Frequently Asked Questions

The acceptance process can be started at any time. The application should be submitted electronically. Email BVS at bvs@brethren.org with any questions. If you have not heard from BVS staff within a few days, please follow up your application with an email.

The application form, completed essay questions, résumé, and school transcripts (if applicable) should be sent first. Upon receipt of the application, we will reach out and schedule a Zoom interview. Following this, the BVS staff 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. This process needs to be completed by the deadline date of the orientation unit you wish to attend.

Once you are accepted, we will send a document packet via email for you to fill out and return including a hold harmless waiver, health screen form, insurance form, death benefit form, and a criminal record check release form. We also ask you to submit a copy of your driver’s license and/or passport. You will sign the BVS covenant during the pre-orientation Zoom meetings. Your volunteer fee is due by the start of your orientation unit.

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 is six weeks prior to that unit’s beginning date. When a unit is filled prior to this deadline, a waiting list is established.

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

No. BVS is open to all who are willing to serve. BVS seeks to follow Jesus’ teachings through acts of service. We ask that you are open to spiritual exploration.

To serve internationally, generally you need to be at least 21 years old and have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience. Placements are approved by staff representatives responsible for international projects who receive your materials after your application is accepted.

Applicants interested in international assignments should be in contact with the BVS staff. If serving abroad, you may have additional conversations with staff regarding these positions. International assignments are based on skills, project needs, and availability.

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

A special note for volunteers looking at projects in Latin/South America:

Due to the ever-changing needs of BVS’s partner organizations in Latin/South America and Africa, not all listed project placements will have availability each year. Potential volunteers should keep in mind that interest in service in Latin America and Africa is more important than a particular project.

General requirements for volunteers in Latin/South America and Africa include the ability to work in an unstructured environment, to have local adaptability, and to be process- and people-oriented rather than goal-oriented. The most important requirement for a BVSer in Latin/South America and Africa is their ability to actively support the processes that the host organization has begun and to accompany them in their work. This philosophy, to accompany people with a commitment to live in solidarity with the local community that you are serving, is at the core of the volunteer experience in Latin/South America and Africa.

The Church of the Brethren Global Mission office, which partners with BVS for many of the projects in Latin/South America and Africa, is open to exploring additional possibilities and partnerships based on an applicant’s interest, skills, and established relationship with organizations not currently listed as a BVS project placement.

Volunteer fees are used to support transportation to placements, health insurance, and other administrative costs. Volunteers serving within the United States pay a $600 fee ($300 for Church of the Brethren members), and those serving outside the United States pay a $1,250 fee ($900 for Church of the Brethren members).

Additionally, BVSers serving internationally in countries requiring a visa or pre-clearance process will need to provide the funds for the initial set of fees associated with the visa, and pay for the flight to the international project location. BVS will pay for one visa extension if it is required for completion of the volunteer year.

Volunteers coming to the United States through the EIRENE program in Germany will be covered by the EIRENE program.

Any non-EIRENE volunteer coming from outside the United States pays the $600 fee to serve in the United States. (International applicants must complete at least one year of service in the United States before being eligible for an international placement.) Additionally, any non-EIRENE volunteer coming from outside the United States is responsible for the cost of a U.S. visa and must pay transportation to orientation and the return fare home from the port of entry.

Yes. Historically, placements have occurred at orientation, but recently, BVS has implemented a pre-placement process for all volunteers. Specific details about the placement process are given to each volunteer following their acceptance.

While BVS does our best to match each volunteer with their preferred project, we cannot guarantee that everyone will receive their first choice. A project may already be at capacity with volunteers from BVS or other volunteer agencies, may be unable to host an additional volunteer due to budget constraints, or may have an availability date that does not align with your placement timeline.

We encourage you to remain open to opportunities, as all placement locations offer meaningful experiences and connections. During the placement process, you will receive a list of locations that are available. The goal of the project placement process is to find the best match between your interests, strengths, and skills and a project’s needs and requirements. This process requires flexibility, communication, and trust, but the final choice of project location is mutually agreed upon by the volunteer, the project staff, and the BVS staff.

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 often an opportunity to serve in a field in which you are inexperienced but have an interest. We encourage people to look 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.

BVS encourages recent high school graduates to consider volunteering, and there are a broad number of possibilities for volunteers of all ages. However, there may be limitations in project placement depending on age. Some projects are restricted for legal reasons, such as licensing and insurance, while others require extensive life knowledge. 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.

While in the past, BVS had a special orientation for those who were 55+, we now encourage everyone to join the regularly scheduled orientation. Those who are 55+ may have the option to serve for 6 months; however, this depends on the availability of our projects. If serving for 6 months is of interest, please let the BVS staff know during the application process.

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.

Travel light. You will need to be able to carry everything with you. We suggest packing only for orientation and the first month on project. Orientations are located in different regions, so pack accordingly. Bring one set of dress clothes, work clothes, and comfortable clothes, and include something for both 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 that you will receive for specific information related to the orientation you will attend.

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

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. BVS will provide a letter to your lending agency stating that you may meet the requirements for deferral, but cannot advise or assist in the deferral process.

BVS provides transportation to and from the project, room, board, a monthly stipend, health insurance coverage, and an annual retreat for volunteers serving in the United States. BVS will maintain regular contact with you while you are on project. Volunteers have access to BVS staff for support and in case of emergency during their time of service.

More than you can imagine! Returning volunteers tell us that their lives are transformed by a year of service, and that they received more than they gave. It is our hope that volunteers will develop personally, professionally, and spiritually during their time in BVS.

Most of the projects have websites included in the project listings. 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 website information is intended for informational use only.

Yes. BVS has a health insurance plan available if you are not covered by a family or personal plan. Please see the covenant for details.

Please note that BVS does not provide insurance for personal items such as cell phones, computers, cameras, bicycles, and cars.

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 on our website and in the project booklet may not be available when you arrive at orientation. You may need to wait for an overseas assignment longer than you expected.