Being Good Stewards
 
Stewardship is a word I've often heard in my life as a minister, as a fundraiser and as an Executive Director. The classic definition is "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care."
 
As a minister, I always looked to the parables about being a good steward and what that means. We often hear the story of servants who are given money and challenged to use it well. One doubles the money by putting it to work, investing it in the community, and is rewarded for doing so, but one hides the money under his bed, for fear of angering his master and is reprimanded for not using it well. Hiding the money was not seen as "careful and responsible management."  In this economy, its tempting to stuff it all under a mattress, but then what would it really be worth?
 
As stewards of the earth, we are all challenged to take care and be responsible for its resources, putting them to work for what we need - food, shelter and clothing.  Our challenge as stewards is to not waste what we have been given and use it up so that others cannot use it in the future. 
 
As the Executive Director of Habitat of Montgomery County, I am the steward for its care, and I am constantly balancing the careful and responsible management  of the organization with the needs of our families.  I do this with the help of a wonderful staff, board and volunteers who keep forever focused on the mission of ending poverty housing. 

 

Recently we have been recognized for good stewardship through Habitat International's tithing program, Charity Navigator and the growth of our ReStore operation.
 
In this issue of Habichat, I invite you to learn a bit more about how Habitat is trying to be a good steward of your investment, our earth and our families.  
 
Brenda Egolf-Fox

Executive Director

The word "tithe" comes from the tradition where people of certain faiths donate 10 percent of their income to their religious institution. Through Habitat's Tithe program, Habitat partners are encouraged to donate a tenth of what they raise in support of house building in another country.

 

Habitat for Humanity International encourages ALL affiliates (including those in the poorest countries) and campus chapters to participate in the international effort to eliminate global poverty by sending a portion of what is raised in their home country elsewhere. Every dollar counts in the fight against substandard housing. The estimated average cost for building a house overseas is only US $4,200.

 

In Kenya, Habitat MontCo is one of the top ten donors, thanks to our tithing efforts there.  For us here in Montgomery County, we are humbled by the thought that through the generosity we receive from our investors, we are making a difference in the lives of many families here and elsewhere.  It often reminds us how we are all connected. 

 

 

 
Four Stars on Charity Navigator

 

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA has been awarded a four-star rating by Charity Navigator for "sound fiscal management."

 

Rating more than 5,300 charities across the United States for best practices in accountability and transparency, Charity Navigator bestowed this top honor on Habitat once again this year for being good stewards of the investments entrusted to us.  Because our organization has been given this honor two years in a row, we are in the top 17% of public charities in terms of financial health in the US.  Check out Charity Navigator on the web for more information.

  

 

Habitat would like to welcome the newest edition to our team, Darcy Gallouedec! After facing some stiff competition, Darcy was chosen to join Habitat from some 35 well-qualified applicants.  

 

Darcy's responsibilities will include volunteer coordination, community outreach and volunteer management.  Darcy will also be the one to call if you have a speaking engagement or if you have a group event that could involve Habitat.  When volunteering, you might also see Darcy out on site, answering questions and making sure all volunteers are having a great experience. 

 

Darcy joins our organization as an experienced professional in real estate, property management and community redevelopment.  Darcy first caught Habititus working in the recovery effort on the Gulf Coast and realized that she could apply those same skills at the local level.

 

Darcy and her husband live on a farm near Pottstown and when she is not enjoying her horses or a good renovation project, she likes to spend time with her family and friends.   

 

You can welcome Darcy at darcy@habitatmontco.org.