Brethren Volunteer Service

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the BVS application process work?

Do I have to be a member of the Church of the Brethren to serve in Brethren Volunteer Service?

I want to serve outside the United States. How can this happen?

I want to serve outside the United States, but I only want to stay for one year. Are there any options for me in BVS?

What will BVS cost me?

Does BVS pre-place volunteers?

How can I be assured that I will get my first choice?

I have a degree in a specialized field. Is this the time for me to put that to use?

I'm 18 years old. Am I suited for all projects?

Does BVS have a special program for older adults?

My spouse and I would like to volunteer with BVS. Is this possible?

My fiancé and I want to serve together. Is this possible?

What do I bring to orientation?

Where will I live on my project?

I have student loans. Can these be deferred?

What can I expect for benefits and support?

What else can I expect from my term of service?

Do projects have web sites and may I contact them? What are the implications with BVS?

Can things change suddenly in BVS?

Please call the BVS office at (800) 323-8039 if you have any questions.

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How does the BVS application process work?

The application process can be started any time. Call the BVS office at (800) 323-8039 or email us at bvs_gb@brethren.org to ask for an application packet if you have not already received one.

Part 1: The application form, completed essay questions, resume, current photo and school transcripts should be sent first. Upon receipt of the application we will contact your references. Once we have received responses from at least three references (including one from each of the three categories), your application will be reviewed for acceptance into BVS. We recommend you call our office to check on the status of your references. This process needs to be completed by the deadline date for the orientation you wish to attend.

Part 2: Once you are accepted, we will mail you the following to fill out and return: covenant, hold harmless waiver, health screen form, death benefit form, criminal record check release form, $75 background check fee and a copy of your driver's license.

Part 3: BVS staff will conduct a phone interview with each applicant prior to the start of orientation.

Important: Logistical considerations may limit the number of volunteers we can place into each orientation. We will place volunteers into orientation units in the order of file completion. The deadline for completing the application process is six weeks prior to that units beginning date. When a unit is filled prior to this deadline, a waiting list is established.

The application process takes time!
We suggest you send your application three to four months before the orientation unit you want to attend.

Contact us frequently to check the status of your file. Seeing that your file is complete is your responsibility!

A $50 fee will be charged if your application requires rush processing close to or after the deadline. (See orientation site information for deadlines.)

Do I have to be a member of the Church of the Brethren to serve in Brethren Volunteer Service?

No. BVS is open to all who are willing to serve. BVS seeks to follow Jesus through acts of service.

I want to serve outside the United States. How can this happen?

To serve internationally you must be at least 21 years old, and a college graduate (Bachelor's degree) or have equivalent life experience. Placements are approved by staff responsible for international projects who are informed of your interest after your application is accepted.

Applicants interested in international assignments should be in phone contact with the BVS staff. You will also be contacted by a regional international representative regarding information on these projects (Europe, Japan, Latin America and Nigeria). International assignments are based on skills, project needs and availability, and may not be determined on a first come, first serve basis.

During orientation you will interview with international staff. If approved and if the placement does not start immediately after orientation, candidates may be placed at an interim project for a few weeks to several months (please be prepared to wait). If you will begin an international assignment within one month following orientation, you will have the option to return home. Volunteers serving outside the United States are charged a $500 fee.

Be open to considering domestic projects, as placements outside the United States are not guaranteed. BVSers can take an international assignment after a year of domestic service.

I want to serve outside the United States, but I only want to stay for one year. Are there any options for me in BVS?

International placements generally require two years of service which starts from the date of your arrival at the international project. BVS follows the philosophy that the longer a volunteer stays at the project, the more the volunteer is going to gain from the experience and of course, the more the project will benefit from the volunteer's skills. It generally takes nine to twelve months to acculturate oneself to a new placement, not to mention getting a grasp of the language, especially if the volunteer has no prior language knowledge. Sometimes, however, there are projects in English-language countries which might be open to one-year terms. Please inquire with BVS about specifics.

What will BVS cost me?

All volunteers will be required to complete a criminal records check through Brethren Volunteer Service. BVS will provide the release form and requires a fee of $75 made payable to Brethren Volunteer Service.

Volunteers are responsible for transportation to orientation.
Volunteers serving outside the United States are charged a $500 fee.

International volunteers serving in the U.S. please note: When arriving in the U.S. you will be issued an I-94 form. You may be issued only a three to twelve-month stay. BVS will apply for an extension so that you may complete your term of service. Each application for extension costs $300. These costs will be assumed by your project. International volunteers serving in the United States have to pay their transportation to orientation and the return fare home from the port of entry.

