AAH Volunteers 15-25 TBA
Project Day 2 Roof Trusses AAH Volunteers 15-25 TBA
Project Day 3 Sheathing & Misc. Framing AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Project Day 4 Roof Shingles/Windows/Doors AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Minimum Plumbing, electrical, Sub-Contractors

of 10 weekdays Mechanical rough-ins Inspections
before drywall*
Project Day 5 Siding Installation AAH Volunteers 8-12 TBA
Project Day 6 Siding Installation AAH Volunteers 8-12 TBA
Project Day 7 Drywall Installation AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Project Day 8 Drywall Installation AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Minimum Drywall Taping and Finishing Sub-Contractor

of 5 weekdays
before interior trim*
Project Day 9 Interior and Exterior Trim AAH Volunteers 8-12 TBA
Project Day 10 Prime Painting, Shed AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Project Day 11 Finish Painting, Cabinets, Shed AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA
Project Day 12 Punch list items, VCT Tile, AAH Volunteers 6-8 TBA
Hardware Installation
After volunteer days of sub-contractor trim out Sub-Contractors

construction attic and floor insulation
Inspections, Building Inspectors
Landscaping
After/Near Completion House Dedication Everyone
* For houses on a quicker schedule, Adopt-A-Home groups will need to make some arrangements themselves
8
Habitat for Humanity Policies
Why?
We have developed a few policies over the years that are the result of trial and error. Habitat’s aim
is for your project to be safe, memorable, and life changing for all the participants. Please distribute
these policies to all of the Project Team.
Board of Directors Policy about Adopt-A-Home Gifts to Homeowners

The Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Board of Directors has approved a policy placing restrictions
on Adopt-a-Home groups’ gifts to Habitat homeowners. The Habitat Board prohibits Adopt-a-
Home groups from giving expensive items, such as new furniture, appliances, fencing, etc. to
Habitat homeowners. Appropriate housewarming gifts are items such as a mailbox, a doormat, a nice
plant, or a photo album with pictures from the project (Cost should not exceed $100 per home.)
Habitat for Humanity is a partnership, not a charity. Our philosophy is one of empowerment: we
give a hand-up, not a hand-out. Adopt-a-Home groups may think that they are doing a favor for a
family by giving an expensive gift, but this gift is actually a disservice to the family, because it
makes the family more dependent on the Adopt-a-Home group and less dependent on themselves!
In addition, giving an expensive gift to one Habitat family is not fair to the other homeowners who
don’t have a relationship with an Adopt-a-Home group. Gifts given to homeowners are not tax-
deductible.
Adopt-a-Home groups are also prohibited from seeking donations of new items to be given to the
homeowner. Again, this is not fair to other homeowners. Also, solicitation of contributions could
interfere with the fundraising that Habitat development staff and volunteers are already doing in the
community. Gifts given directly to homeowners are not tax deductible.
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is not discouraging your generosity. If your organization has
additional funding, Habitat recommends that you contribute this money to be used for the
construction of another house for a family in need of decent, simple, and affordable housing.
Nail Guns
Nail guns are not to be used at the Habitat site. They are too much of a safety risk. In addition, the
use of nail guns interferes with the effective use of volunteers. Volunteers come to the site to
hammer, not to watch someone with a nail gun work.
Age Limitation
No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on a building site while work is being done.
Teens, 16 and 17, may work on a construction site with some limitations. Those under 18 must
not use power tools, work on the roof, or work from a height above six feet (for example on the
2nd level of scaffolding or from an extension ladder). Volunteers under the age of 18 and their
parent or legal guardian are required to complete and sign a special “Minor’s Release and Waiver of
Liability” form. If your group has members younger than 16, encourage them to participate by
helping with fundraising, serving meals, decorating lunch bags or nail aprons, etc. More ideas are
available on page 38 or at http://habitatcharlotte.org/volunteer_youth.cfm .
9
Project Leader
Focus: Organization of an Adopt-A-Home project is an exciting and challenging proposition. As
the Project Leader you play a key role in bringing together and empowering all of the volunteers you
will be working with. You are the big picture person.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED:
___ 1. Recruit and organize the Project Team (send the list of the Project team to Beth Van Gorp at
Habitat). Please help us by sending in the leadership team form is found on page 43)
___ 2. Give applicable section of this Planning Manual to appropriate team members. A electronic
copy is on our web site.
___ 3. Organize and chair Project Team meetings.
___ 4. Set dates for accomplishing tasks on timeline.
___ 5. Forward the signed Sponsorship Agreement (page 3-4) to Habitat.
___ 6. Set starting date and schedule with Habitat’s Beth Van Gorp and your House Leader.
(a Typical Schedule is on page 9)
___ 7. Attend the initial meeting of each sub-committee to present the overall vision and assure
yourself that the sub-committee and its leadership clearly understand their responsibilities.
___ 8. Continue to monitor the sub-committees and their progress.
___ 9. Work with Habitat to determine date for dedication. More info in the Amenities Section
___ 10. Send thank you notes.
___ 11. Make sure that your in-kind forms have been submitted to Stephan Eichert.
___ 12. At the end of the project, fill out evaluation form on page 44.
QUALITY CHECKPOINTS:
___ Review the planning packet thoroughly.

___ Be sure that your Project Team members have the time available for their tasks and that they
have a strong commitment to the project.
___ If possible, have a back up plan in mind of who you will approach if one of your key
volunteers is unable to fulfill his/her responsibilities.
___ Set up a reporting system with your Project Team members so that they are reporting their
progress to you weekly.
___ Set up a time line showing when work is to be completed.
___ Share progress reports with all sub-committees.
10
Project Leader
House Start Date
Habitat develops a building plan for the year in order to best coordinate construction supervision,
land acquisition, and family approval. As part of this process we have prepared a list of preferred
start dates for Adopt-A-Homes. Most houses take about 12 volunteer workdays to complete.
Delays in your project may occur to due to rain, small crews, subcontractor delays, or failed
inspections. You may want to think about some contingency plans if this happens. Habitat will be
glad to discuss the different buildings schedules with your group, although we reserve to right to
limit your choices based on your group’s experience. It is important that your House Leader has
approved the starting date and schedule. As a rule, no Habitat construction work is done on Sundays
or Mondays.
We want to provide your group with the best possible building experience so we do try and spread
our start dates out throughout the year so that our construction staff is not spread among too many
homes.
Meetings
The frequency of Project Team meetings depends on your group. You will probably need to meet
several times at least, just to ensure that everyone’s efforts are coordinated. If you have a large
group you may want to consider having a Project Secretary who would prepare minutes and
distribute them to the Project Team. Habitat also recommends that you touch base with your key
volunteers between each meeting. Ongoing meetings (in person or by phone) are encouraged
between you and the Habitat Development Staff.
A required construction meeting is held 4-6 weeks prior to the volunteer start date the sponsoring
group is asked to send a designated volunteer(s) (Project Leader, Volunteer Coordinator and House
Leader) to meet with the Habitat construction staff. This meeting is in addition to planning and
coordination meetings that may have been scheduled with the Habitat development staff and is
designed to establish points of contact for the individuals that will be most involved on site. During
this meeting we’ll cover general guidelines and prepare the volunteer leadership teams for what their
responsibilities are on site and throughout the project. If this meeting is not scheduled for you by the
development staff you may call Beth Van Gorp directly at 704 716-7077.
11
Project Leader
Hints for Groups Building Together
Each year at Habitat for Humanity some of our Adopt-A-Homes are sponsored by more than one
group. There are many benefits to co-sponsoring a house. It can dramatically increase the number
of volunteers available, and therefore decrease the demands on the key volunteers in each
organization. Many churches use this as a deliberate opportunity to interact with other people of
faith in the Charlotte community. Groups have used the equalizing effect of working on a Habitat
site to reach across the barriers of tradition (we’ve never done anything with them before),
denomination, and race. For businesses, partnering with another business can help your group
strengthen ties and network with another business. Co-sponsoring a house, of course, allows your
group to share in raising the Adopt-A-Home sponsorship fee.
However, there can be many challenges in working with another group. You will have to spend
extra time and resources to reach out to members of all your sponsoring groups. You will probably
need to have more meetings than if you planned the project in house. Different organizations may
have significantly different expectations, skills, and methods of accomplishing tasks that may cause
conflict. If you have a lot of volunteers, it may be difficult to schedule everyone who wants to work
on the house. If part of your goal is to develop a high level of group cohesion, having more than
one group on the site may make this more difficult.
The following ideas may help if you are planning a Multi-Group partnership:
• Be deliberate in with whom you partner. Think of whom would you be excited to partner with
and ask them. This may be the church across the street, or your customers or suppliers.
• Start planning early and be clear in dividing responsibilities.
• You will probably need to have more meetings to make sure everything is organized and every
group knows what is happening.
• Mix up the workdays so that you have folks from different organizations present on each day.
You will have a good time getting to know each other.
• Have representatives from each organization serve on key committees, and be sure to have on
your Project Team members from all the organizations.
• If groups have different experience levels working with Habitat methods. Help develop
experience/leadership in new partner groups.
• Plan a joint kick off event.
• Take time to get to know one another.
• Look for a group that complements your strengths and weaknesses.
• Feel free to call Habitat for assistance.
12
House Leader
Focus: The position of House Leader for a Habitat for Humanity Adopt-A-Home is among the
most intense and rewarding on the job site. The key to being successful in this position is
leadership: concentrate on safety, quality, teaching, & morale. It is often said that an effective
House or Task Leader never wears a tool belt or picks up a hammer. Work with your Volunteer
Coordinator to create smoothly working teams out of a Task Leader, Crew Leaders and Crew
Members.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE HOUSE:

___ 1. Work with your Volunteer Coordinator to recruit Task and Crew Leaders and to determine
how many people will be needed on the site each work day.
___ 2. Determine what your House Schedule will be (sample on page 9), hints on page 16. Work
with your Project Leader and Beth Van Gorp, 704-716-7077,. The schedule must be agreed
upon with Habitat staff before the schedule is sent to volunteers.
___ 3. Review Construction Manual, as familiarity with Habitat building and safety methods is key
to your group’s success.
___ 4. Meet with your Task & Crew Leaders as a group to coordinate the overall building plan.
___ 5. For their review, forward the volunteer job description to your Task Leader (on page 20 of
this manual) and the applicable portions of your Habitat Charlotte Construction Manual.
___ 6. Review your own and your Task Leaders completed “Skills Evaluation Form” (pages 47-48)
and arrange for any training for yourself and your Task Leaders with Habitat.
___ 7. Six weeks before project start day, contact Stephan Eichert at Habitat, 704-716-7064, to
arrange a pre-construction meeting for you as House Leader and for the Task Leaders
approximately 4-6 weeks before the volunteer start of the home
___ 8. Have your Task Leaders assign specific tasks to each of their crew leaders and forward
the appropriate section of the Construction Manual. Meeting together is a good idea.
___ 9. Arrange to have appropriate tools on site. You may want to assign your Task and Crew
Leaders to bring specific tools. Page 49 has a list of required tools (also found in
construction manual.)
___ 10. Assist in coordinating with Fund Raising Coordinator any in-kind materials and/or
subcontractors your group may have had donated, see pages 52-55 for more info.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED ON SITE:

___ 1. Review task in Construction Manual before arriving and bring it with you to the job site.
___ 2. Be the first person at the job site each work day.
___ 3. Check materials and tools to be sure you have everything required for the day’s work.
___ 4. Gather volunteers together in order to welcome them; open with a devotional/prayer; provide
building, safety, first aid, and emergency instructions; and divide your members into their
crews. Allow time for Crew Leaders to orient and instruct crews.
___ 5. Circulate among crews checking quality and safety, and answering questions.
___ 6. Meet with the Habitat Site Supervisor towards the end of the day to review work completed
and plan for next work day.
___ 7. Thank volunteers for their participation and ask for suggestions.
If the House Leader is not able to be present he or she should assign these tasks to others.
13
House Leader
___ You are following the Habitat Construction Manual.
___ No one under 16 is present on the job site.
___ You are watching for individuals and/or crews that are either struggling with a task or who
appear to have nothing to do and intervene where necessary.
___ Volunteers on the job site feel useful but are not working at a frantic pace.
___ House, Task, and Crew Leaders are prepared for work on the job site.
___ You are focused on the next task in your schedule so that you can reassign crews or reorganize
with a minimum loss of time.
___ Safety guidelines are being followed.
___ No nail guns are being used.
14
House Leader
Things To Consider While Setting Your Schedule
See page 9 for a sample schedule. The following things may impact your schedule by affecting the
availability of volunteers, subcontractors, and Habitat staff:
• Are there any holidays during your building schedule? Our construction staff usually does not
work on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They are also off on Sundays and Mondays.
• During the time your house is under construction, is there is a Habitat sponsored blitz build
occurring? If you are not part of the project, your Habitat Site Supervisor may not be as
available as you would like during the blitz week. You would have to be prepared to carry the
whole load.
• Are volunteers really available during the week? Do you have a lot of retired people? If you are
part of a company, are volunteers getting the day off, with or without pay?
• If you are considering doing two days work in one day - Are you and your volunteers skilled
enough to organize and plentiful enough to do it?
• Did you leave enough time for sub-contractors to finish the work and the house to be inspected?
• Does your schedule exclude, by either days chosen or speediness, a desired/needed constituency?
• Have you made contingency plans in case of bad weather?
• Have you added some time to finish the punch list at the end of the project?
Rapid builds
If you wish to build on a more rapid schedule (thereby forcing the subs to complete their work in a
short period of time) you will be expected to recruit and make arrangements with the sub-contractors
yourself, except for those participating in Building on Faith using the recommended schedule. See
page 45-46 for more information on the Building on Faith blitz.
Changes in schedule
Arrangements for materials and sub-contractors begin when the original schedule is set. If prior to
the start of the house you make a change in the schedule, you should contact Beth Van Gorp or
Stephan Eichert. After construction has begun, please speak with your Site Supervisor about
schedule modification. It can be very difficult to adjust material and sub-contractor schedules to
happen sooner than the pre-arranged schedule. If the house is behind schedule, additional delays can
occur if sub-contractors move on to other jobs.
Number of Volunteers
There is an optimum number of volunteers that can work effectively on any given day. This number
will be determined by the skill level of the volunteers and the quality of the leadership provided by
their Task Leaders and Crew Leaders. Yes, you can have too many volunteers, but consider having
more volunteers if most of your volunteers have previous construction experience, or the
Construction Leadership Team of House, Task, and Crew Leaders are skilled in construction and
leadership. You will find a suggested number included with the Typical Volunteer Schedule (page
8), but your group will have to decide exactly how many people to recruit. You will need to work
with the Volunteer Coordinator to determine the number needed on site each day. Having the
appropriate number of volunteers on the site will enable everyone to feel satisfyingly useful, without
feeling rushed. Over-extended volunteers may often act unsafely and without attention to quality. If
you have too many volunteers, folks will not feel useful.
15
House Leader
Pre-Construction Meeting with Habitat
About six weeks before the start of the house, plan to bring your Task Leaders to a meeting with
Habitat’s Construction Superintendent. The following is discussed at this meeting: the build
schedule for the house, specific job responsibilities for you and for Habitat, the house and site plan
(if available), in-kind donation plans and possibilities, job descriptions for participants, suggestions
on how to organize and manage the work day, and a review the Habitat Construction Manual.
Construction Manual
Each Adopt-A-Home is issued one Habitat Construction Manual free of charge. Check out our web
site at www.habitatcharlotte.org to see how you can order additional manuals. By mid-2007 we
expect to have a .pdf version of each chapter on our web site for you to share with your Task and
Crew Leaders. The manual was developed as a job-site resource guide to allow us to provide a
consistent method and quality of building. It is our expectation that you will conform to the methods
outlined in the manual. These construction procedures have been established not only because of
quality concerns, but also because they are well suited for volunteers to perform. If something in the
manual appears ambiguous to you, please let us know, as we are working to constantly update our
resources. A shortened version called “Construction How To’s,” which is suitable for
inexperienced volunteers, can be found on our web site at www.habitatcharlotte.org.
Tools
Enclosed is a list of tools (page 49) needed for your Adopt-A-Home. You should begin arranging
for tools as soon as possible. You may want to include the list of needed tools in the information
your Volunteer Coordinator sends out to volunteers. Usually, someone in your group has these tools.
You may also want to appoint a Tool Coordinator to find all the tools and make sure they get to the
job site. However if you are having difficulties acquiring a specific tool, discuss it with Stephan
Eichert or your Site Supervisor. Make sure that your leadership team is emphasizing the need for
everyone to bring a basic set of tools: hammer, tape measure, pencil, and a nail apron.
Nail guns are not to be used on the job site. We do not consider them safe for volunteers to use. In
addition, volunteers want to hammer. While with a nail gun only one or two folks to keep busy and
you and the rest stand around and watch the person with the nail gun.
Release and Waiver of Liability

