Volunteer Contact: Volunteer Desk (650)568-7342 volunteer@peninsula habitat.org More Profiles Home Volunteer Profiles The Skaddens Volunteers Think Globally, Act Locally John and Janet Skadden attended their nephew's college graduation. Millard Fuller was the keynote speaker and it was the first time John and Janet heard about Habitat for Humanity in-depth. Fuller spoke about founding Habitat and the work the organization was doing worldwide. He was compelling. "We have a philosophy," John said, "Think globally; Act locally. Habitat fits this description." John and Janet began giving to Habitat for Humanity after hearing Millard Fuller speak. Then the Skaddens met a woman at a baseball game who worked with Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. Both Janet and the woman encouraged John, recently retired, to volunteer his time. "I interviewed with Tina Phillips, Peninsula Habitat's Finance Manager, and started throwing out things I could do," John said. "I told her I could do all types of finance work on the computer." John started volunteering one day per week helping Tina with the payroll, workman's compensation, homeowners' impound accounts, 1099 forms, and the annual audit. "Tina is appreciative because it saves her time," he said. "If she has other things she needs me to work on, she just asks." When Janet retired, John invited her to volunteer with him. Janet initially began volunteering once a month to help Peninsula Habitat develop sustainable human resources practices. She wrote an employee handbook, created a benefits packet for new hires, and established a performance plan and review process. She also provided counsel on hiring and human resources issues, participated in a strategic planning session with the board, and joined the Board of Directors last April. Now, Janet volunteers one day per week, and sits on both the Board Development and Homeowner Relations Committees. "Both of us continue to volunteer because we like the people and we feel appreciated," Janet said. "We also see Peninsula Habitat's goals being realized. We're building more houses and serving more families every year." "Supporting organizations that provide ways for people to help themselves is important to us," Janet added. "We want to provide children and families with a smartly constructed way to make positive changes in their lives over multiple generations."