Mission TripMission TripTeam OrientationTeam Orientation

Kansas East Conference UMCKansas East Conference UMC

andand

Church of the ResurrectionChurch of the Resurrection

Thank YouThank You

for your commitment to helping those in need

Where are we working?Where are we working?

Joplin, MOJoplin, MO Reading, KSReading, KS Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and surrounding areas of Waveland, Perlington, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and surrounding areas of Waveland, Perlington,

Kiln, Clarmont Harbor…Kiln, Clarmont Harbor… Gulfport, MSGulfport, MS Picayune, MSPicayune, MS Dulac, LADulac, LA New Orleans, LANew Orleans, LA Houston / Galveston, TXHouston / Galveston, TX IowaIowa TennesseeTennessee KansasKansas OklahomaOklahoma ArkansasArkansas MissouriMissouri

The Community Must Own The Community Must Own Its Own Issues (we are Its Own Issues (we are

there to help)!there to help)!

Always keep in mind…Always keep in mind…

Please do not make promises…..

Refer additional requests for help to the local coordinators

What is UMCOR?What is UMCOR? UMCOR is United Methodist Committee on UMCOR is United Methodist Committee on

ReliefRelief UMCOR’s goal is to provide relief and UMCOR’s goal is to provide relief and

rehabilitation for the entire person-physical, rehabilitation for the entire person-physical, social, and psychological-in a distress situation.social, and psychological-in a distress situation.

UMCOR forms partnerships with other religious UMCOR forms partnerships with other religious and secular organizations in order to pool and secular organizations in order to pool resources and avoid duplicating efforts.resources and avoid duplicating efforts.

UMCOR provides long-term recovery as well as UMCOR provides long-term recovery as well as immediate relief.immediate relief.

Important Note about Important Note about UMCOR UMCOR

The designation UMCOR is exclusively The designation UMCOR is exclusively reserved for its staff and National reserved for its staff and National Volunteer Mentors. Volunteer Mentors.

Volunteer Teams are known as “United Volunteer Teams are known as “United Methodists in Disaster Response.” Methodists in Disaster Response.”

You also might hear the term “VIM” You also might hear the term “VIM” (Volunteers in Mission) Team(Volunteers in Mission) Team

How do we know where How do we know where to work?to work?

Work sites are chosen for your team based on the Work sites are chosen for your team based on the needs in the area and the skills of the team. needs in the area and the skills of the team. Housing availability for teams is also a deciding Housing availability for teams is also a deciding factor.factor.

Each work site has a site director and volunteer Each work site has a site director and volunteer office staff who schedule teams and make sure the office staff who schedule teams and make sure the materials are on site for use.materials are on site for use.

The site director is an important part of the The site director is an important part of the ecumenical relief effort. ecumenical relief effort.

The site director will make the decision about The site director will make the decision about where teams can work.where teams can work.

How do we establish How do we establish priorities?priorities?

The KS East conference works within The KS East conference works within United Methodist Committee On Relief United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) guidelines.(UMCOR) guidelines.

Our priorities include: elderly, people in Our priorities include: elderly, people in poverty, borderline poverty, women and poverty, borderline poverty, women and children, physically & psychologically or children, physically & psychologically or emotionally disabled, illiterate or non-emotionally disabled, illiterate or non-English speaking.English speaking.

Why can’t we just go in and Why can’t we just go in and help without guidance?help without guidance?

The process, while slow, will ensure that The process, while slow, will ensure that there are enough funds to help those there are enough funds to help those who really need it. who really need it.

These processes are an ecumenical These processes are an ecumenical process where organizations will “pool” process where organizations will “pool” their resources to provide the help their resources to provide the help communities needcommunities need

What are the health What are the health concerns?concerns?

Up-to-date tetanus shot within the last five yearsUp-to-date tetanus shot within the last five years Hepatitis A vaccination recommended, the first Hepatitis A vaccination recommended, the first

of the series at least three weeks in advance of of the series at least three weeks in advance of your departure.your departure.

Keep all open wounds or cuts bandaged and Keep all open wounds or cuts bandaged and apply anti-biotic ointment daily due to the risk of apply anti-biotic ointment daily due to the risk of staff infection.staff infection.

