Skagit Habitat for Humanity is seeking 2023/2024 Homebuyer Selection Committee Volunteers
(Please Click Here to Access the Application for this Opportunity)
Skagit Habitat for Humanity is actively seeking volunteer candidates for our 2023/2024 Homebuyer Selection Committee. This is a rewarding experience as you’ll learn about (and be an important part of) selecting a candidate for a safe, affordable home in your own community.
The Homebuyer Selection Committee is required to follow a fair and objective Homebuyer selection process based exclusively on Homebuyer Evaluation Criteria of Habitat for Humanity International - Need, Ability to Pay, and Willingness to Partner.
Diverse perspectives and strengths are an important part of making choices that reduce unintentional harm and maximize benefit to our community. So, we encourage you to apply, as we are seeking a volunteer committee with a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
Volunteers for this committee must:
- Be 18 or older
- Be able to provide proof of legal residence and ability to work or volunteer in the U.S.
- Be willing to complete a background check (which includes sex offender registry and criminal history), as there are some disqualifiers. Please reach out to our Program Manager at Program.Manager@SkagitHabitat.com with any questions about our Background Check process.
- Possess the highest degree of integrity in maintaining and protecting confidentiality during and after the selection process is complete.
- Be able to read and speak English fluently. Bilingual is a plus (any language largely used in Skagit Valley, especially Spanish).
The Ideal Volunteer for this Opportunity:
- Is an open communicator. This includes willingness to speak up, willingness to make space for others to speak up, willingness to receive feedback without getting upset, etc.
- Understands the basics of equitable selection practices (or, is willing to learn through training provided) which includes: what unconscious bias is and how these assumptions can harm and further marginalize populations in selection processes.
Expected Commitment:
- 1-2 years, ad hoc (meaning, as needed. The committee will be inactive until a new Homebuyer Selection opens up).
- We estimate three active selection rounds:
- One in 2023 (October/November/December)
- Two in 2024 (timeline unknown)
- Once a selection opens and the committee reactivates - there will be an approximate 20-40 hour commitment over 2-3 months (depending on size of the HB applicant pool). This includes:
- Meeting time (typically weekly, 1-1.5 hours, meeting time will depend on the availability of the ~7 team members)
- Occasional activity time
- Travel time for the above
- Please ensure sufficient time and schedule flexibility is available, a committee member will be asked to step down if too many meetings are missed.
Travel Requirements:
- Willingness/ability to travel for in-person meetings to all parts of Skagit Valley
Required Training:
(5-10 hours total, completed in Aug/Sept 23)
- Standard Volunteer Onboarding Training
- Habitat 101
- Volunteer Orientation
- Safeguarding
- Intro to Financial Terminology
- Unconscious Bias Training
- Communication Styles Team Training
Accountable to:
- Selection Committee Chair
- Program Manager