SERVING GOD - SERVING PEOPLE

Arrangement as PDF
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Taster course and programme
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Evaluation course for volunteers EBM 2009/2010
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Rules

This volunteer programme by the EBM is called SERVE: Serving God − serving people. SERVE is an inter-generational, globally open and international volunteer service for interested people from 18 to 81. Volunteers can become involved in Africa or Latin America, in church congregations, children and young adult projects, construction work and agricultural projects, in the medical area or in AIDS projects. Volunteering in collaboration with Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL e.V. and the EBM is ideal for intercultural learning.

The volunteer programme supports the local EBM member unions in their church and societal commitment. The goal of volunteering is to have the interested person learn the work on site and use his or her strengths and expertise in accordance with the needs.

EBM INTERNATIONAL is an association according to Swiss law and works in Germany with the charitable association Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL e.V. as the responsible body. This collaboration makes it possible to have the volunteer programme recognised as volunteer social work for one year (FSJ). Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL is a recognised responsible body of the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ; Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr) according to Art. 5  (2) in conjunction with Art. 3 of the FSJG (Law on the Promotion of the Voluntary Social Year, Federal Law Gazette 2002, part I no. 48, dated 17.07.2002). Volunteering for EBM INTERNATIONAL can also be recognised as a substitute for civilian service (in Germany optionally served instead of military service).

Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL e.V. has been recognised by the Federal Republic of Germany as a responsible body for the exchange programme “Weltwärts” (Worldwards) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. As a result, there is the possibility for young people from Germany from the age of 18 to 28 to apply for financial aid.

The following rules are to be observed as part of this programme:

1. Volunteering lasts at least 3 months and no more than one year.

2. The operation is coordinated by the EBM Missionary Office (Elstal) and directly discussed with the partner union, with an EBM representative on site, the administration at the site of service and the volunteer.

3. The requirements for volunteering usually consists of the following:

• Official application sent to EBM INTERNATIONAL (it must also be in English for South Africa, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Malawi). This includes answering a personal questionnaire, a C.V. in table form and in detail, with a colour photo, a spiritual C.V. and your expectations as a volunteer.

• Minimum age of 18

• A good command of the official language in the given country (English, French, Portuguese or Spanish)

• Stable physical and emotional condition

• A recommendation from the local congregation (reference) from which the applicant comes

• Medical certificate for service in the tropics

• Interview in the missionary office, e.g. during the taster course

• Participation in preparatory and evaluation courses for volunteers

4. Financial requirements for normal voluntary service:

The applicant declares in writing that he or she shall bear the costs of the flight, medical examinations for the tropics, vaccinations, visa, insurance (health, nursing insurance, accident insurance and liability insurance), the monthly lump sum for board and transport in the country of service, an appropriate share of the administrative costs and the costs of the preparation and evaluation courses. The applicant is advised to make contributions to his or her pension plan for the length of service.

After taking steps to arrange the volunteer work, EBM INTERNATIONAL reserves the right, in the case of cancellation by the volunteer, to bill him or her € 300 for compensation of the incurred administrative expenses.

5. Services of EBM INTERNATIONAL

EBM INTERNATIONAL shall handle the administrative work connected with the coordination in its missionary offices (Europe, Africa/Latin America) and arranges for accommodation and board in the country of service (room, electricity, water). It shall provide the volunteer with a contact person who will advise him or her during the volunteer work. EBM INTERNATIONAL shall handle the purchase of the plane ticket, the arrangement of health, accident and private liability insurance for abroad and the inclusion of the volunteer in the insurance of EBM INTERNATIONAL at the Air Rescue Service (Rettungsflugwacht) (for being returned home in the case of an emergency).

6. Befor departure, a written description of the work is to be prepared by the partner union.

7. Accompanying the volunteer is not part of an official contract of employment with EBM INTERNATIONAL. Therefore, EBM INTERNATIONAL shall not bear the costs of possible health and other damages that could result from such a service.

8.  The approval and information about the time, place of service and description of the work for the volunteer are confirmed in a “Volunteer Service Contract” by the volunteer and a representative from both EBM INTERNATIONAL and Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL e.V.

9.  After the conclusion of the volunteer programme, a final report is presented, and the volunteer declares his or her consent to make a certain number of visits to report on the missionary activities and volunteering.

10.  If desired, the volunteer shall receive  confirmation of his work in the form of a reference or certificate.

11. Equality clause: All status and function descriptions in this arrangement apply equally in masculine and feminine form.

Hoffnung (Hope) INTERNATIONAL has been a recognised responsible body of the “Weltwärts” (Worldwards) programme in the German Federal Government. For “worldwards” volunteers, the guidelines of the Federal Ministry for Development and Cooperation shall apply in particular.

Elstal, June 2010