1

What you need to know about serving at an MDS project

MDS Volunteer Guide

4 Welcome

5 Five ways to be a good guest Experiencinganewculture

6 Work safe be safe Tipstostaysafewhileyouserve

7 MDS fashion 101 Dressingfortheprojectsite

8 Words of wisdom Pastvolunteerstellyouwhatit’sreallylikeonanMDSproject

9 What to expect Whateveryvolunteerwishedtheyknewbeforeserving

10 Crossing the Canada/U.S. border Sixthingsyouneedtodobeforecrossingtheborder

11 Are we there yet? Importantinformationregardingtransportationand accommodations

12 Don’t be caught empty-handed Volunteersurvivalchecklist

PILLARS OF AN MDS PROJECT

VOLUNTEERS

MDSreliesonleadersandlong-termvolun-teerswhotypicallyserve4weeksormoreandweeklyvolunteerswhowhoservefor1-3weeks.

ACCOMMODATIONS

MDSprovidesaplacetohouse20ormorevolunteers,includingcookinganddiningfacilities.

MEANINGFUL WORK

MDScoordinatesclean-upandconstructionworkthatservespeoplewhohaveexperiencedadisaster.

FUNDING

Partnerorganizationsprovidethemajorityoffundingneededtopurchasebuildingmaterials.

A look at what’s inside

4

Co

ver

ph

oto

by

Ke

lvin

Dal

ke

3

Mennonite Disaster Service isavolunteernetworkofAnabaptistchurchesthatrespondsinChristianlovetothoseaffectedbydisastersinCanadaandtheUnitedStates.

Whilethemainfocusisoncleanup,repairandrebuildinghomes,thisservicetoucheslivesandnurtureshope,faithandwholeness.

FollowusonFacebook/Instagram/Twitter/Youtube

MDS Binational Office583AirportRoadLititz,PA17543USA717-735-3536Fax717-735-0809toll-free1-800-241-8111

MDS Canada Office200-600ShaftesburyBlvd.Winnipeg,MBR3P2J1CANADA204-261-1274Fax204-261-1279toll-free1-866-261-1274

SPIRIT-LED GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT

CHRIST-LIKE SERVICE

mds.mennonite.net

MDSistheorganizedresponseofAnabaptistchurchestotheneedsofneighborsintimesofdisaster,followingChrist’sexamplebygivingtime,talentsandenergiestohelprelievesuffering.

TheaimofMDSistoassistthemostvulnerablecommunitymembers,individuals,andfamilieswhowouldnototherwisehavethemeanstorecover.

Volunteerleadersprovideday-to-daymanagementoneachprojectsite.Weeklyvolunteersserveonsitetohelpcleanup,repairandrebuild.

WhenyousayYEStoMDSyouhelpbringpeoplehomeafteradisaster.

Thanks for saying yes to

MDS

WELCOME TO MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE

Inresponsetovolunteers’service,homeownersaffectedbydisasterwilloftensay,“Youbroughtyourhammersandyourhearts,andyougaveushope.Youcameasstrangers,andnowyouleaveasfriends.”

AsAnabaptistChristians,webelieveinfollowingJesusbyputtingourfaithintoaction,whichtranslatesintolovingourneighborsandservingthoseinneed.MDSismadeupofpeopleledbyGod’sspirittorespondoutofourcompassion,obediencetothescripturesandgratefulnesstoGod.

AsyoubeginyourtimeofservicewithMDS,comepreparedtobestretchedandchallengedasyoufindjoyinservingothers.BeencouragedbythewordsofJesus:“Whateveryoudidforthesemembersofmyfamily,youdidforme.”(adapted from Matthew 25:40)

MDSExecutiveDirector

4

“You came as strangers, and now you leave as friends.”

And thank you in advance for your service!

5

Speak with respect.(Andtakeoffyoursunglasses.)

Listen with an open heart.Takethetimetotalkwithdisastersurvivorsandheartheirstories.

See with new eyes.TaketheattitudeofaservantasJesusdid.Makeanefforttoenterthecommunityinwhichyouareservingwithnopreconceptions.Beawareofhowracismorprejudicemightaffectwhatyousee.

