FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I don’t have any
building experience?
Who needs to
attend volunteer orientation?
What can volunteers do?
What do construction
volunteers do?
Are there other
volunteer opportunities besides construction?
Will somebody
knowledgeable in construction be on site?
What time do you start?
What do we need to do
when we first arrive?
Do we need to bring
anything?
What should we wear?
How big is the work
group?
May my kids come with
me to the construction site?
Do you have anything
that kids can do?
I don't see my
question here, who do I call?
What if I don’t have any building experience?
No experience is necessary to help build with Habitat.
All you need is a willing heart and interest in learning. There are trained,
experienced supervisors on site that will teach the volunteers about the task.
Volunteers with Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity not only help others, but
can learn exciting new skills too!
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Who needs to attend volunteer orientation?
If you are interested in being a volunteer with Lapeer
County Habitat for Humanity you need to attend an orientation. Groups that are
volunteering should send at least two representatives or talk with the
Volunteer Coordinator about a group orientation at your site.
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What can volunteers do?
Everything! Volunteers
provide over 80% of the work at Lapeer County Habitat. We need volunteers both
on and off the construction site.
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What do construction volunteers do?
Typical volunteer activities include framing, roofing,
siding, drywall, cleanup, insulation, painting, interior work and landscaping.
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Are there other volunteer opportunities besides
construction?
Yes! There is a wide range of office-related
opportunities, including data entry, fundraising, youth activities, filing,
human resource management, public relations, even English/Spanish translation.
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Will somebody knowledgeable in construction be on site?
Yes, there is at least one site supervisor on-site who
is very experienced in construction. Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity's site
supervisors are also patient teachers and will be able to instruct people of
any age and ability in the building of a house. They start each day with a
prayer, introductions and a rundown of what is going to happen that day so it
is important to be on-site on time.
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What time do you start?
Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity days begin at
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What do we need to do when we first arrive?
After you arrive introduce yourself to the site
supervisor, sign the Volunteer Log sheet and fill out necessary paperwork so we
can keep our records straight, and make a nametag for yourself.
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Do we need to bring anything?
Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity provides all the
tools necessary for whatever will be accomplished that particular day. Of
course, we understand if people prefer their own tools and wish to bring them
along. They may certainly bring basic construction tools such as their own
hammer, tool belt, utility knife, etc.
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What should we wear?
It is best to dress appropriate to the weather. While
most of the work will happen indoors, the houses are not heated or
air-conditioned. Whatever you would feel comfortable wearing outside is
probably what you should wear on-site.
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How big is the work group?
In our experience, we have found 10 volunteers per day
is a pretty efficient number. However, again depending on the task at hand on a
given day will determine how many volunteers will be needed. Often the site
supervisors have to teach individuals as well as guide and direct the group as
a whole. More than 10 volunteers often leads to
unnecessary "standing around," while less than 10 does not allow us
to work to our fullest capabilities.
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May my kids come with me to the construction site?
Do you have anything that kids can do?
Unfortunately there are regulations set forth by Habitat
for Humanity International and OSHA that limit many of the activities of a
Habitat work site to persons 18 and older. Under that age, we can only allow
landscaping activities and site clean up with adequate adult supervision.
Please talk with our site supervisor regarding specific situations or to
schedule an adult supervised youth work day.
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Do you
have a question that's not answered here?
Click here
to send an email our Volunteer
Coordinator, or give her a call at 810-664-7111.
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