What is
GLOBAL MISSION VOLUNTEERS of the ELCA?
- Some Nuts and Bolts

The position you have selected is in a category called "Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA (GMV)." The information below applies only to this particular category of service. Other positions may have different conditions depending on their category.

General Guidelines
In addition to any provisions mentioned in the summary description, general guidelines for Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA include the following:

Service period ranges from two months to two years, depending upon the particular assignment

Open to single persons and couples, with or without dependent children (depending on local conditions); the GMV program is not designed to accommodate groups

Variety of skills can be used as positions are available

Housing is normally provided by the local church or program

ELCA Global Mission provides overseas medical insurance (if requested), visa and work permits required for the period of service.

The volunteer is normally responsible to pay for one's own airfare and local living costs. In a few instances a local stipend may be provided. See further details in Finance section below.

Finances

Global Mission Volunteers are self-funded. The GMV program is an extra resource and does not have regular budgetary funds to compensate volunteers for travel or living costs. Finances to enable the volunteer’s service come from personal funds, friends and families, or from local congregations and agencies.
The two major expenses for the volunteer include transportation and local living costs. Passport and inoculations are also the volunteer’s responsibility. In addition, the volunteer may have US based expenses which need to be budgeted. In most instances student loans may be deferred.
The Volunteer Assistance Fund (ELCA Global Mission) may provide partial support for a volunteer’s non-reimbursable expenses for volunteers serving longer than nine months.
For those applying to the Slovakia teaching program, the schools provide a modest living allowance. This is an exception to the standard volunteer practice where volunteers serve without any financial remuneration from the placement site.

More details about these and other policies, expectations and support provisions for GMV personnel will be available at a later step in the process.

How it works
The Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA (GMV) program is a ministry that encourages volunteer service outside the United States. The program manages the matching of short-term, skilled, self-supported volunteers with opportunities to provide extra assistance to mission and ministry programs operated by companion churches and agencies. While not employees, Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA are understood to be mission personnel of the ELCA.

ELCA Global Mission provides an opportunity for service and the endorsement of the volunteer’s mission by the church. The program works in several ways:

A companion church or program requests a volunteer with specific skills. ELCA Global Mission staff review the request and determine if this is a ministry in which the ELCA should be involved. Then ELCA Global Mission staff search for an appropriate candidate.
A volunteer makes application with ELCA Global Mission - citing their skills, availability and interest - after which ELCA Global Mission staff seek to match the volunteer with a known request. If the volunteer wants us to pursue a certain possibility, we will contact the program making the request. If they decide their opportunities match the volunteer’s availability, we will proceed with processing the application.
In certain circumstances and after receiving a volunteer’s application, ELCA Global Mission staff will solicit interest from companion churches or programs matching the volunteer’s skills. The decision to invite a volunteer, however, rests with the source of the invitation.

Note:
Only at the time that a match is made and an invitation is issued should the volunteer proceed with making travel arrangements, raising funds, getting inoculations, and such. ELCA Global Mission staff will advise the volunteer if an exception to these guidelines is to be made.

It is possible, however, that we may fail to find a suitable match at a given time. All situations are fluid and any of a number of elements might not be in place with the contacts we have. This should not discourage you from either seeking other avenues for service, or from making yourself available again at your next opportunity. A number of other churches and agencies have similar programs. If you can't find a suitable opportunity with the ELCA, we encourage you to explore options with our partners in global mission.

How long a process is it?
The entire process from application to appointment can be time-consuming. The visa or work permit process can sometimes take months to process. Other factors that enter into the equation are: reviewing the application, receiving references, working with the volunteer to match skills with a position, raising financial support, medical exam and inoculations, itinerary planning. For those serving nine months or more, an orientation program may be suitable. These two-three week programs are held twice each year - July and January.

As a rule of thumb, the longer the service the longer it takes to process candidates.

nine months to two years service: allow at least six months lead time
less than nine months service: allow three to six months lead time

Qualifications
General qualifications for ELCA mission personnel are the same for all categories of service. Specific job-related qualifications are listed in the summary position descriptions. The ELCA cooperates with other Christian churches, and service is open to active members of the ELCA and other Christian churches. Compatibility with ELCA Global Mission policies and guiding principles is an expectation.

Application
The listing of volunteer needs is updated periodically. Even if you do not see a possibility for yourself now, fill out an application form and it will be kept on file. Filed applications are routinely checked to see if there may be a match with new requests.

Upon receipt of your completed Mission Personnel Information form (application), we will send you a letter of confirmation and more details about the process. It is at this stage when a ELCA Global Mission staff person will work more closely with you in deciding upon an appropriate assignment as available.