Everyone working on a Habitat construction site is required to complete and sign a “Release and
Waiver of Liability” form before they begin work on the site. Habitat will provide a notebook with
the forms for your group to use. An example is found on pages 63-64 of this manual. Each person
should carefully read the form before signing as there is an inherent danger associated with a
construction site. Volunteers should provide their own personal health insurance.
No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on a building site while work is being done. . Teens,
16 and 17, may work on a construction site provided their parent or guardian has filled out a Minor’s
Release and Waiver of Liability. Those under 18 must not use power tools, work on the roof, or
work from a height above six feet (for example on the 2nd level of scaffolding or from an extension
n ladder). These guidelines are from Wage and Hour regulations of North Carolina, our insurance
coverage, and the policies of Habitat International. We cannot make exceptions.
16
House Leader
Goals for the House
At Habitat we often struggle with trying to accomplish goals of both process (volunteers and
homeowners working together in partnership) and progress (getting the house done). We know that
House Leaders struggle with these same issues. We want you to try to do both. An important part
of Habitat consists of people from all walks of life getting to know each other and also feeling like
they are making a difference. Certain methods of working together either promote or add nothing to
the relationship between volunteers. That is why nail guns are not permitted, as only one person can
use it and other volunteers leave feeling that their time was misspent. On the other hand you have
the responsibility for making sure the house gets finished. The advice that follows about quality
control, safety and having skilled leadership on site also will allow you to have volunteers, ready and
able to do the work, and still promote partnership. Volunteers who feel that they are safely building
a quality home, using their time effectively, under skilled leadership will work harder, longer, and
smarter and you will end up meeting your goal of finishing the home.
What to say to get the day started

When it seems like most of your workers are present you should gather them together and include
the following in your welcoming speech:
• Introduce yourself, the Habitat supervisor(s), the homeowner, your Task and Crew Leaders and
explain the role each will play.
• Remind everyone to sign the Release of Liability (found on page 63-63).
• Give thanks for the day with a devotion/prayer.
• Announce plans for lunch, breaks, etc.
• Outline the work to be done using the Task Lists provided in the construction manual.
• Give safety instructions (pages 50-51 or in the construction manual) and remind everyone to
report accidents.
• Indicate the location of the first aid kit; assign who would telephone 911 and who would begin
first aid in the case of an emergency.
• Provide any basic instruction on how to complete the tasks that would pertain to the entire group.
• Ask if anyone has any questions.
• Divide into groups according to the work to be done and under the instruction of your Crew
Leaders.
Safety
Enclosed (pages 50-51) is the list of safety guidelines that should be read at the beginning of each
construction work day. If you see a situation that violates Habitat safety rules, you must tactfully fix
it. You can expect your Habitat Site Supervisor to support you in whatever measures you feel are
appropriate to get the volunteer to follow safety guidelines. Beginning in 2006, hard hats and safety
glasses are required on many work days. Volunteers who are unwilling to comply will be asked to
leave. A good approach for situations is to say “You may not be aware, but Habitat has a safety rule
that requires ... I would appreciate it if you would follow this rule.”
17
House Leader
Other Suggestions for Having a Safe Site
• Plan how you are going to deal with unsafe situations and share that information with your Task
& Crew Leaders. Have an emergency plan if someone does get injured.
• Keep the site free of trash.
• Have someone give a demonstration of how to use tools safely, especially power tools, and/or
appoint specific people to use high risk tools.
• In regards to safety, ask everyone on site to be their brother’s (or sister’s) keeper.
• Encourage volunteers to take breaks for water, especially during hot weather. Make sure your
amenities folks plan to bring plenty of liquids. Stop volunteers before they work to the point of
exhaustion.
• Sometimes experienced volunteers will rush through things because they are in a hurry to get
things accomplished, so make sure that they are extra safety conscious.
• Keep the pace of work at a determined but not frantic pace. Often people get hurt when they feel
too rushed to move the ladder to a safer position or to watch where they are carrying lumber.
• Set a good example. Wear hard hats and safety glasses as required.
Quality
There will be times when a volunteer may not want to follow the Habitat method of building. The
Habitat Construction Manual has been created to insure a level of quality as well as
consistency in the construction of Habitat homes. There will be times when a volunteer might test
these issues with you, especially someone who has extensive construction experience. Should you
feel that the quality of workmanship is less than what you deem acceptable, either out of lack of
understanding or differences in opinion, try to come up with a tactful way to bring that person’s
work to Habitat standards. You can use the manual as the authoritative source, ask the Site
Supervisor for assistance, and acknowledge their experience while asking them to do it the Habitat
way. If the volunteer seems unable to accomplish the task correctly or is at the point of frustration,
you might consider thanking them for their work and diverting them to another task.
Other Suggestions for Building Quality Homes

• Circulate often so that mistakes are caught early, while praising those who are doing a job well.
• Check the construction manual if you have any questions, and if it is still unclear ask your
Habitat Site Supervisor.
• Have a daily walk-through with your Site Supervisor, so that he/she can help point out potential
quality problems.
• If needed, work on another home before your work day.
Closing
The closing date is set by Habitat based on inspections, punch list, homeowner hours and attorney
availability. Walkthroughs by the construction Site Supervisor and homeowner, Construction
Superintendent, and the Family Services staff must be completed and the punch list items repaired.
Only the Habitat Family Services staff should notify the homeowner to give notice to his or her
landlords of their moving day. Please do not give homeowners a false hope by promising any
closing/move in day. Our current goal is to have a certificate of occupancy with-in four weeks of the
last volunteer work day with move in/closing 2-4 weeks after that. The homeowner must complete
all 250 hours of sweat equity before closing on the home.
18
Task Leader
Focus: The position of Task Leader for a Habitat for Humanity Adopt-A-Home is crucial to a well
run job site. The Task Leader supervises crew leaders and crew members on a particular task. The
key to this position is leadership: concentrating on safety, quality, teaching, & morale. It is often
said that an effective House or Task Leader never wears a tool belt or picks up a hammer.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE HOUSE:
___ 1. Work with your Volunteer Coordinator to recruit Crew Leaders and evaluate their skills.
___ 2. From your House Leader acquire and complete the “Skills Evaluation Form.”(pages 47-48)
Arrange to work on another home if you need to increase your skill level.
___ 3. Six weeks before the project start day, meet with the House Leader, other Task Leaders, and
Habitat’s Construction Superintendent. During this meeting, plan to learn more about how to
successfully complete your project.
___ 4 From the House Leader, acquire and review the Construction Manual, as familiarity with
Habitat building and safety methods are important to your group’s success.
___ 5. Meet with your crew leaders to plan the day’s work, and assign specific tasks to each of your
crew leaders. Forward to them the appropriate section of the Construction Manual.
___ 6. Working with the House Leader and Crew Leaders, arrange to have appropriate tools on site.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED ON SITE:

___ 1. Review task in Construction Manual, or on the website under “Construction How To’s”,
before arriving and bring it with you to the job site.
___ 2. Be among the first persons at the job site each work day.
___ 3. Check materials and tools to be sure you have everything required for the day’s work.
___ 4. If House Leader is not present, gather volunteers together in order to welcome them; open
with a devotional/prayer; provide building and safety instructions; review tasks list; and
divide your members into their crews. Allow time for Crew Leaders to orient and instruct
crews.
___ 5. Circulate among crews checking quality and safety, and answering questions. Think ahead
so that all tasks will be completed.
___ 6. Meet with the Habitat Site Supervisor & House Leader towards the end of the day to review
work completed and plan for next work day. Clean the site and put away materials and tools.
___ 7. Thank volunteers for their participation and ask for feedback.
___ You are focused on the next task in your schedule so that you can reassign crews or reorganize
with a minimum loss of time so that volunteers on the job site feel useful but are not frantic.
___ House, Task, and Crew Leaders are prepared for work on the job site.
___ Safety guidelines are being followed.
___ No nail guns are being used and everyone has hand tools.
___ You are following the Habitat Construction Manual .
___ No one under 16 is present on the job site.
___ You are watching for individuals and/or crews that are either struggling with a task or who
appear to have nothing to do and intervene where necessary.
19
Fund Raising Coordinator
Focus: This committee is involved in raising funds, involvement and awareness for your project’s
Adopt-A-Home. This committee will vary in size, depending on your group’s financial situation. If
you have one source of funds that is already committed, you may not need to form this committee.
Other groups, however, may need a committee of 10 or so. If you are forming a large committee,
you will probably want to have a variety of people involved, ranging from experienced fund raisers
to worker bees to enthusiastic go-getters. Look for people who can convey their enthusiasm for the
program to others. You may also wish to add the following specialists to your committee: Project
Banker, In-kind Solicitation Coordinator & Special Events Coordinator
___ 1. Recruit members for the Fund Raising sub-committee.
___ 2. Create goals and plan for fund raising.
___ 3. Decide if you are going to solicit for in-kind contributions of sub-contract or material. A list
of common donations and their in-kind value is found on page 52. A list of material
specifications is found on pages 53-54. Contact Stephan Eichert at 704-716-7064 if you have
any questions about the value of donations or the types of donations that can be accepted.
Send him the Adopt-A-Home In-Kind Donation Report sheet (found on page 55) for each
donation.
___ 4. Open a separate bank account if needed (see Tax Deductibility section).
___ 5. Begin fund raising, keeping the Project Leader informed of project progress.
___ 6. Six weeks before the house start day, forward at least 50% of money to Habitat. The 50%
can include in-kind pledges with completed in-kind forms.
___ 7. Immediately before construction begins, send remainder of money to Linda Blum at Habitat.
___ An accurate record of individual cash contributors has been kept.
___ An accurate record of donations of materials or services by individuals and corporations has
been kept.
___ Those who donated money have been thanked by either your group or Habitat.
___ Those who donated materials (food, construction materials, tools, etc.) have been thanked by
either your group or Habitat.
20
Questions and Concerns
Business, schools, church and civic groups can contact Linda Blum, at 704-716-7073. She will be
glad to answer your committee’s questions on fundraising plans, tax deductibility, displays, etc.
Accounting
Before you solicit any contributions, determine where the money will be deposited, to whom the
checks will be mailed, to whom the checks will be written, and in what way your money will be
tracked.
Ideally your group will collect checks and forward them to Habitat in batches. That way you are
assured of your contribution total and donors. Past history has shown us that severe difficulties in
accounting may occur if many small individual contributions are sent directly to Habitat. People
often will not mark the checks and then the money would not be allocated to your AAH project. If
your organization is tax exempt, we encourage you to use your banker to establish an account. Your
group will want to have this plan in place before you solicit donations so that checks for your project
can be made out correctly and deposited in a timely manner.
Tax Deductibility
The laws on what is or is not tax deductible can be complex. Tax deductible contributions include:
• Donations of cash or stock.
• Food given to feed volunteers.
• Materials and/or services given by corporations for which they would normally receive payment.
To receive documentation from Habitat for tax purposes, donors must make the payment to Habitat
Charlotte.
There are some advantages to donating stock rather than cash. Contact Linda Blum at Habitat, 704-
716-7073 if you have someone interested in making a stock donation.
Direct gifts to homeowners are not tax deductible as this is considered a personal gift.
In-kind Contributions
If you are interested in soliciting for in-kind items (donations of materials or professional services),
please follow these steps:
• The value of in-kind subcontractors and material specifications are on pages 52-54. Contact
Stephan Eichert at 704-716-7064 if you have any questions about the appropriateness or value of
a donation.
• Compile a list of businesses that you intend to contact then check with Habitat’s Development
Director, Linda Blum at 704-716-7073. This will ensure that we have not recently solicited a
business on your list.
• After the donation is committed, communicate with Stephan Eichert by filling out the in-kind
report form (page 55) so that he can schedule the use of the service or material
• Complete your in-kind solicitations by the time the house begins and the final payment is due.
• Some donations need to be finalized early (such as grading, windows, and plumbing on a slab
foundation) in order to be used on your house.
21
• You can solicit for double donations (i.e. two electrical contractors) and you’ll get credit for
them. Of course, one will be used on another home.
• The in-kind report form will generate a Habitat receipt for the donor’s tax records. This receipt
will have a description of materials and/or services donated. The donor sets the value.
• Donations to the Charlotte Re-Store do not count as an in-kind donation, and will not result in
credit toward to sponsorship amount.
Displays
Work with your Publicity Committee and set up a display about Habitat. Call Habitat’s
Development Director to borrow photos, videos, display board, or “We’re Hammering with
Habitat” banners.
Extra Funds
Some groups raise more money than their goal. Various groups have done different things like
saving the money for another project, giving the money to another organization as “seed” money, or
helping to fund the tithe of $4000 per house which we give to our partner Habitat affiliate in El
Salvador. This money cannot be used to purchase extras for your homeowner. Please refer to the
policy below.
Gifts to Homeowners
The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has approved a policy placing
restrictions on Adopt-a-Home group’s gifts to Habitat homeowners. It prohibits Adopt-a-Home
groups from giving expensive items, such as new furniture, appliances, fencing, etc. to Habitat
homeowners. Appropriate housewarming gifts are items such as a mailbox, a doormat, a nice plant,
or a photo album with pictures from the project (Cost should not exceed $100.) Adopt-a-Home
groups are also prohibited from seeking donations of new items to be given to the homeowner.
Thank You’s
Habitat really wants each person or group who has donated money, raffle or auction items or in-kind
materials or services to Habitat to receive a thank you from Habitat. We ask that you forward the
name, complete address and what was donated, include donations of cash, materials, and food in
your list. Most groups also choose to write a thank you letter to their contributors. If your group is
tax exempt, and you have already issued receipts to your contributors, our thank you note will
indicate that.
22
Fund Raising Ideas Others Have Used
Following are some of the many terrific ideas groups have used to raise money for Habitat.
Sports Events: Consider hosting a golf, ping-pong, basketball, or other sports tournament where the
proceeds benefit Habitat. Having these events in coordination with one of the sales events listed
below can greatly increase your proceeds.
Kids Fund Raisers: Fundraising is an excellent opportunity to involve the youth in your group, who
can organize money raising events, for example, car washes, carnivals, or various kinds of
marathons (bike, dance, etc.). Habitat International also has available house banks (made of paper)
to collect funds.
Sales Events: Most groups sell T-shirts not only to raise money but to build group cohesion.
Habitat Charlotte prints shirts regularly that you could purchase and add your logo. Many groups,
however, develop their own T-shirt design. Groups have had barbecue dinners, pancake breakfasts,
and have sold programs. Often groups approach the Habitat staff with fund raising ideas (i.e. selling
entertainment books) which we will be glad to discuss with your group.
Buying the House: Invite individuals to buy part of the house. For instance, offer the door for
$100, windows for $50, and a box of nails for $5. This helps make the Adopt-A-Home house more
real. Or charge folks $1 -$10 to sign a 2 X 4 board that will be used in the house.
Raffles & Auctions: Consider having an event to raise money which includes a raffle and/or a
silent/live auction. Ask members in your group to provide merchandise or services for the raffle or
auction (for instance a formal dinner from a chef, a house call from an electrician, doll & play
houses, quilts, pro-sports paraphernalia, etc.) If your group has access to a high traffic area, such as
the lobby of a large building, consider soliciting permission for a raffle there.
In-kind: Habitat has a list of items and services which your group can solicit to decrease the amount
of cash needed to build your Adopt-A-Home.
Partner with Retailers: Many retailers are open to hosting fundraising events, especially during the
holidays. You might send volunteers to gift wrap for donations, staff customer service booths, or
arrange for a percentage of sales to be donated to your project. Habitat staff can provide banners and
printed materials to support these efforts.
23
Publicity Coordinator
Focus: By publicizing your Adopt-A-Home both within your organization and to the community
(optional), this committee plays an important part in both energizing and informing your group. For
most groups one person can handle most of the details, as long as that person is working closely with
the other committee chairs to acquire information. If your Adopt-A-Home consists of multiple
organizations or has many volunteers, you may need to bring in more people.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED-INTERNAL PUBLICITY:

___ 1. Gather information about Habitat (background info on page 56) and your project.
___ 2. Define your audience - who you wish to communicate with.
___ 3. Determine the ways in which you can communicate to your group, i.e. newsletters, e-mail,
bulletin inserts, etc.
___ 4. Set a publicity plan in coordination with the Project Team, remembering to include
information about all areas fund raising, special events and volunteering in construction.
___ 5. Publicize dedication time, date, and location.
___ 6. Follow through with your plan.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED-COMMUNITY PUBLICITY:

___ 1. Gather information about Habitat and your project.
___ 2. Determine if your group desires community publicity.
___ 3. Write a press release (sample on page 58) about your project in conjunction with Linda Blum
at Habitat, 704-716-7073.
___ 4. Investigate publications that have something in common with your group -for example trade
publications, church newspapers, etc.
___ 5. Time your release to a significant point in the project, i.e. ground breaking, completion of the
house, or the point at which your money is raised.
___ 6. Forward your release to the media. Be sure to send a copy to Linda
___ Press releases have been reviewed by Habitat's Communications Manager, Akilah Luke at
704-716-5630.
___ Everyone in your group is informed and up-to-date on the project's progress.
24
Internal Communication
You should work closely with the Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator to acquire information
about what you will need to convey to your members. Be sure to include information about the
following:
• Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte – background information on page 56.
• The progress of fund raising and any special events.
• Date and time of your kick off celebration.
• When the house will begin.
• The family with whom you will be building.
• When volunteers are needed and for which tasks.
• Age restrictions on construction volunteers.
• What volunteers on the site need to know & bring.
• When your dedication will occur.
What Every Construction Volunteer Needs to Know

• Tools: Every volunteer needs to bring a hammer, nail apron, pencil and a tape measure. Many
volunteers also bring small tools such as utility knives, chalk boxes, gloves, squares, levels, etc.
• Clothing: Each volunteer should wear clothing that they do not mind getting quite dirty and that
is appropriate for the season. Volunteers may also need a reminder to bring a hat, bandanna,
and/or sunscreen. Sandals and other open-toed shoes are not allowed on the job site.
• Job Site Location: Contact Beth Van Gorp at 704-716-7077 at Habitat if you need a map or
other information about the job site. Information will also be on the Habitat web site.
• Release of Liability: Let everyone know that they will be expected to assume responsibility for
themselves on the job site.
• Safety: From the very beginning, encourage volunteers to be safe. Remember Habitat's safety
slogan is "No Job Is So Important that it Can't be Done Safely."
• Age of Volunteers: No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on a building site while work
is being done. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to use any power equipment, work on
the roof or at a height greater than 6’ (ie on the 2nd level of scaffolding) or perform any other
hazardous activity. Volunteers under the age of 18 and their parent or legal guardian are
required to complete and sign a special "Minor's Release and Waiver of Liability" form.
Ideas to Build Excitement

• Borrow Habitat’s display board, or use a bulletin board, with pictures of Habitat workers
• Tell people about Habitat Charlotte’s web page at www.habitatcharlotte.org
• Regularly e-mail interested folks about the progress. Create or utilize an in house web page,
email or internet system for updates and photos.
• Borrow Habitat’s video and/or slide show, or invite someone from Habitat to speak.
• Have a nail driving contest
• Hang up posters. Have a cubicle/door/etc. decorating contest
• Display our “hammering with Habitat" banner
• Wear pins that say “Ask me about Habitat.”
• Have a day where folks wear construction clothes.
25
External Communication
How to Get Noticed

• Send out a preliminary release 4 - 6 weeks before the project starts so that news sources about
your participation in the Adopt-A-Home program. Follow up with immediately before the
project (use the same release or a new one), as a reminder.
• Use “active” language. Avoid passive forms of verbs.
• Use contacts people in your group have. A personal letter or phone call may do wonders.
• Talk with Linda Blum at Habitat, 704-716-7073, about the best timing for your release. It is to
your advantage to distribute your release in coordination with other releases Habitat or other
Adopt-A-Home groups may be sending at the same time.
• Think beyond the local newspaper. Are there magazines, newsletters or web pages for your
trade association, denomination or other organizations in which you’re involved?
What to include in the Press Release – Sample on page 58

• A contact name and phone number, so they know who to call if they have questions.
• What your goals are: for instance “We wanted to build bridges with our neighboring
congregations.” Let them know why this is special and how this project fits in with your
organization’s larger goals.
• Habitat Charlotte builds more than 50 homes each year, so you’ll need to focus on what is unique
about your project. Think about who your volunteers are, who your sponsors are, and what your
reasons are for coming together.
• Quotes from people involved showing their interest and excitement in the project.
• When the project will be occurring.
• Use “Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte” or “Habitat Charlotte” to avoid confusion with other
local affiliates.
• Use language that affirms Habitat homeowners. For example, you might say that Habitat works
with "All God's people in need" rather than “needy families” or “deserving poor.” This wording
recognizes that everyone involved in building a Habitat home, donors, volunteers, and
homeowners, get something they “need” from a Habitat project. If you would be comfortable
reading the release in front of the homeowner, and that homeowner was your relative, you’ve
selected the right wording.
Reminders
• We have included a sample press release as well as some background information about Habitat
for Humanity of Charlotte.
• You are encouraged to email or fax any press releases to Linda Blum at the Habitat office, phone
– 704-716-7073, fax – 704-342-1797, prior to distributing them to the media. Allowing our
development staff to review your releases in advance for accuracy, word choice and coordination
with other releases assures both your group and Habitat the best possible coverage.
26
Amenities Coordinator
Focus: The Amenities Committee is responsible for organizing your Adopt-A-Home’s behind the
scenes activities. These activities provide many opportunities for fellowship among volunteers,
homeowners and non-construction volunteers. Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte recommends that
this committee organize a kick-off event prior to house construction and provide food, water and
refreshments on the job site, and plan the dedication. It may be helpful for your committee to
include volunteers who will be responsible for each of these tasks.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- KICK OFF EVENT:

___ 1. Work with the Project Team to plan date and time of Kick-Off Event.
___ 2. Plan the event using the Project Team as resources, i.e. asking the Volunteer Coordinator for
people to help, the Publicity Coordinator for help with publicizing the event, etc.
___ 3. Be sure to include the homeowner in the planning.
___ 4. Inform Beth Van Gorp, 704-716-7077 or Bert Green, 704-716-7068, of your plans.
___ 5. Plan the program for the event. You may want to ask the homeowner, your Project Leader,
House Leader, and/or a Habitat representative (Executive Director or Site Supervisor) to
speak.
___ 6. After the event, thank those who participated.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- FOOD & REFRESHMENTS:
___ 1. Plan to acquire a water cooler and cups for the site. Check immediately before project with
your Site Supervisor to see if tap water is available on the site.
___ 2. Plan which meals & snacks and how you will provide them for your workers.
___ 3. If you are planning to ask businesses for meals, touch base with the Habitat
Development Director, Linda Blum, at 704-716-7073.
___ 4. Work with your Volunteer Coordinator to recruit volunteers to solicit, prepare or serve food.
___ 5. Remind volunteers and suppliers one week before their service date.
___ 6. Arrange for supplies, such as plates, cups, napkins, etc., to be available.
___ 7. If you feel you need a table, arrange for one to be brought to the site.
___ 8. Remove any trash from the job site that would attract dogs and/or bugs.
___ 9. Forward a list of names, addresses, and items which have been donated to Habitat and to
your Fund Raising sub-committee.
TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- DEDICATION:

___ 1. For a dedication to be held at the Habitat home, set date and time with House Leader, Project
Leader, Habitat family, and Beth Van Gorp 704-716-7077.
___ 2. Plan if any refreshments will be served, arrange for them if you do wish them served.
___ 3. Using sample dedications, page 59, and working with homeowner, create program. Invite
appropriate folks to participate.
___ 4. Working with publicity folks, advertise dedication to your group.
___ 5. On day of dedication, facilitate smooth execution.
27
___ You are communicating with your Volunteer Coordinator about volunteers you will need as well
as the numbers of volunteers that will need to be fed each day at the job site.
___ You are maintaining contact with the Fund Raising Coordinator about any businesses who are
providing food.
___ Your group is encouraging input from the Habitat homeowner about the kick off event.
___ You are serving food that has been stored in a safe and hygienic situation. For example, do not
serve sandwiches with mayonnaise that have been kept un-refrigerated all afternoon.
___ You are communicating with homeowner and volunteer while planning the dedication.
28
Kick Off Event
An optional, but fun, event to connect your team and the homeowner. The Kick Off event can excite
people about working in partnership with a Habitat family to build a home by giving your group a
chance to meet the Habitat family, nurturing a sense of fellowship, and giving you a good
opportunity to communicate specifics to construction volunteers. Many groups make this event a
potluck dinner. Some groups have resources such as church cooks or business cafeterias that would
be willing to provide the food.
Food and Refreshments