Wear protective mask when on the job site as Wear protective mask when on the job site as there still is an abundance of black mold on there still is an abundance of black mold on some work sites.some work sites.

Safety Awareness: Safety Awareness: Protect Yourself While Protect Yourself While

Helping OthersHelping Others

Disaster sites can be hazardous and dangerous

Walking over and handling debris that is unstable can cause cuts, scrapes, bruises, sprains, etc.

Work boots with thick soles are required in tornado or flood area. Steel toe/shank non-slip footwear are preferred. Jeans (no shorts) are required, and long sleeved shirts are recommended help protect legs and arms from cuts and debris.

Use Leather gloves when handling debrisNails will go through cloth gloves

Avoid contact with stagnant waterWash and sanitize immediately if exposed

Use Ear Plugs for noisy environments!When in doubt, contact your Team Leader!!When in doubt, contact your Team Leader!

Protect YourselfProtect Yourself

Always look up – know what is above you (tree limbs, loose boards, other workers)

Use pry bars and other appropriate tools to separate debris. Pulling hard on boards or limbs is a common cause of falls and injuries.

!When in doubt, contact your Team Leader!!When in doubt, contact your Team Leader!

Protect YourselfProtect Yourself

Use safety glasses with side shields as a minimum.

Consider safety goggles for protection from fine dust particles or for use over regular prescription eye glasses.

Use only protective eyewear that has an ANSI Z87 mark on the lenses or frames.

Hazard:Hazard: Eye Injuries Eye Injuries

Drink lots of water.Drink lots of water.Know the signs of heat-related illnesses.Monitor yourself and coworkers, use the buddy-

system.Block out direct sun or other heat sources.Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting

clothes.Avoid caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals.Get medical help for symptoms such as altered

vital signs, confusion, profuse sweating, excessive fatigue.

Take shelter in shaded areas.

Hazard:Hazard: Heat Stress/Heat Heat Stress/Heat Stroke is a KillerStroke is a Killer

Drink plenty of fluids.

Drink before you’re thirsty. Drink sports drinks, instead of water, if you can.

Hydration is Critical!Hydration is Critical!

Prevent overexposing skin and eyes to sunlight and wind.

Use sunscreen and lip balm. Use protective eyewear. Limit exposure.

Sunburn reduces responder

readiness and increases the

likelihood of skin cancer.

Hazard:Hazard: Sunburn Sunburn

Jobs AffectedDebris removal and dumpingDemolitionSheetrock finishing

To protect yourself, Wear NIOSH-approved respirators.

An N-95 or greater respirator is acceptable for most activities, including silica and Portland cement dust.

Surgical masks should not be used because they do not provide adequate protection. If in doubt about respirators, see your Team Leader.If in doubt about respirators, see your Team Leader.

N-95 Respirator

Hazard:Hazard: Inhalation of Dust Inhalation of Dust Containing Asbestos, Silica and Containing Asbestos, Silica and Other ToxinsOther Toxins

Exposure to mold and other fungi can cause wheezing and severe nasal, eye and skin irritation.

Avoid breathing dust (fungal spores) Avoid breathing dust (fungal spores) generated by wet building materials.generated by wet building materials.

Use an N-95 NIOSH-approved Use an N-95 NIOSH-approved disposable respirator as a minimum.disposable respirator as a minimum.

Wear long gloves that reach the middle Wear long gloves that reach the middle of your forearm. of your forearm.

Avoid touching mold or moldy items Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.with your bare hands.

Hazard:Hazard: Mold/Fungi Mold/Fungi

Ladder SafetyLadder Safety

Select the right ladderSelect the right ladder Don’t work around power lines with a metal Don’t work around power lines with a metal

ladderladder Make sure in good repairMake sure in good repair

Set up extension ladder correctlySet up extension ladder correctly Climb cautiouslyClimb cautiously

To protect yourself from mosquitoes:

Use screens on dwellings. Wear long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts. Use insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin.

