Habitat Happenings

Initially, this was a source of disappointment for me as the new

Chair of the Board of Directors this year. However, now that the year is three quarters gone, I have a different perspective. Whenever I am asked, “Where did you all build this year”? I reply, “All over the place, just not in places you can easily see.” You see, Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has been in a “building year” all year long. What have we built? Relationships, support systems, our board membership, our committee structure and membership, and, last but not least, our financial base! In addition, we’ve done a fair amount of remodeling as well. We remodeled our committee structure, our by-laws, and our meeting format.

Fall 2010

We began 2010 with eight board members and as of this writing have grown to ten. We plan to have a full board (12) members by the end of 2010. We have had a history of “understaffed” committees, which often meant that one person shouldered the work of a committee (and sometimes two committees!) alone. Thus, we undertook a re-shaping of our committee structure by combining committees with intersecting functions and omitting others, reducing the number from ten to six. Next we began seeking out committed and talented individuals for each of the committees. The results of these efforts have been nothing short of amazing. Our Resource Development Committee has expanded from a focus on fundraising (successfully lead by Dale Fox) to include grant writing, donor relations, and gifts-in-kind). The Site Selection & Construction has broadened its vision from “building houses” to include a coordinator for materials donations, plans for improved materials storage and processing, and a new relationship with the Habitat ReStore in Lawrence. Family Selection & Support has strengthened its support of our existing partner families in these tough economic times, when so many homes are going into foreclosure, and the new Outreach committee (formerly Church Relations and Public Relations) has refreshed our web site, built a fan page on Facebook, created brochures, posters, newsletters, and more. These energetic folks have stepped up to embrace their respective charges and to help position 1

our affiliate for a new build in 2011. We have many exciting projects in the works and look forward to sharing those with you as they unfold in the coming months.

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will meet the new board members, new committee members, and our new office volunteer. As you can well imagine, it takes many people to make a complex organization such as this one successful. I continue to be in awe of the dedication of the many people who give their time, talent, and tithe for the sake of Habitat for Humanity and the families in need whom we serve. This has indeed been a “building year” for us!

Warmly,

Carine Ullom, Chair

http://habitatfranklincounty.org

2010: A building yearThis is the first time in many years that Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County did not build a new home.

IssueIN THIS

Habitat for Humanityof Franklin County

PO Box 291 Ottawa, KS 66067

785-242-2600

Important Contact Information

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin CountyP.O. Box 291Ottawa, KS 6606Returned Service Requested

A Warm Welcome

Special Thanks:

HFH of Franklin County’s newest bookkeeper & office volunteer

is Joa Carter. Joa came to Ottawa in October of 2009 thinking that she would visit her two daughters’ families here and go back to California (where she was a Habitat volunteer). God had other plans. She is now here to stay and when looking for volunteer op-portunities, she responded to Habitat’s need for someone with accounting skills. According to Joa, “Life usually works best when God keeps me on a need to know basis and provides me with lots of challenges.”

Brian Hutton, an Ottawa University senior and a native of Iola, KS, is the newest member of the HFH of Franklin County Board of Directors. Brian is an education major at OU as well as an active participant in campus ministries. In addition to leading OU’s Surge Team, Brian and his wife Patricia (newlyweds as of Summer ’10) contribute countless hours of volunteer service in Ottawa.

With Brian’s guidance, we are excited to bridge the gap between our affiliate and the wonderful students and staff at Ottawa University.

Bringing tremendous design talent, DeEtta Bohling joins HFH of Franklin County as a new member of the Board of Directors and Outreach Chairperson. Hailing from Iowa, DeEtta is proudly employed by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Association out of Garnett, KS. She has designed several new brochures, posters, hand-outs, etc. and has also put us on the map in way of social networking. DeEtta also volunteers her time and tal-ent with the Ottawa Community Theater and the Franklin County 4-H program.

Carolyn Ward has recently added her expertise to our affiliate as the new Chairperson of Resource Development. As the Planning Director for ECKAN, Carolyn brings with her a wealth of knowledge in grant-writing and strate-

gic planning for which we are already reaping benefits. Under her direction, the Resource Development committee is looking to solidify relationships with faithful HFH donors, as well as secure grants from local and national funders.

Finding it far greater to give than to receive, Joni Scribner is not only loving her new Habitat home completed in March, she has also signed on as our new Volunteer Coordinator. Joni was instrumental in recruiting volunteer labor and in-kind donations on her home at 727 S. Sycamore and is excited to “pay it forward” by coordinating volunteers for future builds.

To the Ottawa University Copy Center for providing printing services.

I continue to be in awe of the dedication of the many people who give their time, talent, and

tithe for the sake of Habitat for Humanity and the families

in need whom we serve.

“

”

1 2010: A building year2 Annual Fusion Event at OU

Recruits New Volunteers2 World Habitat Day3 Annual Golf Classic Scores a

Hole-in-One4 A Warm Welcome

NEWSLETTER

Like the change in seasons, the start of the school year always seems to

bring renewed energy and enthusiasm. The Ottawa University Fusion Business Expo, held on August 23, just days after students arrived on campus, was no exception. John Steelman and Carine Ullom staffed the Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County booth in the Mabee Center on the Ottawa University campus. The two-hour event featured approximately 20 local businesses, churches, and community organizations.

A steady stream of students and staff stopped by our booth to learn about Habitat’s mission in Franklin County and the volunteer opportunities available. Pictures of successful house builds were projected onto the wall behind the booth, providing a glimpse of the many accomplishments of Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County.

Twenty students signed up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity during the school year. Several stated they had volunteered for Habitat organizations in their hometowns andwanted to continue volunteer work while attending college here. One freshman talked with us about the positive impact Habitat for Humanity had in building whole neighborhoods of Habitat homes in her metropolitan hometown. She stated that a relative

Annual Fusion Event at OU Recruits New Volunteers

With your suppor t we can continue to help families in Franklin county obtain

decent, affordable housing and learn to become successful homeowners.

The Annual Golf Classic to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Franklin

County held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at the Ottawa Country Club and raised a record-setting $13,000.

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has built 11 homes and completed 5 home rehabilitation projects for deserving Franklin County families over the past 15 years, serving a total of 79 people.

Carine Ullom, chair of the Board of Directors for the local Habitat affiliate, said, “The tournament planning committee, chaired by Dale Fox, has worked tirelessly over the past few months to organize the Golf Classic, which is the major fundraising event for us.”

Over 20 volunteers helped plan and execute the event. Over 42 area businesses and individuals generously sponsored special tournament events such as the longest drive, the closest-to-the-pin, and the marshmallow drive contests. Other sponsorships included hole sponsors, cart sponsors, team sponsors, and a sponsorship of a $50,000 hole-in-one contest. Ryan Sipple won a chance at the hole-in-one prize and came within two feet of driving his golf ball in the hole with one shot on the 9th green.

“What a great show of support from the entire community. The rains stopped,

Looking for a speaker for your next event?May we speak at your organization or church? Will you help us secure an opportunity to share the Habitat story with your Sunday School or club? Please contact DeEtta Bohling at deetta.bohling@gmail.com or 515-250-8392 to learn more about how someone from Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County can be a featured presenter at your next meeting.

had even been a partner family in one of the homes and she could not think of a better use of her free time than to be a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County.

Habitat board members came away with a renewed appreciation for Ottawa University students’ attitudes toward public service and their willingness to devote their free time to help others.

Interested in volunteering for Habitat?If you would like to put your skills and talents to work with Habitat (and you don’t need to know how to hammer, paint or saw!), please contact us at 782-242-2600.

Two major Habitat support events planned for early 2011. The fund raising sub-committee of our new Resource Development committee is planning a redux of the successful 2009 Harlem Ambassadors event in January. The Harlem Ambassadors will square off in a basketball game against Ottawa’s local talent at Wilson Field House at Ottawa University on January 11th. Save the date for this fun-filled family event.

As if that’s not enough excitement, the wildly successful Ottawa’s Got Talent! event is back for its 2nd-annual appearance. Auditions will take place at Ottawa Municipal Auditorium January 16th and finalists will compete for votes (cash!) at the talent show February 26th. Watch our web site for application forms and audition details.

Upcoming Events:

the sun came out, and over one hundred people enjoyed a fantastic day on the links for a good cause,” said Ullom.

The scramble-style tournament netted 112 golfers on 28 teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT1st Place…...........Country Mart Kent Ramsey; Jeff Hazen; Kyle Brands; Jared Beets

2nd Place….........Loyd Builders Marc Farris; Chad McClay; Skip Wiley Pete Ehrlacher

3rd Place…..........Burns & McDonnell Dave Hadel; Mark Schuette; Tyler Docking; Andy Haney

FLIGHT A1ST Place…........McConnell Machinery DeeDee Ehrlacher; Kim Sipple; Emilie Nichols; Veronda Mourning

FLIGHT B1ST Place….......Steve Thompson, DDSChad Caylor; Pete Hornung; Wade Hepner; Andy Southard

2nd Place…............BG ConsultantsCecil Kingsley; Jim Bradley; Dennis Tharp; Richard Nienstedt

3rd Place….............Peoples BankHarold Hinderliter; John KimbrelFrank Garvin; Don Sigmund

Longest Drive….................Skip WileyClosest To Pin…...............Wade HepnerClosest To Middle…..........Paul DoeringMarshmallow Drive…........Mike Cevoli

Putting Contest1st Place…................David Testorff2nd Place…...............3-way TieMike Cevoli; Clell Porter; Doug Rich

Annual Golf Classic Scores a Hole-in-One!

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County joins Habitat Interna-

tional in celebrating World Habitat Day on October 4. The purpose of World Habitat day is to call atten-tion the current global state of the human habitat and push toward adequate housing for all. In rais-ing awareness and advocating for universal decent housing we hope to make an affordable and decent place to live a reality for all.

In Franklin County we are raising awareness through the “What will you build?” campaign through posters placed around the county. The posters feature a fellow board member and encourage community members to get involved with Habi-tat through volunteering, becoming a board member, or connecting with us through social media.

Habitat International also has a va-riety of ways you can help celebrate World Habitat Day. Help us by writing a message to your members of Congress advocating for decent

housing for all online at http://tiny.cc/WorldHabitat.

If you are interested in learning more about our efforts and how to get involved visit our website at habitatfranklincounty.org or call us at 785-242-2600.

World Habitat Day

Thank you for your continued support!Our ministry relies on the contributions of generous community supporters. We are now set up so that you can give online with your credit card or PayPal account. It’s as easy as clicking this link to our Donate page of our website: http://habitatfranklincounty.org/volunteers/#donate.