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As executive director of Habitat for Humanity Metrolina Partners, Meg Robertson works with nine area affiliates of the home-building ministry that depends on volunteer labor and donations of money and materials.
Robertson’s career in the nonprofit sector spans nearly two decades, so many of her memorable reads are related to work. They include “Music of A Thousand Hammers: Inside Habitat for Humanity” by Paul Leonard, and “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America,” by Barbara Ehrenreich.
“Our Habitat homeowners are some of the hardest-working, most determined people I’ve ever come in contact with and it’s a blessing to partner with them,” Robertson said via email. “(Ehrenreich’s) powerful book helps individuals understand the challenges that the working poor face every day.”
Robertson learned about “Toxic Charity,” by Robert Lupton, through Charlotte Family Housing, which supports homeless families. “The book challenges handout charities and encourages them to have their clients invest in solutions and partner on projects,” said Robertson, noting Habitat’s “sweat equity” requirement that future homeowners build alongside volunteers.
“Forces For Good” covers practices that make nonprofits great: “If you’re on a nonprofit board, or if you work for one, pick it up!” Celeste Smith