Fire Ants

Gnats Avon’s Skin So Soft Vanilla flavored lotions

Hazard:Hazard: Animals and Insects Animals and Insects

Sanitation and Personal Hygiene Always wash your hands Use hand sanitizers frequently Exercise good housekeeping

• Keep work boots outside living quarters Only drink from proven potable water sources

Other Protective Other Protective MeasuresMeasures

Pace yourself - This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Watch out for each other - co-workers may not notice a hazard nearby or behind.

Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids such as water, sports drink, and juices.

Whenever possible, take breaks away from the work area. Eat and drink in the cleanest area available.

Hazard:Hazard: Traumatic Stress Traumatic Stress

The hazards and issues are dynamic and require vigilance and flexibility.

The key to a safe response is attention to the safety issues of your work environment.

The physical hazards are similar to any construction or demolition site.

The health hazards include the hazards associated with the environment.

Safety SummarySafety Summary

Safe and Sacred SpacesSafe and Sacred Spaces The Church of the Resurrection in its The Church of the Resurrection in its

Policy for the Protection of Minors and Developmentally Disabled Adults vows to take seriously the importance of providing a safe environment vows to take seriously the importance of providing a safe environment where all people can participate freely and safely in the life of the church where all people can participate freely and safely in the life of the church and intend to maintain a sanctuary or "safe place" for all to grow in faith and and intend to maintain a sanctuary or "safe place" for all to grow in faith and maturity. maturity.

For team member protection, as well as those we are servingFor team member protection, as well as those we are serving Ensure adults are never in 1:1 situations with minors or developmentally Ensure adults are never in 1:1 situations with minors or developmentally

disabled adults. Within team – or between the team and those we are disabled adults. Within team – or between the team and those we are serving. serving. We might be in individual homesWe might be in individual homes Driving for errandsDriving for errands Showers – etc. Showers – etc.

Group DynamicsGroup Dynamics

Stages of Team FormationStages of Team FormationFormFormStormStormNormNormPerformPerform

Mission trips often stretch team members out of our “comfort Mission trips often stretch team members out of our “comfort zones”zones”

Different people deal with stress in different waysDifferent people deal with stress in different ways

We will de-brief at the end of each day to discuss how the day We will de-brief at the end of each day to discuss how the day went, how people are feeling, share stories, work through went, how people are feeling, share stories, work through conflict, etc. conflict, etc.

What can we expect?What can we expect?

The unexpected!The unexpected!

Flexibility is a key component of a Mission Flexibility is a key component of a Mission Trip. Be adaptable, sensitive and patient.Trip. Be adaptable, sensitive and patient.

Each team’s experience is similar, but Each team’s experience is similar, but unique.unique.

Missions GridMissions GridThere are many people and groups involved in a mission tripThere are many people and groups involved in a mission trip

Pre TripPre Trip DuringDuring

TripTrip

PostPost

TripTrip

SendersSendersChurch/ConferenceChurch/Conference

Missions StaffMissions Staff

InvitationsInvitations

CoordinationCoordination

PrayerPrayer

Coordinate BlogsCoordinate Blogs

PrayerPrayer

Collect evaluationsCollect evaluations

Improve processesImprove processes

Planning next tripsPlanning next trips

GoersGoersLeaderLeader

Team MembersTeam Members

PrayerPrayer

TrainingTraining

WorkWork

PrayerPrayer

WorkWork

DevotionalsDevotionals

De Brief – Re entryDe Brief – Re entry

Complete evaluationsComplete evaluations

HostsHostsOn Site Staff / ChurchOn Site Staff / Church

HomeownersHomeowners

CoordinationCoordination

InsightInsight

CoordinationCoordination

LodgingLodging

EvaluationsEvaluations

PrayerPrayer

To and FroTo and Fro Teams car pool to their destination and Teams car pool to their destination and

backback

Where do we stay ??Where do we stay ??It dependsIt depends

Camps

Churches

Schools

What is provided for What is provided for Overnight teams?Overnight teams?

A place to sleep. A place to sleep. Sometimes includes Air mattresses, Cots, Bunk Sometimes includes Air mattresses, Cots, Bunk

beds...beds...

