Leading a STM Medical Team

Early Pre-Trip Tasks

Logistics

Included within this category called Logistics are the essential activities which support and provide a means for the medical/spiritual work to be accomplished. By this we mean housing, food, transportation, translators, security, and the activities for a day of rest (should there be one). This page (Part I) discusses the issue generally. See Logistics, Part II for a bit more detail and Logistics, Part III for things to look for in this area as you get even closer to the time of the trip.

The leader's role is to work cooperatively with the national host to assure that each day - from arrival in country to arrival back home - is covered for these items. Most hosts will have worked with short-term teams previously so will have a sense of what is required. However, the leader must verify specifically which meals, which dates for lodging, and which transportation needs will be arranged by the host and which will be arranged by someone else. Generally the dates for ministry activities are well covered by the host for all these logistic essentials. The arrival date or a day of acclimatization prior to arrival at the ministry site might fall outside the scope of the host's perceived responsibility. Similarly, the retreat day and departure day must be specifically addressed.

The finances of these items must also be specifically addressed with the national host. Will they pay the costs and be reimbursed? At what rate - will it be a pre-negotiated price or a price that is determined in the field? Who pays for extras? You must be very specific, especially as it relates to dates outside the ministry dates.

Once housing, food, transportation, etc. are secured with the host, details can be provided to the team, usually during team meetings. A good general principle is to "undersell and over-deliver."

Click in this list to jump to the desired outline section:

Lodging

Food

Translators

Ground Transportation

Security

Day of Rest Activities

Logistics