Habitat for Humanity Founder Pushed Aside (sexual harrasment)

[private_ryan]

AMERICUS, Ga. - In a characteristic act of frugality, Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller hitched a ride to the Atlanta airport with a female staff member to save the organization a $75 shuttle ride. That ride ended up costing him — and Habitat — a great deal more.

Allegations of "inappropriate conduct" during that drive last year led to Fuller's temporary banishment from the headquarters of the Christian home-building organization he and his wife, Linda, founded 28 years ago. Fuller says the board of directors was on the verge of firing him before he asked former President Jimmy Carter, Habitat's most visible volunteer, to intervene.

//
In 1990, several women at the headquarters accused the founder of sexual harassment — a kiss on the cheek, a hug, a compliment about pretty blue eyes. Fuller was prepared to step down until Carter threatened to withdraw his support from Habitat.

Fuller says he grew up in a touchy-feely country culture and freely admits he did those things.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=9&u=/ap/20041204/ap_on_re_us/habitat_founder

[Bluzmann57]

1. Um, no offense to the ladies out there

but this guy got nailed for sexual harassment for a kiss on the cheek, a hug, and a compliment about pretty blue eyes? In my opinion, that is taking this harassment issue too far. Habitat for Humanity is a fine organization, one which I have volunteered some time and effort for, but if they are going to oust the founder for stupid shit like this, I may have to reconsider. PC run amok.

[private_ryan]

3. getting pushed aside is nothing

according to many people here he should've been executed.

[genieroze]

4. Who said that?

[prolesunited]

10. That chip sure seems to be getting

bigger and bigger. Care to provide any links for that ridiculous claim?

[Samurai_Writer]

6. Read the entire article...

... Habitat would not divulge details of the allegations, but Fuller told The Associated Press recently that Victoria Cross accused him of touching her on the neck, shoulder and thigh, and of telling her she had "smooth skin." ....

Touching a woman on her thigh and telling her she has 'smooth skin' is definitely harrassment, IMO. I would not feel comfortable if a man did that to me who was my boss/coworker and not my lover or S.O.

[Bluzmann57]

11. OK OK I read the article

and I agree that women, as well as men, should not be treated that way. My comment was based on incomplete research. The original thought I had, I stand by, but in light of this entire article, I will say that touching a woman, or a man, on the thigh is inappropriate. That is sexual harassment and should not be tolerated.

[ElectroPrincess]

16. Why didn't she just "shut him down?"

I was a cute young thing once and whenever a man touched me inappropriately I'd speak up, "Hey, cut that sh*t out."

Not blaming the victim but some women need to learn assertive abruptness. Especially if you swear, they'll pay attention!

[jwirr]

24. I agree. My granddaughter

was working in a casino and had to put up with elderly men who failed to understand that a pat on the fanny was not OK. She later had trouble with women and men alike who wanted to rub her belly because she was pregnant and it was good luck! She learned the most effective way to handle those situations was to politely say, "I am sorry but I do not want to be touched like that."

[imenja]

31. this was an ongoing problem

read the article rather than simply the excerpt above. Several women over the years have come forward over the years. This is not based on the word of one woman. Habitat instructed a law firm to investigate the charges and only dismissed him after that investigation, based on complaints from multiple women.

[robcon]

13. That could be harassment, but not necessarily.

Harassment starts at the point when one of the parties says "No."

[wickerwoman]

15. Not really.

Rape starts at the point where one of the partners says no and is ignored.

Harrassment starts when someone in a work situation makes inappropriate sexual advances on a coworker. I shouldn't have to say no after someone grabs my ass. They shouldn't do it in the first place.

[July]

7. Well, I used to contribute to Habitat for Humanity, BUT

the increasing prominence of Millard Fuller has turned me right off.

The mailings from them are now all about GOD, which is not the reason for my contributions. Smart marketers would understand that all kinds of people, including non-Christian ones, might support Habitat's goals.

Much less important to anyone but me was the fact that our donations were in my husband's and my names, which are different (I refer to surnames). Recently, I've been adorned with my husband's surname by Habitat, even though it's one I've never used, and even though our (different) names appear on the checks we've sent them). Sorry. If they can't even get my name right, and if they're going to tell me my support helps their Christian mission, I can send my dollars elsewhere.

