Global Justice Volunteers
APPLICATIONPlease e-mail the completed form to: GJV@gbgm-umc.org. If you do not have e-mail, please print or type in black ink. Send the completed forms and references to:
Global Justice Volunteers Program Mission Volunteers Office General Board of Global Ministries 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 330 New York, NY 10115 Tel (212) 870-3825 Applications are received on a revolving basis, but there are deadlines for each of the terms. It is a good idea to notify the GJV Program of your intention to submit an application before actually submitting one.
Section I: Personal Information
1. Name (last, first, middle)
Preferred Name2. Preference of terms. (Mark the terms during which you are willing to serve. Number in order of preference, with 1 being most preferred.)
___ Mid January to Early May
___ Late May to Mid August
___ Mid September to Mid DecemberVolunteers are expected to participate in the entire term, including both the training and regrouping sessions.
3. Current Address (from / / until / / )
Street, City/State/Zip Code, Phone (home)(work), E-mail
4. Permanent Address
Street, City/State/Zip Code, Phone (home)(work), E-mail
5. Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy) Current Age
6. Place of Birth
7. Gender
8. Ethnicity
9. Religious Preference
____ United Methodist
____ Other (Please specify: _________________)10. Marital Status
a. If your are married, does your partner plan to accompany you?
Is he/she applying to be a Global Justice Volunteer as well?
What is your partner's full name?
b. Do you have children? If yes, how many? What are their ages?c. What arrangements would you make for your spouse or children during your term?
11. Language Skills/Experience
Do you know languages other than English? (A working knowledge of English is assumed unless otherwise noted.) List languages and classify yourself as beginner, intermediate, or fluent. Please explain.
12. Health and Well-Being
As a Global Justice Volunteer you might experience significant climate, dietary, cultural, and sleep-cycle changes in your day-to-day life. Further, you may be asked to sleep on the ground and live without running water or electricity for long periods of time (though, of course, appropriate health provisions will be made). Briefly state the general condition of your health and well-being. Please include any events and/or conditions of which we need be aware, e.g.: climate, diet, exercise, asthma, stamina, mental health, prescription medications, vegetarianism, etc.
13. Legal Record
Have you ever been found guilty of a felony charge? If so, please explain.
14. Occupation
What is your current occupation?
15. Employment History
Please list most recent first, and give: dates; employer; address; phone; position held.
16. Formal Education
Please list most recent first, including: high school/college/vocational training. Give: dates; school; address; degree earned; course major or programs.
17. Service/Volunteer Experience
Please include any community, church, school, or other activities. Give: dates; group/organization; address; type of work.
Do you have any relationships with youth and young adult organizations in your community?
Do you have relationships with United Methodist or Methodist bodies? Please list and explain.
18. Source of Information
How did you find out about Global Justice Volunteers --
campus minister (who? where?)
personal contact (who?)
Internet (what word search/site?)
career office (where?)
youth event/meeting (name?)
other (explain)19. Day of Submission
Section II: Financial Considerations
When are you submitting your application? (dd/mm/yy)
The Global Justice Volunteers Program seeks to involve participants who are willing to commit to a process of group experience, learning, and sharing. Part of this experience will involve individual and group financial support for the program. If you have any questions about Section II, please call (212) 870-3825.Minimum Fee. The minimum fee for participation is US$200 per month of participation.
Additional Expenses. Volunteers may have out-of-pocket expenses for some food, ground transportation, and keepsakes. Such expenses for the pilot team ranged from $180 to $800, averaging about $550.
Stewardship Fund. The questions below will ask you to consider your ability to support the program beyond the minimum fee. The amount beyond the minimum fee will strictly be designated toward the Stewardship Fund. These shared resources will be used to enable young adults with fewer financial resources, especially international participants, to participate in the program.
We expect that you will seek some support from within your local community and/or church. This "sponsorship" might be US$100-$200 from a local community group or US$1-$100 from friends who would like to support this type of program (and your participation in it!). The amount will be different from person to person and from one community to another. The intent is the same in all situations - building community support and involvement for Global Justice Volunteers.
This is also an opportunity for your local community to be involved in your experience. It is more than a check to defray expenses; it is a new relationship. We want you to bridge your experiences into your local community. Start now. Introduce your community to the program and why you are interested in the program. Ask your local community to support you and the Stewardship Fund in a small way. Ask your community to sponsor you as you participate as a Global Justice Volunteer. And then, come back home and integrate your experiences into the life of your community. Should you have any questions or need help finding additional resources to contribute to the Stewardship Fund, please call us. We will help you get started.
