User:Inferno9891

The Affirmative Resolves In Favor Of…

Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one or more of the following national service programs: AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, Senior Corps, Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America, Armed Forces.


 * Definitions will be provided upon request.

Habitat for Humanity, founded by Aerators ( AmeriCorps having 3,000 individual/ self-run organizations - *America.org ), is an international, non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing. Homes are built using volunteer labor and are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. Almost a complete majority of those volunteering for Habitat for Humanity volunteer by their own free will. These include some of the following: church organizations, retired tradesmen and contractors, celebrities and politicians, and corporations. The affirmative pursues a substantial increase in Habitat for Humanity by means of state required volunteering.


 * Habitat.org

Purpose --

Habitat for Humanity provided much needed homes around the world. You may be wondering who decided who gets a house and who doesn’t. According to the official website, "Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group." Habitat for Humanity builds simple houses with locally appropriate materials. This could mean concrete block homes in Third World nations or poured concrete-walled homes in hurricane-prone regions of the United States. Chapters of Habitat in more developed countries are strongly encouraged to donate ten percent of the money they raise for local housing to the national group for the purpose of building Third World homes. For instance, Habitat New Zealand builds one house in Fiji for each house they build in New Zealand. In the end, Habitat for Humanity provides much needed housing assistance throughout the world.


 * Habitat.org

Our Topicality --

Habitat for Humanity is a partner with AmeriCorps, thereby falling under the resolution.

Solvency --

The affirmative pursues a substantial increase in Habitat for Humanity by means of state required volunteering. With an increase in state required volunteering, more homes will be built. It’s as simple as that. Today’s courts often write off violations, whether civil or otherwise, with fines. If even a small percentage of these people were given Habitat for Humanity hours, productivity would significantly increase.

Overall Significance --

Habitat for Humanity, a partner with AmeriCorps, provides much needed housing assistance throughout the world.

Harm/Opportunity cost --

The homeless that miss the opportunity to receive homes by not implementing our solvency.

Inherency --

The affirmative wishes to overrule the existential ( Pron: exist- en - tial ) inherency at play. ( Meaning that our plan hasn’t happened yet )

Evidence:

( Habitat.org ) By 2004 Habitat had built 50,000 houses in the U.S. and over 175,000 around the world, with Habitat groups working in over 100 countries. Although headquartered in the United States, two thirds of Habitat construction takes place in other countries. In 2005 Habitat built its 200,000th house, bringing the number of people sheltered in Habitat houses worldwide to one million.

( President of Dartmouth College - Darmouth.edu ) "Habitat has a really simple way of helping people to improve their lives. Believing in the work of the organization motivates me to get involved with its projects and try to get other people involved. I know that Habitat is not solving the major societal causes of poverty housing, but it does help people into homes, it builds community, and it makes more people aware of the housing problems that members of our community face. It's also really fun just to get out there and build." "The best thing about working with Habitat is getting to build alongside the future homeowners. There’s a requirement for all Habitat homeowners to donate a few hundred hours of "sweat equity" to build their own house and that of others. It keeps them involved in Habitat and the community. For us volunteers, they put a face on the efforts we are making."

( Habitat.org ) In 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, calling Habitat for Humanity “…the most successful continuous community service project in the history of the United States.”

"Everyone gets something out of partnering with Habitat for Humanity - It’s a win-win situation." Stewart Baseley, Chairman and CEO, Centex UK Ltd "It is thoroughly worthwhile as part of a corporate responsibility project - second to none in terms of team building. The history of HFH shows that it's a very worthwhile project and it works! It's a great way to get your staff motivated. It’s very hands on and has a great impact." Lois Duguid, Head of Community Affairs, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer “You get far more return on this investment than any other team building event. This is real—real problems, real solutions with real differences made.” Michael Kirkwood, CMG, MD and Country Corporate Officer, Citigroup "You are able to express support in personal, active and concrete terms. It simply feels good!" Marike van Lier Lels, Executive Vice President and Chief Operational Officer, Schiphol Group “It gives employees the message that volunteering is a great way to personally develop and grow new skills and team experiences. It offers the chance of working with different communities and to understand social and economic issues that one might not come across in everyday life.” Jill Garfitt, Head of People Development, Serco PLC "Habitat for Humanity is a global concept crossing cultures and generations, everyone connects with it a little." Susana de Carvalho, CEO, J. Walter Thompson – Portugal "We truly believe that this partnership inspires employees, trade partners and consumers to build lives through unforgettable, life-enriching experience that is Habitat for Humanity.” Mike Todman, President, Whirlpool Europe "People who don’t normally mix get to work as a team – that’s building communities as they should be." Dennis Rooney, Senior Partner, Dennis Rooney Associates - Northern Ireland "This initiative with HFH is one more way we are demonstrating our commitment to the principles of corporate social responsibility. We strive to make the communities in which we do business better places to live because of our presence." Kathleen Bader, Chairman, President and CEO, Cargill Dow "This is an excellent team-building day that is also a lot of fun. It is a good feeling to contribute to these families so they can move into their homes. The whole event was so excellent that we plan to organize more days in the future involving more colleagues from ING." Pieter de Haes, CEO, ING Bank (Hungary) Rt. “Having participated in and organized many personal development programs for our staff, I can undoubtedly say that nothing comes close to the value this program provides to the individual, the team and the company.” Tim Coles, Head of HR, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer