WHY VOLUNTEER WITH UMVIM?

WHY VOLUNTEER THROUGH UMVIM?

1.UMVIM is an approved United Methodist ministry.

2. The mission projects are vetted and screened.

3. Volunteer teams can continue their relationship with the project site they served at via The Advance and missionaries.

4. All are welcome to serve.

5. Training, forms, insurance, etc. available

6. It's simple. Contact umvimwj@hotmail.com to get started!

Faith in Action

Faith in Action

Thursday, February 24, 2011

OPENINGS FOR HAITI TEAM; TEAM LEADER TRAININGS

OPENINGS FOR TEAM TO HAITI IN APRIL

Bill Graf is heading a team to Haiti April 25 - May 2, 2011. There are a few openings available on this team, so if you are interested in serving in Haiti, this may be the team for you! If interested, contact Bill at billgraf2@earthlink.net or at 303-238-3978.

UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAININGS


(Saturday, March 5, 2011)
9 - 11 a.m.: Volunteer Training11:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Team Leader TrainingJones Memorial UMC1975 Post StreetSan Francisco, CA 94115 Trainers: Ken & Paula Blackshear

(Saturday, March 12, 2011)8:30 - 4:30 p.m. Volunteer & Team Leader Training
Susanville UMC60 S. Lassen Street
Susanville, CA. 96130Trainer: Phil Bandy

To register for a Team Leader training please contact the CA-NV Conference UMVIM Office at (916) 374-1584 or
umvim@calnevumc.org with your contact information and the information of anyone else who will be joining you at the training. The training cost of $40 includes your official GBGM Team Leader Manual and officially reserves your spot for the training.

Please make your check payable to the 'California-Nevada Annual Conference.' Please include 'Team Leader Manual' and the names of those you are paying for on the memo line.

Mail to:UMVIM / CA-NV Conference OfficeP.O. Box 980250West Sacramento, CA. 95758-0250

If you would like to host a future training at your church please let us know!

Eddie Frutchey
Administrative AssistantCalifornia-Nevada Annual ConferenceUnited Methodist Volunteers in MissionMail: P.O. Box 980250 West Sacramento CA. 95798-0250Office: (916) 374-1584 Fax: (916) 372-5544email:
eddief@calnevumc.org or umvim@calnevumc.orgCal-Nev U.M.V.I.M. website: www.cnumcvim.org



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

LEARN MORE ABOUT NICARAGUA


Mother and child in Nicaragua, courtesy www.american-pictures.com.
Nicaragua Connection


Interested in learning more about Nicaragua? Then you are invited to attend this upcoming event!


April 28, 2011 - April 30, 2011
Christ United Methodist Church
44 Highland Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102

WPA Nicaragua Partnership will be sponsoring a "Nicaragua Connection" at Christ UM Church in Bethel Park (Pittsburgh area), PA. The group is endeavoring to get the word out to anyone who MIGHT be interested and would appreciate your help in passing this information on to other persons who may be interested.