[prolesunited]

9. Do you treat your male co-workers that way?

Kissing and hugging women has NO place in the workplace. That's not being "PC," that's showing respect for women be treating them as equals, not sexual objects for your enjoyment.

[ElectroPrincess]

17. We did a lot of "hugging" in the field of addiction counseling ...

And ya know what? It never turned sexual. Go figure ;)

[prolesunited]

20. That's an entirely different dynamic

and in no way can be applied to the field of banking or retail. No one said it HAD to be sexual and in this case, it certainly seems to be the situation.

Why is it so hard to keep your hands off your co-workers? This isn't a social situation, it's a professional one.

[genieroze]

2. Sounds like they want to turn Habitat for Humanity into

Needy for the Greedy. I remember going to their Re Store. It's like a thrift store with donated items being sold to help build houses. There were two of them on was near me and the other was pretty far. I used to go to the far one because it was huge and they had more stuff. I would go antique hunting. I would pay a little more than a garage sale or thrift store. About as much or a little less than a antique shop. I figure it was for charity, so what the heck. After reading what they did to the founder, I'm not sure about going back there.

[Dover]

5. He should have taken a cue from Jimmy Carter

and just lusted in his heart.

[July]

8. Joke, or you're dissing Jimmy Carter? nt

[Dover]

25. Joke of course. Jimmy is my hero...supports Habitat for Humanity too.

It's just a famous quote from him when asked about 'other' women.

[daleo]

12. If true, this is a bit more than just touch-feely

Habitat would not divulge details of the allegations, but Fuller told The Associated Press recently that Victoria Cross accused him of touching her on the neck, shoulder and thigh, and of telling her she had "smooth skin."

Telling a 34 year old woman that she has smooth skin seems a bit more than an innocent compliment, especially after touching her neck, shoulder and thigh. I know if a female boss did this to me, I would think she had something more than work in mind.

Interesting article. There seem to be a lot of issues in play other than this. Until now, I never even knew they were religiously based. They seem like the kind of religious group that concentrates on good works rather than lecturing people, though. That makes sense to me.

[Warpy]

14. If behavior is objectionable, the recipient has a duty

to tell the person exactly where the line is. If the behavior continues after the recipient has objected, then it's sexual harassment.

That was the difference between Clinton and Packwood. Clinton may have been guilty of the occasional tacky pass, but he took "NO" for an answer. Packwood never did, and kept up the behavior.

Some men (and women) are touchy feely.

[ElectroPrincess]

18. Exactly! We called those gals, and there were a significant

percentage of them in the US Army, going after their Mrs. Rank.

Unless you are downright physically overpowered, shut THEM down and leave it be. Some guy grabbed my a** in a bar, I grabbed him by the wrist and exclaimed the above, "Cut that sh*t out!" Everybody laughed and he received the message.

No muss ... no fuss ... and most important = NO wasted time and energy lamented over sexual harassment charges or inappropriate sexual advances.

Women need to communicate that strongly, I'd suggest upon the first unwanted touch on the neck or kiss on the cheek.

[prolesunited]

19. I don't agree

He put his hand on her thigh and told her she had soft skin. When would that EVER be appropriate in the workplace?!?!

A misunderstanding would be in the context of a social situation and it's appropriate for the woman to say she's not interested. Why would it be up to women to fend off such pawing in the workplace. Just keep your hands OFF of her?

It wasn't a pat on the back or a reassuring squeeze on the arm, something a touchy-feely person would do to a male or female co-worker. Do you touch your male co-worker's thigh? Tell him he has pretty eyes?

[ElectroPrincess]

21. Ok, I was being a little bravada ... no that is not O.K.

When you're talking about a superior it can get destructive. I once received a bland evaluation after not taking up some senior officer's advances. Fortunately upon returning from TDY, my station superior, knew this guy's M.O., talked with me and my contingent and fully UNDERSTOOD, i.e., wrote me up with the others to receive an Army Achievement Medal.

But you're right, if someone is superior and you must depend on that paycheck to feed your family, then, of course, we're talking sexual harassment. No argument from me there. :-)

[hickman1937]

23. I've got to wonder though

Habitat is based on need. Sounds to me like the opening shots of a movement in the organization to re-define 'need' based on belief. Call me paranoid, but, sounds like a fundy takeover.