Many groups choose to provide food on the job site as it not only satisfies bodily hunger, but
spiritual ones as well. It provides an opportunity for fellowship among your workers as well as
allowing those who are not able to work on the job site to be part of the excitement. Having these
meals on the job site will save time, maintain your group’s momentum, and keep your site secure.
Water
Remember your group is responsible for providing drinking water, water coolers, ice, and cups. You
should plan to have plenty of water available for your work groups, particularly if you are building
in the summer. To save money, consider partially filling with water and then freezing two-liter soda
containers. When placed in your cooler, they will keep your water quite cool especially if the top
left off of the two-liter container.
Solicitation
There are many different ways that your group can provide food during the times your house is
under construction. Many groups solicit within their own organization, for instance a church could
ask different church school classes, service organizations, circles, or youth groups to provide, make,
and serve the food. Many business-sponsored Adopt-A-Homes ask restaurants or their own food
services to provide meals for the workers.
Number of Meals
You need to work closely with your Volunteer Coordinator (the sample volunteer schedule on page
8 has approximate numbers per day) to have an accurate count to give the food suppliers.
Remember to include the homeowner in your count as well as the Habitat Supervisor and or
AmeriCorps members. Even though your group may have been working closely with the
homeowner during the construction part of the day, the homeowner may feel isolated during meals.
Encourage members of your group, if needed, to invite the homeowner to join them for lunch
Informing Habitat
You need to inform Habitat for Humanity’s Director of Development, Linda Blum at 704-716-7073,
if you are thinking about soliciting from local restaurants to insure that you are not asking someone
who has recently donated. Habitat may also be soliciting from the management of the organizations
for larger contributions. After your group has completed the house, forward a list of the names,
addresses, and items donated to Habitat so that we can thank them as well.
29
Habitat Neighborhoods
During the time that you are working on your house, someone who is not a worker or a perspective
homeowner may approach your group about getting something to eat. It may be a child, a neighbor,
or a drunk. Many groups reply with a stock answer that the food is for the Habitat volunteers while
others give out what they have left. Individuals who have not signed up to work, and children,
should not be on the job site. It is especially important that the kids stay away from the house, so
encourage them to remain on the street or sidewalk.
Group Dedication
Most groups have a dedication at the Habitat home. The group and homeowner, in consultation with
Habitat, choose the date and time. Your group will have a chance to speak, receive a plaque, and
share the moment with the homeowner. You could also be a part of one of our periodic group
dedications which are held at a local church. In this case, Habitat will arrange the program &
refreshments
Responsibilities of the sponsor when the dedication is held at the house site:
• Setting the day and time in conjunction with the homeowner and Habitat.
• Communicating with the homeowner to make sure that they are aware of date, time, and place.
• Setting the order of service – see sample programs on page 59-60. Feel free to be creative.
• Creating a program to hand out to participants (optional).
• Bringing and deciding what refreshments will be served (optional).
• Providing the ribbon and scissors for a ribbon cutting (optional).
Responsibilities of Habitat when the dedication is held at the house site:

• Providing the bible for the homeowner.
• Having a representative present to thank your group.
• Providing a small appreciation gift for your Project Leader and House Leader.
• Providing a plaque given to your group in appreciation of your home sponsorship.
Things that should be included in program

• Welcome
• Opportunity for the Project Leader and House Leader to speak
• Opportunity for Habitat representative(s) to speak (for example, Bert Green and the Site
Supervisor)
• Presentation of the Bible (done by the Family Partner, House Leader, minister, or Habitat
Executive Director)
• Opportunity for the homeowner to speak
Things that could be included in program

• Music
• Litany, prayer, or message by religious leader – Beth Van Gorp, 704-716-7077, at Habitat has
scripture and prayers available
• Remarks by family partner, minister, business executive or business owner
• Presentation of a small housewarming gift (ie: mail box, picture album, potted plant)
• Introductions of key people present
• Opportunity for members of audience to speak, ribbon cutting
30
Family Partner
Focus: Habitat encourages each Adopt-A-Home group to find someone within the group to act as a
liaison between your group and the homeowner. The Family Partner is asked to provide support to
the Habitat homeowner partner throughout the periods of sweat equity, home-building, and moving-
in. This lengthy process (at least six months) is exciting but can also be stressful to Habitat families.
Habitat hopes that the partnership between the volunteer Family Partner and the Habitat homeowner
partner will evolve into a lasting relationship.
___ 1. Meet and get to know your Habitat homeowner partner

___ 2. Encourage the Habitat family to be involved in all aspects of the project including pre-
construction activities such as the kick-off dinner. This allows the family to feel included
and facilitates other volunteers getting to know the family.
___ 3. If your group has a kick off dinner, make arrangements for the family to be there. If
transportation is a problem, arrange to pick them up.
___ 4. Work with your Habitat homeowner partner on his/her/their home at least one day while it is
under construction. (Working together is a great way to get to know each other).
___ 5. Work with your Volunteer Coordinator to identify a person (called the Construction Buddy)
to work with (side-by-side) the homeowner when you will not be present. The homeowner
should be actively participating in each phase of construction and learning valuable
construction skills.
___ 6. During project make regular contact with homeowner partner by phone or at the work site.
___ 7. Attend the House Dedication and involve the family in planning this event. (see notes)
___ 8. Provide support and assistance to Habitat homeowner partner in dealing with concerns or
problems relating to the Habitat program. Use Habitat staff as a resource.
___ 9. Ensure that your group adheres to the Habitat Board of Directors policy which details
restrictions on Adopt-a-Home groups’ gifts to homeowners.
___ Open lines of communication have developed between the volunteer Family Partner and the
Habitat homeowner partner.
___ Volunteers and homeowners have formed a relationship.
___ Homeowner is actively involved in all aspects of project including each phase of construction
as well as special events.
___ Homeowner feels comfortable talking to Family Partner about concerns relating to Habitat
program.
31
Family Partner
Who should be the Family Partner?
An individual, family, or couple may serve as the Family Partner. Some groups have designated two
individuals to share the responsibilities of partnering. Qualities of a good family partner include
open-mindedness and appreciation of diversity, good listening skills, and patience. Family partners
should have the capability to empower their Habitat homeowner partners to use their own strengths
to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. The Family Partner should be excited about building
a relationship with a Habitat family. No construction experience is needed, but an interest in
construction of Habitat homes is encouraged.
Staff Support
Family Partners are encouraged to use the Habitat staff for support. Any concerns or questions
about partnering should be addressed to Nancy Pugh at 704-716-7074.
Special Events
Each homeowner-in-process is required to attend a series of Homeowner-in-Process (HIP) classes.
Partners are encouraged to attend at least one of these classes.
Dedication
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is a Christian Ministry and the house is dedicated to God. As a
symbol of this commitment each family is presented with a bible. The dedication ceremony is a
celebratory service that provides a chance for recognition of your group, an opportunity to share, and
sense of completion for all.
Most groups plan and execute their own dedication at the house site although occasional group
dedications are held in a local church. Information on planning the dedication is found in the
amenities section on page 31 and sample programs are found on pages 59-60. If your group is
planning your own dedication, the Family Partner is often key in setting the program and making
sure that your group includes the homeowner in the planning process. Often times the Family
Partner, presents the bible to the homeowner and/or brings a potluck item for the luncheon
Either way, the things that are usually included are: music, prayers or litanies, presentation of a
plaque to your group(s), presentation of a small gift to the Project Leader and House Leader, and
presentation of a bible (provided by Habitat) to the homeowner. It is expected that the Project
Leader and/or House Leader will speak as will the homeowner.
32
Family Partner
Other Optional Tasks
The following is a list of other things you may wish to consider doing with your partner family.
• Work beside the family during construction helping to integrate them with your group.
• If the family hasn’t completed their HIP classes, attend a class.
• Invite the family to attend your church/religious institution, reciprocate.
• After construction, Family Partners are encouraged to attend the house closing.
• Family Partners may wish to assist the Habitat homeowner with plans for moving and perhaps
with unpacking.
• Keep in contact with the family after they have moved into their own home.
• The Family Partner is encouraged to spend time with the Habitat family away from the Habitat
site. (Possible examples: invite the family to dinner, share a picnic in a park, go to a ball game,
take the kids to a movie or rent a video, etc.).
• Visit the family after they have moved into their new Habitat home
• Attend one neighborhood association meeting with the Habitat homeowner partner in the
family’s new neighborhood to encourage community involvement.
• Lastly, the Family Partner and homeowner may want to share with each other their own talents
and interests and perhaps take on a joint project such as sanding and refinishing a piece of
furniture. Or if you like to garden, you may wish to assist with landscaping or give some tips on
maintaining a nice yard.
Other ideas are available as well. The Family Partner should feel comfortable contacting Nancy
Pugh (704-716-7074) or other members of the Habitat staff if he/she has any questions or concerns
about the partnering process.
Homeowner Gift Policy

The Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Board of Directors has approved a policy placing restrictions
on Adopt-a-Home groups’ gifts to Habitat homeowners. The Habitat Board prohibits Adopt-a-
Home groups from giving expensive items, such as new furniture, appliances, fencing, etc. to
Habitat homeowners. Appropriate housewarming gifts are items such as a doormat, a nice plant, or
a photo album with pictures from the project (Cost should not exceed $100.)
Habitat for Humanity is a partnership, not a charity. Our philosophy is one of empowerment: we
give a hand-up, not a hand-out. In addition, giving an expensive gift to one Habitat family is not
fair to the other homeowners who don’t have a relationship with an Adopt-a-Home group. Gifts
given to homeowners are not tax-deductible.
Adopt-a-Home groups are also prohibited from seeking donations of new items to be given to the
homeowner as it is not fair to other homeowners. Also, solicitation of contributions could interfere
with the fundraising that Habitat development staff and volunteers are already doing in the
community.
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is not discouraging your generosity. If your organization has
additional funding, Habitat recommends that you contribute this money to be used for the
construction of another house for a family in need of decent, simple, and affordable housing.
33
Family Partner
Article from Charlotte Observer by Charlie Summers, Pastor of Siegle
Avenue Presbyterian Church
After a decade of work in the inner city, I believe that there are two rules for dealing with our community
problems. Whether we are talking about helping people on welfare go to work, or guiding children to do well
in school, or helping blighted neighborhoods recover, there are two basic rules: the Golden Rule and the Iron
Rule.
The Golden Rule, as taught by Jesus and other religious leaders, is “Do unto others as you would have them
do unto you.” It is a rule of basic reciprocity. The Iron Rule, as coined by community organizer Saul
Alinsky, is “Never do for others what they can do for themselves.” This is the rule of basic personal
responsibility.
The Golden Rule reminds us that we are all in this together. The way we want to be treated is the key to how
we should treat others. This rule applies to community decisions as well as personal relationships. What we
want for our own children, school, jobs, is what we should help others have as well: dignity, equal
opportunity, fair treatment.
I also think that this rule helps us remember that we did not get here on our own. As Moses warned the
people headed for the Promised Land “You will inherit houses you did not build, wells you did not dig,
vineyards you did not plant.” None of us got here on our own. We did not build the schools where we
studied, nor the highways that get us to work, nor develop the democracy that allows us to guide our
community priorities. No one has pulled himself or herself up by bootstraps alone. We always stand on the
shoulders of those who have gone before us.
To tell poor neighborhoods there is no money for their schools – or to tell low-wage employees they may only
have part-time hours – we are breaking the Golden Rule. Not only should we treat others the way we want to
be treated. We should share with others what we have received along the way. The Iron Rule reminds us that
each person must respond to the gifts and challenges of life. Each of us must get up and do what needs to be
done (as Garrison Keillor’s Powder Milk biscuits tell us). “Never do for others what they can do for
themselves” because the only way we become better citizens, parents, community members is if we each
contribute what we can.
We break the Iron Rule when we rush into poor neighborhoods and “fix” things for them. When we do not
include them in deciding what to do and how to do it, then we are telling them that they have nothing to
contribute that their ideas do not count. A civic group decided to “adopt” a run-down inner city school.
When they looked around, they found that the worst thing about the place was the peeling facade. But when
they talked with students and teachers, they learned that most of the restrooms were unusable. So together
they worked on those restrooms. In the process, the students felt listened to, and the community group felt
appreciated. They joined forces to do what neither could do alone.
I will tell you a more common experience. People from outside the low-income neighborhood come into
help. They look around and pick a project based on their needs, time and ability (like fixing the playground).
Then they do the job, step back and say to the community, “We did this for you.” But within a few months
the playground will look the same as it used to. And the outsiders will complain about the ungrateful people
who live over there. Never do for others what they can do for themselves.
Breaking the Iron Rule steals from the poor. It steals their initiative to make decisions about their own community. It
robs them of self-esteem as it silently communicates, “your opinion does not matter.” It takes away an opportunity for
them to develop their gifts and to enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishment. The Golden Rule and the Iron Rule belong
together. That way they can guide us to bear one another’s burden’s while each carries his or her own share of the load.
34
Volunteer Coordinator
Focus: The Volunteer Coordinator recruits volunteers and matches their interests and skills with
the positions available. You may wish to organize a sub-committee, especially if the group is large
and/or many groups are involved. In this latter case you may want to have one person from each
organization serve as a point person and organize their group’s volunteers.
___ 1. Recruit members for the Volunteer Committee, if needed.

___ 2. Review volunteer needs for all sub-committees and for construction.
___ 3. Prepare a system to track those interested, their skill level, and availability. Some
organizations are creating on-line sign up programs and web sites to aid in their coordination.
___ 4. Forward to your group information on types of volunteer work available, including a
return form that assesses their skills and interest. Enclosed is a volunteer form that
your group may want to use (page 61).
___ 5. Work with the House Leader to identify and/or recruit key volunteers, especially Task and
crew leaders.
___ 6. After house schedule is set, sign up crew members for specific days. Inform folks of job site
address, appropriate clothing and tools necessary, etc. A sample letter is found on page 61.
___ 7. For construction volunteers aged 16-17, send the Minor’s Release of Liability for parent/
guardian to sign. This release is found on pages 65-66. Page 38 has information on Youth
Participation for those younger than 16.
___ 9. During the month before the house start date, check to see that training is occurring.
___ 10. Remind volunteers one week before their work date.
___ 11. Have volunteers sign the “Release of Liability Forms” on the job site (Habitat will have a
notebook with the forms on the job site. Take to the job site. Make sure that volunteers
realize that they are signing the Release of Liability and not just “signing” in.
___ 12. If desired, acquire name tags and arrange for them to be present at the job site.
___ 13. Turn in (or leave with Habitat staff) completed Volunteer Release of Liability Forms to Beth
Van Gorp at Habitat for liability reasons.
___ 14. Contact Beth Van Gorp for directions and/or a map to your job site. Your group will be
posted each week on the Habitat web site with a link for your volunteers.
___ Help ensure enthusiasm for the project.

