Volunteers in Mission, Inc. (VIM National) Annual Meeting - Tucson

     During the week of September 23, 2024, the VIM, Inc. Board of Directors met in Tucson for meetings and doing a a discovery (educational event) regarding the border issues. The Board meeting focused on reviewing out strategic plan.  We looked at the accomplishments, including, consistent branding, a national website (umivm.org), jurisdiction coordinators are more collaborative with resources and programing, UMVIM Site list and single source of insurance for both domestic and international teams, The next phases of our strategic plan are for the group is working with Una Jones from Global Ministries to create a national event for the Annual Conference Coordinators and others who work with the UMVIM in  September.  

     During the week the Board and Desert Southwest Conference met with various agencies, including Tucson Sarmatians who took us to the border wall, the Pima County Medical Examiner, Casa Alitas (shelter in Tucson for those seeking asylum in the US before they move on to their sponsor) and JFON (Justice for Our Neighbor UMC sponsored agency who provide legal assistance to asylum seekers). Highlights of the week included a presentation from author Dora and a tour of a shelter for migrant women and children and a business that makes wheelchair, prothesis, and hearing aids for those with disabilities all over Mexico in collaboration with various US agencies including Arizona State University.  

Louise Kienzle, ACC for Oregon-Idaho lead an UMVIM team to the border the week before the VIM, Inc meeting.  If you are interested learning more about the border crisis and would like to do a UMVIM Mission contact Scott Morris who is coordinating the connections of the agencies.