[sandnsea]

26. Superior or not, it's not ok

Geez, if women keep making it their responsibility to say no, men will always think they can do whatever they want UNTIL the woman says no. Don't women ever wonder why some guys can flirt without being gropers and others can't? Stop putting them in the same category, it isn't fair to either sex. Gropers need to face the consequences of their actions, sexual harrassment or sexual assault, as the circumstances dictate.

It's called not enabling bad behavior.

[feistydem]

22. I am the Director of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate and...

to those here who say that for one reason or another they may opt to stop sponsoring their local Habitat, let me respond.

Habitat affiliates are like franchisees. They are started by and run by people in your communities. The only real connection they have back to Habitat International is that they pay a small percentage of their fundraising back to build houses for people in (mostly 3rd World)other countries.

Local Habitat affiliates don't receive much financial support from the parent organization --what they receive is name recognition that allows the affiliates to obtain HUD funding and grants and leadership on how to run the operation.

I implore you not to suspend your support of your local affiliates because of something you believe the parent organization has done. You are not hurting them as much as you are hurting the local chapter that is working hard to build affordable homes in your community.

As to the person who is unhappy that her name has been merged with her husband's. That is most likely a result of having a poor database of donors and not one of judgment. Fundraising tracking software is very expensive and most people don't know how to build a database from scratch. Call your affiliate and let them know to send letters and such to you separately in your own name. If they fail again after a direct request, then you have a right to pull your support if it offends you.

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization. It does not proselytize. It is based on the goodness of human beings to take care of those less fortunate. Housing is one of our most basic needs.

I am Jewish and I have never felt disrespected by Habitat International or others involved in the organization.

It is a wonderful organization and I am proud to work for any group, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or Islamic that has made so much headway in housing people regardless of their color, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are putting a lesbian couple into a home next year.

Finally, please keep in mind --these are still allegations against Millard Fuller. Did you abandon the Democrats when Bill Clinton was accused of worse? Unlike the Christian televangelists who've cheated on their wives while condemning others who do the same, Mr. Fuller has been focused on one mission --to honor human dignity by building low income families homes they can call their own. He didn't tell them they had to be righteous Christians to qualify and he sure never claimed to be perfect himself.

edited for typos

[burrowowl]

27. Thank you for your reply

Here in ABQ Habitat does good work and many gays and lesbians participate.

[imenja]

28. Obviously there has to be more involved

It seems to me that you've mis-characterized this article in the paragraphs you chosen. If that is all the man ever did, multiple women would not have lodged complaints against him, and the organization's board wouldn't have felt a need to dismiss him.
That several women have come forward over the years suggests this man has a problem. Moreover, the article explicitly states that the Habitat for Humanity would not disclose the nature of the allegations--so we don't know what they are. All we know is that several women have come forward and that the organization considered the allegations serious enough to ask a founding member to leave.

Sexual harassers often claim they are simply "touchy feely." The way a number of men have responded to this post makes me wonder if you all think it appropriate to treat your co-workers and employees in a sexualized fashion? That kind of behavior can lead to a hostile work environment, hence the complaints.
Women who wage such charges more often that not have their own careers damaged while nothing happens to the men in question. I find it difficult to believe that all of these women at Habitat were lying and that the board dismissed Fuller for no good reason.

Here are additional experts from the same article:

"Habitat would not divulge details of the allegations, but Fuller told The Associated Press recently that Victoria Cross accused him of touching her on the neck, shoulder and thigh, and of telling her she had "smooth skin."

Habitat hired a New York law firm to look into the allegations and ordered Fuller to stay away from the office until the investigation was completed.

This was not the first time Fuller had been accused of being too familiar with female staff.

In 1990, several women at the headquarters accused the founder of sexual harassment — a kiss on the cheek, a hug, a compliment about pretty blue eyes. Fuller was prepared to step down until Carter threatened to withdraw his support from Habitat."

[DoYouEverWonder]

29. I heard about this fellow back in 1991

A family friend was the minister for Habitat Int'l. Fuller has been harassing women in this way for years. The minister and his wife left the organization in the early 90's because of this situation.

[George_S]

30. There is a lot more to that article.

A whole lot more.