Stipends and Scholarships. Stipends and scholarships will be considered for those applicants who demonstrate need for financial assistance.
Please answer the following questions:
1. Need-Based Assessment
Do you have particular financial needs, outstanding financial obligations, and/or family responsibilities which determine your ability to participate as a Global Justice Volunteer? If so, please explain. Attach one additional page if necessary.
2. Family Support
a. Have you received financial support, including room or board, from your family during the last six months?
b. Have you provided your family with financial support during the last six months?
c. Do you expect to receive financial support from your family during the Global Justice Volunteers term?
d. Are you expected to provide your family with financial support during the Global Justice Volunteers term?
3. Minimum Fee
Are you able to pay the US$200/month minimum fee by the beginning of your volunteer term?
4. Stewardship Fund
What contribution might you obtain from other people/groups that would support the program by contributing to the Stewardship Fund?
Section III: Narrative
Please use no more than 2-3 paragraphs to answer each question.
1. Please write a statement about your life. Be sure to include family background, events, and experiences which have influenced your interest in a volunteer opportunity such as Global Justice Volunteers.
2. Please write a short paragraph helping us to understand the difficulties you might anticipate while gaining exposure as a volunteer in a community different from your own.
3. Please share your ideas about what linking faith and justice means to you. Share examples from your own experiences as well as thoughts about what you would like to experience in the future.
4. Describe any cross-cultural experiences you have had. Explain what these experiences have meant to you and how they have influenced your life.
5. Please describe you experience with and understanding of the following: (Please answer each section in 1-2 paragraphs)
a. Racism
b. Sexism
c. Poverty
6. What do you expect to gain through the Global Justice Volunteers experience?
7. What talents, gifts and/or strengths do you expect bring to the Global Justice Volunteers experience?
8. How do you expect to share your experience with your local community upon your return?
Section IV. Personal Assessment
The categories below relate to the type of volunteer sites where Global Justice Volunteers might work. Please check T the categories in which you have a high interest in gaining particular growth and experience. Although we cannot guarantee your placement in a particular volunteer context, we do want to make every effort to consider your interests.A. Interests.
1. Regional Interests
___ Africa
___ Caribbean
___ Eastern Europe
___ Middle East
___ North America
___ South East Asia
___ South/Central America
___ Western Europe
___ Other. Explain in detail:2. Population
___ Rural
___ Urban
___ No preferenceB. Issues
Check check T areas of high interest and explain why you have an interest in this area. Keep in mind that the purpose of this section is to identify areas where you have high interests and/or seek new growth/challenges, not simply indicate where you have current skills and experience. Also keep in mind that in most GJV sites you will gain exposure to several different issue areas.
___ Children
___ Community Development
___ Community Organizing
___ Conflict Resolution
___ Economic Development
___ Environmental Justice
___ Indigenous Groups
___ Interfaith Communities
___ Land Rights
___ Labor/Workers' Issues
___ Out-of-School Youth
___ Refugees, Migrants, Displaced People
___ WomenSection V: Additional Information
The following questions are NOT for the purposes of acceptance to the program but will be used to facilitate the coordination of the GJV program if you are accepted as a volunteer.1. Do you already possess a passport which will not expire before three months following the close of the GJV term?
2. Do you have any dietary needs which will need to be accounted for? (i.e. vegetarian)
3. Do you have any difficulties with asthma or other health problems which should be taken into consideration?Section VI: References
Confidential Reference Forms
Please note: you are responsible for the prompt return of all reference forms. Your application will not be reviewed until both references are received by GBGM. Please list your references below, then give the appropriate form to those persons listed. Your list should include:A. Professional Reference (e.g., work supervisor or professor)
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Relationship to you:B. Pastor or Religious Leader
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Relationship to you:We ask that you do not list family members as references. You may e-mail the forms to your designated Professional and Community Reference persons. HOWEVER, these individuals must send the hard copy of the completed form to the following address:
Global Justice Volunteers Program
Mission Volunteers Office
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 330
New York, NY 10115Section VII: Criteria for Selection of Candidates
The following are examples of criteria used in reviewing the GJV applications. Please note that acceptance is also dependent upon the needs of the sites and the program as a whole.1. A demonstrated faith commitment, with an ability to express and relate it to mission objectives, goals, and issues.
