United Methodist Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) Adult Training 2019

1. United Methodist Reach-out Mission by Youth(U.M. ARMY)Adult Training 2019

2. Welcome!!! Thank you for volunteering to be a part of an exciting ministry called U.M. ARMY. You are an answer to prayer, and we believe God has brought you to our ministry for a very specific reason! This online training module will provide important information to help you prepare for the upcoming season. We encourage you to spend uninterrupted time reading through this information. Throughout this presentation, you will be asked to refer to specific pages in your Travel Guide, which is available online at the U.M. ARMY Northeast website (ne.umarmy.org) for more in-depth details.

3. Chapter 1 • U.M. ARMY Overview

4. U.M. ARMY History This God-inspired organization started in 1979 with a small group of people who wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives. After 38 years, their small dream has grown into an organization that serves clients throughout the state of Texas and in the Northeast region of the United States. There are nearly 4,000 volunteers each summer who provide service to approximately 2,000 clients. For more information on the history of U. M. ARMY, please read your Travel Guide.

5. U.M. ARMY Mission Providing Christ-centered missions that serve people in need and promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth and young adults.

6. U.M. ARMY Vision Continue to grow in ministry with God and become the hands and voice of Christ while receiving guidance from the following core principles: • We are a God-led, volunteer, youth focused organization. • We believe God changes lives through the U.M. ARMY experience. • We believe in increasing the number of lives touched in a planned and responsible way. • We believe in being proactive in protecting the persons we touch, the environment and the corporate organization. • We believe our operation can be accomplished with hard work, compassion and honesty. • We believe in developing well-trained leaders. • We believe that all aspects of the U.M. ARMY organization will be managed with integrity.

7. The U.M. ARMY Experience Work during the mission week provides an opportunity to practice Christian faith and love through action. Worship and daily lunch devotions provide opportunities for spiritual growth. Interactions with clients and fellow participants provide opportunities to establish new friendships.

8. Work Philosophy The U.M. ARMY work philosophy is: • Be Prepared • Safety First • Teamwork • Leadership Development • Servant – Nothing in Return • Free for Client • Have fun!!

9. Chapter 2 • The Mission Week Experience

10. Theme for 2019 SENT OUT! In 2019, U.M. ARMY continues with the fourth year of a five-year missional journey – “We Are Yours”. This year’s theme is SENT OUT/ We are sent into the world by Christ. During this journey, we will seek to better understand the powerful truth that we belong to Goad as individuals and as a church. We will explore how that belonging play out as we serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world. The very nature of U.M. ARMY is that we are Sent Out of our hometowns to go somewhere new to serve. We are Sent Out for a purpose. Through the mission experience and materials, we will learn how being Sent Out changes the lives of those we serve as well as ourselves.

11. Schedule Upon arriving on Sunday evening, your group will be asked to check in and finalize any paperwork. You will be assigned sleeping rooms and a work team. You will be asked to store your assigned warehouse tools in the designated tool area. After dinner, you will attend orientation on the various roles and activities for the week. Group and individual pictures are taken, and the excitement begins!!! For a sample of the schedule for Monday – Friday, see your Travel Guide.

12. Some Things to Expect • Sleeping – we sleep in our host church on air mattresses or cots; there are separate sleeping spaces for men and women; due to limited space, please bring only single mattresses or cot. • Meals – we eat breakfast and dinner at the host church, except for one dinner out; we pack a lunch to take to the worksite and eat lunch with our clients. • Showers – due the size of our groups, we shower at a separate facility such as the local high school or fitness center. • Activities – each evening, after dinner, there are group activities planned; everyone is expected to participate and have fun!! • Worship – each morning there is a brief worship service; each evening, there is another service where we celebrate the blessings from our hard work and fun throughout the day.

13. Lunch with the Client • We pack a lunch every day to take to the worksite. We bring an extra lunch for our client and share some quality time with them, along with lunch devotions.

14. Evening Worship Service • At evening worship, we light candles to represent color groups, work teams and site completions. Evening worship is a celebration of God’s blessings throughout the day. The service utilizes the talents of the participants through music, scripture reading, skits and testimonies.

