Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The goal of the Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin VISTA program is to strengthen local affiliates and increase their capacity. With passion, commitment, and hard work, our VISTA members help affiliates as they bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Volunteer Program Development VISTAs help affiliates expand and strengthen their volunteer programs. They assess the affiliate's current program and identify needs and opportunities. Then, working with staff and current volunteers, develops a formal volunteer program to address those needs, including recruitment, tracking, scheduling, training, and recognition.
Service Activities
Program assessment, volunteer recruitment, volunteer scheduling, developing the volunteer orientation and training program, volunteer management, creating a volunteer recognition and retention plan.
Community Need Addressed
Lack of safe, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for low income families.
Position Outcomes
Increased volunteer capacity, enabling the local affiliate to serve more families, completing needed repairs for current homeowners or building homes and promoting homeownership.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
project management, recruitment, time management, curriculum development
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment