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Thank you for expressing interest in Brethren Volunteer Service! We are excited that you are considering BVS as an option for your future. This page will guide you through the application process and indicate the items needed to complete it — noting the process is slightly different for Non-US Citizens than it is for US Citizens.

Applications may be submitted at any point in the year. Keep in mind, the process takes time; we recommend submitting the application three to four months before the orientation you wish to participate in begins. Read more about orientation and view upcoming dates.

Upon acceptance into Brethren Volunteer Service, incoming volunteers will be asked to sign the volunteer covenant.

Online BVS Application

Please note: Most of the projects are located within the United States. Many applicants are interested in international placements. Since we cannot guarantee that you will be placed overseas, we ask that you be willing to accept placement in the U.S.

You can view current project listings and see an overview of BVS online, or contact the BVS office for a printed copy of these materials.

Application Materials Required

  1. Application Form: All sections must be completed on the online form unless not applicable, in which case write N/A. Please also note that you may save your progress on the application and revisit it later to complete and submit. Sections of the application form include: Personal Data; Emergency Contact Information; Religious Affiliation; Activities, Honors & Hobbies; Language Skills; Education; Employment History; BVS Project Interest; References (6); Authorization & Waiver.
    If seeing the entire application before completing the online form is helpful, please use this document as a guideline for completing the online application. Please only submit the online application form. Use this form only as a guide to gather information, not to apply.
  2. Application Essays: The essay questions are included at the end of the online application form. BVS is open to persons of varied faith perspectives, but all participants are expected to be willing to examine and study aspects of the Christian faith during orientation.
  3. Resume: A current resume is required to complete your application.
  4. Transcripts: Transcripts of your most recently completed school work. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Transcripts are not needed from volunteers over 30 years of age who have been out of school for over 5 years.
  5. References: Reference forms will be sent from the BVS office. Please inform the persons you list as references that we will be contacting them via e-mail. Encourage them to submit the forms as soon as possible.
  6. Photo: A recent photograph to be used by orientation staff to learn names and faces before orientation begins.
  7. Interview: A phone interview will be conducted for each applicant. This usually occurs once all application materials and reference forms have been submitted.

The Application Process

Part 1:

The application process can be started at any time. The online application form (including essay questions), resume, photo, and transcripts should be submitted. Upon receipt of your application, we will contact your references. Once we have received all application materials, responses from at least three (3) references (one from each category), and have completed a phone interview, your application will be reviewed for acceptance into our program. We recommend you call our office to check on the status of your references.

Part 2:

Once you are accepted, we will assign you to the next available orientation. At that time, we will mail you a health screen form, hold harmless waiver of liability form, death benefit form, BVS covenant, and criminal background check release form (all volunteers will be required to complete a criminal background check through BVS). These items need to be completed and returned to our office upon receipt. Acceptance into BVS does not guarantee placement at a project. This is usually determined at orientation. BVS has the final decision regarding project placement.

Part 3:

Volunteer Fees – These fees are used to support transportation to assignments and other administrative costs.

  1. Those serving in an international assignment will be charged $1,000 ($750 for Church of the Brethren members).
  2. Those serving in a domestic assignment will be charged $500 ($250 for Church of the Brethren members).
  3. Volunteers coming to the U.S. through the EIRENE program in Germany will be covered by the EIRENE program. Any non-EIRENE volunteer coming from outside the U.S. will be charged the $500 fee to serve in the US.
  4. BVSers accepted at international assignments in countries requiring a visa or pre-clearance process will need to provide the funds for the initial set of fees. Ask staff for details, as fees vary by region. Subsequent visa fees after the BVSer has been on project will be covered by BVS, the project, or other sources.

Please Note:

  • All BVS Applicants must be fluent in English
  • German volunteers have the option of applying to BVS directly or through the German EIRENE program.
  • BVS accepts international applicants with a Brethren or partner organization affiliation.
  • International applicants can only be placed at projects in the United States.

You can view current project listings and see an overview of BVS online, or contact the BVS office for a printed copy of these materials.

Application Materials Required

  1. Application Form: All sections must be completed on the online form unless not applicable, in which case write N/A. Please also note that you may save your progress on the application and revisit it later to complete and submit. Sections of the application form include: Personal Data; Emergency Contact Information; Religious Affiliation; Activities, Honors & Hobbies; Language Skills; Education; Employment History; BVS Project Interest; References (6); Authorization & Waiver.
    If seeing the entire application before completing the online form is helpful, please use this document as a guideline for completing the online application. Please only submit the online application form. Use this form only as a guide to gather information, not to apply.
  2. Application Essays: The essay questions are included at the end of the online application form. BVS is open to persons of varied faith perspectives, but all participants are expected to be willing to examine and study aspects of the Christian faith during orientation.
  3. Resume (CV): A current resume (CV) is required to complete your application
  4. References: Reference forms will be sent from the BVS office. Please inform the persons you list as references that we will be contacting them via e-mail. Encourage them to submit the forms as soon as possible.
  5. Photo: A recent photograph to be used by orientation staff to learn names and faces before orientation begins.
  6. Interview: A phone interview will be conducted for each applicant. This usually occurs once all application materials and reference forms have been submitted.

The Application Process

Part 1:

The application process can be started at any time. The online application form (including essay questions), resume (CV), photo, and transcripts should be submitted. Upon receipt of your application, we will contact your references. Once we have received all application materials, responses from at least three (3) references (one from each category) and have completed a phone interview, your application will be reviewed for acceptance into our program. We recommend you call our office to check on the status of your references.

Part 2:

Once you are accepted, we will assign you to the next available orientation. At that time, we will mail you a health screen form, hold harmless waiver of liability form, death benefit form, and BVS covenant, as well as information on acquiring a U.S. Visa. These items need to be completed and returned to our office upon receipt. All volunteers will be required to complete a background check; more information will be sent upon receipt of your application. Acceptance into BVS does not guarantee placement at a project. This is usually determined at orientation. BVS has the final decision regarding project placement.

Part 3:

Volunteer Fees – These fees are used to support transportation to assignments and other administrative costs.

  1. Those serving in an international assignment will be charged $1,000 ($750 for Church of the Brethren members).
  2. Those serving in a domestic assignment will be charged $500 ($250 for Church of the Brethren members).
  3. Volunteers coming to the U.S. through the EIRENE program in Germany will be covered by the EIRENE program. Any non-EIRENE volunteer coming from outside the U.S. will be charged the $500 fee to serve in the US.
  4. BVSers accepted at international assignments in countries requiring a visa or pre-clearance process will need to provide the funds for the initial set of fees. Ask staff for details, as fees vary by region. Subsequent visa fees after the BVSer has been on project will be covered by BVS, the project, or other sources.

Important: Logistical considerations limit the number of volunteers we can place into each orientation. We will place volunteers into units in order of file completion. The deadline for filling a unit is six weeks prior to the unit’s start date. Often a unit is filled prior to this deadline. When this happens a waiting order will be established for that unit.

This application process takes time! We suggest sending your application three to four months before the unit you would like to attend. Completing your file is your responsibility! During the application process we urge you to contact us frequently to check on the status of your file.