Rebuilding Together Philadelphia's Program Committee works year-round to ensure a great experience for homeowners, communities and volunteers. As we look to the next program year, we'll be striving to streamline our process, better orient and educate homeowners, and adhere to more environmentally sustainable building practices. The program committee meets either by phone or in person roughly once every 6 weeks. In addition to program committee members, we are looking for volunteers to join one of these specialized groups of volunteers: skilled volunteers, safety monitors, house selection volunteers, runners, hospitality/volunteer support and EPA-certified renovators. If you are interested in helping to shape RTP's future, contact Jen Wootten to join us (302.234.2045 or jenw@rebuildingphilly.org)!

SKILLED VOLUNTEER

RTP is always in need of skilled volunteers to supplement the work of other volunteer groups and HMTs, as well as to complete emergency repairs. By recruiting skilled volunteers (versus paying contractors), we are able to devote more of our budget to purchasing materials and helping more homeowners. Specifically, RTP is in need of people skilled in: plumbing, electric, HVAC, roofing, drywall and carpentry. As in every volunteer situation, RTP provides all materials and power tools needed for carrying out the repair project, as well as facilitation with the homeowner or volunteer group working on a specific project.

PROJECT LEADER

A project leader would be someone who enjoys taking on a leadership role, possesses good organizational skills and is a motivator to encourage volunteers to be active participants in the projects at hand.

This individual should be prepared to:

• Lead a large group of volunteers (up to 30 people)
• Assign roles for volunteers
• Answer questions during the project
• Delegate tasks and duties to team leaders
• Make sure the project remains on schedule and that the tasks at hand are completed during the project timeframe.
• Coordinate between other Project Leaders to share supplies, skilled labor, and other such activities that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes for the overall project

A project leader should have some construction/home building knowledge because he/she will be responsible for:

• Scoping out the project
• Making a list of materials/supplies that should be ordered
• Determining how many volunteers will be required
• Coordinating the purchasing/delivery of the materials
• Directing the team leaders and the other volunteers during the work day

TEAM LEADER

A team leader is an individual who wants to take on an active leadership role for a portion of a larger project. This person must be willing to take a leadership role and remain an “active” volunteer by motivating and leading a smaller group. This person is an integral part of a work day.

This individual should be prepared to:

• Report directly to the Project Leader during the work day and take direction from the Project Leader about tasks
• Explain the task at hand to a group of several other volunteers.
• Report on status of the sub-project to the Project Leader
• Keep the group on schedule and ensure completion of their portion of the larger project
• Gather together materials/tools that are needed for that sub-project

A team leader is not responsible for the advance scheduling, material ordering, or manpower projections but should be comfortable giving direction to others and asking for advice/help from Project leader when needed. A team leader should be self-motivating, enjoys leading others and someone who wants to continue to volunteer with RTP in the future.

SAFETY MONITOR

Safety monitors help keep RTP volunteers working safely. If our projects are in close proximity, a Safety Monitor may be asked to oversee 2-3 homes throughout a Rebuilding Day. Responsibilities include: be familiar with the contents of RTP's safety manual; review the 2-page Safety checklist at the beginning of the work day, makes sure all volunteers are using safety goggles, work gloves, etc. and that materials are disposed of properly and cleaned up at the end of the work day; install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; talk to the homeowner about other safety improvements that could be made to the home.

RUNNER

Runners work directly with House Captains on Rebuilding Days to make runs to hardware or building supply stores for last-minute materials. Ideally, a runner has an SUV or truck to help with the transportation of materials and trash. The runner may also be responsible for getting lunch and t-shirts for volunteers. Runners should be comfortable navigating in Philadelphia.

HOSPITALITY

The hospitality volunteer is someone who wants to take an active role by supporting the volunteers during the project. This is someone who does not want to have a direct role in the construction and/or tasks, but rather prefers to work “behind the scenes.” This is someone who is dependable with good judgment and can help to ensure that the project runs as smoothly as possible. This volunteer will be a “go-to” person who can easily multi-task several responsibilities during the work day.

This individual should be prepared to:

• Organize and verify that all volunteers have signed necessary forms
• See that all necessary forms are obtained from HMTs/volunteer groups
• Make sure that volunteers know where to be and who to report to
• Communicate with homeowner or community center contacts to make sure they are happy and comfortable with the work being done
• Organize food preparations as needed
• Hand out t-shirts
• Take photographs or "wrangle" professional photographer
• Be a motivator to keep everything organized
• Be a runner (or find a runner) to get supplies as needed

If comfortable (and trained), this person would also be the contact for any media or VIPs.

Usually, RTP recruits a small group (2-3 people) to serve as Hospitality during a typical work day.

Overall, the volunteer should be organized, flexible, and resourceful, willing to put in time at the onset of the work day and wants to support the volunteers with an array of issues/items during the work day.

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.  EIN 23-2549594.

The official registration and financial information of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999.  This information also is available at www.dos.state.pa.us/char/site. Registration does not imply endorsement.