Women Build 2018

Habitat’s Women Build initiative is a unique fundraiser in which volunteer teams help to fund and build a home from start to finish. Your donation of a $50 Pay-to-Play fee (used to purchase construction materials to build the houses) and your team’s 4-hour shift on the construction site builds a future for two families in Bradley County.

Registration

Each team must have a Team Leader that contacts Habitat’s Volunteer Services Manager, LaManda Bowers (lbowers@habitatofcleveland.org) to submit the name of your team and pay a $50 team deposit to reserve your build date. Once this has been completed, each volunteer must register individually using the link below. Each team member must also pay their $50 Pay-to-Play fee after registering.

*Please email LaManda Bowers the Team Name before registering in order to keep the process as smooth as possible.*

Payment

Each team member must pay a $50 Pay-to-Play fee that goes back into funding the construction of the two homes Women Build teams will be building. This is a unique volunteer experience because Women Build teams are building the two homes from start to finish through their donation of hours on-site AND their $50 donation. Each team’s donation will purchase construction materials necessary to build both homes. Team’s can also be sponsored for $500 per team. The sponsoring business or individual will receive sponsorship benefits for this donation!

For more information or to schedule a volunteer date, contact:

LaManda Bowers, Volunteer Services Manager, at 423-476-6947 Ext. 202 or lbowers@habitatofcleveland.org

FAQ's

What are my responsibilities as a Team Leader?
As a team leader it is your responsibility to distribute the guidelines for volunteering and information about the registration process to each team member. Please make sure ALL participants are aware of our requirements and arrive prepared for the volunteer opportunity. You will receive a Volunteer Handbook from our Volunteer Services Manager once you have registered your  team.

What are the age requirements to  build?
Construction volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers that are 16 to 17 years of age must be accompanied by a chaperone and are not allowed to operate power tools or climb ladders. Habitat of Cleveland requests a 1-to-3 adult to teen ratio when minors are present on a volunteer site. Special arrangements can be made for youth under 16 years of age; however, we must be informed at the time the team volunteer application is returned that you have a team of young teens.

Why do I have to pay a $50 Pay to Play fee?
Pay-to-Play donations ($50/person for a half day, $100/full day) go back into purchasing construction material for the two homes being built through the Women Build initiative. Women Build is a unique fundraiser where 

When do I need to turn in my Pay-to-Play fee?
Pay-to-Play donations must be turned in two weeks prior to your scheduled build date.

What  days and times are the build day shifts?
Construction volunteer days are from 8:00am – 12:00pm (first shift), 12:00pm – 4:00pm (second shift).

Where is the construction site where I will build?
All Women Build build dates will take place at Century Village Subdivision. The physical address you can use in your GPS is:
Century Ave SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
(*please be advised that this address sometimes does not work properly in GPS’ due to this being a new subdivision.)

To Century Ave SE from Habitat Administrative Offices (300 Grove Avenue SW): Turn right onto Grove Avenue SW. At the stoplight, take a slight left on US-64 East. Turn right onto Brad Street NW and continue on South Ocoee Street. Turn left onto 20th Street SE and then take a right onto Century Ave SE. Parking is available on Century Ave SE. 

Parking space is limited; consider carpooling as much as is feasible to limit the number of vehicles in the build area – then prepare to get to work!

Will it only be my team at the job site and do I have to have prior building experience?
In addition to your team members, we will have construction staff as well as potential volunteer crew leaders present to assist your group. A future Habitat homeowner may also attend your build date if his or her schedule permits. Habitat  for Humanity’s Construction Director will be on-site to train you and supervise the construction day. There is no experience necessary to volunteer.

What will happen prior to my build date?
Please arrive on time for your volunteer day and report to the site host. Please do not be late. There will be a short Habitat of Cleveland overview, safety speech, prayer, and explanation of the day’s tasks. Work will begin immediately following.

What do I need to wear on the job-site?
Do not wear clothes that are baggy. Tie long hair back and remove jewelry. Hats, sunscreen and sun-glasses are always advisable. Shorts should be at least knee-length. We strongly suggest that you bring your own work gloves, but we do have some available on site should your assigned task require them. Sturdy, closed-toed shoes are required at the construction site (absolutely no sandals or slip-on shoes). Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in being forbidden to work.

What will Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland provide on the job-site?
Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland will provide necessary tools for the task and toilet facilities for all volunteers while on site. If you want to bring your own hand tools you are welcome to do so, just be sure your name is on them.

What should I bring to the job-site?
All teams are expected to provide their own lunches, snacks, water, and ice.

What happens if there is inclement weather or unforeseen construction delays on my build day?
In case of inclement weather or unforeseen construction delays, we may need to postpone your scheduled volunteer day(s). Please understand that unforeseen problems can arise on the construction site, so flexibility is crucial. If you are truly interested in furthering the mission of Habitat of Cleveland and are willing to volunteer wherever there is a need in the organization, we will do our best to relocate your volunteer activities and not postpone your volunteer day (i.e. work on a different house than scheduled). However, should it be necessary for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland to reschedule your day, we will do our best to give you at least 3 days of notice and work with you and your team to find a suitable replacement day(s). No refunds of pay to play funds will be given. 

What happens if my team needs to reschedule our build date?
We request at least one week notice if your team must reschedule.
Because of all the planning and prep work that must be done prior to a team’s volunteer date, we ask that you give us one week to make alternate plans to complete the original project(s) intended for your team. Even with this notice, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule your group until a much later date. No refunds of pay to play funds will be given. 

Who do I contact if I have questions about my build day or about registration?
For questions about your build date or questions about registration, please contact LaManda Bowers, Volunteer Services Manager, at lbowers@habitatofcleveland.org.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my payment?
For questions about your team payments, please contact Natalie McNair, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator, at nmcnair@habitatofcleveland.org.