1. ln a nutshell,
what is RV's on a Mission (ROAM)?
Answer: It is an organization
for people who have RVs and are interested in
giving of their time and skills to help Nazarene
camps, churches and special projects such as
disaster response and compassionate ministry
centers.
2. I have been helping churches
and camps for years so why should I join ROAM?
Answer: ROAM provides a service
to match up skills and talents with much needed
projects. It also provides a current listing
of Nazarene camps, churches, schools, and
areas of disaster relief that could benefit
from ROAM volunteers. Members receive a bi-monthly
newsletter keeping them updated on new projects,
results of completed projects, etc. By working
in teams, often more can be accomplished than
one person working alone can.
3. Must I pay a membership fee
to join ROAM? If so, how much?
Answer: ROAM members pay
an annual membership fee of $35 per RV unit,
per year to help defray office expense including
printing of various forms and brochures for
advertising at district assemblies, reporting
hours worked, new member packets, postage,
etc.
4. How may I become a member
of ROAM?
Answer: You should read and
complete the ROAM Membership Commitment and
complete a Membership Application and Skill
Sheet form. (Click on Membership Tab at top
of page to view and print the forms.) Send
the completed form along with your $35 and
$5 per person for the ROAM office to complete
a background check as instructed on the membership
form. If you cannot print the forms, call
(816) 941-7711 to request printed forms.
5. What kind of recreational
vehicle (RV) must I have?
Answer: There is no RV type
requirement. Popups, trailers, 5th wheels,
and all styles of motorhomes are used. Some
camps will allow ROAMers to stay in cabins
or dorm rooms if available if they prefer
not to bring their RV.
6. What skills do I need to work
on projects?
Answer: New construction
would obviously require skills in cement,
carpentry, plumbing, electrical, roofing,
painting, etc. but many people receive on-the-job
training if they are willing to learn.
7. I don't have building or
construction skills. Is there anything else
I can do to help?
Answer: While many of the
projects require construction skills, frequently
camps and schools need help in campus landscape
and maintenance, painting, kitchen work, snack
bars, lodge and dorm clean up, office work,
etc. Even construction jobs can use unskilled
people to act as "gofer,” to clean up
and to assist those who have skills.
8. Do both husband and wife work?
Answer: Yes, normally, both husband
and wife work on projects. Physical limitations
are considered and the job assignment matches
the ability of the person to perform.
9. How many hours must I work
per day/week?
Answer: Men usually work six hours
a day, 4 days a week and women work 3 hours,
4 days a week. The typical workday begins
starts at 8:00a .m. A 30-minute break with
refreshments at mid-morning gives opportunity
to visit and rest. Lunch is usually at 12:30.
Men return to work at 1:30 p.m. and finish
the day at 3:30 p.m.
10. lf I only work 4 days, what
is expected of me Friday, Saturday and Sunday?
Answer: It’s your chance to do whatever
you want to do. The Team Leader or host will
have suggestions for places of interest to
visit in the area including the location of
Wal-Mart!
11. What is the expected length
of time to work on a project?
Answer: Projects are usually for
3 weeks beginning the first Monday of the
month. In months where holidays fall on the
first Monday work generally starts the second
Monday. The project will end on Thursday of
the 3rd week of work.
12. What types of projects are
available?
Answer: ROAM projects are divided
into three categories: 1) District Camps,
2) Churches and 3) Special Projects (Compassionate
ministry centers and disaster relief)
13. Must I pay a fee to work
on a project?
Answer: No, there is no fee to work
on an official ROAM project. Compassionate
ministry projects such as hurricane or flood
restoration may charge a nominal fee to cover
insurance for these special projects.
14. Am I expected to donate funds
to pay for the materials used in the project?
Answer: No, the host understands
that funds must be available to do the work
before it is approved as a ROAM project.
15. How much do I pay for the
RV site while working on the project?
Answer: The host (camp, church or
special project) furnishes complimentary sites
with hookups in return for your labor. Many
times sites include full hookups with water,
electric and sewer.
16. Am I covered by the project's
accident insurance plan while on the job?