Please click the link below for more information about this event.
WPA Brochure

If you have questions, contact Rich Schall at
rschall.mschall@gmail.com

YAKIMA INDIAN RESERVATION SEEKS TO REBUILD

YAKAMA NATION SEEKS REBUILD AFTER FIRE


The Yakama Nation is seeking help and support to aid the survivors of a wildfire that destroyed 20 homes, burned parts of several more, and displaced over one hundred people from the small town of White Swan, Wash., in the heart of the reservation in central Washington state.
In an open letter dated Wednesday, Feb. 16, Yakama Tribal Council Chairman Harry Smiskin wrote of the need for outside assistance from the United States and other governments to help in the care for the displaced and the immediate cleanup in White Swan.
The Yakama Nation has been in a state of emergency since the fire began in the afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Yakama Nation estimates the cost of rebuilding is at least $4 million, and with other emerging environmental concerns, that sum will only increase.
"We are grateful for the miracle that everyone got out alive, including the people who ran into the street on bare feet as their homes went up in flames, and the babies, the elders and three people with profound disabilities who all survived because the community pulled together,” Chairman Smiskin said. “We cannot overlook that blessing as we turn to the difficult work ahead of getting people securely housed for as long as it takes to clean up and rebuild a beautiful White Swan."
A chimney fire is believed to have started in one home and quickly spread by wind and 50-mph gusts that carried the fire from house to house, down a dry, wooded creek bed and then to more distant homes. The vibrant town of White Swan is devastated by the damage to a total of 24 homes, including some multi-family residences, and destruction of other property including cars, bicycles and all personal belongings, for many. Now members of this tight-knit Yakama community are scattered across the large reservation, some staying with family and others housed in motels.
Few of those whose houses burned could afford homeowner’s insurance, and few have savings to fall back upon, making recovery of families and housing in this tribe of 10,000 even more challenging, said Chairman Smiskin. In his letter, Chairman Smiskin states a request for the following kinds of help:
Skilled volunteers who can assist in cleanup, including certified asbestos remediation experts, heavy equipment operators and home builders; Donations of money, clothes, food and other household goods, including diapers and supplies for babies and children; Temporary housing for displaced people, and assistance with rebuilding the destroyed houses, a responsibility that the Yakama Nation has undertaken for the victims of the fire.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to bring 10 or 12 trailers to the reservation, which is about half the number of the Yakama Nation’s 22 displaced households. It and other governments, including Washington state, have committed to building strong and lasting relationships with Yakama, and now in the face of disaster the Yakama Nation calls on these relations for help.
Chairman Smiskin states: “These are lands that the United State government holds in trust for Indian people and we hope that the Federal government in the form of the U.S. Congress and the various agencies will respond as they have to other disasters. We believe that more homes have been destroyed by this fire than on any Indian reservation in the history of this country.”
Complicating the cleanup, many of the homes were built in the era when asbestos was commonly used in insulation, drywall and floors. Now, Chairman Smiskin said, “the mere potential presence of asbestos among the ashes and debris now littering White Swan presents a serious, time-consuming and expensive environmental dilemma.”
In the immediate term, the Nation is worried about getting safe housing and collecting money, food, clothing and other essentials for those who lost their homes or are displaced until cleanup and repair can occur. One of the most pressing needs is for diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, clothing, bedding and other baby supplies. The Indian Health Service opened after the weekend fire to replace medicines for survivors, but it will take far more to help the displaced people for the months or years that it takes to rebuild White Swan.
While the Yakama Nation, its people and its neighbors have responded over the past few days with open hands and hearts, the needs in the short term and the long term are great. The Yakama Nation looks to the United States to uphold its trust responsibility, and to the generosity of the American people to support those affected by this disaster on Yakama lands.
In addition to the local businesses and centers that are accepting donations, the Yakama Nation has set up the following ways for people across the country to contribute to the community’s recovery:
The White Swan Fire Relief Fund at Bank of America, with donations accepted at branches nationwide.
Donations also can be made at the Toppenish Armory, 326 S. Division St., Toppenish, WA 98948.
Donations can be mailed to Yakama Nation CFO Henry Roy, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948.
For more information please contact:
Colleen Reimer, Yakama Nation Tribal Administrative Director
colleen@yakama.com
509.388.3300 (cell)
509.865.5121 ext. 6004
(office)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

OPENINGS FOR SPRING HAITI TEAM FROM COLORADO

TEAM FROM COLORADO HAS OPENINGS FOR HAITI TEAM IN SPRING

A team from Evergreen UMC in Colorado will be serving in Haiti April 25 - May 2. Currently there are several openings available for volunteers to serve on this team. If you are interested, please contact the team leader Bill Graf at billgraf2@earthlink.net or at 303-238-3978.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

TEAM TO HAITI NEEDS 2 VOLUNTEERS; FUTURE TEAMS

TEAM TO HAITI FROM CALIFORNIA NEEDS 2 VOLUNTEERS

A team from Hollywood UMC needs 2 more volunteers for its team to Haiti April 12-19, 2011. The team will be lead by Michael Kelley. If you want to serve in Haiti, this is a great opportunity! Contact Michael Kelley at michael.w.kelley@gmail.com.


