Club Business
President Brian Dement opened the meeting. Pete Beck prayed and led us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Dick O’Donnell introduced his guest, Stan Jacobs, a friend from Honolulu. Next week Joseph Williams will provide our speaker. Brian mentioned that the Graham Rotary Club have the State Superintendent of Schools as their speaker at their meeting on Thursday, March 15 at the Graham Civic Center. He encouraged members to consider placing the Rotary Foundation in their wills to help RF to reach their goal of $1,000,000 by January, 2019. Happy birthday to Matt Patel on the eleventh.
Happy Dollar Announcements
- Dick O’Donnell travelled to Philly to watch the Elon women’s basketball team win their way in the NCAA tournament. They will be playing on Friday.
- Micah Fox announced that his home was robbed on Sunday while the family was away. Thankfully no one was hurt. He also let us know that we can get involved in the May 14 Hospice Annual Golf Tournament as a sponsor or player. He expressed our club’s regret that Peter Barcus, Hospice’s Director, is no longer part of the club.
Club Member Responsible for Our Program: Susan Watson
Susan told the club a little about herself before introducing our speaker, Cathy Lamb. Susan is the Director of The Women’s Resource Center in Alamance County, which was established in 1991 to address the need for programs and services specifically for women in Alamance County and to provide a center conveniently located to serve as a clearinghouse for information for all women in the community. The Women’s Resource Center in Alamance County is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization that serves Alamance County as well as parts of the surrounding counties of Caswell, and Person. The WRC’s 375+ members and volunteers support the needs of women in our community and work collectively to empower women and enrich their lives. Susan mentioned that the Center will have their annual Herb Festival on April 26-28, and needs volunteers and customers. She is the mom of three adult children and three wonderful grandchildren.
Program: Habitat for Humanity
Cathy Lamb is the Director of Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County, N.C., Inc., which is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that works in partnership with people to build simple, affordable, energy-efficient houses. Habitat for Humanity sells the houses that are built at cost (no profit) with no interest charged to low-income families who qualify for their program.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat’s ministry brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat’s work across the nation. HFHI experienced a dramatic increase in the number of new affiliates around the country.
Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem―decent housing for all. Today, Habitat has helped build or repair more than 600,000 houses and served more than 3 million people around the world.
Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County, N. C., Inc. is a locally-run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. HFHAC is governed by a volunteer board of directors led by board president Randy Mercer. Board members chair a variety of HFHAC committees, including Family Support, Family Selection, ReStore, Marketing, and more. Executive Director Robin Wintringham provides day-to-day leadership of the ministry.
As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International our Vision and Mission mirror those of Habitat for Humanity International:
Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Mission Statement: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity does not proselytize. People of all faiths and no faith participate as volunteers, donors and partner families. Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry dedicated to a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Their motivation is to unite people around the concept of “putting God’s love into action” without regard to one another’s spiritual beliefs.
Cathy dispelled a few myths associated with the ministry.
- Houses are not given away. Recipients must make a down payment, pay closing costs, and pay off a twenty-year interest free mortgage.
- Jimmy Carter did not found Habitat.
- Almost all building materials are purchased.
- Some skilled labor is contracted at market prices.
She said Habitat Homes provide their clients with a greater margin for succeeding in life. The monthly payments average between $400-500, which usually saves the family significantly. Also the homes are energy efficient, cutting utility costs. Usually families have more physical space when they take possession of their homes, which contributes to social, mental, and physical health.
Q & A
- Q: Do many families get foreclosed? A: Only 6 since 1988.
- Q: Where are the lots located? A: Families get to select from the available lots, which have been located mostly in Burlington city or in the county. They are usually in less expensive parts of the county.
- Q: Does Habitat provide financial training to its clients? A: Yes, partnering families use Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace series. Children are impacted by being in families that begin to apply the principles. Home ownership has a big impact, too.
- Q: Are homes tailored to meet the clients’ needs? A: Somewhat. All the homes are about 1100 S.F., with a couple of floor plans. Most are 3 BR, but 4 BR homes can be built if enough children require it. Special features are added for people with disabilities.
Conclusion
Sid Little‘s table had the winning lottery number, but he failed to draw the elusive Ace of Hearts, leaving the pot to grow yet another week. We all stood to recite Rotary’s four way test before Brian adjourned the meeting.