Answer: No, you must have your own
medical and/or accident insurance. The host
is not obligated to insure ROAM personnel.
17. Is there a required number
of projects I must work each year?
Answer: No, there is no required
number; however, members are encouraged to
work as many as possible, for the need is
great! Many more worthwhile projects could
use help than we have available people.
18. Can I choose when and where
I want to work on projects or are they assigned
to me?
Answer: Yes, you may choose where
you wish to go. The ROAM website provides
up-to-date information on current projects
describing the anticipated types of work available
and the months ROAM workers are needed.
19. How do I sign up for a project?
Answer: After you decide on your
project, you may call the ROAM office at (816)
941-7711 or you may email your request to
Info@rvsonamission.org. Include the name of
the project and the month(s) you wish to work
since most projects last several months.
20. Why do I need to let the ROAM
office know when and where I want to go? Can't
I just show up?
Answer: It is critical that you notify
the ROAM office to be assured of an RV space.
Many locations have only a limited number
of RV sites available and those are assigned
on a first-reserved, first-served basis.
Also, when you notify the office, a month
before you are scheduled to arrive at the
project, a copy of your skill sheet is sent
to the ROAM team leader and the host project
manager. This enables them to plan for the
best use of your skills.
21. Since this is volunteer
work for a tax-exempt organization, are my
travel expenses deductible?
Answer: Many times certain expenses
can be deducted in accordance with IRS guidelines.
Travel expenses including food, park fees
and gas or diesel incurred to and from the
project site are examples. Check with your
tax professional or the IRS for details. IRS
Publication 526, dealing with donations to
qualified tax-exempt charities, may be viewed
and/or downloaded from the www.lRS.gov website:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf.
22. l've heard that my local
church can receive 10% Giving credit toward
missions if I report my ROAM project expenses
to them. Is this true and if so, how?
Answer: Projects must meet certain
criteria for your expenses to be credited
toward 10% missions giving for your local
church. Only projects meeting those requirements
are approved as ROAM projects.
To report your expenses so that your local
church will receive credit you may download
and print the form (Click here) or request
a preprinted form from the ROAM office. Complete
the form, and then mail it as directed on
the form to the Work and Witness office at
Nazarene World Headquarters to the address
shown on the form.
23. What is the purpose of the
ROAM Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)?
Answer: - DAFs are a popular way
of giving that feature the following benefits:
o
Bypass capital gains tax.
o
Increase income to yourself.
o
Give now but distribute to ministries later.
o
The option of anonymous giving
The fund also provides an opportunity for
those who wish to support the ROAM ministry
until the Lord returns. After the fund reaches
a certain level, ROAM will use the earnings
of the fund each year and your principal gift
stays intact.
24. How can I give to the Nazarene
Foundation for the ROAM Donor Advised Fund?
Answer: Cash may be given, but especially
suited are gifts of appreciated property or
stocks. If you sell an appreciated property
outright the difference between your purchase
price and the sale price may be subject to
capital gains tax. If the property or stock
is given directly to the Foundation for the
Fund before selling it, the entire amount
of your gift may qualify as a tax deduction
for you! See your CPA for details.
Example:
If you bought a property for $50,000 and sold
it for $100,000, you might pay capital gains
taxes on the $50,000 profit. Your contribution
would be reduced by the amount of capital
gains taxes which can be sizable.
If on the other hand, you made an outright
gift of property to the Nazarene Foundation
for the ROAM Fund, the total proceeds of the
net sale would go toward your gift and you
could get a tax deduction for the entire amount.
Here are a few ways to contribute to the
ROAM DAF as part of your estate plan:
•
A simple bequest in your estate plan. You
can include ROAM for a specific amount or
a percentage of your estate.
•
Make ROAM one of the beneficiaries of an IRA
or retirement plan. This money is subject
to tax by your heirs
so
why not give it to ROAM and avoid the taxes?
•
Life insurance is another way to give. Just
designate the Nazarene Foundation ROAM DAF
as a beneficiary
for
all or a percentage of the death benefit amount.
For more information and examples of charitable
giving facilitated by the Nazarene Foundation,
click the following link: www.nazarenefoundation.org