Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon — The future of the Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity depends on finding volunteers to step up and assume volunteer roles.
According to officials, the Ontonagon unit has been inactive. Money was embezzled from the organization between 2012-2013 placing it “not in good standing” with Habitat for Humanity International.
Over the last year the board tried to create a new organization to aid area housing needs with the Habitat assets. “This avenue was met with hurdles that could not be overcome with resources available,” Rev. Brian Mason, President of the board said. He added, “ Thus, if Ontonagon Habitat is to continue, the board must bring the local Habitat for Humanity back into “good standing” with Habitat International.” He continued, “this will not be an easy task.”
At a recent meeting the local board agreed to try and find volunteers and agreed to hire a part time secretary/treasurer. Mason said the paid part time secretary-treasurer applicants would need basic secretarial and book keeping skills. “That position is critical to whether we remain a Habitat for Humanity chapter, or if we decide to fold as a chapter and turn everything over to Habitat International,” Mason explained.
The decision on remaining a local chapter does have an impact. Missy Picotte, the organization’s current treasurer, said the future of Habitat remaining local will have an impact on those who have a Habitat home and loan, and also if the county will have a local entity to put people in their own homes through affordable financing.
A spokesperson explained Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabilitated five homes in the county and has the deed to another home that would be remodeled, “if we get volunteers to join the organization and find someone to take the secretary-treasurer position,”Picotte said.
The organization has set until March 1 to determine if the county has the volunteers to keep the organization going.
“If we cannot find a person to take the secretary/treasurer position, and find people to be on the board, we will turn our assets, and the existing loans over to Habitat International,” Mason said, adding, “It’s in the hands of those in Ontonagon County.”
Those interested in being a part of the Ontonagon chapter of Habitat for Humanity or applying for the position can contact Mason at 906-884-2404.