mission
Upcoming VIM Events
Volunteer Opportunity at Conference Camp & Retreat Sites
Team Leader Trainings
Early Response Team (ERT) Training
Upcoming Courses
What Do ERT Teams Do?
Volunteer Opportunity at Conference Camp & Retreat Sites
Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) welcomes volunteers to support the conference camp and retreat centers through the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and grounds. The conference volunteer management team is looking for individuals and teams local to Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Skye Farm, or Sky Lake. Each camp is ready with a list of projects suitable for volunteers. Local volunteers are encouraged as the camps curtailed overnight accommodations for the summer. State and conference safety protocols are in place to help keep volunteers and staff safe.
The goal for volunteers: partner with camp staff to assist with tasks suited to your skills. Food and beverage for all the workers is provided by the camp. If you are ready to volunteer at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Skye Farm, or Sky Lake, please use the following form to register: https://bit.ly/20campwork
Thoughts, questions, or concerns should be directed to Mike Block, UNY Director of Missional Engagement, at mikeblock@unyumc.org or (315) 491-0497.
Team Leader Trainings
There are no team leader training sessions scheduled at this time. When offered, these trainings are valuable for anyone interested in being either a team leader or a more effective participant. Having a trained team leader not only promotes more effective teamwork, but is essential to obtain team insurance, grants, or scholarships for team members.
Early Response Team (ERT) Training
UMCOR’s Early Response Teams (ERT) provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. The training equips you to help communities clean up after a natural disaster - flood, tornado, hurricanes. ERTs carry out tasks such as damage assessment, debris removal, placing tarps on homes, and helping to prevent further damage. This training credentials you to enter disaster zones. An ERT badge is issued by UMCOR to applicants over the age of 18 after successful completion of the course and a background check. Badges are valid for 3 years. Individuals need not be United Methodist to take the training.
Upcoming Courses
There are upcoming training and recertification sessions. For more information, contact class facilitators Roger and Donna Cullen at unyvim@unyumc.org.
- POSTPONED (DATE TBD): April 25 at New Hartford UMC, 103 Genesee St. New Hartford from 8:30-5 p.m. Click here to register.
- POSTPONED (DATE TBD): April 26 at Little Valley UMC, 109 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755 from 1-5 p.m. Click here to register.
- POSTPONED (DATE TBD): May 16 at UNY Conference Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY. Click here to register.
What do UMCOR Early Response Teams Do?
- Provide a Christian presence. This does not sound like a task… and is NOT, however, it can be the MOST important thing a team can do.
- Take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property (stabilize): Tarping, Debris removal, Cleaning out of flooded homes
- Teams may be asked to manage donated materials, gather information or other perform other tasks as deemed necessary by the community.
- Observe survivor’s needs and report these to the local operations.
- Be a part of the caring ministry of “listeners” who will help the survivor being to heal.
What will you learn in an ERT class?
- The Who, What, When, and Why of Early Response Teams
- Working with survivors
- Seven important things to know about disaster spiritual and emotional care
- Organizational structure for the relief stage
- Team safety
- ERT protocols
- Safe sanctuaries
- Equipping an ERT