Haiti Volunteer registration and training

3/24/2010

 

A Letter to volunteers and donors from Gesner Paul, President Methodist Church of Haiti.

Mission Volunteers in conjunction with the Jurisdictional UMVIM Coordinators and General Board of Global Ministries staff have recommended and instituted a National Database for volunteers wishing to go to Haiti, when we are invited in.  Lorna Jost, UMVIM Director for the North Central Jurisdiction asks that persons go to this website and register their intent to volunteer in Haiti in the future. Skills and aptitudes for being a United Methodist Volunteer In Mission should also be listed.

Please register online even if you have already given your name to Lorna Jost,  as the data base includes more information.

Why it is important to THINK before you act even in well meaning compassion.

Training Opportunities

The following UMVIM Team Leader Trainings are scheduled. 

Detroit - April 10, 2010: UMVIM Team Leadership training in conjunction with the Festival of UMVIM Opportunities.  Place to be announced. Contact: John Walls, Detroit Conference UMVIM Coordinator, 734-282-5930. 
 
Indiana - April 10, 2010: UMVIM Team Leadership training Mexico UMC.  Contact: Bonnie Albert, Indiana UMVIM Coordinator, 219-464-1447.  

Minnesota-April 18, 2010: Kingswood Camp, Mound, MN. Afternoon session; details tba. Contact Bob Lange, 763-571-1551.   
 
East Ohio - April 24, 2010: UMVIM Team Leadership training.  Conference Center, 8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, Canton, OH.  Contact Jenni Dodge, 1-800-831-3972. The first 20 people to sign up will be free, after that the cost will be $25. We would have registration from 8:30-9:00am and training from 9am-Noon.

West Michigan--May 22, 2010: Battle Creek MI. Register with Rev. David Morton, West Michigan UMVIM coordinator.

West Michigan - May 22, 2010: LANSING DISTRICT Early Response Team Training - Crossroads UMC (Williamston) is hosting Early Response Team training for the Lansing District.  For more information, please contact Jeremy Wicks, West Michigan Conference ERT Trainer, 517-980-6855. Registration is limited. 

More updates will be posted on line as they come in - see: Training Schedule.

Note on Hepatitis A and B immunizations: For "career" volunteers who go more than once, they should definitely get the whole 6 month series for A & B.  It would probably be acceptable for folks to start the series, which gives 60-70% immunity and then complete it after they return from their volunteer experience.  Lifetime protection is preferred, offers better protection and safer.  I would encourage prospective volunteers to start the series right away, as there will probably be needs for volunteers beyond the 6 months required to get the protection. Jane Dunn , Editor: UMVIM Health Blog. 

West Michigan Conference, United Methodist Church 11 Fuller SE, PO Box 6247, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6247 | 616-459-4503 | webteam@wmcumc.org