FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Q—How are requests for short-term volunteer teams generated?
    A—All IMB volunteer project requests are initiated by our personnel on the field to meet specific needs that fit into their field strategy.

2. Q—What safety or security precautions are being taken to ensure that volunteers will be safe while on the field?
    A—The field does not cancel volunteer projects except in the case of extreme circumstances. The local field missionary, who has the greatest knowledge and understanding of any potential danger or threat to volunteer team members, makes decisions on cancellations of volunteer projects in times of emergencies.

  • We monitor situations and we have field personnel who closely monitor all situations.
  • Where situations dictate, a crisis management team made up of local field and IMB staff is in place and will let the IMB regional offices know if it becomes unsafe for volunteers to come.
  • All IMB field personnel maintain current evacuation plans for their families and any volunteers that may be serving with them. These plans differ by location, so you will need to check with the missionaries with whom you will be working on the field to see what is in place.

3. Q—What do I do if I have an emergency while traveling, while on the field, or on the way home? Only medical emergencies can be reimbursed by insurance. However, emergencies of a medical (including emergency medical evacuation), legal, and transportation nature may be reported to SAS.
    A—Call SAS first. If you have a life or otherwise threatening situation, GET HELP first (local help appropriate to situation), then call SAS.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Changes to your flights (including emergency evacuation) made without first contacting SAS will result in your being held responsible for substantial costs. SAS must make the arrangements for any emergency travel and other major expenses. SAS does not provide reimbursement for loss incurred due to acts of war, weather, etc. while on the field. However, they will provide assistance at no charge with changing flight arrangements if it becomes necessary due to one of these reasons while on a trip. They can also provide assistance (not monetary) for other types of problems on the field. Only medical emergencies are covered for reimbursement.

4. Q—What should I do if I need to cancel my volunteer trip?
    A—If you decide to cancel a volunteer assignment for any reason, please notify your field contact as soon as possible so they can open the project up to other groups.

5. Q—Do I need to have special insurance coverage if I go to an area that is prone to war or terrorist attacks?
    A—War Risk coverage insurance is available through Adams & Associates with rates determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the regular coverage covers volunteers for any medical expense incurred due to an act of terrorism. War risk only comes into play in situations where there is an active, declared war. The insurance carrier will notify the IMB of any changes or additions to the war risk list.

6. Q—What should I do if I go to the field on a volunteer trip, and my return flight is canceled?
    A—Volunteers should make arrangements to have access to extra funds to cover costs for such things as hotels and meals in case of return flights being canceled or delayed.
Volunteers should also consider whether or not they should notify their credit card companies if they plan to use their credit card while on the field. In some instances, credit card companies have been known to cancel cards or deny charges when the charge is unusual.

7. Q—What can I do before I go to ensure that I am taking every possible safety and security precaution?
    A—It would be good to monitor the State Department’s website, which lists all travel warnings that they have in effect. Refer to information on the web about Adams & Associates. It is advisable for volunteers to register at the local US Embassy in the country to which they are traveling. Some embassies now allow registration on-line. Click on the embassy for the country you will visit and click on "U.S. Citizens Services" to determine if on-line registration is allowed. In some cases, your field personnel can do this prior to the team’s arrival. This will ensure that the volunteers are notified if the US Embassy in that country mandates any emergency steps.

< return to previous page