rural organizations Archives

David’s Take

A board of directors is essential to any organization, offering more than just advice—they provide guidance, leadership, and support that shape its direction and success. Their insights and commitment help ensure an organization stays true to its mission while also navigating challenges and driving innovation.

HAC’s board plays a vital role in guiding our mission. Their leadership and diverse perspectives keep us grounded in our values while driving innovation and lasting impact in rural America’s most vulnerable communities.

I’d like to give special recognition to two retiring board members, Peter Carey and Naomi Scipio. Their passion for our mission has left a lasting mark on HAC and the communities we serve, and we’re deeply grateful for their years of service.

Lastly, I’m excited to share that our recent staff retreat in California was a resounding success. It provided a valuable opportunity for HACsters to explore challenges and opportunities in rural housing, equipping us to move forward with a stronger mission. Thank you for your unwavering support as we continue this journey together!

HACtivities

Duty to Serve Comments

As part of the Duty to Serve program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently published their proposed 2025-2027 Underserved Markets Plans for public comment. This program requires the GSEs to focus on historically underserved markets, including rural housing, affordable housing preservation, and manufactured housing. HAC provided feedback on these proposed plans, addressing various aspects and offering insights into each market. To read our full response and explore our detailed feedback, check out the article here: https://ruralhome.org/hac-comments-on-proposed-gse-duty-to-serve-plans-for-2025-2027/.

All Staff Retreat Recap Highlight

HAC’s annual all-staff retreat in Fresno, California, from September 15-18 was a transformative experience that strengthened team bonds and deepened our understanding of the communities we serve. A highlight of the retreat was touring Self-Help Enterprises, where we saw firsthand the impact of community-driven development in rural areas. We also explored the natural beauty of Sequoia & Kings Canyon, including a 45-minute walking tour of Grant Tree. The retreat reinforced our understanding that investments in the capacity of a rural organization like SHE can be transformative for communities across rural America.

HAC Staff learns about active development from Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) Executive Director Tom Collishaw

HAC staff at the construction site of a new Self-Help Enterprises development

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Developing our own organizations is one of the cha llenges we face as we work to develop our rural communities. Leadership, structure, staffing, planning, funding -the list of topics involved in bui lding organizational capacity can be daunting. The Winter 1999-2000 issue of Rural Voices addresses some of these subjects and how they relate to rural housing.

First, experts present recommendations on how to develop an organ ization, and list resou rces t hat can help. The role of women as leaders is cons idered next, including moving quotations from a recent study and a profile of one strong rura l woman. Another piece describes one way rural leaders can obta in academic degrees while work ing in t heir communities. The state of ru ral phi lanthropy is considered by experts in that field. One philanthropic effort, the Bank of America’s Rura l 2000 Initiative, is described in more detai l in a separate article.

As always, the magazine touches on some additional topics as well as its theme. The tenth anniversary of the Affordable Housing Program is celebrated, and the View from Wash ington department summarizes the fund ing outlook for housing programs in fisca l yea r 2000.

Tag Archive for: rural organizations

Rural Recap – The Importance of Board Service

David’s Take

HACtivities

Duty to Serve Comments

All Staff Retreat Recap Highlight

Rural Voices: Developing Organizations and Leaders

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50 Years for Rural America