___ Remember to thank all those involved.
___ Keep accurate records of volunteers and when they want to volunteer.
___ Check regularly to be sure that you are informed about the progress of the house and
dedication schedule.
35
Suggestions for Recruiting Volunteer
• Ask! Set up a table and grab folks as they go by. Most people will say “yes.”
• Stage a publicity event. I guarantee that you’ll get attention if you start hammering in the lobby
of your building or outside your sanctuary (after services of course).
• Book the whole day with a group. Smaller parts of your organization may be looking for team
building activities. Try departments, church school classes, prayer groups, or suppliers.
• Cubicle/door decorating contest based on Habitat.
• Create a web page – consider using online sign up and posting photos
• Construction clothes day, at church or on a casual day at work.
• Pins that say, “Ask me about Habitat.”
• Invite a Habitat homeowner to speak to your group.
• Have folks sign a two by four. This can also be used as a fund-raiser.
• Borrow Habitat’s display board.
• Ask Habitat, we have groups that may be able to boost your numbers (they may however not be
skilled).
• Have Task Leaders and/or Crew Leaders help recruit volunteers.
Special Volunteer Jobs

You may want to recruit people for the following tasks:
• Site Host: Greets volunteers as they arrive, insures that they sign the Release of Liability, hands
out name tags. If people arrive late they direct them to the House Leader. When the homeowner
arrives on the site, they welcome them and introduce the homeowner to volunteers. The Site
Host also directs volunteers to snacks, the first aid box and other amenities on site and could also
sell T-shirts, bring water, and do other errands.
• Devotion Leader: Someone already on the job site, or someone else who wants to contribute to
the project, should begin each morning with devotions or a spiritual message.
• Construction Buddy: Someone to work side by side with the Habitat family on the construction
site on the days when the Family Partner will not be present.
• Child Care: If your group has folks with small children, the Volunteer Coordinator may want to
arrange child care during work times.
• Translators: If your partner family’s English skills are not strong, your group may wish to
recruit volunteer translators to help integrate the family on the job site as well as at any special
events, including the dedication. If no one in your group has this skill, Nancy Pugh (704-716-
7074) with Habitat’s Family Service Staff, may be able to help you.
• Safety Leader: Ask one person to outline the safety guidelines each day on the site and then
check to make sure everyone is following them.
• Web Designer: Create a web site that will assist with volunteer sign up and communication
• Telephone Tree: Organize folks to help you make reminder calls to volunteers.
• Tool Coordinator: Arrange for all the specialized tools to be on the job site (those beyond what
every volunteer should bring). Tools are listed on page 49.
36
Number of Volunteers
There is an optimum number of volunteers that can work effectively on any given day. This number
will be determined by the skill level of the volunteers and the quality of the leadership provided by
the Task Leaders and Crew Leaders. The sample volunteer schedule (on page 9) has the
recommended number per day. Consider having more volunteers if most of your volunteers have
previous construction experience, or your House, Task, and Crew Leaders are skilled in construction
and leadership. If you recruit many more volunteers than we suggest, make sure that you have a
good plan for using them. Otherwise, you may have many volunteers standing around without
anything to do.
Be sure to schedule some “extra” volunteers at the end of the project to help finish all the punch list
items, those small things that make the house complete at the end.
Age Limitation:
No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on a building site while work is being done.
Teens, 16 and 17, may work on a construction site with some limitations. Those under 18 must
not use power tools, work on the roof, or work from a height above six feet (for example on the
2nd level of scaffolding or from an extension ladder). Volunteers under the age of 18 and their
parent or legal guardian are required to complete and sign a special “Minor’s Release and Waiver of
Liability” form.
Ideas to Involve Youth

For youth under 16 people encourage them to participate in our Building on Youth program
http://habitatcharlotte.org/volunteer_youth.cfm. This program allows them to earn a Habitat pin or
wristband. Other ways they can be help:
• Prepare and serve meals.
• Have youth sign a two by four that will then be used in the building of the house.
• Take pictures and create a scrap book as a remembrance of the project.
• Make banners, flyers and posters.
• Make and deliver a dinner for the Habitat family to have on their first night in the new home.
• Make up a skit or song to entertain and inform potential volunteers about Habitat.
• Decorate lunch bags or nail aprons for volunteers. Write notes to workers to put in lunch bags.
• Provide special music or a litany during the dedication and/or lead a devotion.
• Help registrar volunteers at the job site first thing in the morning (for older kids).
• Help with child care.
• Make mail boxes, toy chests, or bird houses to give to homeowners or to be used as fund raisers.
• Connect with kids in Habitat neighborhoods - tutoring, playing sports, reading programs, etc.
• Design a t-shirt or note cards for the project.
• Lead educational activities (ie awareness weeks, construction outfit day, or panel discussions).
• Call to remind volunteers that they have volunteered to work.
• Assist in recruiting volunteers by working at the sign-up table.
• Raise funds by having tricycle races, car washes, penny drives etc.
• Take pictures and post them and other information on your web site.
• Habitat International has small banks where kids can collect change for the project. They also
have a calendar to go with it that leads kids in contemplation of housing issues.
37
Organizing Volunteers
Also included in this manual are several forms that your group may wish to use including:
• A Typical Schedule, page 9, that outlines the number of volunteers that you will need each day.
You will need to communicate with your House Leader in order to learn the exact dates for each
task and the number of volunteers you need on each of these days.
• A Volunteers Sign-up Sheet, page 60, to distribute to interested and potential volunteers.
• Habitat will provide a notebook with Release of Liability/Sign Up Forms, Pages 63-64 are
provided as an example, it is meant to be copied on both sides, with the release on one side and
the sign up form on the other side. Please encourage people to sing the form as they arrive. A
Minor’s Release of Liability, pages 65-66, that will need to be sent out ahead of time and kept
in the registration notebook when the volunteer brings it to the job site.
• A sample confirmation letter to volunteers is included on page 62.
• Find skilled volunteers by assessing the general level of skill among your volunteer pool. Ask
around and you will probably discover some hidden “gems,” people knowledgeable in
construction and who are also strong instructors and leaders.
What Every Construction Volunteer Needs to Know

• Tools: Every volunteer needs to bring a hammer, nail apron, pencil and a tape measure. Many
volunteers also bring small tools such as utility knives, chalk boxes, gloves, squares, levels, etc.
• Construction How To’s and safety information is provided at
http://habitatcharlotte.org/construction_howTos.cfm From the very beginning, encourage
volunteers to be safe. Remember Habitat's safety slogan is "No Job Is So Important that it can’t
be Done Safely." Volunteers will be required to follow safety instructions and policies including
wearing hard hats and safety glasses.
• Clothing: Each volunteer should wear clothing that they do not mind getting quite dirty and that
is appropriate for the season. Volunteers may also need a reminder to bring a hat, bandanna,
and/or sunscreen. Sandals and other open-toed shoes are not allowed on the job site.
• Job Site Location: The location will be posted on our web site or you can contact Beth Van
Gorp at Habitat (704-716-7074) for a map.
• Release of Liability: Let everyone know that they will be expected to assume responsibility for
themselves on the job site.
• Age of Volunteers: No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on a building site while work
is being done. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to use any power equipment, work on
the roof or at a height greater than 6’ or participate in any hazardous activity. Volunteers under
the age of 18 and their parent or legal guardian are required to complete and sign a special
"Minor's Release and Waiver of Liability" form.
• Promptness is important because key information is covered at the beginning of the day. Work
hours are 8am – 4pm. However in July and August we work from 7:00am – 12:30pm because
of the heat. Split shifts are not permitted.
• Rain Plan: Have everyone show up rain or shine. It often clears by 8 am and it may not be
raining where the house is located.
• Contact: Let folks know who to contact if they have any questions.
• Information about the Homeowner: This really makes the project more real to everyone. Let
them also know that the homeowner should be included in your group.
38
Common Problems & A Few Solutions
Problem: The stress is getting to your group, and people are beginning to grumble.
Solutions: Smile, praise and thank people for participating! Encourage them to work on a team
with the homeowner. Keep your eyes on the prize, which is working in partnership with the family
to build their dream.
Begin the day with devotions and/or reflection. As a Christian organization, we encourage
beginning the day with reading a scripture, devotion and a prayer. However, we recognize that this
may not be appropriate for your group and encourage you to use other inspiration material. This
really does make the day go smoother! Habitat has some devotions available, but we encourage
your group to be original.
Problem: You have too many volunteers on the job site, and inexperienced volunteers have nothing
to do.
Solution: Your House and Task Leader should be planning ahead so that when crew leaders and
members ask what to do, they already have a plan. Some jobs can be done at any time, especially
clean up! There will also be the times when people will need to step back and share the work. This
may also be a good time for people to take breaks.
Help insure that your House Leader, Task Leaders, Crew Leaders and Crew Members receive
training in their area of construction.
Problem: Not everyone in your group has tools.

Solution: Even though you have carefully explained the need for each person to have a basic set of
tools, folks will show up without them. Your group may want to purchase a small supply of tools to
have on hand to borrow or rent. Or members of your leadership group may have extras to share.
39
Timeline for Adopt-A-Home Projects
Key to Volunteers on the Project Team

ALL: All members of Project Team FC: Fund Raising Coordinator
PL: Project Leader VC: Volunteer Coordinator
HL: House Leader AC: Amenities Coordinator
FP: Family Partner PC: Publicity Coordinator
The following is set as an idealized time line and is meant to avoid a big rush of work at the last
minute. Of course, your group may have less or more time available and will need to adjust your
dates accordingly. Detailed information on each of these tasks is found in this Adopt-A-Home
Planning Manual.
9 Months - 1 Year for groups having to raise funds, 5-6 Months for groups were the money is
raised.
Name Project Leader
Forward signed Sponsorship Agreement to Habitat found on page 3(PL)
Name Fundraising Coordinator and committee (ALL)
Determine who will collect funds and where they will be collected/mailed (PL & FC)
Determine if you will solicit for in-kind contributions of sub-contractor work or
materials(FC)
Present program to your congregation, group, or business (PL)
Consider having a speaker from Habitat speak to your group (ALL)
5-6 Months before house start

Recruit/Determine Project Team (ALL) and forward the names to Habitat – page 43
Forward the appropriate part of AAH Manual for each person on team to review (PL)
Set up a system for committee chairs to report to Project Leader (ALL)
Have a beginning organizational meeting to set goals for accomplishing specific items (ALL)
4 Months before house start

Set start date and schedule in conjunction with Habitat’s Volunteer Coordinator or
Construction Superintendent. Determine number of people needed per day (PL & HL)
Distribute start date and schedule to Project Team (PL)
Set date, time, and location for kick off event (PL & AC)
Decide which meals and snacks you will provide work crews. Go over prospective donor list
with the Habitat Development Director to ensure these groups have not been asked recently.
(AC)
Begin recruitment of Task Leaders/Crew Leaders, use “Skills Evaluation Form” on page 46
& 47 to evaluate skills (HL & VC)
Have meeting of each sub-committee, if applicable (ALL)

Solicit for meals and snacks you will provide to volunteers at the site (AC)
Begin plans for T-shirts if desired (FC)
Acquire Construction Manual from Habitat and review (HL & TL)
Give Task Leaders a copy of applicable section of Construction Manual (HL)
40
Arrange for supplies of plates, cups, napkins, water coolers, etc. to be available (AC)
Plan a meeting that includes Habitat Construction Superintendent and Task Leaders (HL)
Forward to Habitat’s Construction Superintendent the in-kind donation form for each
donation
Solicit for crew member volunteers (VC)
Contact Nancy Pugh at Habitat to discuss Family Partner responsibilities.(FP)
6 Weeks before house start

Send half of sponsorship fee to Habitat (attn. Linda Blum) (FC)
Confirm participation of food providers by letter (AC)
Meet with Habitat Construction Superintendent (HL & TL)
Solicit for volunteers to be devotion leaders, registrars, and construction buddies (VC)
Locate tools and ladders that you will need during project (HL& TL)
Meet with Habitat homeowner (FP)
1 Month before house start

Assign specific tasks to each of the Crew Leaders and mail them copies of Construction
Manual or have them go to www.habitatcharlotte.org. Encourage Task Leaders to meet or
speak with Crew Leaders before the work day (TL)
Visit job site (HL & TL)
Complete solicitation of volunteers (VC)
Mail confirmation letters or emails, including tools needed, location, etc., to volunteers (VC)
Decide if you want a table on site, make arrangements if you do (VC)
Arrange for volunteers to work one-on-one with the homeowner at the job site (FP & VC)
Make contact with homeowner once a week (FP)
Contact Habitat Charlotte’s Volunteer Coordinator to determine when next group dedication
will be held or begin plans for a dedication at the house site (PL)
1 week before house start

Send remainder of sponsorship fee to Habitat (attn: Linda Blum) FC
Reconfirm plans for tools and organizational responsibilities with Task Leaders (HL)
Acquire name tags and pens (VC)
Communicate any final details with Habitat Site Supervisor (HL)
1 week before each work day

Make reminder calls about food donations and pick up (AC)
Contact volunteers to remind them of their commitment (VC)
After/during project
Send thank you notes to donors (FC)
Thank those who volunteer (ALL)
Set dedication date and plan program (PL & AC)
Send list of in-kind and food donors to Habitat
Forward to Habitat signed Release of Liability forms
Return AAH evaluation, found on page 43
At the end of the project, remove all items left in the trailers/house.
41
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHARLOTTE
AAH VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP TEAM
DATE_____________________________ SPONSOR:_______________________________
E-mail address
FAX No.
Phone No.
Home &
Work
Complete mailing address
(remember zip code)
Name (printed)
Project Leader, House
Leader, Fund Raising,
Amenities, T-shirts,
Family Partner, etc
Leadership Role:
Please return to Beth Van Gorp, Habitat Charlotte; PO Box 220287; Charlotte, NC 28222-0287; FAX: 704-342-1797;
Phone: 704-716-7077, bvangorp@habitatcharlotte.org
42
Adopt-A-Home Evaluation
Adopt-A-Home Group: _____________________________________________________________________________
Your Name: ____________________________________________________ Role: ____________________________
There are many different areas that are involved in the preparation and building of a Habitat home: family support,
volunteer coordination, publicity, fund raising, and construction. Please consider all areas that are applicable to your
experience when answering these questions.
In what ways were the written materials you received from Habitat Charlotte helpful? How can they be improved?
What other information did you need?
During the time before you started building: What information was helpful? What do you wish you had known? What
else could we have done to make this stage easier or more effective?
During the time the home was under construction what things/people/activities where helpful? What else could we do to
help?
What advice and suggestions would you give other groups?
What could be done to make this program better?
What were the highlights for you? For your group?
Other comments? If necessary, please write on the back of this sheet.

Please return to Beth Van Gorp, Habitat Charlotte, PO BOX 220287, Charlotte, NC 28222-0287; FAX: 704-342-1797:
Email: bvangorp@habitatcharlotte.org
43
Building on Faith Blitz
What is a blitz?
Habitat folks use the word blitz in a couple of different ways.
• It can refer to any construction that happens over a relatively short amount of time. For instance,
many sponsors have a three-day framing blitz where the house is framed and shingled by the end
of the third day.
• It can also mean a week longer larger project where many houses are built at the same time. In
Charlotte this could mean some houses are finished by the end of the week, and other’s have not
yet finished the framing. Both these houses we would consider part of a blitz.
What is Building on Faith?

