Approved Intern and Volunteer FAQ

FINANCES

DOES MY DEPOSIT GO TOWARD MY FINAL COST?

We require a $150/person non-refundable deposit to confirm your commitment to this Envision internship or volunteer experience. It does not go towards the final amount you need to raise but goes towards training costs, whether in person or virtual training. Within two weeks of your acceptance, after you’ve prayed and discussed your participation with those who know you well, you’ll need to go to our online giving page* and make your $150 deposit.

*Please follow the support-raising instructions in your onboarding stage or listed below.

WHEN ARE MY FUNDS DUE?

For trips four months or less: You will need to have ALL of your total funds raised by the 10th of the month before you launch. (Example, if your launch date is January 15th, all of your funds need to be in by December 10th).

For trips five months or more: You will need to have at least the first two months of your monthly funds and one time costs raised by the 10th of the month before you launch, as well as 100% of the rest of your funds pledged for the following months. Your supporters can choose to give a recurring gift each month, which is considered a pledge.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY OVERALL COST?

There are two costs for your trip. First, is the amount you fundraise for your field expenses. This is the monthly cost, noted on the website, which covers your room, board, food, transportation, ministry experience, etc.—basically all of your expenses on the ground minus souvenirs, sightseeing, and personal extras.

If you are going international, we require every participant has travel insurance. That cost may vary depending on the insurance you choose.

The second expense is your “outgoing costs,” or what it takes for you to get there. This includes your airfare, visa, passport, immunizations, and departure/airport taxes if necessary. As these costs vary so greatly for each person, these are not covered by your monthly amount and extra funds will need to be fundraised to cover these.

Alliance Volunteers: You will receive a customized budget with the above some of the outgoing expenses listed out.

HOW DO I PAY FOR OUTGOING COSTS?

Participants will pay for their own plane tickets, and potentially other outgoing costs, using personal funds.

Interns/ GiveBack: Extra funds can be raised on top of the monthly amount seen on the website in order to be reimbursed for some personal costs incurred. Keep your receipts from these costs in order to be reimbursed from your support account, after your field costs are covered. All reimbursements must be submitted, at the latest, within 30 days of you ending your time with Envision.

Alliance Volunteers: Your budgets for the field are created for you – thus the budget will include estimated airfare costs and other outgoing costs. You will not need to raise extra funds in order to be reimbursed for plane tickets. You will still need to submit a reimbursement form though, as you will initially purchase your flights out of pocket. Keep your receipts for your airfare and other travel related expenses (see list below) in order to be reimbursed from your support account after your field costs are covered. All reimbursements must be submitted within 30 days of you ending your time with Envision.

HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR PERSONAL COSTS INCURRED?

Once you are fully fundraised and pledged, and you have extra funds in your support account (or you are an Alliance Volunteer and are fully funded according to your budget), you can be reimbursed for your travel related expenses (see below). NOTE, you need receipts for all reimbursement requests.

Reimbursement Process: Go to the ‘Intern Folder’, also found in your onboarding documents. Click on the folder titled, “Fundraising,” and then choose the folder titled, “Reimbursements.” Follow the instructions on the document. Reminder, all reimbursement requests must be submitted before or within the month after you arrive home after your trip.

Reimbursable Costs:

Travel to and from your Site
Travel to and from in-person training
Travel to and from visa appointments (if applicable)
Baggage costs if flying
Some lodging (if applicable)
Visas
Most Immunizations
Travel includes air, ground, train, etc.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY FUNDS IF I DON’T GO?
WHAT IF I RAISE MORE THAN I NEED?

All donations given to Envision are not legally allowed to be returned to supporters in the case that a participant either discontinues with Envision or raises extra funds.

If you choose not to go on your trip or if you raise more than needed and have a leftover amount (even after reimbursements), those funds will be donated to the Field you served at and donated to Envision to continue local ministry and missional leadership development. Details found in your Participant Agreement.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE DONATE TO ME?

