Guidelines for local MVS Committees

Mennonite Voluntary Service, Box 347, Newton, KS 67114 * 316/283-5100

Mennonite Voluntary Service, Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515 * 219-/294-7523

Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) establishes programs in response to congregational initiatives. The local congregation is the base from which the MVS program grows. The local MVS Committee (MVSC) is a group of people chosen from and by the congregation to help nurture and manage the local MVS program.

MVSCs help define the overall direction and nature of units. MVSCs provide continuity, a creative resource, and a sounding board. They represent the congregations in MVS’ administrative triangle of "unit-congregation-MVS office." MVSCs work closely with MVS staff to provide administrative direction to the units.

The roles played by MVSCs in different communities vary widely in response to the particular needs of local units. Typical roles and functions include:

The MVSC is the primary link between the sponsoring congregation and unit. It is important that the MVSC make sure that both parties understand each other and are aware of the ongoing purpose and vision of the MVS unit. The MVSC should seek to involve MVSers in the life of the congregation.

MVS is primarily a people resource. Without people there is no MVS! Personnel processing is, therefore, a most important task. The MVSC helps in the selection of people for the unit and is involved in developing and determining service assignments for additional volunteers. (See "Personnel Process" publication.)

c. Welcoming & Orientation Committee:

MVSCs, more than any other party, play a crucial role in welcoming and orienting MVSers. This task should be seen as a priority by all MVSCs. Incoming MVSers desire to understand and fit into the vision articulated by the community to which they have moved.

The MVSC must be willing and able to deal with tensions and conflicts which at times arise within the unit.

e. Co-workers:

It is helpful to have some people on the MVSC who are themselves directly involved in work and service situations similar to those of the MVSers.

As any good board, the MVSC should seek a balance between directing the local MVS program and trusting the unit to carry out the tasks assigned. The MVSC has major responsibilities in caring for and determining the direction of the MVS unit. This will at times mean that it must take the initiative in decision-making situations. The MVSC should be careful, however, not to overdo the "directing." A MVSC that imposes "parental" style supervision assures itself of working with children. If, on the other hand, the MVSC gives no guidance and strength it may find itself engaged in needless conflict.

g. Alumni:

It is helpful to have some people on the MVSC who have themselves served in MVS or similar organizations. Their experiences may be very relevant to the struggles some MVSers will encounter.

The MVSC plays an important role in introducing MVSers to the city, community and church. Remember they have come at your request Keep in mind how you were first introduced to the community. Try to extend an informative and welcoming introduction. Do not assume that MVSers will naturally feel welcomed in the church and community. Share your knowledge with them. Share your contacts. Help them feel at home. In short, do everything you can to provide them with a thorough orientation to your community and the assignment to which they have responded.

A good and open relationship between an MVS unit and a local congregation should never be taken for granted. A unit has a life of its own as does the church. An MVSC can help by facilitating communication between the two parties. The MVSC should always be on the lookout for how MVSers could be more a part of congregational life. Make sure that MVSers know that they are wanted.

MVSCs can help in developing relationships with volunteers. Volunteers are persons and enjoy being treated as such. One example may help to illustrate this point. A child answered the door and said, "The VSers are here." The volunteer realized that they were not being called by name; they were merely known as "the VSers." Volunteers need to be knows as individuals. The MVSC can play a helpful role in this area.

MVS represents the same kind of diversity of gifts and lifestyle as does the wider church. If people from varied backgrounds are put together under one roof, as they are in MVS, tensions due to differing values and commitments will at times occur. Occasionally these tensions will also be evident between MVSers and members of the congregation By and large this is a creative, maybe even redemptive tension. MVSCs can help by hearing and interpreting the various sides to each other.

Most MVSCs feel uncertain about how much to get involved in the problems of a unit. Don’t intervene too quickly or too often, but don’t neglect your duties by waiting too long. MVSCs will at times have to take the initiative in digging away at some unit problems. Don’t hesitate to do so if you sense a problem, even if you’re not sure what it is. When you do take such initiative, be sure you follow through on the process. Seek outside help or call the MVS staff if necessary.

Given the rather transient nature of MVS units, MVSCs can provide the important function of "continuity." MVSCs should meet with the MVS units at least once a month to discuss all aspects of the MVS program (i.e. finances, personnel, interpersonal relationships, service direction, church/unit relations, etc.) It is very important that written records of meetings, decisions and goals be kept so that both new volunteers and new MVSC members can be aware of what has gone on before.

MVS Committees play a vital role in the MVS administration. Our hope and prayer is that the partnership between the MVS office and support committees continue to reflect the kind of love and commitment to which Christ invites us.