Habitat for Humanity Offers Training for Volunteer Leaders as Part of Emerging University 6/20/2003
From: Tabitha Steinbock of Habitat for Humanity International, 229-924-6935 ext. 2843 or tsteinbock@hfhi.org; http://www.habitat.org News Advisory: Habitat for Humanity University (HFHU), an emerging global learning initiative of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), will hold a conference at the Harvard Business School (HBS) for Habitat leaders from around the nation. The Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Leadership Conference is one of the first initiatives directed at HFHU's goal of enhancing leadership throughout the HFH organization, focusing mainly on its grassroots volunteers who serve as executive directors and board presidents. In addition to conferences such as this one, HFHU will offer seminars, online learning and a scholarly research journal in order to share knowledge and best practices throughout the global organization. As one of its first efforts, HFHU will sponsor a custom executive education program on leadership at HBS from June 29 through July 2. The program will be provided by Harvard Business School Interactive (HBSi) and the HBS Initiative on Social Enterprise. Nearly 400 leaders from Habitat's U.S. affiliates will gather on the HBS campus for an interactive classroom experience taught by over 20 HBS faculty members. This program represents the largest customized executive education program ever hosted by HBS. Using Harvard Business School's famous case study method, HFH affiliate leaders will have the chance to take new ideas and skills and apply them to realistic situations depicted in cases specially chosen for their relevance to the challenges facing their organizations. The HBS-HFHU relationship also includes Harvard Business School Publishing, whose e-learning for management and leadership development will provide core content for HFHU. "People often think Habitat's greatest need is funding or land, but in fact, effective leadership is Habitat for Humanity's greatest need," says David Williams, executive vice president and COO of Habitat for Humanity International. "HFHU programs like this conference make big steps towards addressing that need." ------ Note to editors: A teleconference press briefing will be held Tuesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. (EDT) to announce and discuss Habitat for Humanity University. Please RSVP by Friday, June 27 to participate in the press briefing and receive call-in directions and password by contacting Tabitha Steinbock at 1-800-HABITAT, ext. 2843, or tsteinbock@hfhi.org. |