2011 Habitat Illinois Conference

October 28 & 29, 2011

iHotel and Conference Center in Champaign, IL

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois was pleased to offer Habitat Affiliates and ReStores this 2-day program, designed to provide actionable learning.

This conference was open to all board members, staff, and volunteers of the 51 Illinois Habitat affiliates and 17 ReStores.

In addition to the educational sessions, it was a great opportunity to expand the Habitat network and learn from peers.

This educational event offered 25 workshop topics!  On Friday, there was a workshop track specifically for ReStores. We greatly appreciated the support of 9 sponsors and 10 exhibitors this year.

Capacity building was the focus of this conference. Beyond producing more houses, capacity building addresses efficiencies, board development, fundraising, collaboration, marketing, community outreach, and more. The sessions helped to prepare Affiliates to collectively build and rehab over 100 houses in 2012!

Our speakers during the General Sessions included David Bird with the Habitat for Humanity Michigan Fund, who announced a special mortgage servicing program now available to Illinois Affiliates and Antonio Riley, the new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Midwest Regional Administrator, who spoke about HUD programs in Illinois.

New this year:  A Networking Reception on Friday right after the sessions, sponsored by Vintage Tech Recyclers. 

The big excitement was the announcement of the 12 tax check-off grants during lunch on Saturday!

The Friday session ran from 11:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the networking cocktail reception and then an optional group dinner. Saturday ran from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

This Habitat Illinois conference provided a setting to gain new techniques, enthusiasm, knowledge, and support to build or rehab additional houses in 2012, serving deserving families in need.

Workshop Topics & Speakers

Friday, October 28th:

Trends in Power Tools

Presented by Randall Coe – Bosch Tools

5 Keys to E-mail Marketing

Presented by Steve Robinson – Constant Contact

Construction Efficiency, Accessibility, and Sustainability: Getting Ten Pounds from a Five-Pound Box

Presented by Thom Phillips – Habitat Michigan

Creative and Invitational Fundraising

Presented by Marv Baldwin – Foods Resource Bank

Ten Mistakes Affiliates Can Avoid

Presented by Bob Yarbrough – Habitat International

Asking and Thanking Donors – Guidance for the Non-profit Board

Presented by Carol Levenberg – BoardDevelopmentTools.net

Executive Director Roundtable

Facilitated by Bobbi Burgstone – Habitat Illinois

ReStore Volunteers:  Recruitment, Orientation, Tracking, Appreciation, and Retention

Presented by Cindy Coon – Davenport ReStore

ReStore Merchandising and Promotion

Presented by Michael Preis -- University of Illinois

Resources for Your ReStore

Presented by Jeremy Keen – Habitat International

Saturday, October 29th:

Evaluating Rehab Opportunities

Presented by Steve Vasilion – Vasilion Architects

CSI Habitat: Examining Ineffective Fundraising Efforts

Presented by Bill Allen – ByrneAllen Fundraising

The Importance of Reporting to Credit Bureaus

Presented by Mini Datta – Credit Builders Alliance

Key Regulatory and Agency Issues Impacting Lending

Presented by Margaret Holmes Lupi – Harland Financial Solutions

Job Site Safety

Presented by Scott Dunwoodie – Lockton Affinity and

Don Hartle – Habitat International

Loud & Clear: High-Impact, Low-Cost Marketing Techniques That Work

Presented by Laura Huth – do good Consulting

ReStores and Affiliates: Working Together

Presented by Jeremy Keen – Habitat International

Practical Tools and Case Studies for Grant Funding

Presented by Roland Garton & Katie Adams – TheGrantHelpers.com

A Brush with Kindness
Presented by Gwen Leifeld & Dick Seitz – Valspar

Rules of Engagement: Building Faith Partnerships

Presented by Doug Murrell – Habitat International

HabitatPro: Educators of the Green Workforce

Presented by Shane Gring -- HabitatPro

Habitat 101 for New Board Members:

   Committee Development 101

   Do I Really Need the Affiliate Support Center?

   Board Development 101

   Effective Family Support

Presented by Dawn Daniels McNear – Habitat International

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