15. Role of the Adult We truly value the role of the adult. You make a critical impact on the success of the overall experience. In general, your role is to: • Foster spiritual relationships • Serve as a mentor • Be a good listener • Commit to the “spirit” of U.M. ARMY • Be an example of unconditional love • Serve as a positive, Christian role model • Allow yourself to “give up control” in order to foster leadership in the youth and young adults

16. Director prepares for week; coordinates all roles; has final authority for the week Color Group Leader facilitates the work of several work teams, which make up a color group; assists assigned work teams Tool Coordinator manages warehouse tools and construction materials Administrative Coordinator assists the director with administrative tasks Program Coordinator manages all recreation and worship activities Site Coordinator coordinates worksites prior to and during the mission week Safety Coordinator teaches and enforces safety practices throughout the week Kitchen Coordinator oversees the kitchen and feeds us well during the week! Work Team Adult works with a small team of youth from various churches; transports team to worksite and all events Adult Roles

17. Work Teams Each work team is comprised of a mixture of 4-6 youth and 1 adult; individuals from home church groups will be intermingled with individuals from the other churches in attendance The work team adult (WTA) is an equal member of the team. The WTA role is to help each of the youth develop qualities of leadership, responsibility and foster spiritual growth. As a WTA, you will be asked to use discernment concerning when to step back and be part of the team, and when to step forward for safety, guidance or other adult-type decisions. No matter what, you are expected to be a role model at all times. Work team always travel together in your vehicle (worksite, activities, showers, etc.) For more information on the Work Team Adult, read your Travel Guide.

18. Green Color Group – Green “A” • Each work team is part of a larger color group and is assigned a letter of the alphabet. For example, this is Green A work team on Green Color Day!

19. Work Team Adult Each WTA needs to have the following for their work team. These items are essential for the work team to complete its tasks. We are asking churches to bring these items to equip all WTAs. Each item should be marked with the color assigned to your church group. • Tool kit – comprised of items listed in your Travel Guide • First Aid kit – comprised of items listed in your Travel Guide • Cleaning kit – comprised of items listed in your Travel Guide • Vehicle with at least five (5) seats belts in working order and room for at least four youth.

20. Daily Leadership Roles Each work team member will serve in various leadership roles. These roles rotate each day amongst all team members-adults and youth. • Team Leader • Devotional Leader • Safety Leader • Tools/Materials Leader • Food Leader • Navigator Review detailed information on each role is in your Travel Guide.

21. Work Site Information Be sure to read the detailed information about work sites in your Travel Guide. Below are some highlights: • Use a buddy system at all times; no youth should be ever be alone in a client’s home • We do not use the client’s restroom; work teams are to find a local facility. In addition, the entire team must go together on breaks. The WTA or another adult leader must be with the team at all times • For health and safety reasons, we do not consume any food or drink offered by the clients • All paint brushes, equipment and tools should be cleaned at the work site before returning to the host church

22. Work Site Safety Tools & Equipment • No power tools, except drills, may be used by participants under the age of 18 • Only tools on list in Travel Guide permitted – NO EXCEPTIONS! • Follow state child labor laws (details on upcoming slides) First Aid • It is important to keep everyone hydrated on the worksite as much as possible • Participants are encouraged to wear sun protection when working outside such as hats and sun screen • Be cautious of poison ivy and insects Unsafe or threatening situations • Leave immediately if there is any perceived danger or illegal activity at the client’s home or neighborhood For more information, refer to your Travel Guide.

23. Construction, Maintenance, Home Repairs Types of Work We Do

24. Types of Work We DON’T Do • Electrical wiring • Plumbing • Major roof repairs • New home construction • Third story painting • Appliance repair

25. Warehouse Tools There are certain tools that each church group is asked to bring for the entire group to share. The items and amounts are based on the number of participants from your home church. These tools should be marked with the color assigned to your home church. You will be asked to work with your Director on these items to ensure there are enough for the size of the group and the types of projects that will be completed. Review the Travel Guide for the Warehouse Tool list.

26. Chapter 3 • Rules and Guidelines

27. Child Labor Laws In order to protect all our participants and ensure safety on the worksite, we must adhere to the applicable child safety laws within each respective state in the Northeast Region. The Director and Site Coordinator are responsible for ensuring the worksites assigned to each team do not pose any violations of these laws. In addition, each WTA is to adhere to the applicable laws related to age restrictions for team members. The following slides highlight the restrictions for each state.

