Thanks for stepping up to be a Team Leader for your volunteer team.
The purpose of this Team Leader Guide is to give you info and resources that will help you in preparing the groundwork in forming a motivated, high-energy team open to all the learning and inspiration that can come with a service project. The more a team puts into building their sense of purpose and esprit de corps beforehand, the better the experience will be. Many of our volunteer projects involve hard work that requires volunteers to have some grit and persistence. Having said that, those very same challenging conditions encourage volunteers to reach down and find the good will and joy of service that bond them together and form lifelong memories and lasting friendships
Please pay special attention to the packing list, as it will help your team be better prepared for their volunteer experience.
Please pay special attention to the packing list, as it will help your team be better prepared for their volunteer experience.
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Important Team Leader Responsibilities
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Health and Safety Information |
What to Pack
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CCI Volunteer Facility Information |
Meals
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Typical Daily Routine |
CCI Community Responsibilities |
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Important Team Leader Responsibilities
As a team leader you will be responsible for making sure that all forms for excursions and projects are completed by all volunteers in your group. There will be a daily team leader meeting with our project coordinator to discuss any responsibilities, forms, or project agendas that are necessary for the upcoming day. To put your team on our calendar please complete the volunteer team sign up form.
Once submitting you will receive your group's confirmation number which will be your team's main identifier.
Pre-Project Forms
All forms should be filled out at least one month before your project start date. This information will allow us to confirm and share with you the project plan for the trip.
Pre-Project Information Sheet
This form only need to be filled out once.
Pre-Project Information Sheet
This form only need to be filled out once.
Team Roster Submission
As you are preparing your team there are a few steps that need to be taken to ensure that we are fully prepared for your arrival. Please fill out the team roster template linked to provide important information that will be used to organize housing and ensure that all volunteers have filled out the necessary paperwork. Please follow these steps to complete your roster submission:
- Open the roster template and make a copy to your personal drive Domestic Disaster Relief Team Roster
- Once you have copied the template rename the file to reflect the CCI confirmation code you received after filling out the volunteer team sign up form.
Example CCI confirmation # Invoice/Confirmation#: 091523CCI-D - Once your personal roster has been created please share the file with us by replying to the project confirmation email that you received from us with the linked document.
- Please then fill out all volunteer information for your team. Our housing is separated by male and female identifying individuals, if you or any team members would feel more comfortable in individual housing please select “other” on the roster and we will set up other accommodations.
- It is also important that each volunteer has filled out the volunteer agreement/emergency contact form. As a team leader it is your responsibility to track your team on the roster and make sure all members have filled out the form.
Health and Safety Information
Personal Safety (CCI will provide all PPE equipment needed to complete the projects)
Wear Protective Gear: Always wear gloves, sturdy boots, and safety goggles to protect yourself from debris, sharp objects, or hazardous materials.
Masks and Respirators: Use masks or respirators when working in areas with dust, mold, or airborne contaminants.
Hydration and Rest: Stay hydrated throughout the day and take regular breaks to avoid exhaustion or heat-related illness.
First Aid Kit: Keep a basic first aid kit on hand in case of cuts, scrapes, or minor injuries. Each team will be responsible for bringing their own kit.
Wear Protective Gear: Always wear gloves, sturdy boots, and safety goggles to protect yourself from debris, sharp objects, or hazardous materials.
Masks and Respirators: Use masks or respirators when working in areas with dust, mold, or airborne contaminants.
Hydration and Rest: Stay hydrated throughout the day and take regular breaks to avoid exhaustion or heat-related illness.
First Aid Kit: Keep a basic first aid kit on hand in case of cuts, scrapes, or minor injuries. Each team will be responsible for bringing their own kit.
Site Safety
Structural Hazards: Avoid entering buildings or structures that appear unsafe or have sustained significant damage.
Floodwater Risks: Do not walk through floodwaters, as they may contain hazardous chemicals, sewage, or be deeper than they appear.
Electricity Hazards: Stay clear of downed power lines and avoid working near damaged electrical equipment.
Debris Management: Handle debris with caution—watch for nails, broken glass, and other sharp objects.
Structural Hazards: Avoid entering buildings or structures that appear unsafe or have sustained significant damage.
Floodwater Risks: Do not walk through floodwaters, as they may contain hazardous chemicals, sewage, or be deeper than they appear.
Electricity Hazards: Stay clear of downed power lines and avoid working near damaged electrical equipment.
Debris Management: Handle debris with caution—watch for nails, broken glass, and other sharp objects.
Injury Prevention
Lifting Techniques: Use proper lifting techniques to avoid strain or injury—bend at your knees, not your waist, and lift with your legs.
Teamwork: Always work in pairs or teams, especially when handling heavy objects or entering potentially dangerous areas.
Slips and Falls: Be mindful of slippery surfaces, uneven ground, and debris that could cause tripping or falls.
Animal and Insect Safety: Wear long sleeves and pants to protect against insects. Be cautious of displaced wildlife and animals.
Lifting Techniques: Use proper lifting techniques to avoid strain or injury—bend at your knees, not your waist, and lift with your legs.
Teamwork: Always work in pairs or teams, especially when handling heavy objects or entering potentially dangerous areas.
Slips and Falls: Be mindful of slippery surfaces, uneven ground, and debris that could cause tripping or falls.
Animal and Insect Safety: Wear long sleeves and pants to protect against insects. Be cautious of displaced wildlife and animals.