2. Past experiences which evidence commitment and skills appropriate for volunteer tasks: observation, community research, community involvement, interpretation and communication (written and oral)
3. Willingness to commit to full term of the program
4. Support of the General Board of Global Ministries goals and the capacity to relate those goals to their GJV experience
5. Sensitivity to cultural diversities, awareness of events and issues in the world, with evidence of cross-cultural and interpersonal skills
6. Willingness to become part of a collective community of volunteers
7. Willingness to adopt a subsistence lifestyle
8. Amenability to evaluation, training accountability, and group process
9. Intellectual, emotional, and physical strengths
10. Commitment to action-education for systemic change
11. Indication of potential leadership in church and society
Applications are reviewed during the two weeks after the deadline for applications for each term. Notifications of acceptance to the program come approximately one month after the deadline.
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GLOBAL JUSTICE VOLUNTEERS - REFERENCE FORM #1
Please type or print in black ink.
Applicant's name: Person completing this form: Signature of person completing this form: Organization: Position: Address: Telephone: ( ) Date: Confidential Reference Form: Professional Reference
The purpose of the reference is to provide information which will help us assess the applicant's ability to successfully adapt, learn, and grow through the sometimes fairly rigorous experiences as a Global Justice Volunteer. Please offer your best judgment regarding the following questions. Thank you for your assistance.
Please note: the applicant is responsible for the prompt return of all reference forms. No applications will be processed until all references are received by GBGM.1. How long, how well and under what circumstances have you known the applicant?
2. What do you believe to be the applicant's reasons for applying to participate as a Global Justice Volunteer?
3. In your opinion, what are the applicant's strengths and areas in which he/she needs growth/experience?
4. Please comment on your assessment of the applicant in terms of the following categories:
A. Spiritual Maturity (ability to: share personal faith in a constructive way; maintain own spiritual life during difficult times; demonstrate respect for people of other faiths)
B. Emotional Strength (ability to identify personal strengths and weaknesses; adapt to change; grow/learn from experiences; experience criticism or rejection)
C. Cross-Cultural Adaptability (awareness of influence of own cultural background on personal attitudes, assumptions, values, and behaviors; ability to modify personal attitudes, assumptions, values, behaviors in response to different cultural patterns)
D. Interpersonal Relationships (ability to: work with others, particularly where there are differences in theological or political beliefs; listen to others; respond to feelings and needs of others)
Mail to:
Global Justice Volunteers Program
Mission Volunteers Office
Suite 330
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GLOBAL JUSTICE VOLUNTEERS - REFERENCE FORM #2
Please type or print in black ink.
Applicant's name: Person completing this form: Signature of person completing this form: Organization: Position: Address: Telephone: ( ) Date: Confidential Reference Form: Professional Reference
The purpose of the reference is to provide information which will help us assess the applicant's ability to successfully adapt, learn, and grow through the sometimes fairly rigorous experiences as a Global Justice Volunteer. Please offer your best judgment regarding the following questions. Thank you for your assistance.
Please note: the applicant is responsible for the prompt return of all reference forms. No applications will be processed until all references are received by GBGM.1. How long, how well and under what circumstances have you known the applicant?
2. What do you believe to be the applicant's reasons for applying to participate as a Global Justice Volunteer?
3. In your opinion, what are the applicant's strengths and areas in which he/she needs growth/experience?
4. Please comment on your assessment of the applicant in terms of the following categories:
A. Spiritual Maturity (ability to: share personal faith in a constructive way; maintain own spiritual life during difficult times; demonstrate respect for people of other faiths)
B. Emotional Strength (ability to identify personal strengths and weaknesses; adapt to change; grow/learn from experiences; experience criticism or rejection)
C. Cross-Cultural Adaptability (awareness of influence of own cultural background on personal attitudes, assumptions, values, and behaviors; ability to modify personal attitudes, assumptions, values, behaviors in response to different cultural patterns)
D. Interpersonal Relationships (ability to: work with others, particularly where there are differences in theological or political beliefs; listen to others; respond to feelings and needs of others)
Mail to:
Global Justice Volunteers Program
Mission Volunteers Office
Suite 330
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115* * *
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