Building on Faith is the name of Habitat Charlotte’s annual building week. Houses do not have to be
on a rapid build schedule to participate, but they do need to start that week. Building on Faith
usually occurs during the week before the 3rd Sunday in September. This Sunday is Habitat
International’s Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat. All over the world during this week,
Habitats’ try and draw people in the faith community into action to build homes. Here in Charlotte,
we are excited to involve businesses, civic groups, and churches to participate in this exciting build.
Annually, over 200 cities world wide participate.
Why participate in a blitz?

• It is fun and exciting to be a part of a larger project
• The houses get done sooner, and folks enthusiasm may stay higher
• There is often times more publicity associated with the project
What about the downside?

• It can be more stressful, especially if you, the sub-contractors, or the inspectors fall behind.
• If you do the majority of the work during the week, some of your volunteers may not be able to
participate.
• The Habitat site supervisor will have multiple houses to supervise during that week.
• You will be very tired by the end of the week.
Details
• We usually begin work on Saturday, Sunday is a day of rest, and continue work Monday through
Saturday.
• For most, using the schedule that Habitat recommends, the goal will be for the houses to have
completed the siding and drywall by the end of the week. The rest of the work days will happen
during subsequent Saturdays and/or weekdays. We will work with groups to accommodate
other schedule requests.
• If groups want to totally finish the house during Building on Faith week, they will be in charge
of arranging for all sub contracted work (i.e. plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and drywall finishing.)
44
Expect the following if you participate in the Building on Faith Blitz:
• Site: We always look to acquire a site where all the houses will be built close to each other.
Sometimes, however, we may build in several neighborhoods.
• Parking: Because often the houses are close together, only a few of the construction leaders will
be able to park in front of the house. Other builders will have to park in more remote locations
and walk at least several blocks to the house.
• Lunches may be provided on the first and second Saturday of the project. Assume that your
group will need to make arrangements for lunches during the remainder of the week. On the
Saturdays that Habitat provides food, you will be told by your site supervisor when it is your turn
to go and eat. You WILL have to provide your own coolers for water.
• Group Devotions: If there is a central site, there will be a devotion held for everyone at a central
location.
• T-shirts: You will probably be able to buy blitz t-shirts that can be personalized for your group.
But, you will have to order them several months before the project.
• Meetings: There will be several meetings for Project and House Leaders held by Habitat.
Attendance is expected.
• In-kind: Your list of in-kind contributors will have to be finalized at least a month before the
project starts.
• Habitation: A celebratory service will be held during or near the week of the blitz. This
Habitation Service will have key note speaker and special music.
45
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte
Construction Leader Skills Evaluation
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Address: ____________________________________________
Group Affiliation: _______________________ Home Phone: ______________________________
Day Time Phone (if different):___________________
Current Volunteer Status: (circle all applicable)

Regular Crew Leader Week Day Volunteer Full-Time Volunteer AmeriCorps
For Adopt-A-Homes: House Leader Task Leader Crew Leader
SKILL: According to Habitat’s construction NEVER CAN DO IT CAN DO IT CAN

guidelines as written in the construction DONE IT WITH WITH MIN. TEACH IT
manual SUPER- SUPER- TO
VISION VISION OTHERS
PREP
Interpret plan, layout floors
Build wood floors
Pour footings for wood porches
Build wood porch & attach to band joist
Figure & cut stringers for steps
Set permanent posts
Create forms for concrete porches
Build & install crawl space door
LAYOUT
Chalk lines according to plan
Mark plates for studs, walls, windows, etc
FRAMING
Construct & raise wall sections
Porch beam installation
Temp/ beam installation (for trusses)
Straighten walls
Plumb & brace exterior walls
Quality control for wall framing
Lay out trusses
Build ladders for gable ends
Plumb & brace gable ends
Raise & plumb trusses
Brace trusses
Install trusses with hip roof/valley set
Install Sheathing
Quality control for trusses
Lay off for shingles & install starter shingles
Weave shingles across a valley
Ridge vent & ridge cap installation
Boot installation w/ shingles weaved
Quality control for shingles
Install windows & flashing
Install exterior doors & flashing
Attic floor
Misc. blocking
Dryer vent through wall
46
SKILL: According to Habitat’s construction NEVER CAN DO IT CAN DO IT CAN
guidelines as written in the construction DONE IT WITH WITH MIN. TEACH IT
manual SUPER- SUPER- TO
VISION VISION OTHERS
SIDING
Install starter strip
Install corners
Install J channel on windows & doors
Install siding correctly
Set up scaffolding
Wrap birds mouth
Install soffit
Install aluminum fascia
Install J-channel on poured porch to match
siding on with rest of house
DRYWALL
Cut & place drywall
Install drywall in proper sequence
Repair holes (patch method) in drywall
Repair gaps around outlets
Point up drywall
INTERIOR TRIM
Install interior doors - single & bi-hung
Install cabinets - upper/lower
Install sills & aprons
Install casings & shoe mold
Install baseboard - coped corners
Install attic stair unit
EXTERIOR TRIM
Set posts on porch
Cover beam with fascia
Layout & install steps
Set posts for stair rails
Install railing
PAINTING
Prime & finish paint, caulk & putty holes
HARDWARE
Install exterior & interior locks
Install bath hardware
Install wire shelving
PUNCHLIST - A little bit of almost anything
LANDSCAPING - Soil prep & planting
YES NO
Are you able & comfortable teaching inexperienced volunteers?
Are you committed to maintaining a safe work site?
Do you have access to the tools necessary for your position?
Are you familiar with the construction manual?
Do you mind leading even though it means you personally may not
have time to do much hammering
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Phone: 704-376-2054 FAX: 704-342-1797

PO Box 220287, Charlotte, NC 28222-0287 3815 Latrobe Dr., Charlotte, NC 28211
47
AAH TOOL REQUIREMENTS
All tools must meet OSHA safety standards or you will be asked to remove them from the job site.
Do not leave tools in trailers or Habitat homes over-night. Not responsible for stolen tools.
Rev. 1/05
Each Construction Volunteer Will Need Insulation
Hammer (16 oz. minimum) Stapler & staples
Nail apron or tool belt
Measuring tape (25’ minimum) Drywall
Pencil(s) (4) Drywall squares
Retractable utility knife (optional) (4) Keyhole saws
Work gloves (optional) Drywall router
Speed square (optional) Drywall hand saw
Safety glasses, hardhat, & water Radius cutter (optional)
Other hand tools they may own (4 pr) Toe operated drywall lifters (optional)
(4) minimum Electric drywall screw guns
Each House Leader Will Need (for more than one task) (2) Sureform drywall planes
Water for volunteers
Safety glasses Trim carpentry
Ear protection (2) Coping saws with extra blades
(2) 7 ¼” Circular saws Electric saber saw/scroll saw
Electric miter saw (10”) Electric drill with 2” hole saw bit & 1” spade bit
Reciprocating saw with extra blades Assorted wood drill bits
Drop cords – (2) 50’ & (1)100’ Power screw driver with special cabinet screw bits
4-way electrical box (splitter) (4) Nail sets
30’ measuring tape
Levels – (2) 4’ & (1) 2’ Painting
Framing square Paint brushes (6) 4” & (4) 2”
Hand saw (6) Roller frames and pans with (6) 3/8” roller covers
(2) Chalk boxes with extra chalk (red & blue chalk) (4) 4’ Roller extension handles
(2) Cat’s paws (nail pullers) Box of rags
Broom Putty knife
(2) Drop lights or clip-on lights with extra bulbs (4) Caulking guns
16’ Extension ladder (heavy duty – 300 lb minimum) Utility knife
(2) 6’ Step ladders (contractor quality)
(2) 8’ Step ladders (contractor quality) Hardware
Power screw driver
Plus additional tools for the following tasks Small screwdriver for installing bath hardware
Phillips head screw drivers
Framing
50’ & 100’ Measuring tape Landscaping
#8 Sledge hammer (4) Steel yard rakes
300 feet Nylon string (2) hoes
(2) Red lumber marking crayons (2) Round point shovels
Hook blades (roofing blades) for utility knives (1 pack) Wheel barrow
50’ Garden hose
Exterior Trim – Porches
½” Electric drill Equipment Habitat will provide at each site
Assortment of bits (4) Saw horses – regular
Power screw drive/gun (8) Saw horses – drywall
Shovel & post hole digger (optional) Metal scaffolding with walk boards
(8) Drywall “preachers”
Siding Chemical toilet
(8) Aviator snips (yellow or green handle) Temporary power
(2) Nail slot punches Storage trailer/building
7 ¼” Panel saw blade & circular saw Siding & standard saw tables
(1) Crimping Tool
Note: Please mark tools with the name of owner, plan for what tools may be needed if you get ahead or behind schedule.
48
Safety Guidelines
Review all of these guidelines with every crew at the beginning of every workday.
"NO JOB IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT CAN'T BE DONE SAFELY".

• Habitat requires that you protect your eyes with safety glasses during all phases of construction.
• Habitat requires that everyone on site wears a hard hat during all phases of construction.
• Use the ear protection that the house leader provides when using power saws.
• No loose clothing. Wear appropriate clothing for task including work boots that protect from falling
objects, have a non slip sole & resist nail penetrations.
• Guards on saws must be in place & operating. Tools must be in a safe condition (meet OSHA
standards, i.e. no nicks in cords.)
• Speak up if something looks unsafe because it probably is. An observer can spot danger quicker than a
worker can.
• Don't lift beyond your strength. Bend your knees. Ask for help.
• Know where water & the first aid kit are located. Tell the house leader immediately in the event of an
injury.
• Select the correct tool for your work. Carry only those you need.
• Think & concentrate on your task.
• If you are uncertain about how to do a task, or how to operate a power tool, ask your crew leader.
Framing
• It is critical to brace gable truss properly.
• Wear ear & eye protection when using power saws.
• Don't bind the blade of any saw. If a saw blade binds, it will kick back toward the operator. Use two
hands to hold circular saws and have solid footing. Don't overreach.
• Keep electric cords out of the way of the saw.
• Use a ladder that will reach the work. An extension ladder should reach 3 feet above the step off point.
Move the ladder with your work. For every 4 feet of height, move the bottom of the ladder one foot
away from the wall. Place ladders on solid footing.
• Immediately remove nails from lumber before you discard it!
• Don't leave loose objects on the roof or a on a ladder. Keep your tools in your tool belt at all times.
Place nails & plywood & stack shingles so that they are stable and secure.
• Use extra caution when on rooftop. Watch your footing.
• Have one person on the ground (two if roofing both sides of the house) to watch and warn roofers
nearing the edge.
• Keep rooftop swept free of sawdust and dirt.
49
Siding
• Use a ladder that will reach the work. Move the ladder with your work & don't lean. Place ladders and
scaffolding on solid footing.
• Don't bind the blade of any saw. When cutting long panels, the blade may bind and kick back toward the
operator.
• Don't leave objects loose on a ladder or scaffolding. Keep your tools in your tool belt at all times.
• Use extra caution when on scaffolding & watch your footing at all times.
• Scaffold platform should be fully planked. Safety rails must be used on second level.
• Utility knives - keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Always retract blade when not in
immediate use.
• Habitat requires that hard hats be worn if roofing is occurring overhead.
Drywall
• Stack material so that it is stable and secure. Do not ever pull the stack away from the wall as shifting
stacks has broken many bones. Drywall is very heavy!
• Safety glasses & dust masks help prevent drywall dust from getting in your eyes & lungs, especially
when working on the ceiling.
• Utility knives - keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Always retract blade when not in
immediate use.
Interior Trim
• Don't bind the blade of any saw.
• Keep electric cords out of the way of the saw.
• Don't cross hands over to stabilize material when using miter saw. Have someone else hold it for you.
• Immediately remove nails from lumber before you discard it!
• Be careful when lifting cabinets. Support securely.
Painting
• Use a ladder that will reach the work. Place ladders on solid footing. Don't leave any paint or tools on
top of ladders. Do not step on top step or platform of ladder.
• Wear eye protection especially when using rollers on the ceiling.
• When finishing doors, work in a ventilated area.
• Do not stand on buckets.
50
Sponsorship Fee Credit List for In-Kind Donations
Check Donations to be made by sponsor and total at bottom:
Grading and Clearing $ 536

Footings Labor $ 96
Footings Material $ 1,349
Masonry (Labor) $ 1,614
Masonry (Material) $ 1,299
Termite Treatment (Warranty Required) $ 92
Floor Slab (Prep and Pour Labor) $ 1,018
Floor Slab (Concrete only) $ 1,120
Ancillary Concrete (Labor) $ 430
Ancillary Concrete (Concrete) $ 503
Drywall Finishing Labor $ 576
Drywall Finishing Materials $ 1,304
Plumbing Complete (include w/s & excav; no fixtures) $ 2,168
Plumbing (Fixtures including tub; less DW & GD) $ 633
Heat & AC System Complete $ 3,096
Energy Star Standards (Installation, must pass energy test for credit) $ 382
Electrical Materials (except panel, breakers and fixtures) $ 863
Electrical Fixtures $ 184
Electrical Labor $ 715
Vinyl Floor Covering (Materials) $ 119
Vinyl Floor Covering (Installation – volunteer task) $0
Carpet & Pad (Labor & Material required) $874
*Color selection must be approved by homeowner
Floor Insulation (Material and Labor – must include installation) $ 364
Attic Insulation (Material and Labor – must include installation) $ 356
Wall Insulation (Material and Labor – must include installation) $ 492
Finish Grading and Seeding: $ 925
Shrubbery (Shrubs, mulch and installation; Material only: $90 $ 100
Total In-Kind Donations listed above: $21,207
Total of In-Kind Donations Checked Above ______________
These costs are accurate as of February 2008, but are subject to change without notice.
Note: All donated materials must meet performance and design standards established by Habitat. All
In-Kind donations must be identified and reported to Habitat 6 weeks prior to the start of volunteer
construction using the in-kind donation report form. Or you can secure permission from the donor to
use donation on another home.
Contact Stephan Eichert at Habitat for information about other in-kind values
In-Kind credit toward Sponsorship Fee can not be made for the following items: roof shingles, interior
door hardware, appliances, paint, exterior polystyrene sheathing.
*These credits are against the sponsorship amount, NOT the tax deductible amount. By law
Habitat Charlotte cannot assign a value of the gift. It is the donor’s responsibility to do so.
Donations to the Habitat Re-Store do not count as an in-kind donation.
51
Habitat for Humanity Material Specifications
Habitat Charlotte 704 376 2054 fax: 704 342 1797
The following is a list of building materials that Habitat can use on a regular basis. This is not meant to be all-inclusive.
Generally, any materials used in the construction of houses will be considered. Since we are building, selling and
warranting new houses, we use new materials. Occasionally we will consider a second hand item which is in “like new”
condition or is a quality standard above our usual.
1. Bathtub: Fiberglass tub/shower combination: Auqaglass 6076 or similar.

