Our Strategic Planning Process To develop a long-term plan for the future for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro, in July of this year we engaged Dr. William Roe, Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Business Programs at Arkansas State University along with a group of his Masters Degree business students, to work with me and our board of directors, to develop a five year strategic plan.  I will share with you some of the key points of the plan including the goals that we have subsequently developed as a result of the data gathered from the strategic planning process.  Let me begin, however, by giving you some background on both Habitat for Humanity International and our local Jonesboro affiliate. Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International is a worldwide non-profit Christian based housing ministry with the goal of eliminating poor quality housing and homelessness worldwide.  Habitat builds affordable homes in partnership with those in need of decent housing. Houses are sold at no profit to needy and qualified families; and are financed through interest-free mortgages which are held by Habitat, generally through its local affiliates.  These mortgages are paid back monthly by the new homeowners.   Since it’s founding in 1976 Habitat International and its affiliates have built over 200,000 homes in all 50 states of the US and in nearly 100 foreign countries. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro is an affiliate of Habitat International and operates under the umbrella and guidance of international, but is locally responsible for all activities involved in providing affordable housing to needy local families including fund raising, family selection, recruiting and training local volunteers, land acquisition, house construction, and financing each house which is built with contributed funds. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro’s accomplishments to date Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro was established in 1992 for the purpose of providing affordable housing to Jonesboro residents who are both in need and qualified.  To date we have built 12 homes in Jonesboro which are now occupied by 12 families consisting of 17 adults and 22 children.  These families are now not only homeowners paying taxes, making mortgage payments, paying for homeowners insurance and doing home maintenance, but are also providing their children with better living conditions so that they have a better chance of becoming contributing members of society. We held a ground-breaking ceremony to start construction of our 13th house in August of this year and anticipate that it will be ready for occupancy in March of 2007 for a needy family of six. All of our work since 1992 has been made possible through the generous contributions of individuals and local businesses, our volunteer board of directors, all the volunteer workers, and the new home owners who have provided their sweat equity to help build their new homes. Habitat’s Mission in Jonesboro  Our mission in Jonesboro is to eliminate all substandard housing for every family in our community who is currently living in these conditions and who has the will to change his conditions by accepting the responsibility for both helping to build a new house, and then paying for it and maintaining it.  In this way we believe that we can help provide a better opportunity for those in need to better their lives and become greater contributors to our Jonesboro community. Our Strategic Plan  Under the direction of Dr. Roe, four Arkansas State graduate business students interviewed board members, gathered data from various sources throughout the community, and then developed with us a comprehensive list of issues and actions that we needed to undertake to achieve our mission for Jonesboro of helping to eliminate substandard housing.  Some of the major points in the strategic plan included: Strengths of our Jonesboro affiliate include a dedicated board of directors; a long-time presence in Jonesboro; many experienced contractors to assist in building; a record of making a positive impact on a number of families in Jonesboro; and community support Opportunities that were identified through the planning process include developing an even  broader community-wide awareness of and commitment to Habitat; establishing a few permanent positions within the organization to add continuity and more stability, as all of our current positions are voluntary and temporary; increase the number of houses built each year, as the current demand for affordable housing greatly exceeds the  supply;  increase the donor base in Jonesboro as we are blessed with  a very generous community; and establish a permanent site for Habitat for Humanity of  Greater Jonesboro, including a restore which would provide low cost used furniture and other home materials to all needy families in our community. Our Goals As a result of our strategic planning process and some further analysis of the needs of our community, our board members identified some goals to support our mission which could be accomplished over the next five years, thereby significantly increasing our contribution to Jonesboro in eliminating sub-standard housing.  Our five year plan is called 5 by 2010, which refers to our goal of building 5 houses per year by the year 2010.  The major actions for each of the next five years are summarized below. In 2006 begin construction on 1 house; develop a 5 year strategic plan; conduct an individual household mail fund raising campaign; conduct a mail fund raising campaign and survey of the business community; conduct several publicity events and fund raising events to increase community awareness. In 2007 build 2 houses; establish a permanent physical location for a local Habitat office; secure land to build 2-5 houses; establish a permanent administrative position within the organization; expand our board of directors; increase our volunteer and donor base; and begin conducting annual fund raising events. In 2008 build 3 new houses; secure a site for a restore operation which would offer used home furnishings to anyone in the community with a need at low cost; acquire additional land for future houses; recruit and hire a full time Executive Director; and apply for major grant funding. In 2009 build 4 houses; staff and open a restore operation; and acquire additional land for future building. In 2010, build 5 new homes; continue with land acquisitions; and establish goals for next 5 year period.  What is needed to accomplish these goals? In order to accomplish these major goals over the next five years, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro needs to increase significantly the amount of financial resources it raises in the community each year.   With the significant increase in the costs of building materials over the past few years, each new house now costs $50,000-$60,000 to build, excluding land costs.    We will also need to acquire more land as we have just three lots left in our inventory on which to build. Additional volunteer labor and fund raising volunteers will also be required to meet these goals.  We believe that the goals are both necessary to meet the needs of the community and achievable with the support of individuals, families and members of the business community. How can I, as a business owner or manager help?  here are a number of ways that each of us can contribute to our mutually beneficial community goal of eliminating sub-standard housing from Jonesboro. Cash contributions help pay for building materials, land, and administrative expenses; donations of ‘in-kind’ items such as building materials, food for the volunteer construction crews, gift certificates for recognition of volunteers or for fund raising auctions, or services for construction or fund raising activities, or sponsoring or hosting a fund raising event; donations of land provides sites for future houses; becoming a volunteer or board member strengthens our team and efforts; organizing a group of employees for a construction crew or a fund raising event provides us with additional resources.  These are some of the many ways that each of us can help make the goals of our Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro a reality.  Our work benefits everyone in our community by building a better community for all.