UMVIM
Mission Volunteers: A Primer
By Brenda St. Clair

1.      What is UMVIM?
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission is part of the Mission Volunteers program area of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

2.      When did UMVIM begin?
It started as a grassroots movement and was identified and sanctioned by the 1980 General Conference as a valuable way for United Methodists to express their faith through “hands-on” ministry.

3.      How are UMVIM teams formed?
Individual congregations can form a team of their own; districts can pull together persons from various churches within their district to form a team; conferences can develop teams made of person from churches all over the conference; jurisdictions can also form teams with volunteers coming from churches in several conferences. The possibilities are endless.

4.      How are projects selected?
UMVIM teams go only where they are invited. Officially approved projects come as a result of the needs of churches and their communities at home and abroad. A pastor, district superintendent, or bishop must officially request assistance from UMVIM to help meet these needs. The host community takes ownership of their own projects; UMVIM teams come as helping hands.

5.      How do I find a list of projects?
National, international, youth, and medical opportunities are listed on the UMVIM, Western Jurisdiction website at www.umvimwj.com.

6.      Who can join a team?
People of all ages are welcome as volunteers. Projects have been identified for adults, youth, or families, based on the skills and needs of each project. Some require technical or specialized skills (electrician, pediatrician, computer savvy, etc.); while others look for helping hands and open hearts (rocking a baby, sharing laughter with children, assisting with vacation Bible school, etc.).

7.      What if I want to go as an individual?
There is a program within Mission Volunteers for just individuals who wish to serve from 2 months to 2 years. Contact INDVOL@aol.com for details. For a list of opportunities currently available for individual volunteers, check www.umvimwj.com

8.      Who pays?
Each volunteer pays for his or her own expenses. Your team leader can share fund-raising tips.

9.      What about team leaders?
A strong team leader is a major factor for an effective and successful team. Team leadership training classes are offered in each conference. Contact your conference coordinator for dates (in Oregon and Idaho that is Brenda St. Clair at jgbrndr@cableone.net).

10.  What about youth teams?
Check out the youth opportunities listing at www.umvimwj.com

11.  And medical teams?
Medical opportunities are linked from the Western Jurisdiction website as well.  Contact Dr. Roger Boe at boeroger@ida.net or 208-234-4159 or Brenda St. Clair at jgbrndr@cableone.net.