“Do the best you can and it becomes the fabric of your life.”
-Harry Bagot, Habitat Board President-
Nonprofits depend upon their community leaders to become board members and help them formulate the strategies necessary to carry out their mission. Today’s blog post is about Harry Bagot, Board President of the Burlington County Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
I first got to know Harry on a cold night in December at the Dicken’s Festival in Medford, when we worked at the outreach table together. I’m always impressed with leaders who are willing to freeze with you on the front line!
Harry joined the board about 7 years ago when he was in property management and has been the president for a little over 3 years. He first got involved with Habitat through a project he did with Sacred Heart Church in Camden. In his “other job,” he is the President and CEO of U.S. Fuel Corporation.
Taking on a leadership role at Habitat means that Harry and the other board members have to learn about home building, home financing, partnering with families who dream of owning a house, social services, running the ReStore and fundraising.
Habitat’s goal is to build more houses and the biggest challenge for the board is getting the appropriate resources. It’s a lot for a volunteer board to take on, but the payoff is attending a home dedication. Harry believes that knowing you helped a family get a house is the greatest reward that board members receive.
I asked Harry what message he would like to send local employers. “Come out for a build day with your employees. People find it so gratifying that they want to come back and volunteer on their own.”
Harry told me that Habitat is growing and welcomes anyone who wants to get involved at any level. To learn more about how you and your family can make a difference in the community, call Habitat at (856) 303-8080 or visit Habitat’s website.
