International Trips
International trips can be very impactful for churches and individuals desiring to visit international workers (IWs) of the C&MA in Canada. In order to assist in the planning and preparation process, we have compiled a list of important steps to ensure the best trip possible for you and/or your group.
Checklist
Check out the links below as you begin to plan your upcoming international trip, and check regularly with your hosting international worker for additional information and location-specific requirements.
Basic Trip Preparation
The C&MA policy requires all volunteers and travelers involved with the work of our IWs to purchase insurance for their protection. Raptim Humanitarian Travel has been used by most C&MA individuals and teams and provides medical, accidental death, medical evacuation and many other benefits. The traveler is responsible for the cost of this coverage.
Travelers are responsible for their own travel arrangements. You can use any travel agency you find helpful. If you need assistance with booking flights, the C&MA has been working with Raptim Travel for 20+ years. Raptim Humanitarian Travel provides travel support for those serving worldwide, and has for over 66 years. They partner with over 50 worldwide airlines to offer needed benefits. To get a quote on your trip, group or individual, please contact your Raptim Humanitarian Travel expert. Email [email protected] or call 1-800-667-5559 (toll free).
Make sure to inquire about visa requirements for entry into your country of service. Some countries require visas while others only require a valid passport. For passport, visa, and other travel information, visit the Travel Advice and Advisories website.
Please check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for immunizations recommended for your country of service.
Please also check with your hosting IW(s) about any specific vaccines recommended at least 3 months prior to travel.
You can also contact your local health department for more information on inoculations. Remember to always consult with your personal physician before you take any inoculations.
A careful review of the C&MA Risk Management Policy is required for all short term international trips. All travelers must sign the waiver indicating they have read, understood, and accept the risks identified. Signed copies of the risk mgmt. can either be scanned or brought to the hosting international worker(s) for the duration of the trip. In the case of minors, parental/ guardian consent will be needed.
Registration of Canadians Abroad is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
The C&MA in Canada is a movement of churches longing to be transformed by Christ, transforming Canada and the world. In the church, we recognize that we are a reflection of God’s love to those in our care and we take our responsibility seriously.
This Child Safety and Protection Plan is aimed at ensuring the proper screening and training of Global Ministries’ international workers and volunteers who wish to serve overseas, as well as protecting the children of international workers and volunteers while serving outside of Canada.
Ensuring the safety of children and families living overseas can seem like a big challenge. Many developing countries do not have the same standards or laws we have in Canada.
Short term volunteers and teams who will come into contact with children must be screened either by their sending church or through the online safety training below.
Recommended steps are outlined as follows:
- Application form, including specific history of employment or volunteer work with children and questions related to inappropriate behaviour or abuse of children;
- Where possible and permissible by local law, criminal record checks or similar appropriate background checks will be conducted on all volunteers (18+years old) relating to any conviction involving abuse of children, youth or adults.
- Abuse prevention orientation must be conducted with all short term volunteers before they come into contact with any children and youth;
- Final approval from sending church leadership.
Plan to Protect
Plan to Protect’s priority is abuse prevention and vulnerable sector protection. Plan to Protect Orientation training will equip you and your group to recognize the different types of abuse as well as implement and maintain policies and procedures to protect vulnerable persons in our organization and communities.
Online Child Safety Training
This is important and mandatory training on child safety for international trip participants.
Register for the automated online module training by following these 4 steps:
- Access Plan to Protect, which will lead you to the Short-term International Workers
- Click “Add to Cart” and complete your registration details (name, email, “C&MA” as the organization etc.).
- Click “Complete Order” and this will take you to the order summary page.
- Click “Continue to Payment Method” and proceed with payment at checkout.
Following these steps you will be emailed the access link from Plan to Protect to begin your training.
The C&MA in Canada uses myBackCheck.com, Canada's largest background checking company that allows individuals to obtain their own background check online and share it. Results arrive in your secure personal account by next business day from Canadian Police. Begin by selecting “start your background check now” for individuals.