Does BVS pre-place volunteers?

Sometimes. Certain projects require a separate application and dialogue prior to orientation. Please note that some pre-arrangement requirements are indicated in the project listings. Many international placements require advance communication. Contact the BVS office if you are considering one of these.

How can I be assured that I will get my first choice?

You can't. BVS projects may already have volunteers from BVS or other volunteer agencies. With shrinking budgets, projects cannot always afford volunteers. Projects sometimes specify an availability date. This project book is compiled annually. Prior to your orientation you will receive a placing list of projects seeking volunteers from your orientation. Flexibility is essential!

I have a degree in a specialized field. Is this the time for me to put that to use?

People who decide to volunteer often think that they "must" use their degree or prior experience at a BVS project, or sometimes it is the last thing they want to do! BVS is an opportunity to serve in a field in which you are inexperienced but have an interest. We encourage people to look through the book for projects of interest and calling. Many projects seek generalists or persons willing to learn a new skill.

If you want to specifically use your degree and experience, the BVS office will work with you as best we can. We remind all volunteers to be flexible in their placement choices. Projects are not always available at your time of placement.

I'm 18 years old. Am I suited for all projects?

While BVS encourages high school graduates to consider volunteering, there will be limitations in project placement. There are some projects that are restricted for legal reasons, such as licensing and insurance. There are some projects that require extensive life knowledge. Could you counsel and discipline an angry 17-year-old? Could you cope with the grief in an AIDS hospice? Even so, BVS is supportive of young people entering the program. Please talk with the BVS staff about which projects best suit your interests, needs, and life experience.

Does BVS have a special program for older adults?

Yes, BVS has a program with special options for older adults (50 and older). Older adults are also welcome at all orientations. For more information visit the Older adult program information page.

My spouse and I would like to volunteer with BVS. Is this possible?

Yes, BVS suggests that a couple be married for at least one year before they volunteer. The application process is the same as it is for everyone applying to BVS. Not all projects can accommodate more than one person, but many can.

Also, BVS will not accept only one partner of a married couple into BVS. We expect both persons to serve together.

My fiancé and I want to serve together. Is this possible?

BVS will not place an unmarried couple together at the same site. As stated above BVS suggests that couples are married at least one year before they volunteer.

Also, BVS assumes the volunteer will remain single during their term of service.

What do I bring to orientation?

Travel light. You will need to be able to carry everything with you. We suggest packing only for the three weeks of orientation and the first month on project. Orientations are located in different regions, so pack accordingly. Bring one set of dress clothes, work clothes, comfortable clothes, and include something for warm and cold weather. After you're placed, someone at home can ship the rest of what you need.

BVS is often a time to realize what you can do without. We encourage you to leave "luxury" items behind. This is especially important for international placements.

It is important to read the pre-orientation material you will be sent for specific information related to the orientation you will attend.

Where will I live on my project?

Living situations are arranged by the projects and thus vary according to their needs and resources. Living situations include community living with other volunteers, in an apartment (sometimes shared), with a family, on project site, etc.

I have student loans. Can these be deferred?

Possibly. Qualifying student loans may be deferred for up to three years of service. Contact your lending agency for the deferment forms, and to see if your loan qualifies. Deferment forms must be brought to orientation. Volunteers qualifying for and serving in AmeriCorps can receive a forbearance on their loans during the time of service. Interest accrued during term of service may be paid by AmeriCorps.

What can I expect for benefits and support?

Travel to and from the project, room, board, monthly stipend, limited medical coverage, life insurance, and an annual retreat. BVS will maintain regular contact with you while you are on project. Please note: the medical insurance plan for volunteers serving in the United States and internationally has a maximum coverage of $50,000 per incident. BVS is not responsible for medical costs beyond the insurance maximum. (See Insurance Coverage for more details.)

What else can I expect from my term of service?

More than you can imagine! Returning volunteers tell us that they received more than they gave. The unexpected gifts from the lives you touch when you serve are the rewards that Christ beckons us to understand.

Do projects have web sites and may I contact them? What are the implications with BVS?

Some of the projects have web sites that are included in this booklet. Information about a potential project may be helpful as you consider BVS. However, please remember that BVS makes all the initial arrangements for placement. You may not make arrangements with projects on behalf of BVS. The web site information is intended for information only.

Can things change suddenly in BVS?

Yes! Though stated earlier, this needs to be stated again. Many things can change suddenly, especially when we work with projects with limited budgets.

• Projects listed in the booklet may not be available when you arrive at orientation.
  
• You may need to wait for an overseas assignment longer than you expected.

Please call the BVS office at (800) 323-8039 if you have any questions.