DO'S & DON'T'S FOR VIM TEAM MEMBERS AND LEADERS

As a Volunteer In Mission, the planning has already started for your mission trip to Haiti. From this cross cultural mission experience, you will return inspired and filled with stories to tell anyone who will listen. Upon arrival in Haiti, we will make every effort to ensure that you receive a good orientation. However, until you arrive, we would like to share with you a "list" of suggestions or cultural Do's and Don't's that we have extracted from various Memos, Flyers, and Brochures and our past experiences. We hope you will find the information useful.

TEAM MEMBERS

Do Pack your carry-on bag with the necessary items to get you through at least one or two days just in case your luggage gets lost.

Do Purchase the insurance through GBGM or through your UMVIM Jurisdictional Office.

Don't Bring any extra worries.

Do Bring your Bible and your personal devotional information, your journal or a notebook to record in and pens pencils.

Do Bring an extra pair of glasses if your cannot see without them.

Do Bring a personal canteen or water bottle.

Do Bring insect repellent, sun screen, personal medicines, your personal necessities, a flashlight (with extra batteries), a few ziplock bags, a hat, a camera (with plenty of film) and a sufficient supply of underwear.

Do Bring cash for your personal spending money. From past experience you should probably not need more that $200.00 to $300 for extras. This would include your purchase of souvenirs. However, this decision is yours. We would suggest not bringing in excess of $500.

Don't Bring Travelers Checks. (There are NO banks in Haiti that we have found to cash them.)

Do Protect your passport U.S. Passport. In addition, everyone should make two copies of the first page of their Passports. Then, record your airline ticket number (if you have received it in advance) and leave one copy at home, and one copy with the VIM Team leader.

Do Listen to, heed and support your Team Leader. They have a great deal of responsibility to protect, support and represent you, the team and your church/conference throughout the trip.

Do Feel that you can ask the UMVIM Coordinator(s) or your host(s) questions.

Don't Wear shorts on the work site. Appropriate dress in Haiti is important to understand. While shorts are acceptable, they are not recommended on the work site. You should consider the safety of slacks and remember that in selecting your clothing that you will be seen as a missionary representing your Church and the Methodist church of Haiti.

Do Dress for church simply. Hose and heels, coats and ties are not necessary. However, if a Pastor is on the team and is going to participate in a service, a coat and tie is suggested. No jeans for church. All Pastors who wish to participate in a service need to let us know in advance.

Do Build relationships with the Haitians you work and worship with.

Do Take lots of great photographs. They will help you remember and tell the stories of your mission.

Don't Take photographs if you would not want your picture taken in the same situation. Remember the dignity and the right of privacy of the Haitian people.

Do Ask the person if you may take their picture. Sometimes the person whose picture is taken will expect some money. Use your discretion and ask the interrupter or church leadership for guidance.

Don't Promise things to Haitian people. This includes interpreters, drivers, and staff. This fosters a hope for which you might not be able to deliver on. It also causes problems for team coordinators, pastors, and church leaders.

Don't Give personal gifts yourself. It is appropriate to bring things to Haiti for the people. However, the Church asks that they not be distributed by team members, but by the leaders of the Church. You can ask to be part of the presentation.

Don't Smoke on the work site. Avoid smoking as it Does not reflect well on our witness as Christians or the witness of the Methodist church of Haiti. If you choose to smoke, select opportunities and places where you can be discrete.

Do Understand that drinking alcoholic beverages in certain situations Does not reflect well on our witness as Christians or the witness of the Methodist church of Haiti. If you choose to have a drink, select opportunities and places where you can be discrete.

Do Have ready upon exiting Haiti, your Passport, your exit visa, $25.00 and 10 gourds Haitian (approximately $2.00).

TEAM LEADERS

Do Follow the suggested Guidelines for Sending Teams.

Do Provide a solid pre-trip orientation including, but not limited to: information about Haiti, the Methodist Church in Haiti, UMVIM and missions, team member expectations and guidelines, the mission project and activities, financial information, health information and requirements, visa requirements, language and culture, etc. using all the resources available to you.

Do Have a Co-Team Leader if possible and a Spiritual Leader to help the team reflect on their experiences and faith in a variety of ways every day.

Do Consider having a Work Site Leader with knowledge and experience related to the specific mission project, such as with construction.

Do Submit a list of the names and passport numbers of all team members to the UMVIM coordinator(s) or host at least two weeks before leaving for Haiti.

Do Submit a copy of all medical personnel's professional license, College Diploma, and speciality training / certification at least three months is advance to the UMVIM coordinator(s) or host. Along with the copies of iformation, identify the location and type of work they expect to do.

Do Consider keeping the team size to twelve (12).

Do Register your team trip with your conference and with your UMVIM Jurisdictional Office.

Don't Contact interpreters directly. Leave this to the Methodist Church of Haiti leadership and the UMVIM Coordinators.

Do Make at least two copies of each team member's application, passport and any professional information. Leave one set of copies at home with your UMVIM coordinator, pastor, conference or any other responsible individual that you can reach. Keep one set of copies with you at all times.

Do Consider name tags and other identifying things such as a team shirt while traveling.

Do Keep in communication with your host throughout the team planning process, while in Haiti, and after the trip in completed. Do send copies of publicity. Do send some photographs back.

Do Get and keep receipts. Keep good records.

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