28. Under 18 – No circular saws Under 18 – No ladders over six (6) feet Under 18 – No new construction

29. Under 18 – No circular saws Under 16 – No construction, renovation or repairs Under 16 – No ladders or scaffolds

30. Under 18 – No circular saws Under 16 – No power driven lawn mowers Under 16 – No ladders or scaffolds or their substitutes Under 16- No outside window washing

31. Under 16 – No ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes • Under 16 – No new construction • Under 18 – No circular saws • Under 18 – No roofing

32. Under 18 - No circular saws Under 18 - No ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes Under 18 - No new construction Under 16 - No painting

33. Under 18 – No circular saws Under 16 – No ladders of scaffolds Under 14 – No power driven mowers

34. Under 18 - No circular saws Under 16 - No ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes Under 16 –Power driven equipment

35. Code of Conduct Each participant is asked to read and sign a code of conduct prior to attending the mission week. It is our hope that participants have fully comprehended the intent of this document, and are willing to adhere to these expectations at all times. The intent of this covenant is to ensure the integrity anddignityof U.M. ARMY, its participants and clients. • Treat the client and their property with dignity and respect • Encourage youth to assume leadership roles • Treat all participants in accordance with the teachings of Christ • Respect the Host Church, vehicles & tools • Possess a positive attitude • Rely on leaders • Adhere to rules and regulations Vehicle regulations Attendance Policy Electronics use (cell phones) Drug, alcohol and tobacco rules Prescription drug guidelines Dress code guidelines

36. Dress Code Modest Conservative Appropriate Everyone must dress appropriately for the task at hand. Closed toed shoes, such as sneakers or work boots, are required on the work site. All participants, youth, young adults and adults, are asked to wear clothes that are modest, conservative and appropriate for the mission work we will be undertaking. The Mission Week Director has the final authority for decisions regarding any article of clothing in question.

37. Discipline • The Director is the ultimate decision maker for disciplinary issues; however, each adult will also assume this role to some degree • Discipline may include notifying parents and/or sending a participant home • Designated adult church representative will be focal point with the Director for discipline issues

38. Safe Sanctuary • Each participating church is asked to conduct Safe Sanctuary Training for all persons 18 and older who will be attending the mission week. • All participants will be given a copy of the U.M. ARMY Safe Sanctuary Policy. This policy does not replace Safe Sanctuary Training provided by each respective church. • Each adult and young adult, 18 and older, must have background checks performed by their church. • The Senior Pastor of each participating church is asked to sign off on all participants. • Two adults are required on all work sites and whenever youth are present. • Additional policies regarding transportation and showers. Review the information on safe sanctuary in your Travel Guide.

39. Emergency Procedures In case of emergency, call 911 first. Call the Director next. Keep someone with the injured person at all times. Never leave the rest of the work team alone. The leadership team will arrange for appropriate coverage for the work team as well as who will go to the hospital, etc. When in doubt – take the entire team with you to the hospital. For further information, read your Travel Guide.

40. Tool and Safety Training • It is the responsibility of participating churches to conduct a hands-on Tool and Safety Training for all participants prior to the mission week. • U.M. ARMY provides a guideline for that training A copy of the Tool and Safety Training can be found on ne.umarmy.org.

41. Chapter 4 • Changes • Clarifications • Additions

42. Northeast Attendance Policy Updated 2012 • The U.M. ARMY Board of Directors upholds the attendance policy that all youth participants must participate for the full week Sunday through Saturday. While it is discouraged as regular practice, under extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the Director, a participant may be given permission to arrive late on Sunday evening or leave early on Saturday morning.

43. Northeast Driver Verification Policy • Prior to the mission week, it is the responsibility of the church coordinator to visually verify that all participating drivers have: • a valid driver’s license • proof of auto insurance • proof of vehicle registration.. • It is the responsibility of all drivers to have the above items with them during the mission week.

44. Chapter 5 • Summary and Next Steps

45. Next Steps • Pray – pray for guidance for yourself and your church group; pray for everyone preparing for their mission week • Read your Travel Guide – take time to read through this informative document. There is critical information in this guide that will be important for you to know before the mission week. • Take the test – complete and return the test associated with this training to get credit for completing this requirement • Ask questions – work with your Participating Church Coordinator on any outstanding issues, questions or concerns • Get ready – for a life-changing experience that God has planned for you!!!

46. One of our favorite sayings is: “It’s not so much about the work – it’s more about the relationships!”

47. We look forward to your joining the U.M. ARMY “circle” this summer and being a part of your new relationships with all participants, clients and God!