Think big.Don’tassumethatallmemberswholiveinacommunityhavethesamebeliefsandpractices.

Expect things to be different.Weareallmorecomfortablewithwhatisfamiliartous.Consideryourowncultureandhowitshapesyourperspective.

Experiencing a new culture

5

mds.mennonite.net

ways to be a good guest

6

InsurancePleasebringyourhealthinsurancecardwithyou.Asavolunteeryouareresponsibleforyourowninsurancecoverage.

Work Safe Be Safe

Got tetanus?MDSstronglyrecommendsthatyouareuptodateonyourtetanusshots.

TIPSTOSTAYSAFEWHILEYOUSERVE

1.ReadandunderstandMDSsafety

information(providedatMDSsite).

2.Understandyourphysicallimitations.

3.Donotattemptajobalonethatcouldbe

donemoresafelybytwopeople.

4.Setasteadypaceforthework.

5.Neverworkwhileillorfatigued.

6.Beawareofextremetemperaturerisks.

7.Hydrateregularly.

8.Wearapprovedworkattireandshoes.

9.Wearpersonalprotectiveequipment

(providedbyMDS)wheneverneeded.

10.Keepjobsitescleanandneatatalltimes.

11.Learnthecorrect/safewaytodoalljobs.

12.Reportallaccidentsandunsafeconditions

tothecrewleaderorprojectdirector.

When it comes to safety,Make DoSomehowis NOT good enough

7

MDS fashion 101MODESTY PLEASEWeardurableclothingandfollowthesefashionruleswhenservingonMDSprojectsites:

DRESSINGFORTHEJOBSITE

Dress for the season.Didyouchecktheweatheratyourdestination?Layersworkbestforwinterandwetweather.

mds.mennonite.net

Why do you need to dress modestly?•Youareawitnesstothecommunitiesinwhichweserve.•RespectforthediversegroupsthatservewithMDS.•Safety:Exposedskinismorelikelytobesunburned,

bittenbybugsandscratchedwhileworking.Exposedtoesaremoreeasilyinjured.

Knee-length shorts or long pants

Closed-toe shoes

Shirts with sleeves

Covered midriff

Modest necklines

8

A typical day for an MDS volunteer

So,what’sitliketobepartofanMDScrew?Thedaystartsaround6a.m.whenthealarmsgooff.Lunchesaremadeandthenaheartybreakfastiseaten.Aftermorningdevotions,yougatheryourtoolsandheadofftoyourjobsite.

Atthejobsite,expectashortmorningandafternoonbreak,withalongerbreakatnoonforlunch.Whenit’shotandhumid,thenadditionalwaterbreaksmaybeneeded.

VolunteerspackuptoolsandcleanthejobsitebeforereturningtotheMDScampby5p.m.Gearisunloaded,andthenitistimetowashupandhavedinner.MealsarepreparedbythecookswhovolunteerwithMDS.And,yes,thefoodisgreat!

Afterdinner,thereistimetoshareabouttheday’sevents.Mosteveningsareopenforthevolunteers.Theleadershipteamcontinuestomeet,planningforthenextday.OnmostWednesdayevenings,ahomeownerorsomeonefromapartneragencyorlocalrecoverycommitteesharesstories.

Bedcomesearly,around10p.m.Noonereallyfeelslikestayinguplate;mostaretootired.Butit’sagoodtired,thekindoftiredthatsaysyouhadahardandworthwhiledayandyoumadeadifferenceinsomeone’slife.

Words of WisdomPASTVOLUNTEERSTELLYOUWHATIT’SREALLYLIKEONAPROJECT

You feel like you’re making a difference.

Be willing to be flexible.

You will be a blessing and you will be blessed.

9

DAILY SCHEDULE

6:00 Wakeup6:30 Makeyourownbaglunch7:00 Eatahotbreakfast7:30 Groupdevotions7:45 Getyourjobassignment8:00 Loadtools&headtojobsite12:00 Eatlunch4:00 Cleanupjobsite5:00 Returntocamporhome6:00 Eatsupper7:00 Washdishes7:30 Freetimeorsharingtime10:00Bedtime

What to expectWHATEVERYVOLUNTEERWISHEDTHEYKNEWBEFORESERVING

Wednesday evenings areset

asideforworship,

fellowshipandshar-

ing.Localresidents

areofteninvitedto

sharetheirstories

withvolunteers.

