FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
about volunteering with the Christian Reformed Church
THE BASICS
• Do I need to be a Christian to volunteer with your organization?
• I am not a US or Canadian citizen. Can I still volunteer?
• What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
• Why can't I just contact your field staff directly to ask about a volunteer opportunity?
• What is the shortest term I can volunteer for?
• What is the longest term I can volunteer for?
• What kind of orientation is required in order to be placed as a volunteer?
• What is your age policy?
WHAT WILL I DO? WHAT DO I SAY?
• Will I have a specific assignment as a volunteer, or can I be involved in more than one assignment?
• Are we able to do sightseeing?
• Do I need to speak another language to volunteer?
TOURS
• What are Specialized Tours (Discovery Tours)?
GROUPS
• I have a group of people (from church, friends or colleagues) who want to serve together. What do I do next?
• Do all team members need to be skilled in order to participate on a team?
• Can I volunteer with my family?
• Can I bring my immediate family with me to the volunteer placement?
• Can I volunteer with my girlfriend or boyfriend?
• My fiancé and I are planning a wedding for this fall. We are thinking that we would like to volunteer and live overseas during our first year. Is this possible?
FINANCES
• Why do I need to raise money to volunteer?
• How much does it cost to volunteer?
• How do I fundraise?
• Which expenses related to my volunteer opportunity are tax deductable?
• Do I have to file US or CDN taxes if I am away volunteering?
VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE
• Is health insurance offered for volunteers?
• What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
• Where can I learn more?
THE BASICS
• Do I need to be a Christian to volunteer with your organization?
Yes, you do, although with most placements, you do not necessarily need to be a member of a Christian Reformed Church. Our hope is that volunteers are committed Christians who can represent the body of Christ, and in particular reflect the values of the agency with whom they’ll be working. In some cases we do request that people are from the Reformed tradition, as the role in which they’re volunteering necessitates such knowledge eg: teaching in a seminary.
• I am not a US or Canadian citizen. Can I still volunteer?
We accept volunteers who are citizens of Canada or the United States, as well as those living in either country without citizenship in either one. Facilitating volunteers outside of North America unfortunately creates too many challenges in regards to interviews, obtaining references, visas, on site orientations etc.
• What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
Besides the listed expectations posted on our website, each applicant will be considered by the information they provide on their application form, current resume/CV, and personal profile. Most applicants will also take part in an intake interview. We assess the specific skills and experiences the volunteer brings to the position of interest as well as experiences of overseas travel and living cross culturally. All volunteers will go through a similar process as applying for a job – interview and checking references and providing a background check – and will not be guaranteed a position until approval is also obtained from field staff. Volunteers must be available for all aspects of getting themselves oriented for the position they hope to take on, as well as be available for debriefing upon return home after their assignment.
• Why can't I just contact your field staff directly to ask about a volunteer opportunity?
Staff in our volunteer programs, are the link between field staff and those wishing to serve with our agencies. They have the most up to date information about opportunities available on the field and what procedures are in place in order to participate. If you do contact field staff, they will direct you back to our offices.
• What is the shortest term I can volunteer for?
The shortest term you can volunteer for is one week, usually as part of a Service & Learning Team (aka work team) or for a very specialized request from the field.
• What is the longest term I can volunteer for?
The longest term you can volunteer for is one year, although these can be lengthened with approval from field staff.
• What kind of orientation is required in order to be placed as a volunteer?
All volunteers, regardless of the type of opportunity (individual or 2 members of a team), are expected to participate in pre field orientation in the Home Office and pertains to values and principles of serving with the Christian Reformed Church and its agencies. Teams will also be expected to include an agency staff member at one of their first team meetings. Once volunteers are on the field, further orientation will take place in country.
Upcoming orientation dates:
May 14 - 17, 2013 in Grand Rapids, MI
September 20 - 21, 2013 in Burlington, ON
Read about the May 2011 orientation.
Read about the November 2011 orientation.
• What is your age policy?
The age policy varies depending on experience required for the opportunity, and the safety of the country/community where a volunteer will be placed. Here are some general guidelines:
- US/CDN Service & Learning Teams (aka Work Teams): 12 and up
- Families: can generally include children from age 12 and up
- International Service & Learning Teams or Discovery Tours: 16 and Up
- Individual Volunteers: 18 and up
- International Internships: 18 and Up
WHAT WILL I DO? WHAT DO I SAY?
• Will I have a specific assignment as a volunteer, or can I be involved in more than one assignment?
Yes, you will have a specific assignment as a volunteer. In some instances, a volunteer can be involved in two assignments, although that would be contingent on approval by field staff and the community in which one would be placed.
