Frequently Asked Questions
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In 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.
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.
Must I pay a membership fee to join ROAM? If so, how much?
Answer: ROAM members pay an annual membership fee of $50 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.
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 $50 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.
What kind of recreational vehicle (RV) must I have?
Answer: There is no RV type requirement. Popups, trailers, 5th wheels, and all styles of motor homes are used. Some camps will allow ROAMers to stay in cabins or dorm rooms if available if they prefer not to bring their RV.
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.
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.
How many hours must ROAMers work per day/week?
Answer: For ROAMers traveling alone, plan to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week. For ROAMers traveling together in an RV, one ROAM member should plan to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, and the other should plan to work 3 hours, 4 days a week, unless otherwise approved by the project host. Usually the work week is Monday - Thursday, with Friday - Sunday off. ROAMers can work extra hours/days if they choose to and are approved by the host to do so.
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 shopping/grocery stores nearby.
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 on Tuesday or the second Monday. The project will end on Thursday of the 3rd week of work. However, the host may also approve other schedules for different start dates and lengths of time if the ROAMers requests a different schedule.
What types of projects are available?
Answer: ROAM projects are divided into three categories: 1) District Camps 2) Churches/Schools 3) Special Projects
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.
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.
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. Upon completion of the project month, at the host's discretion, the ROAMers occupying an RV space may stay at their site an additional week (usually the last week of the month) until Friday of that week without charge.
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.
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.
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.
How do I sign up for a project?
Answer: After you decide on your project, you should email your request to office@rvsonamission.org. Include the name of the project and the month(s) you wish to work since most projects last several months or are ongoing.
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 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.
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.
I’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 give it to your local church for them to submit for credit.
In 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.
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.
Must I pay a membership fee to join ROAM? If so, how much?
Answer: ROAM members pay an annual membership fee of $50 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.
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 $50 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.
What kind of recreational vehicle (RV) must I have?
Answer: There is no RV type requirement. Popups, trailers, 5th wheels, and all styles of motor homes are used. Some camps will allow ROAMers to stay in cabins or dorm rooms if available if they prefer not to bring their RV.
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.
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.
How many hours must ROAMers work per day/week?
Answer: For ROAMers traveling alone, plan to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week. For ROAMers traveling together in an RV, one ROAM member should plan to work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, and the other should plan to work 3 hours, 4 days a week, unless otherwise approved by the project host. Usually the work week is Monday - Thursday, with Friday - Sunday off. ROAMers can work extra hours/days if they choose to and are approved by the host to do so.
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 shopping/grocery stores nearby.
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 on Tuesday or the second Monday. The project will end on Thursday of the 3rd week of work. However, the host may also approve other schedules for different start dates and lengths of time if the ROAMers requests a different schedule.
What types of projects are available?
Answer: ROAM projects are divided into three categories: 1) District Camps 2) Churches/Schools 3) Special Projects
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.
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.
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. Upon completion of the project month, at the host's discretion, the ROAMers occupying an RV space may stay at their site an additional week (usually the last week of the month) until Friday of that week without charge.
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.
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.
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.
How do I sign up for a project?
Answer: After you decide on your project, you should email your request to office@rvsonamission.org. Include the name of the project and the month(s) you wish to work since most projects last several months or are ongoing.
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 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.
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.
I’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 give it to your local church for them to submit for credit.