Bridges Out of Poverty

The workshop offers a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty through the triple lens approach of individual, community, and structural/policy.

Participants will review poverty research, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure, and language. Rebecca Coiner and Shi Ann Cunningham of OhioGuidestone will lead the workshop.

Cost: $30 (includes the required book and lunch) 

Registration Deadline: Sunday, April 21.

Registration

The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster. The team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery, rebuild or repair team. Rather, it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church. It is important to understand that ERTs are trained primarily to respond within their own community. To travel to another district, conference or jurisdiction requires an invitation from that area’s ERT coordinator. All ERTs are trained by authorized UMCOR trainers and given badges. We encourage all ERTs to wear bright green T-shirts as a means of recognition.

Guidelines for Teams

1. Trained early response teams (ERT) will be needed first. Wait for further details on staging areas and locations ready to receive assistance.

2. Teams must be self-sufficient. Many areas lack electricity, access to food and drinking water, supplies and gasoline. Once staging areas and housing for teams is known that will be communicated.

3. Bring tarps, tools, etc. for covering homes and supplies and debris removal.

4. Continue to monitor email and the conference website for emerging detail.

Fee: $25.00

Registration

West Ohio ERT trainers will teach participants how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. Trainees will learn how to provide a caring, Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property. Skills that are taught include tarping, debris removal, mucking out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. A background check is required, and a link to complete this will be provided upon registration. Cost is $40 for the Basic class or $35 for recertification. ERT members are not required to be United Methodist but must deploy with a United Methodist-led team. For more information or to register, click here:

More information and registration is here.

UMVIM suggests that team leaders refresh their training every three years. This online Zoom refresher is open to all mission team leaders. This is an important time to review the latest mission policies and UMVIM resources, learn from one another and make connections.

Via Zoom

6:30pm-8:00pm Central

Registration

Enjoy a day of fellowship & conversation to learn best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, or internationally.

This training is FREE (includes a meal & the required conference background check). The manual will be emailed as a pdf, print copies available by request. An optional book, A Mission Journey, will be available for purchase for $17.00. If you order this optional book, you will receive it at the training.

Deadline to Register: March 13

Registration

This online Zoom training is for mission team leaders who have led teams in the past, but can benefit from reviewing the latest mission policies and UMVIM resources. This training will be led by Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of UMVIM, Southeast Jurisdiction, but is open to anyone.

Training will start at 10am Central time, and conclude at noon.

You can register for this event below, and participants will be emailed a zoom link and instructions prior to the event.

ERT Training in the Mississippi Conference (SEJ) at Hawkins UMC (3736 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180) on Saturday, March 9th, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a day of fellowship and conversation to learn the best practices for being part of a disaster Early Response Team (ERT). ERTs provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster offering both helping hands and hope to those in need. ERTs must complete a one-day training that focuses on working with those impacted by disaster, procedures, and site safety.

The eight-hour basic class ERT training will teach you how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. You will learn how to provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property; this may include tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene.

Cost: $40 for the basic class; includes learning materials, snacks, lunch, and T-shirt.

Deadline to Register: Wednesday, March 5.

NOTE:  A background check is required to receive an ERT badge from UMCOR. You will receive a link to run a background check with UMCOR when you register online. Please complete the background check prior to the class. Your badge cannot be processed without a current background check on file with UMCOR.

For more information and registration click here.

The eight hour basic class ERT training will teach you how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. You will learn how to provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property; this may include tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. The recertification class will take place during the morning session and is only for those who have completed the basic course and are within one year of the date their badge expired.

Cost: $40 for the basic class; $35 for recertification.

Deadline to Register: Monday, February 26

NOTE:  A background check is required to receive an ERT badge from UMCOR. You will receive a link to run a background check with UMCOR when you register online. Please complete the background check prior to the class. Your badge cannot be processed without a current background check on file with UMCOR.

More information and registration is here.

ERTs provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster. ERTs help to prevent further damage to personal properties by tarping, removing debris, and cleaning out flooded areas. They offer both helping hands and hope to those in need.

ERTs must complete a one-day training that focuses on working with those impacted by disaster, procedures, and site safety.

Lunch, snacks and all materials are provided.

For more information and to register, contact: John A. Young

Registration deadline: Feb 2

Share best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Connect with others who have a heart for missions

• Discover the many resources & locations available through the UMC to lead mission journeys with youth and adults

• Develop a strategy for sharing the mission story

• Become equipped for reaching new, young and diverse people to be a part of your next UMVIM Journey

We do this so that we can be God's agents of transformation in our community and around the world!

Lead by Rev. Tammy Kuntz, UMVIM NCJ Coordinator. 

Free registration includes meal and the required EOC background check. Training manual will be shared as a pdf. If the weather is bad, the training may switch to Zoom. 

More info and Registration

The eight hour basic class ERT training will teach you how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. You will learn how to provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property; this may include tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. The recertification class will take place during the morning session and is only for those who have completed the basic course and are within one year of the date their badge expired. Cost is $40 for the basic class; $35 for recertification.

Deadline to Register: Monday, January 8

More information and registration

Hosted by East Ohio Conference

If it’s been more than 3 years since you took the full training, you are due for this refresher. Brush up on the new projects and connect with new people who serve God in new ways.

Registration

Hosted by East Ohio Conference

If it’s been more than 3 years since you took the full training, you are due for this refresher. Brush up on the new projects and connect with new people who serve God in new ways.