2. Toilet: Neutral colors: Gerber 21-202 or similar.
3. Bathroom vanity: 24”, 30”, 42” widths: 19” or 21” depths.
4. Bathroom sink top: 25”, 31” 43”: Cultured Marble or a plastic laminate top with a drop in sink.
5. Bath Faucet: Delta 2522 MPU or equivalent.
6. Kitchen Sink: Stainless Steel: 33x22 two compartment: Kingsford 2-3322-4 or equivalent.
7. Kitchen Faucet: Delta 400 w/ sprayer or similar.
8. Water Heater: AO Smith; EES 40 gallon or equivalent
9. Exterior Doors: Prehung 6 panel insulated steel with adjustable threshold; solid wood blocking at
the lock location: Sizes: 3-0 x 6-8” (50%)
2-8 x 6-8” (50%)
10. Interior Doors: Prehung, hollow core, masonite; 442 casing or similar
Sizes: 2-6 x 6-8 (45%)
2-4 x 6-8 (25%)
2-0 x 6-8 (20%)
1-6 x 6-8 (10%)
4-0 x 6-8 Bi-hung (occasional use)
3-0 x 6-8 Bi-hung (2 to 4 per house)
5-0 x 6-8 Bi-hung (1 per house)
11. Windows: Habitat will alter the house to accommodate other sizes of donated windows.
Currently vinyl, thermopane, low E, double hung with screens are being used.
Sizes: 2-8 x 4-4 (8 units per houses)
2-8 x 4-4 Twin (2 per house)
2-8 x 3-0 (2 per house)
12. Kitchen range: 30” Freestanding; 4 burners; 220 volt;

Hotpoint RB536R or similar
Hood Vent
13. HVAC System: Heat Pump; 2 Ton; 13+ Seer; 7.2 HSPF; 5.0 KW auxiliary heat; 240 Volts
latent cooling ratio of 25% or better;
Install according to Duke Power’s MAX standards;
Equivalent systems of another type must be approved by HFH.
14. Vinyl siding: .04” thickness:

Buyer gets to choose the color:
15 to 20 squares per house:
related accessories need to be included:
15. Shingles: 18 Squares of 25 year asphalt.

52
16. Cabinets: Kitchen/bathrooms.
17. Carpeting : 25 ounce continuous filament nylon carpet

½” pad 6 lb. density:
equivalent or better;
100 yards per house;
18. Vinyl flooring: Builder grade or better – bath and laundry,

Kitchen, dining room, foyer – VCT Tile
40 yards per house.
19. Interior locksets: Kwikset Tylo or equivalent;

typical house:
5 privacy sets
4 passage sets
4 dummy sets
20. Exterior locksets: Schlage or equivalent:

typical house:
2 entry
2 single cylinder deadbolts
all keyed alike;
21. Electrical See list provided with the electrical information package.
22. Insulation: Floors: R-19 faced fiberglass batts; 15 ½” width

Walls: R-13 or 15 unfaced fiberglass batts; 15 ½” width
Ceilings: R-30 blown fiberglass
23. Concrete: Footings, slab, walks and driveway: amount is site dependent
24. Masonry All quantities are approximate.

Face brick: 700 Concrete brick: 600
8” block: 500 12” block: 25
4” Solid block: 100 Mortar Mix: 30 bags
Foundation vents: 12
53
Adopt-A-Home In kind Donation Report
Name of Adopt-A-Home Group: _______________________________ Date:_____________
Contact from Adopt-A-Home group who secured donation:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers: ___________________________________________________________________
Information on contractor or supplier making donation
Contact Name: _______________________________________Title: ________________________
Company Name: __________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:__________________________ Zip Code:________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________ FAX Number: ____________________________
Materials to be donated, please be specific:______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Services to be donated, please be specific:_______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Other comments:__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Questions on values of donations and types of donations that can be accepted should be addressed with
Stephan Eichert (contact information below). He will also make arrangements with the
supplier/contractor for the donation to be used.
As soon as a donation is committed, please send or FAX this form to:
Stephan Eichert
Mailing Address: PO Box 220287; Charlotte, NC 28222-0287
Physical Address: 3815 Latrobe Dr.
704-716-7064 FAX: 704-342-1797
seichert@habitatcharlotte.org
When agreeing to make an inkind donation such as electrical materials, plumbing materials, block,
landscaping, etc. we are generally only able to accept a complete package of new materials for the
home. For example you would need to provide all electrical fixtures not just a few lights.
54
Summary of Habitat of Charlotte’s Work – Talking Points
Habitat for Humanity's Mission comes from the Christian principles on which it was founded. Our
goal is to construct simple, decent and affordable houses in order to eliminate poverty housing. In this
manner we can demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ and provide a way of sharing
between the affluent and those in need, because the Bible emphasizes a concern for the well being of
others. These principles also call us to build with integrity and quality, be good stewards of the
resources given us, and to sell houses at no profit and no interest.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976, and has since expanded its work to over
2,100 US affiliates worldwide, with over 200,000 families living in Habitat homes. Habitat is working
in 100 different countries and all 50 states.
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte was founded in 1983 and has always been a leader among US
affiliates. In 2007, our dedicated volunteers, homeowners and donors will build over 70 new houses
and will have built over 720 homes by the end of the year. Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte was also
the first affiliate to:
•Build 100 homes;

•Have a home constructed completely by women;
•Build a home in less than 24 hours;
•Have a home funded and constructed completely by existing homeowners;
•Raise one million dollars in one year;
•Develop a construction manual for volunteers;
•Develop a homeowners' manual for homeowners;
•Successfully conduct a Jimmy Carter Work Project in under a week;
•Build twenty-two homes in a week;
•Have a home constructed completely by youths;
•Actively promote the concept of "Adopt-A-Home" and encourage large corporations to use the
opportunity for team building exercises, as well as for contributing to a good cause.
Neighborhood improvement is a goal and result of Habitat's focus on communities. Habitat

Charlotte began building in the Optimist Park community, just north of uptown, and totally
transformed the area by bringing ownership, pride and hope to a fragile community. Once established
there, we were welcomed by the adjacent Belmont community where we have built almost 200 houses,
thereby doubling the number of owner-occupied homes in that neighborhood. The responsibility that
homeownership brings is critical to the success of a neighborhood. We have now built homes in over
20 neighborhoods including: Villa Heights, Genesis Park, Seversville, Lakewood, Todd Park, Oakview
Terrace, Hovis, Westerly Hills, Druid Hills, Washington Heights and Lincoln Heights.
Homeowners are selected based on ability to pay for their home, need for housing, and their
willingness to partner with Habitat. Potential homeowners must complete 250 hours of work ("sweat
equity"). This includes working on others' homes, attending classes, and helping to build their own
home. In addition to these requirements, Habitat looks for families who want to invest in their
communities by volunteering, becoming involved in neighborhood organizations and being committed
to a drug-free environment. Many of our homeowners are making a difference in the lives of their
communities, and currently four of our homeowners are full-time Habitat employees and several others
have part-time employment with us.
55
A Habitat house has two to five bedrooms and measures an average of 1100 square feet. They are
simple and well built, using volunteer labor wherever possible to keep costs down.
Payment is made by homeowners in the form of monthly mortgage payments averaging $350 - $450.
This covers the taxes and insurance costs, in addition to the mortgage that is interest-free. Mortgages
are either fifteen-or twenty-year commitments, depending on the homeowners' ability to pay.
Tithing is one Christian principle Habitat has incorporated into its practices in order to share our
blessings with those less fortunate in developing countries. For each home built in Charlotte, our
affiliate sends $2300 to our "sister" affiliate in El Salvador. As the average Habitat house cost in El
Salvador is approximately $4000, for every house built in Charlotte another half a house is built in El
Salvador. Since 1993, over 4000 Habitat homes have been built in El Salvador. Regularly, volunteers
travel from Charlotte to meet, share with and construct homes alongside our Salvadoran partners. We
are glad to be able provide friendship and financial support for their work.
Our support comes from our donors, volunteers and staff, which includes seventeen full-time
employees, several part-time employees, AmeriCorps members, and many part-time volunteers.
Numerous other volunteers serve on committees, regular construction crews, or the Board of Directors.
This staff and volunteer base enables us to find land and construct houses; select appropriate
homeownership candidates; provide support to potential and existing homeowners, such as financial
counseling, neighborhood intervention, agency referral, etc.; and raise financial, material, and
volunteer support, as well as public awareness, which is necessary for our work. Habitat Charlotte has
benefited from the help of over 10,000 donors and volunteers and has close to fifty regular volunteer
construction crews. More than 120 organizations, companies, churches, civic groups and individuals
have sponsored and constructed over 150 Adopt-A-Homes; many have built several homes. Habitat is
truly a grassroots effort and relies on community support to reach its goal of eliminating substandard
housing in our city.
The Habitat ReStore was opened in 1996. The ReStore accepts donations of new and used
construction and home related items and sells them at bargain prices to the general public. The store
sells everything from lumber to shutters to cabinets to appliances. Profits will be used to build Habitat
houses. This effort also keeps usable items, which used to be thrown away, out of the landfill. There
are two storess:3326 Wilkinson Boulevard & 1133 N. Wendover Road. Call 704-392-4495 to donate
items. Call 704-716-7040 X 2227 to volunteer. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Check out their website, www.charlotterestore.org, for
more information.
56
Habitat for Humanity
CHARLOTTE
MEDIA REMINDER!!!
21 February 2004
THE AMERICAN DREAM COMES TRUE FOR ASIAN FAMILY

AS NEWEST HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE IS ERECTED BY
VOLUNTEERS FROM NINE AREA ROTARY CLUBS
The jubilation of dedication a new Habitat For Humanity house in west Charlotte will be combined
with the dogged determination of the large numbers of volunteers representing nine Charlotte area
Rotary Clubs to build the newest Habitat home from start-to-completion at 438 Bacon Street on
Thursday, 22 February. The first shovel-ful of dirt will be lifted at the foundation site at noon after
which the real construction work begins.
Habitat executive director Bert Green will spearhead the dedication and will be joined by the soon-to-
be homeowners Mr. Phu Ksor, his wife Mrs. Hja Silj, and their daughter Blair who is a student at
Central Piedmont Community College.
The home will be a one-story vinyl-sided three bedroom house which will be the culmination of the
new owners’ dreams upon arriving in America a few short years ago. Thanks to their own hard work,
the goals set by the Habitat For Humanity organization, and the spirited dedication of nine Charlotte-
area Rotary Clubs, the American dream will come true for a new Asian family in our community.
In keeping with the practice of dedicating each Rotary-built house to a Rotary Club member who has
had a close relationship to the Habitat program, the house at 438 Bacon Street will be named the Bob
Sparling Memorial Habitat House. Sparling, a Dilworth Rotary Club member for many years who is
now deceased, actively supported the Rotary/Habitat projects and donated both time and monies to
building Habitat homes. His family will attend the dedication.
Many area suppliers stepped to the plate to make in-kind donations and they will also be in attendance
as the new house is born on Thursday:
The Ray Co. Anthony’s Electric Carolina Builders
ABC Supply Jones Heating & A/C Morris Jenkins
Blankenship Electric Bryant Supply Parnell-Martin Co.
Piedmont Natural Gas Hughes Electric Gale Insulation
Builders First Source The Survey -more--
DIRECTIONS TO THE HABITAT SITE AT 438 BACON STREET:

From uptown Charlotte, take West Trade St. to Johnston C. Smith University; turn left onto
Rozzelle’s Ferry Rd., then left onto Bacon St.
For further information contact Habitat For Humanity – 704-716-7073 or Marilynn Bowler
(Charlotte Hornets) – 704/424-4856 or Jim Calder, Project Leader (704/568-8888.)
57
Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving
The ___________Family
Welcome __________________
Opening Prayer ____________
Litany of Dedication _______________
Leader: O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and
our eternal home.
People: For your assurance of eternal shelter, we offer thanks, O Lord.
Leader: Thank you for this house built here on earth, by your children, for your children in love and
hope and joy.
People: We are grateful for the __________ Family, for their faith and the faith that we share.
Leader: Thank you for bringing us together to do your work.
People: To be partners in building your Kingdom as we follow your Son, the carpenter, and hammer
with human hands.
Leader: Remind us, O Lord, of your children who still need a decent home.
People: Help us to hear the cries of this family, and give us the hearts and hands to respond.
Leader: We praise you, O Lord, for your goodness, and for your mercy which never ends.
All: Bless this house, O Lord, we pray.
Make it safe by night and day.
Bless your children everywhere.
That in your Kingdom they may share. Amen
Comments from Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Bert Green
Site Supervisor Remarks fill in with Habitat Site Supervisor
AmeriCorps Remarks fill in with AmeriCorps members
Reflections _______________
________________
Remarks & Presentation of Bible ___________________
Remarks by Homeowner _____________

Ribbon Cutting The _______Family
Closing Prayer ___________
58
Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving
The ______________ Family
Welcome & Opening Prayer ______________________
Remarks & Gift of Bread __________________

Matthew 25:35-36 (read in unison)
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in
prison and you came to visit me.”
Remarks & Gift of Candle __________________

Matthew 5:14-15 (read in unison)
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Remarks & Presentation of a Key __________________

Revelation 3:20 (read in unison)
Says the Lord “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come
in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Presentation of the Bible and Remarks: ___________________
Litany of Dedication
Leader: As a symbol of cooperative goodwill, work, and sharing
All: We dedicate this house
Leader: For family living, a place of love and respect between all members of this family
Leader: As a place where this family may grow, play and learn
Leader: That this house may serve as a place for rest, shelter and laughter
Leader: In thanks to you, Lord, for guidance and wisdom in this project and in our lives
Comments from Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte Bert Green
Site Supervisor & AmeriCorps Remarks _______________
Reflections _______________
Remarks by Homeowner _______________
Final Blessing – In Unison

