Many companies like the idea of hosting a team building retreat or event for their staff, but often struggle to determine what that event should entail. How do you find something that is creative but not awkward, effective but not cliche, and at the same time will appropriately represent the company's culture and values?
What HR doesn't want to happen:
Enter Team Habitat.
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of meeting Tracey Sorenson, Development Manager for the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. They offer a unique and powerful team building opportunity that, quite frankly, not enough businesses know about. Here is our conversation:
Renatta Emerson: Can you briefly explain what Team Habitat is?
Tracey Sorenson: Team Habitat is a program for groups who would like to come out for a day of building together on a Habitat for Humanity house.
RE: Why would a group want to participate in Team Habitat?
TS: According to Fresh Tracks, a UK-based people development company, getting people away from their typical environment and together in new, fun, or unusual settings can have immensely powerful consequences. Colleagues who work together in an unfamiliar environment develop a unique bond of shared experience and trust that carries over to the workplace. Team Habitat has the additional benefit of providing not only this, but also the good feeling that comes from helping others.
RE: That all sounds nice, but when I think of building a house it just seems like a lot of work. Is it actually fun?!
TS: I like to tell people that no one has ever NOT had fun coming out to build with Habitat. I think it’s because house building is such a foreign experience to most people, they think it’s something they can’t do. So when they see all they’ve accomplished after a day of building, it’s tremendously gratifying.
RE: What can groups expect in a day with the Team Habitat experience?
TS: We ask groups to arrive at 8:45 am for a safety briefing and assignment of the day’s tasks, then they work until 3:00 or 3:30 pm. With Team Habitat, a host is on site to take pictures, answer questions, and feed them snacks and lunch – so they get a more personalized experience than our individual volunteers.
RE: Is there any kind of prior experience or training needed?
TS: No experience at all is required! Less than 5% of the people who come out to volunteer with us have any prior construction experience. Our construction managers are used to working with brand-new volunteers and are very patient in teaching them everything they need to know.
RE: What kind of groups would you say is the Team Habitat experience for?
TS: Team Habitat is great for any group who is looking to connect with one another in a fun way while giving back to the community.
RE: That sounds like just about anyone then.
I'm sure people are curious what kind of effect their efforts create. What would you say is the impact that volunteer groups have on Habitat for Humanity’s projects?
TS: Team Habitat is quantifiable in the sense that groups are donating both their time and making a tax-deductible financial contribution. In Tacoma, the cost to build a Habitat home (not including site development and infrastructure costs) is over $70,000. When a Team Habitat group participates, they are doubling the impact they make by not only volunteering their time, but by helping cover the construction costs on the house on which they work.
RE: So, double the impact, team bonding, plus the feel-goods? That's pretty hard to beat! How can groups get more information and who should they contact?
TS: More information about Team Habitat and testimonials from past participants can be found on our local Team Habitat website. They can also call our office at 253-627-5626 and ask to speak to someone about our Team Habitat program. (It will probably be me!)
RE: That's fantastic, is there anything you would like to add?
TS: Thanks for the opportunity to talk about Team Habitat, Renatta. Having been on site with more than a dozen groups, I can say without a doubt that they find this to be a worthwhile team-building opportunity. With corporate social responsibility becoming an industry standard, we are increasingly approached by groups looking to make a difference in their community. However, a lot of people still don’t know about this. We appreciate forward-thinking businesses like yours who are helping us get the word out.
RE: Thank you, Tracey for taking the time to share about Team Habitat!
Contact the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and find out how your company can participate in Team Habitat. Tell them Renatta Emerson Events sent you!
Team Habitat Website
Facebook Page
Phone: 253.627.5626
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