Guidelines for Planning a Volunteer Experience Disaster RecoveryVolunteers are needed for post-disaster repairs and construction after a disaster. Through Reformed Church World Service and our relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, the RCA Mission Volunteer Program is able to connect volunteers with long-term recovery efforts after hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other disasters. Since disaster needs change regularly and quickly, most disaster volunteer opportunities will only be listed on the Volunteers section of the RCA website (www.rca.org/volunteers). RCA volunteers have found a niche in disaster work by committing to help a community for the long haul. In some cases RCA volunteers will still be connected to a disaster site years after the disaster. Volunteers needed will vary from individuals to skilled and unskilled groups. Please visit www.rca.org/volunteers for the latest volunteer needs in the area of disaster recovery. Mission TeamsMission teams provide valuable services and ministries to many sites where people rightfully look to the church of Jesus Christ for assistance. All RCA mission teams represent our denomination as well as the local churches from which they come. We ask that each team considering a mission trip follow these guidelines: MISSION TRIP PLANNING 1. Gather information. Use this listing to explore the opportunities that are available. Feel free to contact the Mission Volunteer Program office if you have any questions. Talk to others who have participated in mission trips. 2. Select a site. Consider these questions: What is the reason for going on a mission trip? Is it to strengthen the group that is going? Is it to get to know missionaries that you already support? Is it to go where there is a need? What skills are needed? Does the group want to learn something or experience something? If you want to focus on disaster recovery, please visit the RCA website for the latest information on volunteer opportunities. If you want to learn more about one of the opportunities listed in this publication, or if you are ready to begin the process of signing on for a particular opportunity, each listing tells you who to contact with your questions. 3. Prepare. Encourage leaders to attend a mission team leadership training event put on by the Mission Volunteer Program, and consider using one of the many suggested resources to help the group prepare. Maintain clear expectations, but also flexibility. Focus on the joy of serving and working alongside partners in mission. If you would like to have additional medical evacuation coverage and supplemental medical insurance coverage for a trip, please contact our office; we have additional forms for groups to fill out to qualify for this additional coverage. (This is automatic for some sites but for sites that you contact directly it is not necessarily included.) We highly recommend that all mission teams check their church's liability package to verify group coverage. 4. Determine your budget. Be sure to account for costs related to transportation, lodging, food, special events, insurance, materials, fees, and contingencies. 5. Raise funds. Try not to let finances guide who goes and who does not. There are a variety of ways to raise funds, including talent and service auctions, pledges, candy and baked goods sales, donated items auctions, and themed dinners. 6. Plan the trip. Determine schedules so that participants and their families know what to expect. Think about realistic work schedules, worship and prayer times, time to purchase food and prepare it, and time to debrief each day. Assign people to carry out various tasks. You will need a communications person (this may be a person who does not go), photographer, treasurer, first aid person, and secretary. Don't forget a commissioning service and ways to connect the congregation during and after the trip. 7. Connect locally and advocate. On your trip you may have experiences that make you want to advocate for economic and social justice or that give you a desire to be involved in local projects or ministries. Contact the RCA Mission Volunteer Program office or the RCA's office of Social Witness for assistance or ideas. 8. Evaluate. Complete the evaluation form and return it to the Mission Volunteer Program so that our office can maintain a current and useful list of opportunities. Then start planning and thinking about your next mission trip! Individual VolunteersIndividual volunteers can serve from a few weeks (short-term) to two years (long-term) in a number of ways. Volunteers enter into a relationship with a partner--a relationship based on mutual understanding--in response to the host organization's needs and at the host organization's invitation. The RCA's partners around the world are involved in ministries such as relief and development work, education, medical programs, evangelism, administration, and work toward peace and justice. Worldwide, RCA volunteers: - Provide assistance not otherwise available in an area. These volunteers include qualified teachers, medical specialists, tradespeople, computer operators, librarians, accountants, and professors.
- Provide specialized short-term services (consulting and training).
- Fill staff positions that are vacant on a short-term basis because of home leave, lack of regular staff, etc.
- Provide help in overload situations, such as at a school where three teachers have been trying to do the work of four.
Individual Volunteer Application Process All volunteers must go through an application process. The application helps Mission Volunteer Program staff connect individuals with needs around the world. Some positions require background checks. Volunteer Requirements A volunteer must: - Be a committed Christian.
- Have appropriate skills for the placement.
- Be in good health.
- Be willing to serve under and with the RCA's mission partners.
- Be mature, adaptable, and flexible.
- Be willing to live in simple conditions.
- Be able to work as a team member.
- Be excited about the joys and challenges of working cross-culturally.
Volunteers who participate in short-term placements are responsible for paying their expenses by drawing on their own resources or through the support of their church or friends and family. Long-term volunteers enter into a fundraising process during which donations are sent through the Mission Volunteer Program office. Mission Volunteer Program staff try to keep costs down so that fundraising does not take too long. Volunteer opportunities that are dependent on a specific time frame have application deadlines. After that deadline, staff review the applications. Opportunities that do not have deadlines are ongoing or open at any time. Please keep in mind that setting up placements can take some time. Application Deadlines Type of Service | Application and
References Due | Placement Start | Long-term (6-12 months) | April 15 | Orientation in mid-July
Departures in August/September | October 1 | Orientation in January
Departures February to April | Summer | April 15 | Mid-June | Short-term (1 week–6 months) | Three months prior | Year-round |
1. Choose a Site. Carefully and prayerfully choose the site you are interested in serving from the list of opportunities posted online. You can also find urgent needs on our monthly Current Volunteer Opportunities flyer on the volunteer website or contact the Mission Volunteer Program office at (800) 968-3943 or volunteer@rca.org to request our monthly email update. 2. Request an application packet by writing, phoning, or emailing the Mission Volunteer Program office. All applicants must complete an application, provide references, and be screened according to RCA guidelines to protect against sexual misconduct. 3. Complete and return the application form. Encourage your references to return the forms on time. You may want to give your references a stamped envelope with the RCA Mission Volunteer Program address on it to make it easier for them to return the forms in a timely manner (Reformed Church in America, Mission Volunteer Program, 4500 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512). 4. Complete a telephone interview. An interview with the coordinator for volunteers is conducted after the application deadline, once the application and references are complete. Additional information on projects of interest is shared to assist the volunteer in discerning an appropriate placement. 5. Selection. The RCA Mission Volunteer Program contacts the applicant's preferred site to determine if a placement may be arranged. Although an applicant requests a particular project, the RCA's project partner (host agency) makes the final decision as to whether or not the applicant will be invited. If the requested project partner has a potential placement, the Mission Volunteer Program arranges a telephone call between the applicant and project director. 6. Placement. All details concerning service, expectations, and benefits are negotiated prior to the beginning of service by the applicant, the host agency, and the RCA Mission Volunteer Program. Most positions require fundraising. Additional details of costs are available from the Mission Volunteer Program.
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