Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA
Guidelines for the Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA
Applications for teaching in Slovakia must be received by March 15. All other volunteer positions are open to receiving applications throughout the year or as stated in the
web postings, which will provide up-to-date preferred application or start dates for volunteer opportunities.
The Global Mission Volunteers of the ELCA 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 considered to be mission personnel of the ELCA, and as such are expected to reflect the values of its mission personnel and are subject to GM’s personnel policies.
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 after 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.
In addition, 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 basic overseas medical insurance (if requested), visa and work permits required for the period of service.
- Volunteers pay for transportation, local living costs, and passport and inoculations.
- In most instances student loans may be deferred.
- In a few instances a local stipend may be provided. In Slovakia the schools provide a modest living allowance.