Reach out to the Envision National Office Team, we can provide you with a direct giving link for you to send to your donors or utilize the wording below to tell your supporters how to give to you online (preferred) or via check:

Simple instructions for investing in my ministry:

Write a Check

Make payable to “The Christian & Missionary Alliance” with my name (ENV – PARTICIPANT FIRST & LAST NAME) in the memo line and send to:

The Christian & Missionary Alliance
Envision Office
One Alliance Place
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Give Online (preferred)

Go to the C&MA online giving page: www.cmalliance.org/give/ (Envision is a missions specialization of The Christian and Missionary Alliance)
Under “1. Gift Type,” find the yellow box with the title “A Worker You Love,” and click on the box within it that says “Find an International Worker.”
A secondary window will open titled “Select an International Worker.” Type “ENV— Participant First & Last Name” in the text search box.
After typing “ENV – Participant First & Last Name,” the name should be reflected below the text search box (your name should pre-populate, some exceptions). Check the box to the left of the name.
After checking the box to the left of the name, select the blue “Select” button. This brings you back to the original page and lets you enter the amount you want to give. You can choose one of the suggested giving amounts or type in the amount you’d like to give manually. Should you choose recurring giving, you’ll need to create a giving account in the next section below. If choosing a one-time gift, you will not need to create an account.
The next section, “2. Giving As,” allows you to give individually or as a church/other organization.
Finally, enter your personal and billing information below along with your payment information.
Confirm in section “4. Review” that everything looks correct!
Hit “Submit My Gift Now!”
Thank you!

ALL funds given to your support account will be tax deductible, and your supporters will get a receipt for their records once the funds hit your account.

ALL funds may take 1-2 weeks to process into your account once submitted.

HOW DO I SEE DONATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO ME?

ServiceReef, Envision’s onboarding system for volunteers, will not track your donations. In addition, you can’t directly check your balance in the Alliance system. Once someone donates to your account, it can take 1-2 weeks for the donation to register in our system.

Every day, if someone has donated to you, an automatic email will be sent to you with an attached list of donors who have contributed (check your spam folder). This report will also show you your total support amount, year to date. Note, you will only receive emails on days a donation hits your account.

PLEASE be very prompt in thanking your supporters—send a card, a text, make a phone call, etc. Acknowledging these gifts is extremely important! Include them in any prayer or update emails before, during, and after your trip.

CAN PEOPLE DONATE FUNDS TO ME DIRECTLY?

Yes, you can feel free to set up your own online GoFund Me account (or something similar). Any funds you receive outside of The Christian & Missionary Alliance Give page will NOT be tax deductible for your supporters. You can use those donations as personal funds to purchase your airfare, etc., or you can turn those funds into your Envision support account for field expenses.

As you recieve funds personally (via cash, check or GoFundMe), you have two options:

You can use that money to cover any outgoing costs (listed above)
You can donate it to yourself (instructions above) for your required amount for the field

IMPORTANT—For any money (cash, GoFundMe, check) given to you directly and then submitted to Envision, your donors will NOT get a tax-deductible receipt.

I’M HAVING A HARD TIME RAISING FUNDS. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

We know that finances can be an obstacle between you and your trip. It is a big leap of faith to ask others to invest in your ministry and because of that, it’s also one of the best ways to build your faith and dependence upon the Lord before you ever even go. Persevere, my friend! Spend time before God saying you are fully relying on Him.

Some other practical suggestions are in this intern folder, including how to make follow up phone calls, fundraiser ideas, theology of fundraising, and sample letters.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more encouragement or ideas!

HOW DO FINANCES WORK ON THE FIELD?

Every site is different, but your Envision leaders or field contacts will orient you with how you’ll receive needed funds for your time on the field! It may be a monthly or weekly stipend, or you may have most items paid for by the staff separately. Know that your housing, food, and necessities will be covered, and you shouldn’t have to worry.

PREPARATION FOR THE FIELD

WHEN & HOW SHOULD I GET MY PLANE TICKETS?

Reminder, you will be purchasing your own plane tickets or arranging your own travel to the field. We recommend that you have a good start on fundraising prior to purchasing tickets. In addition, you’ll want to confirm with the field before purchasing tickets and finalize dates. However, basic rule of thumb, the sooner the better for cheaper prices.

NOTE: If your launch date changes, due to lack of funding or for any other reason, any costs to changing your flight will be your responsibility to cover. We recommend ensuring your flight has a refundable option or flexibility to change dates, just in case.

