Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity needs help with the builds for 2012.

Sign up today to work a shift on a day that's convenient for you.

Message from Tony Kaufmann, June 13, 2012:

The first Habitat home will be the Apostles Build in Lebanon, IN. Our second home will be in Advance, IN, and will be built for a Wounded Warrior and his family. The third Habitat home will be a ZPC Build; location will be announced. For more information and other details, go to the Boone County Habitat website at www.habitatboonecounty.org.    

There will NOT be a “wall build” this year as we have had prefab walls donated. The donated materials will cover all three homes.
 
The work schedule this year is different from in previous years. We will NOT have assigned weeks as in the past, and sign-up is online at the Habitat website. You will note that your sign-up options will include the following: 1. Morning Shift  2. Afternoon Shift  3. All Day Shift. Once on the sign-up page, click on “See Full Details” and you will see what is planned for any given day. 

Please be sure to download, print and sign the Habitat Release Form and bring it with you to the build site.
 
If you have a problem finding what you need from the website, please call or drop me an email and I will be happy to assist. If sign-up is a problem, let me know and I can do that for you.
 
Thanks and God Bless,
 
Tony Kaufmann
H: 317-873-6517
C: 317-432-8732
 

What you need to know: Build site Information and FAQ

Volunteer Information

Workday Schedule:

Our work week runs from Tuesday through Saturday. There are three possible shifts each work day, and these shifts are:
  • Morning Shift: 8am to noon
  • Afternoon Shift: 1pm to 4pm
  • All Day Shift: 8am to 4:30pm
If you want to work for the day, it is crucial that you arrive on time as important instructions are given then. If you miss the kickoff meeting, you may not be allowed to work that day.

Lunch, Drinks, and Snacks:
 
A free lunch is always provided for our volunteers who begin work in the morning along with water and other drinks. Lunch is served from noon to 1pm and is not provided for volunteers working from 1pm to 4:30pm.
 
Construction Policies:
  1. No one under the age of 16 is allowed on site due to Federal law. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 must have a parent or guardian sign their waiver forms.
  2. No smoking is allowed on site.
  3. Any injuries must be reported to the Site Supervisor immediately.
What to Wear and What to Bring:

Volunteers should dress comfortably for a hard day’s work and wear work boots or no-skid, thick-sole shoes. They should also wear long pants and long sleeves as some construction materials can be irritating to the skin. Loose clothing, jewelry, and watches should be avoided for safety reasons, and volunteers should bring work gloves and hard hats, if possible.

Tools and Equipment:
 
Habitat for Humanity of Boone County provides all tools needed for the build. Volunteers are welcome to bring tools, but our affiliate is not responsible for lost or damaged tools. If you do choose to bring your own tools, please take time to clearly mark them with your name and phone number, and follow the following instructions:
  1. Always use the right tool for the job and ask for instructions before using a tool for the first time.
  2. Tools should not be loose, dull or poorly adjusted. Please notify the Site Supervisor if unsafe or damaged tools are in use.
  3. Check for defective cords, plugs and switches; do not use anything that is unsafe.
  4. Never remove or disable tool guards. Ask the Site Supervisor for help if a tool jams.
  5. Support materials properly before cutting or drilling. Use both hands (if required) to operate a tool safely; if not, keep your other hand clear.
  6. Never place tools where they can fall on someone or cause an accident, e.g. top rung of a ladder, rooftop, or railings.
Ladders:

Many tasks performed on site require a ladder, and it is important to know the following safety information, which will be reviewed with all volunteers on the work site:
  1. Inspect all ladders before use.
  2. Set ladder on solid ground. To level, dig a hole on the high side rather than building up the lower side.
  3. Use the correct size ladder; never overextend yourself.
  4. Do not stretch to the side, instead move the ladder (even if that means re-setting it.)
  5. Never stand on top rungs of a ladder.
  6. Keep ladder clear of any power lines.
  7. Always face ladder and keep hands free while climbing.
Safety and Insurance:

Construction is considered to be a dangerous undertaking. Volunteers are asked to be as alert as possible to the safety risks. They should also note that each volunteer should be prepared to offer his or her own insurance in case of accidents. First aid kits are available on the build site from Habitat staff.

A Clean Work Site:

A clean site is a safer work place. As things can quickly pile up, it is best to clean up and put tools away continuously throughout the day.
  1. Do not leave tools or materials where others can trip over them.
  2. Organize debris. Please ask the Site Supervisor for direction on what trash may be recycled.
  3. Always back-drive or bend nails in boards.
Weather Conditions:

Habitat for Humanity of Boone County works rain or shine! Workdays are not typically canceled in advance due to adverse weather conditions. If rain or other problems persist, the decision will be made to shorten the workday on site by the Site Supervisor, but everyone should come prepared to work their entire shift. Most of the time, enough of the house will be built to provide ample inside work for all volunteers in case of inclement weather.  However, if there is not yet enough cover, the work day may be cancelled for safety reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions:
  1. What experience do I need to volunteer on a Habitat build site?  No experience is required, and we have on-site, experienced leadership to guide you through required tasks. You only need to have enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
  2. What do I need to know before my shift?  You need to review the above details about what to wear and what to bring, and you will need to sign a waiver (or have a parent or guardian sign a waiver for you if you are aged 16-18).
  3. What if I am unable to work a scheduled shift?  Please let us know in advance if you are unable to participate on a shift by rescheduling on the Volunteer Spot calendar. If you need to cancel on the day of the shift, email the Volunteer Coordinator. 
  4. Is it possible to volunteer for a particular task?  We identify a number of different tasks to be completed depending on the day or week of the build schedule. Volunteers are free to pick whatever day they would like to work if they want to do something in particular as long as spots are open. This said, we are not able to guarantee assignments for a day as our schedule is subject to change.