• Are we able to do sightseeing?
There will usually be the opportunity to see sights as you travel during your volunteer opportunity. You will also be able to extend your stay, at your own expense, to visit specific sites not included in your volunteer itinerary.
• Do I need to speak another language to volunteer?
When English is not the official language and when specified by field staff, some fields require language competency. Other countries may have language training as part of your work plan.
TOURS
• What are Specialized Tours (Discovery Tours)?
A Specialized Tour (Discovery Tour) provides you with an opportunity to learn about the exciting work that Christian Reformed Church agencies are involved with around the world. Tours are not vacation excursions, but provide you and a small group of others an opportunity to visit several communities throughout a designated country (or countries). Participants will have an opportunity to meet and talk with a variety of individuals and learn first hand the impact that ministry is having in their community. Tours are facilitated by an experienced CRC staff person and are generally one to two weeks in length.
GROUPS
• I have a group of people (from church, friends or colleagues) who want to serve together. What do I do next?
There are a number of opportunities for groups to serve for 1 - 2 weeks. Check out our website for current opportunities and feel free to contact our staff for further details.
• Do all team members need to be skilled in order to participate on a team?
No, they do not, although it does help to have one or two people skilled in a particular area specific to tasks the team will be engaged in.
• Can I volunteer with my family?
Yes, it is possible to volunteer with your family. Please contact our office for more information on opportunities and age requirements.
• Can I bring my immediate family with me to the volunteer placement?
We do have a few opportunities where this is possible, although approval must be obtained from our field staff before making any arrangements.
• Can I volunteer with my girlfriend or boyfriend?
While serving in another culture we prohibit people from dating as it effects the judgement of the volunteer and the purpose of the opportunity. For individual placements, you will not be placed together with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• My fiancé and I are planning a our upcoming wedding. We are thinking that we would like to volunteer and live overseas during our first year. Is this possible?
We highly discourage volunteering overseas at this point in your life. In your marriage you will be experiencing a lot of your own “changes,” and adding serving others in another culture to your life at this time would likely not be the best option.
FINANCES
• Why do I need to raise money to volunteer?
Our ministry agencies ask volunteers to raise their own support so as not to burden the field offices with extra expenses. Money raised would cover personal costs such as meals, accommodations, airfare, visa etc. By raising support, you bring in your own support network and involve more people in the work of the Kingdom.
• How much does it cost to volunteer?
Every opportunity is different. An estimated budget is available with every opportunity posting. Costs include airfare, insurance, visa fees (if necessary), housing, meals, transportation, communication, language training (if necessary) etc.
• How do I fundraise?
There are various methods of fundraising. The first thing you might want to do is to approach your home church on ways they can support you. Many churches have a fund that will offer volunteers on mission trips some level of support. Your church may also allow you to solicit support via a letter to your church family. A variation of that letter can also be sent to family and friends requesting their support. There are many other ways to fundraising – from yard sales, car washes, dinners, cookbook sales and more. Please contact us if you need more ideas.
• Which expenses related to my volunteer opportunity are tax deductable?
Airfare, insurance, meals & accommodation, vaccinations, in country transportation, administrative costs (pre-departure and in country), communication costs (cell phone, internet) and visa (if applicable) are all tax dedcuctable. Personal items such as laundry, toiletries, souvenirs, tourist trips etc. are not eligible.
• Do I have to file US or CDN taxes if I am away volunteering?
Yes! If you normally file a tax return you will also need to file one if you’ve been away for any time over the tax year. In the US, the Finance Department will issue a 1099 showing the total of taxable benefits you had for each tax year. These will be mailed to you by January 31st. In Canada, any donations made to a CRC ministry in a given calendar year, will be receipted by the end of February of the next calendar year.
VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE
• Is health insurance offered for volunteers?
We do not offer health insurance through the CRC for volunteers, however it is important that you ensure you are fully covered for overseas medical health and emergency evacuation over and above your current insurance package. We also recommend that you have trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. First check to see what your coverage is through your own insurance provider. For Canadians it is suggested that additional insurance be purchased with the travel agent when flights are booked or with AAA/CAA, Blue Cross and various other international insurance providers. In the US it is best to contact ServiceLink for alternative insurance options. Need help? Contact us.
• What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
Check with your personal physician as well as a local international travel clinic. For a complete list of recommended immunizations for Canada check www.phac-aspc.gc.ca; and for the US check www.cdc.gov.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
• Where can I learn more?
Please contact us at volunteer@crcna.org.