Reduce your exposure to germs
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid sharing body fluids Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.
Mental Health and Well-being
Emotional Support: Be mindful of the emotional toll disaster response work can take. Reach out for emotional support or debriefing if needed.
Limit Stress: Don’t overwork yourself. If you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, take a step back and ask for assistance.
Emotional Support: Be mindful of the emotional toll disaster response work can take. Reach out for emotional support or debriefing if needed.
Limit Stress: Don’t overwork yourself. If you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, take a step back and ask for assistance.
Emergency Procedures
Communication Plan: Always know how to contact your team leaders and have an emergency communication plan in case cell service is unavailable.
Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of local emergency numbers, including medical services and disaster response coordinators.
Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and safe zones in case of sudden emergencies.
Communication Plan: Always know how to contact your team leaders and have an emergency communication plan in case cell service is unavailable.
Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of local emergency numbers, including medical services and disaster response coordinators.
Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and safe zones in case of sudden emergencies.
What to Pack
Pack light. It’s amazing how much you think you might need, only to return home and find out that, not only did you not use the questionable items, but you also didn’t unpack half of what you considered indispensable.
Personal Care:
Clothing:
Work & Safety Gear:
Sleeping Gear:
Hydration:
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NOTE: Volunteers will be responsible for bringing their own bedding as well as first aid kit. If your volunteer team is being divided to go out to project sites, each group should have their own first aid kit.
CCI Volunteer Facility Information
Your CCI Volunteer Facility will depend on what projects your team is working on. CCI guarantees:
Team members will be sharing living spaces and bunkrooms.
If your team leaders or faculty would like their own separate accommodations, please notify CCI and your project coordinator before the start of your trip.
- Safe and clean sleeping areas
- Clean and functional bathroom facilities
- Showers
- Sanitary food services
- Access to medical support
- Onsite communications
- Electricity
- Fresh water
Team members will be sharing living spaces and bunkrooms.
If your team leaders or faculty would like their own separate accommodations, please notify CCI and your project coordinator before the start of your trip.
Meals
All volunteers are provided breakfast, lunch, dinner throughout the week. We offer a vegetarian option at all meals and accommodate any dietary restrictions. Please indicate on your pre-project information sheet any special dietary needs.
Breakfast is continental style with bagels, breads, butter, cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly as well as a variety of cold and hot cereal plus fruit. Teams often carry their lunch with them to their volunteer project, unless provided by our project partner. After you have your breakfast, you’ll have a chance to make a brown bag lunch with a choice of turkey, cheese, tuna, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips and fruit. Hot dinner is served each evening often consisting of |
Note: If your team opts for a dinner out CCI will cover the transportation and logistics but will not be responsible for paying for the meal. Each Volunteer Team will alternate sending volunteers to help in the kitchen for meal preps and clean up.
CCI Community Responsibilities
Volunteers will be staying in a communal environment where collaboration and shared responsibility are key. Living and working together in this setting fosters a sense of community and teamwork. To ensure a comfortable and welcoming space for everyone, all volunteers will contribute to maintaining cleanliness and order. This includes regular chores such as tidying shared areas, managing waste, assisting in kitchen set-up and clean-up, and keeping personal spaces organized. By working together to uphold these standards, volunteers not only create a pleasant living environment but also strengthen the bonds of teamwork and mutual respect that are essential for a successful and enjoyable experience.
Kitchen Responsibilities:
To ensure that our communal kitchen runs smoothly, all volunteers are expected to participate in kitchen setup and cleanup duties throughout the week. Before meals, this involves assisting with setting up the dining area and preparing any food stations as needed. After meals, your responsibilities will include cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and properly disposing of waste. By sharing these tasks, we maintain a clean and organized environment and foster a sense of teamwork and responsibility among all volunteers. Your cooperation in these efforts is greatly appreciated and essential to the overall success of our communal living experience.
Communal Spaces:
Maintaining cleanliness in the bathrooms and communal spaces is crucial for everyone’s comfort and well-being. Volunteers are asked to actively participate in keeping these areas tidy by adhering to a regular cleaning schedule and promptly addressing any issues that arise. This includes ensuring that personal items are stored properly, surfaces are wiped down, and trash is disposed of correctly. By taking turns with cleaning duties and respecting shared spaces, we foster a pleasant and hygienic environment for all. Your cooperation in these efforts helps create a more enjoyable and respectful living situation, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from a clean and welcoming communal space.
To ensure that our communal kitchen runs smoothly, all volunteers are expected to participate in kitchen setup and cleanup duties throughout the week. Before meals, this involves assisting with setting up the dining area and preparing any food stations as needed. After meals, your responsibilities will include cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and properly disposing of waste. By sharing these tasks, we maintain a clean and organized environment and foster a sense of teamwork and responsibility among all volunteers. Your cooperation in these efforts is greatly appreciated and essential to the overall success of our communal living experience.
Communal Spaces:
Maintaining cleanliness in the bathrooms and communal spaces is crucial for everyone’s comfort and well-being. Volunteers are asked to actively participate in keeping these areas tidy by adhering to a regular cleaning schedule and promptly addressing any issues that arise. This includes ensuring that personal items are stored properly, surfaces are wiped down, and trash is disposed of correctly. By taking turns with cleaning duties and respecting shared spaces, we foster a pleasant and hygienic environment for all. Your cooperation in these efforts helps create a more enjoyable and respectful living situation, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from a clean and welcoming communal space.