ShowersShowers KitchenKitchen Men’s and Women’s restroom facilityMen’s and Women’s restroom facility Coordinators / LogisticsCoordinators / Logistics Tools? (Depending on the site) Tools? (Depending on the site)

What is a typical work What is a typical work day?day?

The day begins early, about 7:00 AM with The day begins early, about 7:00 AM with breakfast (usually cereal and toast).breakfast (usually cereal and toast).

At 7:30 we have a short devotion and meeting.At 7:30 we have a short devotion and meeting. Work begins at 8:00 and goes till noon when Work begins at 8:00 and goes till noon when

teams stop for lunch. The work ends for the teams stop for lunch. The work ends for the day around 5:00.day around 5:00.

Dinner is 6:00 – 7:00.Dinner is 6:00 – 7:00. Evening debrief and devotions start around Evening debrief and devotions start around

7:30 PM and usually last about an hour.7:30 PM and usually last about an hour.

What kind of work will we What kind of work will we do?do?

The work is varied depending on a team’s skills, and may include:

We are there to help our site We are there to help our site coordinators, host coordinators, and coordinators, host coordinators, and homeowners with whatever we are asked homeowners with whatever we are asked to do. to do.

There are systems and guidelines in There are systems and guidelines in place, and we work to follow them. place, and we work to follow them. And sometimes we don’t always know “Why”And sometimes we don’t always know “Why”

We do what we are asked to We do what we are asked to do! do!

What do we need to What do we need to bring?bring?

Sleeping bag and pillowSleeping bag and pillow Towel and washclothTowel and washcloth Old work clothingOld work clothing Leather and plastic Leather and plastic

glovesgloves Personal hygiene itemsPersonal hygiene items Towels and washclothsTowels and washcloths Heavy work shoes/ Heavy work shoes/

rubber bootsrubber boots

Insect/gnat repellant Insect/gnat repellant Any personal hand tools Any personal hand tools

that you likethat you like Gel hand sanitizerGel hand sanitizer Water bottle/ jug/ coolerWater bottle/ jug/ cooler Change of clothing for Change of clothing for

after workafter work Safety gogglesSafety goggles Mold rated dust masksMold rated dust masks

A detailed packing list and recommended tools list will be provided, and include:

What much will it cost?What much will it cost? Budget is determined by adding; fuel costs or Budget is determined by adding; fuel costs or

transportation costs, food for travel days, and a transportation costs, food for travel days, and a suggested $10 - $15 per person per day suggested $10 - $15 per person per day donation to work site.donation to work site.

A 7 day trip costs an average of $200 per person.A 7 day trip costs an average of $200 per person. A long weekend costs less than $100 per person. A long weekend costs less than $100 per person. Day trips share the gas, and pay for meals. Generally Day trips share the gas, and pay for meals. Generally

around $25 per person. around $25 per person.

What will we experience What will we experience when dealing with disaster when dealing with disaster survivors?survivors?

Disaster Survivors are in a grieving Disaster Survivors are in a grieving process that includes: denial, depression, process that includes: denial, depression, anger, and finally acceptance. They anger, and finally acceptance. They must go through this process in order to must go through this process in order to heal. We must be willing to take the time heal. We must be willing to take the time to listen to their stories, this takes priority to listen to their stories, this takes priority over any job that needs to be done.over any job that needs to be done.

ListeningListening is the most important resource is the most important resource that our teams provide!that our teams provide!

Other than labor and Other than labor and materials, what do our materials, what do our teams offer?teams offer?

Our teams offer:Our teams offer: Hope for the futureHope for the future A powerful witness to the worldA powerful witness to the world A church presence out in the A church presence out in the

communities where we workcommunities where we work Caring people who are willing to listen to Caring people who are willing to listen to

the storiesthe stories People who bring the story back and People who bring the story back and

share it with others who might join teams share it with others who might join teams

Final thoughts…Final thoughts…

The church is present in the community The church is present in the community before, during and after a disaster. Other before, during and after a disaster. Other people and agencies come and go, but people and agencies come and go, but through you, God is present in powerful through you, God is present in powerful witness.witness.

A generous man prospers; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25