Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Joan Dahl

“Women at Work” is the trademark slogan for Habitat East Bay’s All Women’s Crew and truly exemplifies our featured volunteer, Joan Dahl. Starting out as a member of the All Women’s Crew, Joan became a regular volunteer on the construction site, and then offered her skills to the Construction Department by volunteering regularly in the office as well. Volunteers like Joan who extend their support beyond the construction site are integral assets to Habitat East Bay. A great role model for women everywhere, contributing her skills on and off the construction site, Joan is not your typical stay-at-home mom.

Tell us a little about yourself. Besides volunteering with Habitat for Humanity East Bay, how do you spend your time?

I moved from Pennsylvania in August of 2008 when my husband was transferred for his work. I had to leave my job as Vice President of Operations as well as Instructor for a martial arts school. Before that I was a construction project manager for 15 years for a few general contracting firms as well as a Real Estate Investment Trust. I heard about Habitat for Humanity East Bay’s All Women’s Crew and thought I would join, since I was now “retired” and my children are in middle school. 

I also like to run, play tennis and go to the gym a few times a week. I was also just recently picked to be on the City Infrastructure Oversight Committee for my town.

What is your current volunteer role and level of involvement with us?

Currently, I am working with Hans Reuvenkamp (VP of Construction) helping with different aspects of the construction management two days a week. I also got to be a crew leader for the Woman’s Build House this year at the Build-A-Thon, where I had an absolute blast. It was great to work with house leaders Chrissy Thomas and Mary McCall, as well as everyone else on the build. Every morning Chrissy had the list of things we had to do. Throughout the day we did those tasks. Now, I would be lying if I said everything went smoothly because It did not.  However, we know that there will be issues and it is how they are handled that really matters. Chrissy and Mary handled each and every problem with a great attitude and at the end of the day they were so complementary on how much we got done. Working with all the women was great. Some had construction experience and others did not, but everyone had a great attitude. The women with experience showed the women without experience how to do what needed to be done. Hammering nails so you can still feel your arm at the end of the day, using the chop saw, or hanging a girder were all new to some woman, but at the end of the day, all were competent.

What motivates you to continue volunteering with Habitat East Bay?

I really enjoy working with the folks a Habitat. Everyone is always upbeat and so appreciative, that it is a joy to work every day.

Why do you make volunteering for Habitat for Humanity East Bay a priority?

I make volunteering a priority for purely selfish reasons…I really enjoy working with the Habitat folks and doing both the construction on site (I hardly ever bend the nails that I am hammering now) as well as the construction management in the office.

What have been your most memorable experiences?

The most memorable experience was last year while working with Site Superintendent Ben Grubb and some of the other soon to be crew leaders for the 2009 Build-A -Thon. We were doing some of the work with joist hangers on the “practice house” and joking around while we were working.  Ben told one of us to nail something to the party wall. (A party wall, or partition wall, is the two-story wall that separates two unites of a duplex.) I told Ben that since we were having so much fun while we were working that “every wall in this house is a party wall.” We all laughed and Ben had to write it down on the wall!

How does the mission and philosophy of Habitat East Bay fit in your own life values?

I strongly believe in the idea of giving a hand-up, not a hand-out. It helps folks to invest and take pride in their accomplishments.

If you could be a tool what would you be and why?

Computer. There are so many things that it is used for and sometimes forgotten. It can create and change plans. It communicates with others.  It can show the big picture and small details.  It can schedule and order products. When all else fails the keyboard can be used to hammer in a nail, pry apart two boards, or shim up a pile of plywood.

What is your favorite job on the construction site?

My favorite job is cleaning up… No just kidding! My favorite job is carpentry.  Hitting nails as hard as I can and then standing up a wall is very satisfying.

What is it like working with construction and office staff? With the AmeriCorps members?

I really enjoy working with the staff and AmeriCorps members. Everyone is nice, patient and appreciative.  Patience goes a long way. When I am learning a new task, they are always there with advice and encouragement. When there is a technical item that I have a suggestion, they always listen with an open mind. Working with the office staff has been great too. I have the weirdest questions for people in the office and everyone is nice about it.  The other day I gave Louisa a list of different towns in California and asked which ones are nearby. I am still learning the local geography and I did not know. She was great to look at the list for me and let me know.

What is it like working side by side with families who are completing their sweat equity hours?

I have had so many experiences working with the families. I have worked with all different folks with many different life stories. One important thing that they have in common is how thankful and kind they all are.
 

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Kathy Schmitz
Posts: 2

Great work, great interview!
Reply #2 on : Wed May 05, 2010, 03:24:49

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Sounds like HabitatEB's a great fit for you and you're a great fit for HabitatEB! I love working with you at the sites... expertise, postive attitude, good energy, and quick humor! P.S. Martial arts, huh? That's an interesting factoid about your background!

Monica Mack
Posts: 2

You ROCK Girl!!!
Reply #1 on : Fri April 30, 2010, 11:45:07

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Nice interview Joan. It's awesome that you spend you retired/spare time working with HabitatEB. They are better for it.