General Goals
Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to fighting poverty and homelessness. As a campus chapter,
Amherst Habitat has four main goals: advocacy, education, fundraising, and building. Habitat members
and officers are responsible for upholding these goals.
Officer Understudies
Amherst Habitat members who are interested in becoming an officer in the future may serve as
understudies to a particular officer. The understudy may work closely with the officer to gain experience
in performing the required duties.
Selecting Officers
Any Amherst College student may be nominated to fill the post of an officer. In the event that
multiple students are nominated, the group shall vote on the candidates. Elections should ideally be
held at the end of the fall semester.
Officer Responsibilities
Director (or Co-Directors)
The director, or co-directors, will preside over all of the chapter’s operations. This includes
delegating tasks for events, running meetings, and maintaining a relationship with Pioneer Valley
Habitat for Humanity. The director, along with the treasurer, will have authority to sign checks and
deposit funds into the campus chapter’s bank account. The director, along with the external relations
chairs, will be responsible for coordinating build groups.
Financial Coordinator
Amherst College Habitat for Humanity has three sources of funding: the AAS, the CCE, and its
own bank account at TD Banknorth. The financial coordinator is responsible for managing all of these
funds. In addition, he/she will also serve as the organization’s representative at Budgetary Committee
meetings. The financial coordinator will also collaborate with the CCE Leaders in managing and
allocating funds from the CCE budget. Along with the director, the treasurer will have authority to sign
checks and deposit funds in the campus chapter’s bank account.
Secretary
The secretary will compile an agenda for meetings and take minutes during meetings. The
secretary will also be responsible for internal relations, which includes contacting Habitat members
about upcoming meetings and events and managing the campus mailbox and e-mail account.
External Relations Chair(s)
The CCE Leaders will be appointed to the external relations chair within the campus chapter.
The external relations chairs are responsible for maintaining Habitat’s website, managing the CCE
budget with the financial coordinator, and publicity. The external relations chairs will also serve as
liaisons to other affinity groups on campus and making sure that the Amherst Habitat campus chapter is
aware of other events occurring on campus or within the community. The external relations chairs, in
conjunction with the director, are responsible for coordinating build groups and maintaining a
relationship with Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. This includes attending steering committee
meetings and the Board of Directors meetings.
Conditions & Stipulations
1) If any officer fails to carry out the responsibilities outlined above, the group reserves the
right to replace that officer.
2) If an officer is temporarily unable to perform his or her tasks, he/she must inform the other
officers at least one day in advance. Another officer or group member may then fill in.
3) Officers must be available to mentor newly elected officers.
4) Officers should participate in at least one build during their term of office.