By Associate Director, Tai Batov
Y’all, I just got back from the Habitat for Humanity 50th Anniversary week long conference in Atlanta…and the conference was AMAZING! I’m still buzzing. Out of 160 workshops, I got to attend a handful (I seriously wish they’d filmed them all!). I learned from an Ohio affiliate how a simple shed and a sample flooring model, one that can be taken apart and put back together, helped them train new volunteers and run two build sites at once. That’s cost effective AND it works. Marketing guru Bozoma Saint John (Pepsi, Netflix, and more!) told us to think of a brand like a human being with ideals and a personality. And Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph reminded us that it’s not about having good ideas, it’s about building a culture that tests them, and that “you must TAKE ACTION.” Love that!
Here’s my favorite take away of the whole week: the mission doesn’t change, but the world around us does! Our CEO, Jonathan Reckford, talked about how the dream of building $100k homes grew to $1m through a “Dreamers Congress,” and he asked us the big question: What does our community need from us now? Aging in place, advocacy around appraisal gaps, and the connection between health and housing are all part of that answer. Our mission is our anchor, not an excuse to stand still. It’s not a monument, it’s a foundation. And one more gem from the workshop on leading through change: adaptability is our currency. Habitat’s own story proves it. When folks tried to stop our beginning in Georgia, the answer was a pecan farm and a mail order business! Talk about a pivot!
So what does all this mean for YOU? It means your support is helping a 50-year-old mission stay bold, creative, and ready for whatever comes next. It might feel ordinary, but it’s not small! Every gift, every volunteer shift, and every shared story helps us build possibilities and open the door for families in our community. Come build with us, give with us, and be part of our legacy…Choose. Stand. Build. With care and joy! Love, Tai