FUTURE TEAMS FROM THE CAL-NEVADA CONFERENCE
Lafayette UMC to Costa Rica – February 4 – March 6
Joseph Darrell of Lafayette UMC leads a team of eight to Costa Rica. He serves with Lari Sawdon, Judith Garvens, Dale Newcomb, Judith Stillman, John Horner, Donna Partlow and Virginia Leavitt.

Alameda – Rising Hope UMC to Phenom Phen - Cambodia – February 11 – 21
Stephen Lee of Alameda – Rising Hope UMC leads a construction / educational team back to Cambodia. A list of volunteers was not available at the time of posting.

Agricultural Team to Guatemala – February 13 - 24
Claudia Parrish of Oakdale – Community UMC leads a team of eight to Costa Rica. She serves with Arline Seals, Mildred Wharff, Tim Gravatt, Gina Gravatt, Presley Gravatt, Kiley Gravatt, Jace Gravatt and Sabrina Richardson of Oakdale – Community UMC and Kimberly Ross of San Ramon - Grace UMC.

Los Altos UMC Team to Nicaragua – February 19 - 28
Lynne McCoy & Debbie Weatherspoon of Los Altos UMC o-lead this medical team of eight to Nicaragua. They serve with Mark Bollwinkel, Dana Stern, Elizabeth Bollwinkel, Dale Weatherspoon, Wesley Weatherspoon and Justus Weatherspoon of Los Altos UMC.

The 1st 2011 Cal-Nev Conference Team to Haiti – February 24 – March 1
Warren McGuffin of Alamo – San Ramon Valley UMC leads and serves with Alison Berry, Jerry Ricker, Brad Stribling and Terry Sherman of Alamo - San Ramon Valley UMC. Linda Prendergast and Robert Prendergast of Pinole UMC. Fred Skeen of Grass Valley - Sierra Pines UMC. Bill Borah of Sacramento - St. Mark's UMC. and Melinda Floyd of St. Paul's & St. Andrew's, NY.


Haiti -- 4/6/2011 – 4/15/2011
Team Leader = Bruce Burr (of Dixon UMC) 530-383-3820
grumpyburr@sbcglobal.net Bulembu, Swaziland -- 8/9/2011 – 8/24/2011Team Leader = Becky Perry (of Boulder Creek UMC) 831-338-4998 perry95006@yahoo.com More Info GO TO: http://www.cnumc.org/volunteeropportunities/detail/79

TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF PLANNED TEAMS FROM THE CAL-NEV CONFERENCE AND TEAM LEADER CONTACT INFORMATION GO TO:
http://www.cnumc.org/volunteeropportunities


Other teams bound for Haiti from the Cal-Nev Conference in 2011.

East Bay Area Team, Feb 14-23, 2011John Warren McGuffin, team leader -- FULL --

Pacific Northwest Conference team, Feb 28-March 8thPhilip Bandy, team leader

East Bay Area Team, Mar 9 – 18, 2011Stephen Elliott, team leader (was Phil Bandy)

California Nevada Conference Team, Mar 27- Apr 7, 2011Suellen Rowlison, R.N., team leader

Central Delta Area Team, April 6-15 2011Burr Bruce, team leader

South Bay Area Team, May 8-16, 2011Leslie Carmichael, team leader

South Bay Area Team, June 5-13, 2011 Hal Taylor, team leader

California Nevada Conference Teachers and Students Team, date for June 15-24, 2011Bruce Burr, team leader

California Nevada Conference Team, August 3-12, 2011Jennifer Murdock, team leader

Fresno Area Team, late November 18-28, 2011Jay Rosenlieb, team leader