Weekends forthose

whostayaroundmayin-

cludetimeforrest,prepa-

rationforthefollowing

week,campmaintenance

andgroupactivities.

Churchattendanceisex-

pectedSundaymorning.

mds.mennonite.net

1.Bepreparedtobeflexible.

2.Serve40-45hoursaweekonthejobsite.

3.Commitmenttoqualitywork.

4.Bewillingtoworkasateamandtakedirectionfromprojectleadership.

5.Taketimetolistentohomeownersandcommunitymembers.(Donotmakepromisestohomeownersthatyoucannotpersonallyfulfill.)

6.Serveandshareaccommodationsandmealswithotherindividualsandgroups.

7.AllmealsareprovidedMondaythroughFridaywhenovernightstaysarerequired.

8.Participateinorientation,devotionsandWednesdayeveningsharing.Youmaybeaskedtoleadadevotional.

9.Helpwithnightlyandendoftheweekcleanup(vehicles,building,campmaintenance,dishes).

10.Alcohol,cannabis,tobacco,illegalsubstancesandfirearmsarenotacceptableatMDSprojectsandjobsites.

11.PetsarenotpermittedinMDSbuildingsorvehicles,atjobsitesorvolunteergatherings.

12.Besensitivewhentakingorusingphotos.Somevolunteersorclientsprefernottohavetheirpicturetaken.Nevershareanyphotoswithoutpermissionofthesubject(s).

THE BASICS

uServefour6-hourdaysaweek.uLiveinyourrecreationalvehicle(mustbeself-contained).uMakeyourownmeals.uCommittoaminimumoffourweeks.

ESPECIALLY FOR RV VOLUNTEERS . . .

10

is

Buy travel insurance if necessary.Checkwhetheryourplanhasinternationalcoverage.Asavolunteer,youarerespon-sibleforyourowninsurancecoverage.

3

Get your border crossing letter.Whetheryouareregisteringonlineorusingapapercopy,completeyourtravelandbordercrossinginfo,andthensubmittotheMDSofficeinyourcountry(Lititz,PAforU.S.residentsandWinnipeg,MBforCanadianresidents).FormsMUSTbesentnolaterthanonemonthbeforedeparture.

2

Use the right words.Whencrossingtheborder,usethewords‘volunteer’and‘serve’.Donotsay‘work’or‘job’,asthisimpliesbeingpaid.

4

Especially for Canadian residents crossing to U.S. projects:

uYouwillbeparoledintotheU.S.(phototaken,finger-printed)andgivenanI-94cardwhichmustbereturnedtoU.S.orCanadianofficialswhenleavingtheU.S.

uAllowplentyoftime(2-3hours)attheborder.Takeatleast$6cash(U.S.dollars)withyouasborderofficialsmightaskyoutopurchaseavisa.(Theymaynotacceptcreditcards.)

5 Be prepared to show documents. Youmustshowyourbordercrossingletterwhengoingthroughcustoms.Failuretodosocouldmeanthatyouarenotabletocrosstheborder.

Contact us:

MDSCanadaOffice200-600ShaftesburyBlvd.Winnipeg,MBR3P2J1CANADAtoll-free866-261-1274fax204-261-1279mdscanada@mds.mennonite.net

is

CROSSING THE CANADA / U.S. BORDERWHATYOUNEEDTODOBEFORECROSSINGTHEBORDER

10

1 Don’t forget your passport.Makesureit’sup-to-date.Youwillneeditwhencrossingtheborder.

MDSBinationalOffice583AirportRoadLititz,PA17543USAtoll-free800-241-8111fax717-735-0809mdsus@mds.mennonite.net

mds.mennonite.net

10 11

(1-3weeks)

TRANSPORTATIONuVolunteersareresponsiblefortraveltoandfromtheproject.uVolunteersareexpectedtocovertheirowntravelcosts.uVolunteersmaybeaskedtousetheirpersonalvehiclestotraveltojobsites.uMDSvehiclesareforprojectuseonly.