To purchase the flights, you can do your own online research, use a travel agent you know, or if you are going international, we recommend checking out Flight Sugar:

Envision partners with Flight Sugar to get all of our volunteers and interns great deals on flights internationally! Although they do have flights throughout the U.S., their best deals can be found if you are going overseas! To utilize Flight Sugar, just go to this link and sign up with an account: https://flightsugar.com/welcome/envision.

WHAT VACCINES SHOULD I GET?

Ask your Site or Field contact. Some specific locations require certain immunizations (African countries often need proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination upon arrival), however, in general Envision does not require specific vaccinations. It is up to you to determine with your doctor or a travel clinic what immunizations you may need or want. In many tropical countries, malaria prophylaxis may be highly recommended.

The best place to find information on immunizations is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. This website will give you a precise health outlook on the country/region you are traveling to. These immunizations may require appointments made weeks in advance.

COVID VACCINE: Some of our Envision Sites or Alliance Field locations do require that you have a COVID vaccination based on local laws and regulations. If you are unsure as to whether or not your field has this requirement, contact the Intern Coordinator.

WHAT KIND OF MEDICAL COVERAGE SHOULD I HAVE?

All volunteers, whether domestic or international, must have primary medical coverage. Typically, if you are under 26, you are on your parents’ plan. If you don’t have primary coverage, then we suggest using a private insurance company or Federal Care through https://www.healthcare.gov.

All international participants will also be required to purchase Travel Insurance for additional emergency medical coverage, this cost is reimbursable.

DO I NEED A VISA?

If going internationally, talk with your Envision Site contact or Alliance Field contact. They will have specific steps for obtaining a visa for their country and will help you know which one to go, if necessary.

A few more visa notes:

Visas applied for in the States may not be obtained without a passport and often not without a flight itinerary.
Some visas can take a LONG time to process, so do not delay.
Volunteers purchase their own visas (whether in the U.S. before traveling or in the country upon arrival). Save your receipts to be refunded later if there is extra money in your support account.
- Note – if you are an Alliance Volunteer, the visa cost is already included in the budget you are raising for, so you will not have to raise extra.
Please, always mark “TOURISM” as your reason for travel (unless your country contact has other instructions).

HOW CAN I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THIS INTERNSHIP OR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE?

Though no amount of training can fully prepare you for everything you’ll encounter on your trip, we want you to arrive equipped.

The best place to prepare for your time with Envision is at one of our in-person trainings held throughout the year.

We’ve also put together different resources in the intern and volunteer folder to help you get your head and heart ready.

Your field contacts or Envision site leaders also may have materials they can send you, so don’t hesitate to ask!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR TIME WITH ENVISION – Travel, Packing, and More!

Learn some helpful tips from our Site Staff below to help you go to internship or volunteer opportunity.

Put your name and address on checked bags and take a picture of each bag before check in. (This helps in case your luggage gets lost.)
Pack in your carry on?
- Change of clothes
- Prescription medication
  - Make sure to have a plan to get these refilled if need be. [And that they are legal in country!!]
It helps to have a neck pillow with you as a carry on.
- A pillow to sit on can be helpful if traveling a long distance!
Pack less clothes than you think!
A good rule of thumb, you should be able to carry your own suitcase. If not, it’s probably too big.
Download the Mobile Passport App to get through Passport Control faster on your way back into the U.S.
The beginning of your time with Envision is NOT the time to try a new diet or try a new medication.
If your Site gives you a dress code, it’s not for our benefit but for the culture you’ve chosen to enter!
- The same goes for rules surrounding food, curfew, behavior and expectations!

ON THE FIELD

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I GET ON THE FIELD?

Whether you have questions about who will pick you up from the airport, day to day schedule, living situation, your day to day schedule, or the type of food you can expect, these are all great questions for your Site or Field contact. While they won’t be able to give you a complete picture of what your time will look like on the field, they can help you get a better understanding of what you can expect.

The best advice we can give you? Prepare to be flexible. We pray that you walk onto the field with open hands and an open heart to serve in whatever way is needed.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A MEDICAL OR TRAVEL EMERGENCY HAPPENS?

Your Site Leader is experienced in knowing how to address emergencies that may happen on the field, and they will be in immediate contact with our National Office to troubleshoot how to proceed in various types of situations. Know that we will be in touch with your emergency contact and will work quickly to resolve any issue that arises.

If traveling internationally, this is what you have travel insurance for. Feel free to file a claim after the issue is dealt with.