Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has a variety of committee opportunities that help in every aspect of our organization.

Joining a committee is a great way to help your community while networking with local professionals and gaining valuable leadership skills.

Committees typically meet once a month for about an hour with some outside requirements. Currently, we have twelve committees that are always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining one of the committees listed below, please contact Brianna Gruenberg at 218-359-0814 or brianna@lakeagassizhabitat.org

The Public Relations Committee is responsible for sharing Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s mission with the people living in Cass and Clay counties. The goal of the committee is to continually seek to raise and maintain the community’s awareness of Habitat’s work in ways that properly reflect the mission, values and image of LAHFH. Sharing the mission includes educating and informing the public of Habitat’s principles, policies and procedures in an accurate and responsible manner. Effective sharing of the Habitat mission with the entire community will raise public awareness and ultimately motivate more people to be involved in the work of LAHFH. It should also assist in the additional leveraging of local resources to address local challenges.

Some of the responsibilities of the Public Relations Committee include:

• Write articles for, solicit other stories for, and publish a quarterly newsletter.
• Develop and coordinate all LAHFH literature.
• Coordinate church mailings with the Church Relations committee.
• Publicize any events that involve LAHFH.
• Seek opportunities to share the Habitat story and get others involved.
• Seek an implement opportunities to thank donors and express appreciation for efforts that support and further the mission of LAHFH.
• Develop a public relations annual plan or calendar.

The Church Relations Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of relationships with area churches for the purpose of carrying out the mission of LAHFH. The committee is responsible for ensuring a quality experience for LAHFH Church Partners and creating effective communication between LAHFH and partner congregations.

Some of the responsibilities of the Church Relations committee includes:

• Encourage area churches to enter into covenants with LAHFH
• Coordinate youth group and church group work teams
• Assist with establishing long-term support from churches
• Coordinate four annual events, including a church leader’s breakfast.

The Volunteer Committee is responsible for the recruitment, retention and recognition of volunteers for the express purpose of carrying out the mission of Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. The committee is responsible for ensuring a quality volunteer experience for LAHFH volunteers. The committee works closely with the Construction and ReStore Committees to ensure the utilization of effective volunteer management practices.

The Volunteer Committee is responsible for organizing an annual volunteer appreciation event. Awards are presented to volunteers who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism through their work as LAHFH volunteers. Committee members also give presentations about Habitat for Humanity to service clubs, college chapters, businesses and other groups in the local community to increase volunteer recruitment.

The primary purpose of the Family Support Committee is to assist Habitat Partner Families by supporting the Family Mentors, as the Family Mentors assist the Partner Families through the transition to home ownership.

Some responsibilities of the Family Support Committee include:

• Support the Family Mentors as they work with Partner Families to make house choices, provide mentoring during build process, and home ownership consultation.
• Schedule and organize specific homeowner education classes designed to prepare Partner Families for the responsibilities of homeownership.
• Classes will include such topics as: Home Maintenance; Home Safety; Being a Good Neighbor: City Ordinances and Policies; Budgeting; etc.
• Work with families to continue prompt, regular mortgage payments
• Provide referrals for services homeowners may need

The primary purpose of the Family Selection Committee is to execute the annual Homeowner Application and Partner Family Selection process. The Family Selection Committee is responsible for marketing the application process, reviewing all applications received, ensuring applicants meet selection criteria, and preparing the final recommendation. The final determination regarding the selection of partner families will be made by the LAHFH Board of Directors.

Some of the responsibilities of the Family Selection Committee include:

• Market the LAHFH Home Application process.
• Conduct a unified review process of each application.
• Utilize the LAHFH Program Coordinator to perform a thorough Selection Process.
• Assist the Program Coordinator in the organization of orientation sessions, panel interviews, etc.
• Visit the homes of applicants for the purpose of determining the applicant’s suitability for LAHFH’s homeownership program.

