Fannin County Habitat is now Recruiting VOLUNTEERS for the Leonard Build.  Click here to find out more about this exciting opportunity!
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Small Steps (SS) is a program that allows individuals and groups to participate in helping Habitat for Humanity of Fannin County with its day-to-day operations. The idea is that everyone has the opportunity to participate in giving not only of his or her time, but also of his or her resources great or small.

Every workday a volunteer comes out to the site, we ask that they bring with them something from the Small Steps list for that month's needs. Reasons to help:

• The more supplies are donated, the more money is available to build.
• Opportunity for everyone in your congregation/organization to participate.
• Give those that may not already donate or volunteer a chance to make a difference.

For the months of January-March 2010:            

• Canned Drinks
• Plastic serving for the job site: plates, bowls, forks
• Stamps   

Thank you so much!

WORKDAY -- SATURDAY - Jan 23rd

 To All of our Valued Volunteers:

 I am writing this to let you know a little more about how and why we have to do things the way we do on the job site. By so doing, I sincerely hope that you will better understand our decisions and continue to support us as volunteers and advocates for our mission in Fannin County as well as Leonard Project.

 First, let me reiterate that we do have a General Build Schedule that guides us. As I have explained in our orientations, this schedule says that a home can be built in 12 weeks, but it all depends upon weather, materials availability and the number of volunteers we have on any given workday. I would also like to add here for the benefit of those with no building experience that there are certain steps that have to be done before we can move onto the next phase. I will be glad to send any of you the documents if you would like to see them.

 Second, let me stress that we want each of our homes built as soon as possible. We have to plan our schedules with the following criteria:

1. The availability of qualified work leaders.
2. Most of our volunteers are only available on Saturdays because they work during the week.
3. Most of our volunteers have families, so we never schedule workdays for Saturdays during any major holidays.
4. We have to take into account health issues of our volunteers, so we schedule shorter workdays during the hot months and the cold, rainy months.
5. We never cancel a SCHEDULED workday lightly. In almost every instance on this project and the previous 3 projects a cancellation was only made when we had no qualified leader available or we felt it was a safety hazard to have volunteers on the job site—such as on ice, mud or rain or during extreme heat or extreme cold. The ice, mud and rain conditions are a must factor in considering any ladder work!

 Also, besides our regularly Scheduled Saturday workday we will schedule other workdays if (1) we have a qualified leader available and (2) if there are willing volunteers.

 The workday on January 2 was not a SCHEDULED workday but the week before we had a qualified leader and willing volunteers for the 2nd. When the decision to cancel it came down on Thursday the 31st the weather was being predicted with the possibility of rain and definitely cold temperatures. At the time it was made to cancel it WAS raining 3 miles outside of Leonard—which would mean muddy conditions for ladder work that needed doing. I’m sorry, but they had no way of knowing it wasn’t raining on the build site nor that it was going to be sunny on Saturday. Furthermore, we had no qualified leader for that day. The decision had to be made at that time in order to reach as many volunteers as possible in the shortest possible time. The office was told to send out emails and phone calls to all volunteers. We apologize if the word wasn’t gotten to you in time!!

 Now, I would like to explain about our Qualified Leaders—and our great need for them!!

 Following is a direct quote from the Standards of Excellence that Habitat International requires of us. After reading it, I believe you will understand that we need qualified Project Leaders and Crew Leaders whenever construction is going on. I would like to add that we train experienced construction leaders that volunteer to be Project Leaders to meet Habitat's Standards. We will also train experienced DIYers to be volunteer Crew Leaders.

 1. Affiliate builds houses that comply fully with the Habitat House Design Criteria unless codes/covenants or accessibility measures require otherwise

2. Affiliate builds houses in compliance with the Energy Star program or a local equivalent

3. Affiliate builds houses to the Habitat House Design Criteria and does not exceed the size specifications by more than 5%, unless codes/covenants or accessibility measures require otherwise

4. Home operational and maintenance training takes place including warranty terms and house walkthrough

5. Accessibility guidelines are followed for each house built for people with disabilities

6.  Affiliate complies with all local building codes. Where there are no local codes the International

Residential Code (IRC) will be used as a minimum

7.  Affiliate adopts and implements a written safety policy which substantially complies with HFHI’s model safety policy and which addresses the following areas:

Training of staff, volunteers and homeowners     Volunteer management

Safe construction methods and materials          Emergency response

 We need designated Crew Leaders to follow the instructions of the designated Project Leader on every workday whether the PL can be there or not. (I would like to add that for several years we have consistently sought volunteers to fill these needs. In the past several months every volunteer recruiting ad, form and meeting has stressed the need. It is also on our Volunteer page on the website.) We have no Crew Leaders or House Leaders that have stepped up to volunteer their services.

 At this time our Project Leader for the Leonard build is Jay Stephens, a Contract Builder that has 25 years experience in the building industry and owns his own business. Our Construction Director, Wilson Fryar, oversees the entire construction process but can’t work Scheduled Workdays because he is scheduled on his job every Saturday. I would like to direct you to our webpage for the names of our other Board and Committee members. http://www.fanninhabitat.org/aboutUS.html. 

 I would like to please ask (beg and plead!) you to help us recruit leaders for all of our Board, Committees and Construction Site!! Please search your neighbors, friends, families and hearts for ways to help. We have an important mission in our community and we can’t do without YOU!

 Thank you for all you do!

Eva Fryar

Volunteer Coordinator

Fannin County Habitat

903-640-1439

info@fanninhabitat.org

www.fanninhabitat.org

PO BOX 125

Bonham, TX 75418

The Vega Family of Leonard has been selected as the partner family for Fannin County Habitat's 4th Build.  The construction of the home will begin in early 2010.

                                    Click HERE to check out the floor plan!

Fannin County Habitat for Humanity builds simple and affordable homes in
partnership with those in need of decent housing. Partner families invest
hundreds of hours of sweat equity in their homes - then purchase the houses
at no profit, through interest-free loans.

We raise all our funds locally and receive no funding from Habitat for Humanity International.

For additional information about how Habitat works check out our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section