Habitat Founder Terminated for Sexual Harassment
The executive committee of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity International announced its decision to terminate the service of the organization’s founder and president Millard Fuller on Monday, provoking immediate criticism from Fuller
The executive committee of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) announced its decision to terminate the service of the organization’s founder and president Millard Fuller on Monday, provoking immediate criticism from Fuller and his allies.
Our respect for Millard’s founding vision and the years of devoted service he and Linda have given to Habitat leave us extremely saddened at this turn of events. We have tried repeatedly over the past several months to resolve differences in a spirit of respectful confidentiality. In every instance, the Fullers ultimately have rejected or been openly critical of any and all steps taken toward appropriate compromise. The board must therefore fulfill its fiduciary obligation to the organization and our moral responsibility to all those who share in Habitat’s mission,” said board chair Rey Ramsey, as he made the announcement.
Linda Fuller, Millard’s wife and co-founder of HFHI, was also fired – effective immediately.
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According to the January 31 press release, the termination decisions “culminate several months of differences between the Fullers and the board over an allegation of inappropriate personal behavior by Millard Fuller toward a now-former female employee, and the Fullers’ behavior as the investigation into that complaint unfolded.”
Millard, meanwhile, denied any wrongdoing and said he is “saddened and dismayed” by the turn of events.
“What the woman said was that I touched her on the shoulder and on the neck and on the thigh and said she had smooth skin,” he said, during an interview with the Religion News Service. “I didn’t do any of that.”
“This is a Christian ministry,” he said. “The board members should see themselves as servants of the ministry but apparently they think of themselves as lords and masters.”
However, the executive committee said it acted with “the authority of the full board” in terminating the Fullers, whom the committee said have been presenting public comments that have been divisive and disruptive to the organization’s work for quite some time.
“No issue, no person, no debate can be permitted to compromise the integrity and work of this extraordinary ministry,” added Ramsey. “Whatever our personal feelings about current issues, we can allow nothing to distract us from our shared mission—building houses and hope with families desperately in need of both throughout our communities, nations and world. That mission deserves and demands our full attention.”
The Fullers had already been “relieved” of direct supervision of employees and “removed” from day-to-day operational decisions by October 2004.
On the side of the Fullers, a loose-knit group of volunteers called “Habitat Partners” launched an independent effort on Tuesday to encourage the board to reconsider its action. The group, which said the allegations were unfounded, is asking the board to reinstate the Fullers to a “meaningful” role in the organization.
“Millard represents a huge asset to the work of the affiliates,” said David Snell, secretary of Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, who is spearheading the lobbying effort.
“I believe that there’s going to be an outpouring of support when the affiliates are aware of what's happening,” said Snell, to the Presbyterian News Service.
Fuller also told the RNS that donors are calling in with their support for his ministry.
“Donors are calling me today saying ‘I’m not contributing any more money as long as you have been thrown out of Habitat,’” said Fuller. “I’m not encouraging that, but people are upset and they are angry and they will make their own decisions about what they’re going to do.”
However, Habitat spokesperson Joedy Isert said donors have remained committed to HFHI in recent months and “we see no reason to believe this will be different.”
According to the HFHI press release, Paul Leonard, who served as chief executive officer since last fall, will continue to lead the organization during the interim period. Leonard, who began volunteering with HFHI in 1992, agreed to serve until June 2006 to help lead the organization forward.
“I want Habitat supporters, staff and volunteers to know without a doubt that the mission of serving those in need of housing and hope will continue to remain front and center,” said Leonard. “As a volunteer with Habitat for many years, I know the importance of this work and of our mission. With our feet firmly planted as a Christian homebuilding ministry and with our eyes firmly focused on the future, we will not falter.”