The ReStore committee is responsible for sharing the ReStore’s mission throughout Cass and Clay counties. The goal of the committee is to raise and maintain community awareness of ReStore’s work in ways that properly reflect the mission, beliefs and image of ReStore and Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. Sharing the mission includes educating and informing the public of Habitat principles, policies, and procedures in an accurate a responsible manner. Effective sharing of the mission will further increase daily sales, volunteers, donations and financial contributions.

Some of the responsibilities of the committee include:

• Discuss and plan ReStore sale and promotion events.
• Analyze volunteer needs and find ways to combat these needs.
• Seek out new ways to procure donations.
• Work with the ReStore PR/Marketing sub-committee to develop publicity materials and promote ReStore.
• Develop a marketing plan to increase the amount and variety of donations coming into the ReStore.
• Target marketing strategies towards increasing customer foot traffic into the ReStore.
• Seek out public relations opportunities in various local media sources.
• Offer suggestions to utilize the web site in a more appropriate manner.
• Find ways to encourage greater volunteer participation in ReStore efforts.
• Utilize various social media tools to help achieve PR/Marketing goals.
• Publicize any events that involve ReStore, and offer suggestions for new events.

Resource Development Committee acts to find sustainable funding for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity through implementing a funding strategy, reviewing the donor support plan, recommending new partners, overseeing fundraising events and identifying new funding sources.

The Tour de Habitat committee is responsible for the organization and planning aspects of the LAFHF’s single largest fundraiser. Tour de Habitat is a stationary bike race, with teams made up of six people. Team members have a goal of raising $200 each, for a team goal of $1,200. Each person rides a stationary bike for 10 minutes on the day of the event in celebration and hard work for the fundraising that has taken place. Committee members make efforts to promote the event, recruit teams, solicit door prizes and sponsors and encourage monetary donations. The event itself is a fun, light-hearted atmosphere, mixed with a little competition.

The Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) Construction Committee is responsible for assisting the organization and the Construction Manager in the planning, designing and scheduling of simple, decent, affordable homes in Cass and Clay Counties. This includes, but is not limited to: reviewing architectural drawings, researching new building techniques and products with energy efficiency in mind and developing a build schedule. The committee is also responsible for working closely with the Volunteer Committee to recruit and retain long term volunteers (crew leaders) as well as identifying new volunteer groups to target. Members of the Construction Committee will be expected to be good ambassadors for LAHFH and promote its mission in Cass and Clay counties.

Time Required/Meetings

The Construction Committee meets on an as-needed basis from December to April. Members may be asked to give time outside of set meetings in the form of volunteering on-site or making organizational presentations to targeted volunteer groups. Members may also be asked to donate any “special skills” they may possess (i.e. plan drawing, on-site leadership, etc.)

We have completed 4 Women Build homes in Cass/Clay counties. The Women Build committee actively involves women in the planning, fund raising and involvement of women in all aspects of the home building. Traditionally supported by Lowe’s, this Women Build effort involves women from all walks of life in making homeownership a reality for a family.

Members of this committee will increase awareness of Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity within Cass and Clay Counties and solicit support from local peoples. The Speaker’s Bureau meets on a regular basis with an overall plan for contacting churches, businesses and organizations in the community. These are persons who know Habitat and its mission and can speak to these things when they present to congregations, organizations and businesses. Speakers will complete eight hours of training including a tour of work sites, written and verbal information about Habitat’s mission, history, and goals, presentations from Habitat staff members, introductions to board members and staff, and familiarization with materials available for speakers’ use. The training will culminate with a mock presentation given by each speaker trainee.

Some of the responsibilities of the Speaker’s Bureau include:

• Speak to groups throughout the community about Habitat for Humanity’s history, mission and purpose in the community and answer questions posed.
• Distribute information about LAHFH Build Season, the home application process, and LAHFH events.
• Assist with establishing long-term support from churches, businesses and organizations in the community.