Registration

What does it take to become an ERT Volunteer? $35 and one day! That is all. One eight-hour day of Training in the Basic Early Response Team Training gives you the basics for entering into a disaster zone. You will receive a badge that will certify you for three years of service, a T-Shirt with the Michigan ERT Logo, a Manual that explains what you can and can’t do and lunch. This all comes with needed information by a certified ERT Trainer.

With badge, T-Shirt and manual, you and a team of at least Seven ERT Volunteers will be ready when a request comes for assistance from the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator of the Michigan Conference or one of the other Conferences in the United Methodist Church. You will be invited in to get dirty, sweaty and tired through mucking out basements, taking out drywall, tarping roofs, removing damaged furniture and belongings all for the joy of serving God as the hands and feet of Christ.Registration 8:30 am / Training 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cost: $35 includes snacks, lunch. A materials download will be sent when registered.

Registration: Contact Jody Pratt to reserve a seat. Please include the following information: name, church name, birth date, address, email, phone number.

Deadline to register: November 8, 2023

Thinking about leading a mission journey in 2024? Now is the time to prepare! With experienced team leaders as instructors, you will learn how to plan and lead a mission experience in Ohio, the United States or around the world. You will also be provided with checklists, timelines, team forms, and practical resources for nurturing the spiritual life of your team.

Cost: $35 includes lunch.

Registration

NCC UMVIM will hold a Basic Team Leader Training on November 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Eastern Time.

The training will be held online via Zoom. This training is open to individuals from all Annual Conferences. 

For more information and to register, go to this link: https://nccumc.org/outreach/umvim/training/

For questions, contact Miles Baker Hunt, NCC UMVIM Coordinator at mhunt@nccumc.org 

At a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Early Response Team (ERT) Training you will learn how to interact with survivors, help survivors recover belongings, tarp roofs, safely remove debris, and more! This class will be led by trainers Steve Court and Tom King.

Cost is $25.00 and includes class materials, food, t-shirt and the cost of the UMCOR required background check. When registering, please be sure to use your LEGAL NAME, no nicknames. Upon successful completion of the training and background check, you will get your UMCOR ERT badge, which is valid for 3 years.

Registration

At a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Early Response Team (ERT) Training you will learn how to interact with survivors, help survivors recover belongings, tarp roofs, safely remove debris, and more! This class will be led by trainers Steve Court and Tom King.

Cost is $25.00 and includes class materials, food, t-shirt and the cost of the UMCOR required background check. When registering, please be sure to use your LEGAL NAME, no nicknames. Upon successful completion of the training and background check, you will get your UMCOR ERT badge, which is valid for 3 years.

Registration

West Ohio ERT trainers will teach participants how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. Trainees will learn how to provide a caring, Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property. Skills that are taught include tarping, debris removal, mucking out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. A background check is required, and a link to complete this will be provided upon registration.

Cost: $40 for the Basic class, lunch, and materials

More information and registration :

Share best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Connect with others who have a heart for missions

• Discover the many resources & locations available through the UMC to lead mission journeys with youth and adults

• Develop a strategy for sharing the mission story

• Become equipped for reaching new, young and diverse people to be a part of your next UMVIM Journey

We do this so that we can be God's agents of transformation in our community and around the world!

Lead by the EOCUMC Director of Missions and Community Engagement, Rev. Kathy Dickriede. 

Free registration includes dinner and the required EOC background check. Training manual will be shared as a pdf.

The optional add-on Mission Journey Handbook is $17. This book serves as an accompaniment handbook to the Team Leader Manual and you can pick it up at the training.

Registration

West Ohio will host a virtual ERT recertification training via ZOOM. The four-hour course will be taught by West Ohio ERT trainers and is approved by UMCOR. Registrants must complete a background check and submit a photo prior to the training in order to participate. The class is only for West Ohio and East Ohio ERT’s who have already completed the 8-hour basic course and need to recertify. Cost of the training is $20.

Click here for more information or to register.

Questions? Email mgrace@wocumc.org.

Training for  volunteers looking to lead or work with disaster teams in the Michigan Conference or other conferences as needed.  Certification is good for three years and individuals needing recertification can take the 06/10/23 session. 

Fee: $35.00 includes lunch, materials, & shirts

Limited to 20 participants

Trainer: Bob Freysinger

Registration Please include the following information: name, church name, birth date, address, email, phone number in the email.

Deadline to register: June 1, 2023

Volunteers looking to lead or work with a team for a domestic or international experience are encouraged to attend for certification. Michigan lnternational teams are eligible scholarships for first time mission journey participants who complete the training.

Fee: $25.00 includes lunch & materials

Registration Please include the following information: name, church name, birth date, address, email, phone number in the email

Deadline to register: June 1, 2023

Do you want to be able to help when disaster strikes? Consider becoming a certified Early Responder through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Training is the Tuesday prior to Annual Conference in St Cloud. Early Response Teams (ERTs) are teams that respond to a disaster after the rescue phase of the disaster (people "with badges"), and work to make the disaster sites safe and secure for further work. Only after the ERT has done its work will the next type of teams come. Those teams work to rebuild long term after a disaster. For example, in United Methodist disaster response situations, the ERTs go in before the Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams.

ERTs from Minnesota respond to various types of disasters such as flooding, tornados, and hurricanes.  You must have completed this training and have a successful background check on file with UMCOR in order to volunteer.

Cost: $20, includes materials and lunch

Deadline: May 22, 2023 12:00 AM

Registration