High Performing Committee Leadership Habitat for Humanity New York State 2013 ABLE Conference October 5 Presenter: Peter Dalton, Affiliate Services Manager / NRI, U.S. Field Office, HFHI 7 Habits defined by Carol Gregory, HFHI Organizational Development Consultant

Objectives Acknowledge the challenges of maintaining strong committee leadership Review 7 habits that lead to consistency, accountability, and success. Identify ways to promote adoption of habits Network and learn from other affiliates.

Agenda Introductions 7 Habits of Highly Effective Committees Supporting good habits

Introductions Name Affiliate Committee affiliations — take note of peers at other affiliates. Peter Dalton x4112 HFHI=13 years Affiliate Services Manger/ Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative—supervise team of field consultants {ask me about NRI} Native New Yorker—Massena, now in Massachusetts Founding president campus chapter-St. Lawrence, served on local board AmeriCorps Vista/staff member-North Philly HFH-resource development Fundraising at school for adults with disabilities

#1 Commit to Job Descriptions Provide a written job description to committee members. Define reason for existence. Tie purpose to mission. Establish clear expectations. Identify roles. Specify time commitments. don’t expect open-ended commitments List supporting resources (my.habitat). Primary document for orientation and training.

#2 Find a Chair who Understands the Big Picture Select a chair with a deep understanding of the affiliate, the mission, and the community. Knows the history of the local affiliate and HFH as a whole. Knows the staff, board & committees and their various roles. Knows HFHI policies and guidelines that affect the committee such as QA. Values to work of the committee and knows how it impacts the work of others. Knows the work of the committee represents the affiliate to the community. **Communicate these expectations when you ask the chair (privately) to lead.

#3 Write Your Goals Manage the work of the committee by written short-term and long-term goals. Goals developed by and agreed upon with committee members. Committee goals need to align with and support affiliate goals. Rely on goals to set priorities. Review goals periodically.

#4 Meet on a Schedule Set regular meeting times and meeting locations. Set a schedule months in advance. Make sure committee is comfortable with meeting times and locations. Limit any and every meeting to 90 minutes. Record minutes at every meeting. Distribute minutes in a timely manner.

#5 Share Agendas Before Meeting Set an agenda well in advance of the meeting. Send agenda to members in advance. Stick to the agenda. Expect members to use agenda to prepare for the meeting.

#6 Pat Backs & Take Names Make sure the agenda acknowledges the contributions of specific members and be sure to record individual commitments in the minutes. The committee chair needs to be in communication between meetings and know in advance what is going to reported. No “gotcha” agendas. Support and encourage the success of individual members.

#7 Make it easy for the Board Your board needs to understand, appreciate, and support your work. Summarize committee accomplishments and the results of the meeting for the board. Provide the board with an executive summary whether or not you share minutes. When a ction is needed--provide the board with a written resolution.