The Next Generation of Habitat Leaders Carley Ruff & Shana Lewis

Meet Carley Director of State and Local Relations in HFHI’s office of Government Relations and Advocacy (GRA) since 2014. Originally from Athens, GA B.A. in History from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!); Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Recovering lobbyist.

Habitat Experience Director of State and Local Relations – HFHI Served as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, NC (2010-2014) Chair of the Advocacy Committee AmeriCorps Alumni (2004-2006) Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte (Construction) Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity (Faith & Youth Coord.) First Interaction with Habitat was volunteering in college with Athens Area Habitat for Humanity.

Meet Shana Volunteer Coordinator for Greater Indy Habitat since April 2017 Originally from Lewisburg, Ohio B.S. in business administration with minors in marketing and entrepreneurship. Currently attending IUPUI for a graduate certificate in nonprofit management

Habitat Experience Shana Volunteer Coordinator at GIHFH Staff Liaison for Greater Indy Young Professionals AmeriCorps Alumni AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator at GNHFH Served a 300 hour and 900 hour term First interaction was as a ReStore volunteer Columbus, OH ReStore during a business camp

Millennials…

Charitable giving Considering that millennials earn less than their counterparts did and are often riddled with student debt, years away from owning a car or a home, these numbers are significant. If people become more generous over their lives and are more likely to give if their parents give, millennials will become the most generous generation in history.  Source: Millennial Impact Report 2015, Case Foundation

Volunteerism Source: Millennial Impact Report 2015, Case Foundation

Causes of greatest interest to millennials Source: Millennial Impact Report 2017, Case Foundation

Making a connection… Millennials strive for a world in which conditions are better than they are today and will continue to get better for everyone. Recommendation: Harness millennial dissatisfaction with the status quo and demonstrate how they can be part of the solution through your organization. Millennials are more involved in causes than ever, and they don’t care much how we label or categorize them. Recommendation: Refocus messaging and infrastructure to align with millennials’ belief in themselves as having many assets to use on behalf of a cause. Source: Millennial Impact Report 2017, Case Foundation

Habitat: who is out there

Habitat: who we want

How to stay relevant Change your thinking; how can we adapt to engage young leaders? Don’t underestimate people’s abilities Be open to suggestions about change New eyes will see things differently and that can help your affiliate grow and move forward

Ways to involve the next generation Regular volunteer opportunities ReStore, Office, Build Site Affiliate committees/events Campus Chapters Habitat Young Professionals AmeriCorps Global Village Women Build

Tips for a good experience Utilize their unique skills and give them meaningful work Advocacy, fundraising, community outreach, etc. Provide a clear connection between tasks and the mission Create pathways for people to move into leadership positions

Break Out Session 1. What are you currently doing to engage young leaders? 2. Where are there gaps in leadership at you affiliate (among board, volunteers, donors, staff, etc.)? 3. What trends do you notice as generations are changing? 4. What are things you can do right now to get young people involved with your affiliate? 5. How can you create young leaders that are loyal to Habitat’s cause?

Let’s Discuss… 1. What are you currently doing to engage young leaders? 2. Where are there gaps in leadership at you affiliate (among board, volunteers, donors, staff, etc.)? 3. What trends do you notice as generations are changing? 4. What are things you can do right now to get young people involved with your affiliate? 5. How can you create young leaders that are loyal to Habitat’s cause?

Homework What is one thing that you can take back to your affiliate to begin engaging the next generation?

Thank you! Shana Lewis Volunteer Coordinator Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity 3135 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, 46208 Tel: 317.671.7940 slewis@indyhabitat.org | indyhabitat.org Carley Ruff Director, State and Local Relations HFHI, Office of Gov’t Relations & Advocacy 1310 L. St. NW, Suite 350, Washington DC Tel: 202.239.4449 cruff@habitat.org | @BuildLouder