#012 - This house was built by Volunteers - An Interview with Habitat for Humanity

Interview topic: Managing House-build Projects with Volunteers

Many projects are difficult enough to manage when everyone is paid to do the job. But what about when your team members are primarily volunteers - and the outcome of your project really matters to a family you have probably met? 

In this session we are speaking with Shirley Bennett, Family Support & Construction Liaison, Habitat for Humanity Central North Island (CNI), New Zealand. Habitat for Humanity CNI just celebrated their 100th Home-Build in the region. Listen to Shirley as she describes what it is like to work on projects where the team is comprised primarily of volunteers - and how they get it done.

Listen to the interview here.

Contact details for enquiries of if you would like to donate, contribute or volunteer for Habitat for Humanity:

Habitat for Humanity, Central North Island
29 Bryant Road
Te Rapa
Hamilton 3200
New Zealand
Web: www.habitat.org.nz
Email: info@habitatcni.org.nz
Office: +64.7.849.0284
Store: +64.7.849.7707

#011 - Leadership: Working with Volunteers

Everybody knows you should "play nice" when you are working in an office together. If you don't get along, there is the polite smile, or taking another hallway when you see them coming. But you are all paid to work together to get things done, so unless you are ready to quit and work somewhere else, you do need to work things out so that the team somehow manages to function - or eventually one of you might find you are being shown the door.

A Different World - Volunteering

In the world of volunteering, this becomes a totally different situation. Nobody is paying you to be there. Sure the donuts and coffee might be ok, but the real reason that volunteers are there is because they want to be there - they want to contribute to some vision or goal and make a difference.

Listen or read the full article on Gazza's Corner (www.gazzascorner.com)

Gary Nelson, PMP www.gazzaconsulting.com