Habitat for Humanity Fires Its Founder

[Rose Siding]

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Habitat for Humanity International said Monday it fired its founder after months of dispute over allegations of his inappropriate conduct toward a female staffer.

In a statement, the board's executive committee said it found insufficient evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment allegations stemming from a 2003 business trip, but it cited Millard Fuller's lack of cooperation with the investigation.

Officials also fired Fuller's wife, Linda, who co-founded the Christian home-building organization with him 28 years ago.
...
"We have tried repeatedly over the past several months to resolve differences in a spirit of respectful confidentiality," board chair Rey Ramsey said in the statement. "In every instance, the Fullers ultimately have rejected or been openly critical of any and all steps taken toward appropriate compromise."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-habitat-founder,0,1354895.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[flamingyouth]

1. Wow

:wow:

[benburch]

2. That's so sad! nt

[whistle]

3. That has been Jimmy Carter's pet program ever since he...

...left the presidency. Do you think the religious fundies have gotten their corrupt fingers into the cookie jar?

[Rose Siding]

4. This guy's the founder

He's 70 and had faced similar charges in the 90s.

Carter will help them find a replacement:

snip>
Carter, who had tried to serve as a mediator in the dispute, agreed to be honorary chair of a search committee for a new CEO.

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. I know the fellow

who was the minister for HFH at the time of the first scandal. The founder is a major jerk.

[jody]

7. "founder is a major jerk"? Why do you say that? n/t

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. This isn't the first time he's been in trouble

he was forced out of the organization in the early 90's for inappropriate sexual behavior by people in the organization who really do believe in the 10 commandments. Unfortunately, HFH didn't do very well without him so the board invited him back and some of the people who tried to uphold a moral standard had to leave.

[PassingFair]

8. I understand the organization was founded by fundies...

and in fact, the founder has been rather vocal lately about it getting too secular. He wanted to crank up the religiouscity, if you will, and boot out non-deists.

[jody]

10. I thought the founders, husband and wife, wanted to use their considerable

fortune to help those without homes. I believe HFH does not require a person to conform to a particular religious belief.

Given the obvious good the couple has done through the organization they started with their own money, perhaps they should be forgiven some foibles. They are human after all!

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. The guy got caught

cheating on his wife with the secretary. Is that still okay in your book?

[jody]

16. Are you opposed to adultery? What about sex without marriage?

Are you pure in all that you do? I recall a teaching that says "he that is without sin cast the first stone". You sound more fundie than the fundies!

[brainshrub]

6. So sad. Such a wonderful program.

I'm sure they will recover from this scandal. At least they weren't trying to cover-up the deeds from this bad-apple.

I'm going over to their site and donating a few dollars right now.

[VegasWolf]

9. Misread, thought it was Hallibut for Humanity Fires its Flounder.n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. ROFL

long day...that was good :thumbsup:

[lovuian]

14. Outstanding Program my kids participated in it

My son learned how to put in Kitchen cabinets and put up drywall and all kinds of handy stuff and he got to work with the prisoners from a prison who were there learning job skills. We still go by the house he helped to build!!!

[MADem]

15. Their website says they are ecumenical Xtian

http://www.habitat.org/ if anyone is interested in learning more about them.