David Mullin of Northern Vermont Habitat for Humanity
CSH Rotary Club Meeting – February 5, 2026
The Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Club braved the winter weather for another productive Wednesday meeting featuring an inspiring presentation from Habitat for Humanity.
Club Business & Updates
The meeting opened with acknowledgments of visitors David Mullin from Habitat for Humanity joined as the featured speaker.
Breakfast Contributions: Members were thanked for contributing toward breakfast costs. The new fishbowl system is being monitored, and the board will decide whether to implement a standard flat fee in coming weeks.
Shelburne Winter Carnival: Happening this Saturday—members signed up to assist at the Shelburne Community School. Catherine assured volunteers that craft supplies are covered: "I have more than enough to compete with Michael's." The bake sale component is being run separately by Shelburne Rec, so members can contribute baked goods if desired.
Pie for Breakfast Update
Amanda reported that UVM has had to withdraw their $500 sponsorship due to internal funding redirections—a setback that needs to be made up. However, a new $200 donation came in, and email traffic suggests more sponsors are responding. The committee meeting continues every other Tuesday at 9:30 AM at Town Hall.
Members were reminded: when approaching potential sponsors, lead with the full sponsorship ask before mentioning silent auction options. Any place you visit—even on a lunch break—is an opportunity.
Next Year's Leadership: Members interested in joining the leadership pipeline should reach out to Catherine, Jessica, or Amanda.
Featured Presentation: Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
David Mullin, CEO of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity for 25 years, shared both the organization's history and its exciting future.
The Model: Habitat builds homes with families, not for them. Families must:
- Purchase the home at cost (typically half market value)
- Put in "sweat equity" working on their own home or at Habitat ReStores
- Qualify financially to support a mortgage
The result: brand-new, super energy-efficient homes where mortgage, tax, and insurance combined are often less than what families were paying in rent. A recent Burlington duplex appraised at $410,000 sold to the family for $160,000.
Volunteer Power: Building one Habitat home requires 200-300 volunteers. The volunteer labor is what makes homes affordable—construction labor typically accounts for 50% of building costs. Volunteers range from first-timers to experienced carpenters. A regular crew affectionately called "the Geezers" (average age 70+) has members who've volunteered every Tuesday and Thursday for 20 years.
Perpetual Affordability: Homes include covenants keeping them perpetually affordable. If a family sells, they receive their equity plus 25% of the appreciation—enough to step up to market-rate housing while keeping the Habitat home affordable for the next family. One family sold after 17 years and walked away with close to $100,000, which became their down payment on a market-rate home that same afternoon.
Exciting Growth: The organization has 60 homes in its pipeline—more than ever before. They're moving from 5-6 homes per year to 10, including projects in Hinesburg (two four-plexes and two triplexes), a potential 12-unit development off Spear Street, and 12-15 homes in Williston (closing on a $660,000 property this week).
The ReStores: Three Habitat ReStores (Williston, Milton, Swanton) generate enough revenue to build approximately three houses per year. Donations range from single chairs to entire housefuls of furniture. One notable partnership with Keurig yielded tractor-trailer loads of coffee machines and approximately $2 million in donations.
Selection Process: Champlain Housing Trust helps families get financially qualified, then Habitat's Family Selection Committee (all volunteers) conducts site visits to assess housing conditions. David shared that many families live in substandard conditions they don't report for fear of losing their housing—mold-filled basements, no running water for weeks despite paying rent.
Energy Efficiency: All homes are built super energy-efficient, with many going all-electric. However, David noted the burden this places on families through higher upfront costs and maintenance requirements.
Volunteer Opportunities: Construction sites welcome volunteers of all skill levels—"If you don't want to climb a ladder, I've got a job for you on the ground." ReStores also need volunteers. Visit the website to sign up for specific days once projects post their schedules.
In appreciation, Jim Donovan presented David with a book on home maintenance to be donated to the Hinesburg Library.
Happy Fines Highlights
- One member celebrated a neighbor blowing out her driveway while her husband was out of town
- Another is happy for the snow and heading south, missing next week's meeting
- John is having back surgery tomorrow—members wished him well
- Richard donated to cover another member who forgot their wallet
- One member is seriously reconsidering their vow never to go to Florida in winter
- A water main break on Hull Crest caused morning chaos
- A member's nephew at University of Minnesota has been on the front lines of protests—concerning but proud moment
- A friend's totaled car means shared commuting time together
The Look Ahead
- This Saturday: Shelburne Winter Carnival
- February 18: Speech Contest during regular meeting
- March 14: Pie for Breakfast
Members were reminded to keep pursuing sponsorships and sharing the Pie for Breakfast message on Front Porch Forum and social media.
The Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Club braved the winter weather for another productive Wednesday meeting featuring an inspiring presentation from Habitat for Humanity.
Club Business & Updates
The meeting opened with acknowledgments of visitors David Mullin from Habitat for Humanity joined as the featured speaker.
Breakfast Contributions: Members were thanked for contributing toward breakfast costs. The new fishbowl system is being monitored, and the board will decide whether to implement a standard flat fee in coming weeks.
Shelburne Winter Carnival: Happening this Saturday—members signed up to assist at the Shelburne Community School. Catherine assured volunteers that craft supplies are covered: "I have more than enough to compete with Michael's." The bake sale component is being run separately by Shelburne Rec, so members can contribute baked goods if desired.
Pie for Breakfast Update
Amanda reported that UVM has had to withdraw their $500 sponsorship due to internal funding redirections—a setback that needs to be made up. However, a new $200 donation came in, and email traffic suggests more sponsors are responding. The committee meeting continues every other Tuesday at 9:30 AM at Town Hall.
Members were reminded: when approaching potential sponsors, lead with the full sponsorship ask before mentioning silent auction options. Any place you visit—even on a lunch break—is an opportunity.
Next Year's Leadership: Members interested in joining the leadership pipeline should reach out to Catherine, Jessica, or Amanda.
Featured Presentation: Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
David Mullin, CEO of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity for 25 years, shared both the organization's history and its exciting future.
The Model: Habitat builds homes with families, not for them. Families must:
- Purchase the home at cost (typically half market value)
- Put in "sweat equity" working on their own home or at Habitat ReStores
- Qualify financially to support a mortgage
The result: brand-new, super energy-efficient homes where mortgage, tax, and insurance combined are often less than what families were paying in rent. A recent Burlington duplex appraised at $410,000 sold to the family for $160,000.
Volunteer Power: Building one Habitat home requires 200-300 volunteers. The volunteer labor is what makes homes affordable—construction labor typically accounts for 50% of building costs. Volunteers range from first-timers to experienced carpenters. A regular crew affectionately called "the Geezers" (average age 70+) has members who've volunteered every Tuesday and Thursday for 20 years.
Perpetual Affordability: Homes include covenants keeping them perpetually affordable. If a family sells, they receive their equity plus 25% of the appreciation—enough to step up to market-rate housing while keeping the Habitat home affordable for the next family. One family sold after 17 years and walked away with close to $100,000, which became their down payment on a market-rate home that same afternoon.
Exciting Growth: The organization has 60 homes in its pipeline—more than ever before. They're moving from 5-6 homes per year to 10, including projects in Hinesburg (two four-plexes and two triplexes), a potential 12-unit development off Spear Street, and 12-15 homes in Williston (closing on a $660,000 property this week).
The ReStores: Three Habitat ReStores (Williston, Milton, Swanton) generate enough revenue to build approximately three houses per year. Donations range from single chairs to entire housefuls of furniture. One notable partnership with Keurig yielded tractor-trailer loads of coffee machines and approximately $2 million in donations.
Selection Process: Champlain Housing Trust helps families get financially qualified, then Habitat's Family Selection Committee (all volunteers) conducts site visits to assess housing conditions. David shared that many families live in substandard conditions they don't report for fear of losing their housing—mold-filled basements, no running water for weeks despite paying rent.
Energy Efficiency: All homes are built super energy-efficient, with many going all-electric. However, David noted the burden this places on families through higher upfront costs and maintenance requirements.
Volunteer Opportunities: Construction sites welcome volunteers of all skill levels—"If you don't want to climb a ladder, I've got a job for you on the ground." ReStores also need volunteers. Visit the website to sign up for specific days once projects post their schedules.
In appreciation, Jim Donovan presented David with a book on home maintenance to be donated to the Hinesburg Library.
Happy Fines Highlights
- One member celebrated a neighbor blowing out her driveway while her husband was out of town
- Another is happy for the snow and heading south, missing next week's meeting
- John is having back surgery tomorrow—members wished him well
- Richard donated to cover another member who forgot their wallet
- One member is seriously reconsidering their vow never to go to Florida in winter
- A water main break on Hull Crest caused morning chaos
- A member's nephew at University of Minnesota has been on the front lines of protests—concerning but proud moment
- A friend's totaled car means shared commuting time together
The Look Ahead
- This Saturday: Shelburne Winter Carnival
- February 18: Speech Contest during regular meeting
- March 14: Pie for Breakfast
Members were reminded to keep pursuing sponsorships and sharing the Pie for Breakfast message on Front Porch Forum and social media.