Memo to Cooperating Agencies

Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) is a program of Mennonite Mission Network. Established in 1944, MVS attempts to meet human needs in a lifestyle of humility and simplicity. MVS seeks to serve in a way that is faithful to Jesus' message and call to non-violent action.

MVS volunteers serve in many geographic areas in North America. MVS involves people with a wide variety of skills, backgrounds, levels of education, and maturity. Persons in MVS come from Mennonite and other religious traditions. They serve in child care centers, housing rehabilitation programs, as community organizers, teachers in low income communities, social workers, researchers, etc. Volunteers live together in shared household settings, called "units." Within this context, volunteers share income, housekeeping duties, and decision-making.

Costs related to the support of an MVS worker vary tremendously from community to community.  $600–$900 per month per volunteer would be a very rough estimate. Each local unit is organized to be financially self-sufficient. The salaries or stipends that volunteers receive from agencies in which they work go into a collective unit account. Since most units deal with a very limited cash flow, it is imperative that volunteers be paid promptly each month. Agencies with MVS workers are requested, whenever possible, to make their checks payable to the Mennonite Voluntary Service Unit and not withhold taxes since all income is under the direct control of the Mennonite Mission Network.

When serving with an agency, MVS volunteers are responsible to that agency just as other employees or volunteers are. MVS requests that:

• clear positions descriptions and work expectations be established. (Copies of these should be filed with the MVS Office)
• the same privileges given other staff be afforded MVS volunteers.
• in those cases in which agency and MVS personnel policies differ, a mutually acceptable policy be negotiated prior to a volunteer's placement.
• special effort be made to allow volunteers to attend periodic retreats (one to two per year) planned by the MVS administration.
• two weeks of vacation be allowed each MVSer during each year of service,  beginning with the initial year.
• each person entering MVS attends an MVS orientation (five to six days long) prior or near to the beginning of his/her term of service.
• each person entering MVS attends an MVS retreat (five days long) the week of Memorial Day.

Ongoing education and "in-service" training programs are welcomed by MVS.  When "in-service" training is available or necessary, the sponsoring agency (employer) is usually financially responsible.  Occasionally MVS can help in securing some assistance.

Agencies interested in exploring a relationship with MVS should be in contact with the Local Leadership for MVS. When this isn't possible, contact should be made with the MVS office. Requests for MVS personnel should be made in the form of a proposal and should include: Clear position descriptions and qualification require-ments, financial support statement, an indication of when personnel will be needed, and a projection of the position's duration. These requests will be reviewed by the MVS Local Leadership and the MVS administration.

revised 5/16/02