Want to become a Habitat Volunteer?

Volunteers are the breath of life in Habitat’s work. Volunteers, younger and older, skilled and new learners, help us in dozens of ways – building homes, helping with our Willamette Valley Blues and Brews Festival, supporting Partner Families, preparing newsletters for mailing, providing office reception and support, raising funds through our annual gift wrapping event, and many other ways.

We’d love to welcome you to the Habitat family of volunteers.

Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity is now using VolunteerUP as its volunteer program management and organization tool. VolunteerUP is a web-based system giving our volunteers access to our worksite and event calendar from any computer with internet access.

If you don’t have ready access to the internet, have problems getting registered, or have questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator at 541/741-1707 or genie@sehabitat.org.

How to Get Started:

Step 1: Register as a New Volunteer on the website at: http://www.volunteerup.com/clients.asp then find and click on Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity.

Step 2: Be willing to participate in our Volunteer Orientation session. After registering (Step 1), you can sign up for the next Orientation event that is listed on the VolunteerUP calendar under the New Volunteer heading.

Orientations are held at our offices at 1210 Oak Patch Road, Eugene, OR 97402.

Step 3: After the orientation, visit Habitat’s calendar on VolunteerUP and sign up for work at a job site or Habitat event, work in the office or with one of our other many opportunities to share your time, talents, enthusiasm, and presence.

It is that easy!

Why Volunteer?

Help Habitat Partner Families and others who share a common vision; the eradication of sub-standard housing

Meet new people, develop new friendships.

Develop leadership abilities.

Make a contribution of time, energy and talent. That always feels great!

Learn some new skills and discover your own gifts – some which may even be surprising to you.

Volunteer for One of the Following Committees

Family Selection Committee
Helps implement the selection criteria and processes application forms, screen applicants, interview prospective families and recommend families to the board for approval for the home ownership program.

Family Partnership Committee
Works closely with Partner Families providing a mutual support system, advice, information resources, advocacy and education in a number of ways.

Public Relations Committee
Seeks to raise and maintain the community's awareness of our work in ways that properly reflect our mission beliefs, and image of the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity. The committee plans and executes special events and maintains contacts with local news media.

Resource Development Committee
Coordinates fund raising needed to do the work of the affiliate. The goals of this committee are accomplished in various ways such as planning and executing fundraising campaigns and events, developing grant proposals, and cultivation of major donors.

Faith Relations Committee
Contacts and encourages faith communities, temples and synagogues in their relationship with Habitat. This committee keeps the faith-based communities informed about the needs and activities of the affiliate. Church relations requires an understanding of how church groups work and an ability to relate to a variety of different denominations.

Volunteer to Help Build

Typical Work Day

8:55 am Sign In With Site Host
9:00 am Brief On-Site Orientation
Work
12:00 pm Lunch
Work
2:30 pm Clean Up Site
3:00 pm Head Home

Please be on time so you can get instructions at the beginning of the day from the site supervisor. Work will not begin until 9am and all volunteers have received safety and work instructions.

Although we work hard to will let volunteers know ahead of time what the work will be for the day, please keep in mind that weather, subcontractors, or other factors may alter the work schedule. If we have to change or postpone work your patience and flexibility is greatly appreciated.

Please keep in mind that we are not just building a house. We are building community in partnership with our future Habitat homeowners and volunteers. We invite you to take time to get acquainted with the person(s) working alongside you.

Tell your Supervisor/Crew Leader if you are unable to perform the task at hand.

Please be willing to do the work assigned. Until a Site Supervisor has an idea of skill/ability levels, volunteers will be assigned basic tasks.

Smoking is prohibited in Habitat buildings or the construction workplace. Always remember that this is an active construction site – Please be safe and think safety at all times!

Faces at the Construction Site
Volunteers: No skills necessary. Come ready to work and to learn building techniques. Thank you for helping us to build safe, decent, affordable homes!

Site Supervisor: Volunteer who is a very experienced person. The Site Supervisor can troubleshoot various problems and teach you how to use tools, etc.

Crew leader: Volunteer who is handy or experienced at a specific task and will teach you how to use tools and complete a job.

What to Wear
Dress appropriately for the weather and work. For your safety and comfort, please come prepared to work. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. Wear clothes and shoes that you are willing to get dirty and painted. During the summer, wear lightweight natural fabrics and a hat, and use sun block. Wear multiple layers during the colder months. Please leave all jewelry at home for your safety and so it does not get damaged or lost.

What to Bring
Water bottle - there will be a jug on site to refill your bottle.
Bring the following IF you have them. We will provide what you don't have: Tool belt, personal hand tools, and personal protective equipment (e.g. hammer, tape measure, gloves, safety glasses)

Please clearly mark all your personal tools and make sure you leave with what you bring! We cannot be responsible for tools or personal items that are left behind.

A sack lunch!

What NOT to Bring
• Valuable items
• Children under 16
• Alcohol, smoking materials or drugs

Inclement Weather Policy

Typically, work will go on as scheduled rain or shine. If the weather conditions are severe enough to prompt cancellations, you will be notified.

Lunches
Volunteers furnish their own lunches, typically bringing a sack lunch. Drinking water will be available at the jobsite and other non-alcoholic beverages may be brought with your lunches.

Age Policy
All construction volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Please do not bring children younger than 16 to the worksite. Because of our national policy, we would have to ask you to leave if you bring children younger than 16 to the worksite. Sixteen and seventeen year old volunteers are not allowed to go on the roof or use power tools and liability waivers must be signed by a parent or guardian.