In November, RTP’s Board of Directors plied their own skills at repairs for what’s become an annual Board Build. The repair project – a Menlo Park parsonage house – provided board members the chance to bond as a team away from the conference room and experience direct impact.
Members tore down an old fence and built a new one to help get the house ready for a new tenant. Skill levels varied, but there was something for everyone as members with repair skills taught othersto use a nail gun and a level for the first time.
By helping prepare the facility for safe, livable use, this project supported housing stability for clergy or staff while contributing to meaningful cost savings for the church – especially meaningful in the Bay Area, one of the most expensive places in the country to build and maintain housing.
For board member Kevin Marks, who has been affiliated with RTP since 2005, has served multiple board terms and led many projects as a Site Captain, the day underscored the value of seeing the work up close.
“Unless you’re there with gloves on, swinging a hammer, using a paint brush, or throwing mulch around a yard, you don’t get a true sense of what we’re about and see the impact. Particularly when you’re working on a home and get to meet the homeowner, or when you’re working in a community center or childcare facility and the staff start tearing up because you’re doing work that they just couldn’t afford to do.”
The Board Build created a space for camaraderie and connection, allowing members to bond and see one another in a different setting. For many, it provided a clearer, firsthand snapshot of RTP’s mission in action – something Kevin finds especially meaningful.
“Being on the board is not just transactional (something to put on your resume). You actually get a true appreciation for the mission of the organization.”
What keeps Kevin so engaged with RTP is the consistently positive experience – working in new environments, feeling accomplished at the end of the day, and knowing the work makes a real difference. His advice for Site Captains? “Plan ahead, don’t take on more than you can chew, and take time to identify the skills within your volunteer group.”
In less than a day, the property was transformed. The Board Build was a powerful reminder that to support RTP’s mission, all one has to do is show up willing to chip in to improve the lives of our neighbors in need.