Lord be close to your servants
who will move into this house
and ask for your blessing.
Be their shelter when they are at home

their companion when they are away
and their welcome guest when they return
And at last receive them into the dwelling place

you have prepared for them in your Father’s house
where you live forever and ever. Amen
59
Sign up sheet for the Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte
The Adopt-A-Home Group of __________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________________________________
Phone(Day): ________________Phone(Evening):________________ e-mail:___________________
I want to help with our organization’s building of a Habitat house (check all that interest you):
___ Help build the Habitat house (check when you are available)
Task Date Day of Week Avail- Skill Skill Skill

able Level: Level: Level:
(Y or N) Like to Some Can
Learn Exper. Supervise
Framing
Sheathing
Roofing
Porch Building
Vinyl Siding-Day 1
Vinyl Siding-Day 2
Vinyl Siding-Day 3
Insulation
Drywall-Day1
Drywall-Day 2
Int. & Ext. Trim
Prime Paint
Finish Paint
Cabinets
VCT Tile installation
Concrete driveway
Hardware/Punch list
Landscaping not known
___ Be a fund raiser ___ Organize and recruit volunteers

___ Make calls/send out reminders ___ Publicize the Adopt-A-Home Project
___ Help with the kick-off dinner ___ Serve as a Family Partner
___ Coordinate tools for the project ___ Lead a short morning devotion at the site
___ Welcome and register volunteers at job site ___ Create/update a web page
___ Be a construction buddy with the Habitat homeowner on the job site
___ Prepare or serve a lunch or snack for construction workers
___ Provide child care so a parent can work on the house
Each construction volunteer needs to bring a hammer, tape measure, pencil, and a nail apron, but I
have other tools that I can bring as follows: ___________________________________________
RETURN THIS FORM TO:
60
_____________, 20
Dear _________,
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the ____________ Adopt-A-Home, a Habitat for Humanity of
Charlotte building project. I know that you probably have many questions, which hopefully this letter
will answer.
Following are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your work day:
• You are scheduled to help on Saturday, ________ with _______ at _________. Map enclosed.
• Each person needs to bring a hammer (16 oz. minimum), tape measure (25’), pencil, a nail apron,
and safety glasses. Please bring any small hand tools that you may have, for example, a utility
knife, gloves, siding snips, etc.
• If you are scheduled to paint, no tools are necessary; however, if you have 1-2” brushes it is
helpful. You will be painting inside.
• Be at the site at 8 am sharp. It is important that volunteers are prompt as key information is
covered first thing. Plan to work until 4 pm and take about an hour for lunch. Lunch will (or will
not) be provided by our Adopt-A-Home group. A water cooler will be present at the job site;
however, we encourage people to bring water, too.
• Wear clothing that you do not mind getting dirty, and that is appropriate for the season. Sandals
and other open-toed shoes are not allowed on the job site.
• When you get to the site, our House Leader will go over construction, safety, and other
information. Because key information on how to complete the task is covered at this time, please
make every effort to be prompt.
• No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on the building site while work is being done. No
one under the age of 18 will be allowed to use any power equipment, work on the roof or at a
height above 6’, or participate in any hazardous activity. Volunteers under the age of 18 and their
parent or guardian are required to sign a special Release of Liability which is available at
www.habitatcharlotte.org. Other volunteers will sign the Release of Liability on the job site.
• Make safety your first concern. Habitat Charlotte’s safety slogan is “No Job Is So Important that it
Can’t be Done Safely.”
• The new homeowner, the family of ________, must work on their own home. Please take the time
to get to know the homeowner and to include them in our group.
• The Habitat Charlotte web site has information that might be helpful to you. In addition to general
information you will find construction how to’s and directions to your job site (under volunteer this
Saturday/directions to site). The web site address is www.habitatcharlotte.org.
• Please show up rain or shine. If it is still raining when you get to the site, and your task takes place
outside, we will try and reassign you to inside work.
• Although we will try to maintain the exact plan listed, occasionally due to poor weather or other
unforeseen problems our schedule could be interrupted. I will make every effort to let you know of
any delays as soon as possible.
Thank you for making this commitment to improve the life of your fellow Charlotteans! If you have
any questions about your work day, please feel free to contact me at _________________.
Yours in Partnership,
61
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHARLOTTE
VOLUNTEER SIGN IN SHEET & RELEASE OF LIABILITY
DATE______________________ JOB ADDRESS__________________________HABITAT
SUPERVISOR___________________
Emergency Phone
Number
1st Time
Habitat
With
Vol.
mailing list
Please add
me to the
Complete mailing address
(remember zip code)
Name (printed)
Sign here to acknowledge your
Charlotte's Assumption of Risk

and Release of Liability Form
acceptance of HFH of
(7/01).
Copy Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement on reverse.
62
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHARLOTTE, INC.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT. READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.
We, the undersigned, have been made aware and understand that during our participation in the building and remodeling of houses and in those activities associated with
the building and remodeling of houses (the “Building Activities”) conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Inc. (“Habitat”), and in travel to participate in the
Building Activities, we will be exposed to many risks and dangers.
We understand that these risks include, but are not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries which may result in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage,
serious injury to internal organs, serious injuries to our musculoskeletal system, loss of hand(s), finger(s), toe(s), arm(s), leg(s), severe lacerations and cuts which may
results in serious and permanent injury to and loss of my eye(s), ear(s) or teeth, and serious injury to other aspects of my general health and well-being.
We understand that these injuries may result from certain dangers and risks which are present and which include, but are not limited to, the following: use of building
tools and equipment; falling objects from work being conducted overhead; lifting and carrying of building tools, equipment and building materials;
falls onto the work surface or falls from elevated work areas; and use of building materials containing hazardous chemicals or sharp-pointed surfaces.
We understand that the risks in participating in the Building Activities include not only the foregoing physical injuries, but also impairment to my future abilities to earn
a living, to engage in other business, social and recreational activities, and generally to enjoy life. Understanding these risks, we state that we are physically fit to
participate in the Building Activities.
In consideration of our being permitted to participate in the Building Activities, and as a condition of the right to participate in the Building Activities, WE
PERSONALLY ASSUME ALL RISKS incident to any activities relating to travel to and participation in the Building Activities.
WE HEREBY WAIVE, RELEASE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE HABITAT , ITS EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS FROM ALL LIABITILITIES, LOSSES,
DAMAGES OR COSTS OF ANY NATURE which may arise in connection with our travel to or participation in the Building Activities (including rescue activities
associated with the Building Activities), whether caused by the negligence of Habitat, its employees or agents, or caused by some other means. Further, we hereby agree
not to file suit against Habitat, its employees, or agents for claims arising from the travel to or participation in the Building Activities.
WE AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HABITAT, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS HARMLESS FROM ALL LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR
COSTS OF ANY NATURE which may arise in connection with our travel to or participation in the Building Activities (including rescue activities associated with the
Building Activities), whether caused by the negligence of Habitat, its employees, or agents, or caused by some other means.
Photographic Release: We do hereby grant and convey unto Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte all right, title, and interest in any and all photographic images and video
or audio recordings made by Habitat during the Volunteer’s Activities with Habitat, including, but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived from
such photographs or recordings.
We have carefully read this document, fully understand its contents, and sign it voluntarily. I state that I am at least 18 years old and am competent to sign this
document. This document shall bind each of us, our heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives.
63
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHARLOTTE, INC.
3815 Latrobe Dr. - POST OFFICE BOX 220287
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28222-0287
704-376-2054
_____________________________________________
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT WHICH AFFECTS YOUR

LEGAL RIGHTS!
MINOR’S RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY

(To be completed by anyone under the age of 18 and his or her parent or guardian)
THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY (the “Release”) executed on this ___day
of________, 200_ , by ________________________________ (the “Volunteer” and his or her parent
or guardian) in favor of HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHARLOTTE, INC.
We, the undersigned, have been made aware and understand that during our participation in the
building and remodeling of houses and in those activities associated with the building and remodeling
of houses (the “Building Activities”) conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Inc. (“Habitat”),
and in travel to participate in the Building Activities, we will be exposed to many risks and dangers.
We understand that these risks include, but are not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries
which may result in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, serious injury to internal organs,
serious injuries to our musculoskeletal system, loss of hand(s), finger(s), toe(s), arm(s), leg(s), severe
lacerations and cuts which may results in serious and permanent injury to and loss of my eye(s), ear(s)
or teeth, and serious injury to other aspects of my general health and well-being.
We understand that these injuries may result from certain dangers and risks which are present and
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- use of building tools and equipment;
- falling objects from work being conducted overhead;
- lifting and carrying of building tools, equipment and building materials;
- falls onto the work surface or falls from elevated work areas; and
- use of building materials containing hazardous chemicals or sharp-pointed surfaces.
We understand that the risks in participating in the Building Activities include not only the foregoing
physical injuries, but also impairment to my future abilities to earn a living, to engage in other
business, social and recreational activities, and generally to enjoy life. Understanding these risks, we
state that we are physically fit to participate in the Building Activities.
In consideration of our being permitted to participate in the Building Activities, and as a condition of
the right to participate in the Building Activities, WE PERSONALLY ASSUME ALL RISKS incident
to any activities relating to travel to and participation in the Building Activities.
64
WE HEREBY WAIVE, RELEASE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE HABITAT , ITS EMPLOYEES,
OR AGENTS FROM ALL LIABITILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR COSTS OF ANY NATURE
which may arise in connection with our travel to or participation in the Building Activities (including
rescue activities associated with the Building Activities), whether caused by the negligence of Habitat,
its employees or agents, or caused by some other means. Further, we hereby agree not to file suit
against Habitat, its employees, or agents for claims arising from the travel to or participation in the
Building Activities.
WE AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HABITAT, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS

HARMLESS FROM ALL LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR COSTS OF ANY NATURE
which may arise in connection with our travel to or participation in the Building Activities (including
rescue activities associated with the Building Activities), whether caused by the negligence of Habitat,
its employees, or agents, or caused by some other means.
Volunteer and Guardian do hereby grant and convey unto Habitat all right, title, and interest in any and
all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by Habitat during the Volunteer’s
Activities with Habitat, including, but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived
from such photographs or recordings.
We have carefully read this document, fully understand its contents, and sign it voluntarily. I state
that I am the parent or legal guardian of the above volunteer and that the above volunteer is under 18
years old but at least 16 years old. I also state that I am competent to sign this document. This
document shall bind each of us, our heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives.
We further understand that youth under 16 are not permitted on the job site while work is in process.
We further understand that 16 - 17 year olds are restricted in their activities while building. No one
under the age of 18 will be allowed to use any power equipment, work on a height above 6’, work on
the roof, or participate in any hazardous activity.
Revised 2/06
Volunteer (16 -17 year old ): ___________________________________________________
Printed Name of Parent or Guardian: ______________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian: _________________________________________________
In case of emergency, please contact:
NAME: ______________________________________________________________
RELATION: ___________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________
PHONE (HOME) _____________________ PHONE (WORK) ___________________
Please complete this release and bring it with you to the job site.
65

AAH Planningmanual

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Исходное описание:

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

AAH Planningmanual

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Other information contained in this manual includes:

Mailing Address Physical Address

Web Site: www.habitatcharlotte.org

Directions to Habitat Office: on web at http://www.habitatcharlotte.org/Direct-NewOffice.htm

Habitat Staff Contacts

Area Staff member E-mail Phone

Fund Raising & Publicity Linda Blum lblum@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7073

Family Services Darryl White dwhite@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7079

Executive Director Bert Green bgreen@habitatcharlotte.org ext.7068

Habitat agrees to:

3. Provide financial management for the project.

The Sponsor agrees to:

Accepted on ___________________, 2009 Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Inc.

Sponsor____________________________ Signed: _______________________________

Signed By: _________________________ Date:________________________________

Habitat Charlotte’s mission is accomplished by:

Overview of the Adopt-A-Home Process

2. Submit the Sponsorship Agreement.

3. Organize a Project Team.

4. Raise the Funds.

6. Meet the Family.

7. Build the House.

8. Dedicate the House.

Publicity Fund Raising Volunteer Amenities Family

PROJECT DAY ACTIVITY BY WHOM No. OF VOL. DATE CHOSEN

Pre-Project Family and lot selection Habitat Staff

Project Day 1 Wall Framing AAH Volunteers 15-25 TBA

Project Day 2 Roof Trusses AAH Volunteers 15-25 TBA

Project Day 4 Roof Shingles/Windows/Doors AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA

Minimum Plumbing, electrical, Sub-Contractors

Project Day 5 Siding Installation AAH Volunteers 8-12 TBA

Project Day 6 Siding Installation AAH Volunteers 8-12 TBA

Project Day 7 Drywall Installation AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA

Project Day 8 Drywall Installation AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA

Minimum Drywall Taping and Finishing Sub-Contractor

Project Day 10 Prime Painting, Shed AAH Volunteers 15-20 TBA

After volunteer days of sub-contractor trim out Sub-Contractors

After/Near Completion House Dedication Everyone

Board of Directors Policy about Adopt-A-Home Gifts to Homeowners

___ Review the planning packet thoroughly.

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE HOUSE:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED ON SITE:

Release and Waiver of Liability

What to say to get the day started

Other Suggestions for Building Quality Homes

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE HOUSE:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED ON SITE:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED-INTERNAL PUBLICITY:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED-COMMUNITY PUBLICITY:

What Every Construction Volunteer Needs to Know

Ideas to Build Excitement

How to Get Noticed

What to include in the Press Release – Sample on page 58

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- KICK OFF EVENT:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- FOOD & REFRESHMENTS:

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED- DEDICATION:

Food and Refreshments

Responsibilities of Habitat when the dedication is held at the house site:

Things that should be included in program

Things that could be included in program

___ 1. Meet and get to know your Habitat homeowner partner

Sponsor Signed: ___

Signed By: _ Date:________

Name: _______________________ Date: _

Name of Adopt-A-Home Group: ___________________ Date:_

Contact Name: _______________Title:

Mailing Address: Zip Code:______

Phone Number: FAX Number: __

_ Be a fund raiser _ Organize and recruit volunteers