ACCOMMODATIONSuLodgingandmealsareprovidedatnocost.(Localordailyvolunteerstypicallygohomeatnight.)Weeklyvolun-teersareexpectedtoprovidetheirownbedding,pillows,towels,etc.uOvernightaccommodationsvaryateachprojectsite:week-lyvolunteerstypicallysharedormstylequartersbygender.uMostMDSsiteshaveWi-Ficonnectionsforvolunteers.uLaundryfacilitiesarenotavailable.

(4weeksormore)

TRANSPORTATIONuMDSwillassistwithtravelarrangementsifrequested.uTravelexpenseswillbereimbursedaccordingtothecurrenttravelpolicy.uVolunteersmaybeaskedtousetheirpersonalvehiclestotraveltojobsites.

ACCOMMODATIONSuLodgingandmealsareprovidedatnocost.MDSpro-videsbeddingandtowels.uEveryMDSprojectsiteisdifferent.Accommodationsvary:privatequartersarepro-videdforleaderswhenpos-sible.uLaundryfacilitiesareprovided.uWi-Ficonnectionsareavailable.

(4weeksormore)

TRANSPORTATIONuVolunteersareresponsibleformakingtheirowntravelarrangementstoandfromtheprojectsite.uTravelexpenseswillbereimbursedaccordingtothecurrenttravelpolicy.uVolunteersmaybeaskedtousepersonalvehiclestotraveltojobsites.

ACCOMMODATIONSuYourself-containedRVisyourlodging.MDSprovidestheRVparkingsitewithfullhookupsatnocost.uVolunteersareresponsiblefortheirownmeals.uWherepossible,laundryservicesandInternetaccessareprovided.uWi-FiisavailableattheRVprojectoffice.uPetsareallowedifthelo-cationMDSRVersarestayingatallowspets.PetsarenotpermittedinMDSbuildingsorvehicles,atjobsitesorvolun-teergatherings.

Weekly Volunteers Project Leadership RV Volunteers

mds.mennonite.net

FINANCIAL GIFTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF MDS.

ARE WETHERE YET?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS

qScheduleyourdateandlocationonlineatmds.mennonite.netorcallMDS.

qEachpersonjoiningthegroupshouldcom-pletetheonlineregistra-tionorpaperformbeforeservice.

qVolunteersshouldar-riveattheMDSprojectbasenoearlierthanlateSundayafternoon.Vol-unteersareexpectedtoservethefull5daysontheprojectsite(MondaythroughFriday),leavingaftertheworkdayonFridayevening,oronSat-urdaymorning.

qPlanyourtravelarrangements.

qLearnaboutthecommunityinwhichyouwillbeserving.

qTakeaskillstrainingcourseonhowtodrywallorpaint(HomeDepothasclasses)orhavesomeoneskilledshowyou.

qShareyourplanswithyourchurchfamily.

qMakesureyourtetanusshotisup-to-date.

PLAN AHEAD

Don’t be caught empty-handedVOLUNTEERSURVIVALCHECKLIST

071

7cjk

5m

02

19jr

s1m

03

20

jrs1

.3m

Tools: MDShastoolsonprojectsitesforyoutouse.Youmaywishtobringsmalltoolsandpersonaltoolbelts.Check with the volunteer coor-dinator for tool requirements at your location.

12 mds.mennonite.net

PACKING LIST

Everybody needs:

qDurableclothesthatcangetdirty(lotsofthem)andthatmeettheMDSdresscode

qClosed-toeshoesforthejobsite

qHatandsunglasses

qSunscreenlotion

qPhotoID

qHealthinsurancecard

qWaterbottle (optional—MDSusuallyprovides)

For overnight stays:

qTowels

qToiletries

qBeddingandpillow

qFlipflopsforshowering

qFlashlight

qBible

qFavoritedevotional

qMusicalinstrumenttohelpwithworship

qCardsorgames

qCamera

qNiceoutfitforspecialevents(long-termvolunteers)

qFavoriterecipesandcookingutensils(ifyou’rethecook)