• Q:         I heard from one person that there was a lot of work to do in Mississippi. I heard from another that you did not need teams. Which is true?
• A:         There is quite a lot of work to do in Mississippi, and there will be for years to come.  Persons are displaced all over the state and the task of getting them back into homes is monumental. More often than not, the rumor that we don't need teams is generated when we are unable to house teams. The limited housing available for volunteers determines the number of teams we can schedule at one time. We definitely need the help of volunteer work teams, but there are times when we simply cannot find the safe space to house all the volunteers who want to come

• Q:         Do I need any special training to volunteer?
• A:         No, training is not required, although we recommend that you contact your conference, district, or church United Methodist Volunteers in Mission coordinator and participate in one of their training programs. These programs go a long way toward preparing persons for working in a disaster situation, where the emotional toll can be as great as the physical one.

• Q:         What sort of work will our team be doing?
• A:         Local churches continue to lead the way in this recovery effort. They are on the front lines.  For that reason, your specific work assignment will be given to you by the local church coordinator after you are matched with a church. Most likely you will be working on rebuilding homes that were flooded and/or received major wind damage, making them safe, sanitary, and secure for the inhabitants.

• Q:         Can we pick where we want to go?
• A:         We hope that congregations outside our conference are able to build long-term relationships  with United Methodist churches here in Mississippi and strengthen our connectional system.  For that reason, we always allow teams to request a specific church or area. When the matching process begins, we will contact the church or area you request. If the church/area has space and work, you will be matched. If not, we will move on to another church that has space and need for your team.
• Q:         Is there a limit on team size?
• A:         There are no limits on team size. However, teams of 15 or fewer people are much easier to schedule and place than larger teams

• Q:         If we bring a large team, will our team be separated?
• A:         It is possible that large teams will be divided up to work on different projects or stay in different locations. Teams' flexibility is key at this stage of our recovery.

• Q:         If our team needs to fly in, where do we go?
• A:         Most teams will work on the Coast, and therefore, the closest airport is Gulfport-Biloxi International, served by Northwest, Delta, Continental, and American Eagle airlines.

• Q:         If we fly in, can we rent a car?
• A:         Due to the number of people entering the area, car rental can be difficult. You may find it easier to arrange transportation from the airport either with a local company or with the church where you will be staying

• Q:         Is there a time that is better to come and volunteer?
• A:         We need volunteers year-round. Many youth and college teams come in the spring and summer months, while months like February can be sparse. We encourage teams to come whenever they can. Let us know if your dates are flexible.
  
  
• Q:         Are there forms our team needs to complete before our trip?
• A:         The Volunteer Packet contains all liability forms and waivers and medical release forms as well as a list of basic supplies you will want to bring on your trip. It also contains the contact information for trip insurance, though this insurance is not required.

• Q:         Does our team need to get shots for hepatitis or other infectious diseases?
• A:         At this time, the Mississippi Health Department is recommending only that you have your tetanus updated. Any other shots are up to you.

• Q:         Where will our team stay when we come to Mississippi?
• A:         Our host sites are on United Methodist properties across the coast.

• Q:         Will the church where our team is staying allow us to use its kitchen?
• A:         Different churches follow different formats for hosting teams, so there is no blanket policy. For the most part, teams have access to the kitchen. Some churches even feed teams. This information will come to you once you have been matched with a specific host church.

• Q:         Can we bring our dog with us?
• A:         We urge volunteers to leave dogs and other pets safely at home.

• Q:         I would like to come and help, but I really don't want to do home repair or clean up. Is there anything for me to do?
• A:         While the majority of our volunteers work on the rebuilding of homes, we do have a need for volunteers in support roles such as helping prepare meals for work teams, preparing reports for the conference and UMCOR, and answering