AMERICUS, Ga. (ABP) – The Jan. 31 decision by the executive committee of Habitat for Humanity International to dismiss founding president Millard Fuller was affirmed by the housing ministry's full board March 8. But Fuller and many longtime supporters are not giving up.
“We are hoping and praying for some movement toward reconciliation and reinstatement,” said Fuller, admitting that such action would be “a miracle.”
Fuller, 70, said he and supporters from several Habitat affiliates launched a “parallel organization” Feb. 25 called Building Habitat, Inc.
“We are setting this up not to be in competition with Habitat for Humanity but to complement that ministry and to be supportive of various affiliates throughout the country and around the world,” said Fuller. “Already, we have had some wonderful pledges of support for this new entity.”
Fuller and the Habitat board have clashed in recent years over leadership issues such as finances and expansion. The board's investigation into an accusation that Fuller inappropriately touched and made suggestive comments to a female employee in 2003 heightened the conflict.
In an Aug. 25, 2004, memo to employees, Habitat leaders stated there was “insufficient proof of inappropriate conduct.” But while Fuller's firing has brought an outpouring of sympathy and support, the Washington Post has reported that additional claims of sexual harassment have come also from some former Habitat employees and volunteers.
Repeated attempts last year to reconcile Habitat's founder with the board failed in January when Fuller was dismissed. Supporters called the firing an injustice toward a good and visionary man. Board leaders said Fuller and his family violated an agreement not to make negative public comments about the board's actions.
Fuller said he and his supporters would like to merge their new organization into Habitat for Humanity if and when “reconciliation and reinstatement occur.” However, board chairman Rey Ramsey has issued statements that Habitat is moving forward with its search for a new chief executive while interim leader Paul Leonard oversees the daily operation of the worldwide work now in 100 nations.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Habitat”s best-known volunteer and a personal friend of Fuller, is honorary chair of the search committee seeking Fuller's successor.