The Role of Crew Leaders

Habitat for Humanity Toronto relies on Crew Leaders (skilled volunteers) to supervise the Willing-To-Learn (unskilled volunteers). To increase the number of regularly available Crew Leaders, Habitat for Humanity Toronto has developed the Crew Leader Training Program.
This is a process for volunteers who are interested in Crew Leadership. It does not prevent a volunteer with a considerable amount of experience and skill from being promoted right away. It is also important to recognize that not everyone who wants to be a Crew Leader will be successful in that pursuit. The role of Crew Leader requires both mechanical aptitude and strong leadership skills. All Crew Leaders are promoted by the Site Supervisor.

Step 1:	Interview with a Site Supervisor and/or Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the Crew Leader role/requirements and determine if this is an appropriate course of action for the volunteer. If the volunteer pursues Crew Leadership, (s)he will be given the Crew Leader Training Card at that time. The Crew Leader Training Card may be kept at the build site with the Volunteer Coordinator or the Crew Leader In Training may choose to keep it.
Step 2:	Schedule for build shifts at: http://www.torontohabitat.ca/scheduler/Pages/Default.aspx Note: Crew Leaders in Training will be given priority scheduling when possible. If you encounter a “Red Day” please contact the Volunteer Department to see if a space can be made available for you.
Step 3:	Completion of at least 5 Shifts for any of the following tasks: Framing, Drywall, Interior Trim, Painting. When a Crew Leader In Training has successfully completed the required shifts for one of the Tasks and has been approved by the Site Supervisor they may be asked to lead crews for that task. (Example: Joe is a Painting Crew Leader but not a Framing Crew Leader.)
Step 4:	Complete Crew Leader Super Session: a class consisting of the history of HFHT, leadership skills, safety and safe tool use.

The Crew Leader Training Card (below) is initialed by the Site Supervisor after each shift is completed. When a CLT has completed one of the core courses, they will receive a “F” “D” “T” “P” sticker for their hard hat. CLTs receive an orange shirt when they have been promoted to Crew Leader status.

For more information, or to register for the Habitat Leader Program, please contact Arundel Gibson, VP of People.
If you have already been accepted as a Habitat leader, click here for the latest Habitat training opportunities.