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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q1. What are “other prohibited activities” or projects that should not be posted on JustServe.org?

See JustServe.org/about.

Q2. Are all projects on JustServe.org appropriate for Church-coordinated volunteers (whether missionaries or Church groups)?

Since not all projects posted on JustServe.org may be appropriate for youth, Church-coordinated volunteers, or families, read the project description carefully before volunteering to ensure that opportunities are suitable.

Church-coordinated volunteers should not undertake projects that require them to work one-on-one with children or vulnerable adults, operate vehicles or equipment that requires training, solicit or handle money, or render a professional opinion, unless the faith, nonprofit, community, or government organization assumes responsibility for their service. (Priesthood and Relief Society leaders should comply with all other applicable policies relating to Church activities. Please see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 20.6.)

Q3. What about liability insurance for those who volunteer through JustServe.org?

The Church does not provide liability insurance for volunteers. Some other volunteer organizations may. Please check with the organization for whom you are providing service.

Q4. Will the Church pay for background checks or permits for volunteers?

No. Generally, volunteers or the organizations requiring background checks or permits pay for this documentation. As a courtesy, organizations requiring background checks or permits should be made aware that Latter-day Saint missionary volunteers do not have funds for this purpose and have frequent turnover.

Q5. Where does the budget for JustServe materials come from?

Most coordinating councils and stakes have budget that is allocated for Church communication council needs. JustServe needs for promotional materials such as handouts, posters, and business cards should come from these funds.

Q6. How does JustServe interact with welfare and self-reliance and Church communication?

At Church headquarters, administrative sponsorship of JustServe belongs to the Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Department. However, in the field, JustServe is more closely aligned with Church Communication. At the Church, area, coordinating council, and stake level, welfare and self-reliance managers work in harmony with Church communication directors and JustServe specialists to promote JustServe. Coordinating council and stake communication directors and JustServe specialists take the lead in teaching members of the working groups how to use JustServe.org and the app and maintain relationships with local faith, nonprofit, community, and governmental organizations.

Q7. May we post priesthood and Relief Society assignments?

JustServe.org is a community resource and, in general, should not be used to post projects that should be assigned under the direction of priesthood quorums or Relief Society leaders (facility cleaning, welfare assignments, disaster relief assignments, and so forth). Since JustServe is a community resource, it is important to not dominate the website and app with Church-specific postings, which could send the wrong message to both community and Church members. It is best to have a variety of service opportunities available from many different organizations.

Occasionally there may be Church-related projects that fit the purpose of JustServe and would be appropriate to post. But this should be more the exception than the rule. It is important to identify the benefit to the whole community—such as how the project assists those in need or enhances the quality of life in the community—in the project description. The projects should be as welcoming and available to all community members as to members of the Church. Be careful not to use Church-specific language in the posting. Where possible, Church leaders who want to post qualified projects should first partner with other faith-based, nonprofit, community, or government organizations, allowing them to take the lead.

Q8. May Eagle Scout projects be posted on JustServe.org?

No. However, JustServe.org is a good place to identify needs and find opportunities for prospective Eagle Scout projects.

Q9. Should JustServe participants wear yellow Helping Hands vests?

No. To align with the spirit and objectives of JustServe, members should not wear yellow Helping Hands, JustServe, or Church- or mission-branded vests, uniforms, or clothing during their community service unless all participants (members and community volunteers) are wearing the same clothing. In emergencies or natural disasters, officials may require volunteers to wear identification vests, uniforms, or clothing.

Q10. How do we communicate with members about service opportunities?

While we do not give assignments to participate in JustServe, if there is a project of particular merit or if a ward, quorum, or class chooses to adopt a project for service, you may use invitations, announcements, and bulletins to make members aware of the opportunity. JustServe is a resource to help add a service component to many types of existing activities.

JustServe.org

Q11. Who posts the service projects on JustServe.org, and how is an organization authorized to post projects?

The lead for the stake JustServe working group may authorize members of the working group to post projects.

Faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations may also be given administrative rights and civic boundaries by the stake JustServe specialist and manage their own projects.

Anyone who has a project proposal that meets JustServe general guidelines may submit the project through the website for consideration by the local stake JustServe working group. Nonprofit organizations who wish to post projects should verify their nonprofit status. In the U.S. this can be done by providing an IRS determination letter.

Q12. Many projects require you to serve in a physical location. What about projects involving the gathering of supplies or materials for an organization? Can those be posted on JustServe.org?

Any project that meets JustServe guidelines can be posted on the website. This could include projects such as food drives, collecting coats, making blankets for a hospital, and so forth.

Q13. What about duplication? Is it a problem if service projects are listed on both JustServe.org and another volunteer website?

This is not a problem, because more exposure for the projects to prospective volunteers is a positive thing. You may want to provide a link to the organization’s website on JustServe.org.

Q14. Can we use JustServe.org to respond to an emergency or natural disaster?

Yes. Community requests for volunteers may be posted on JustServe.org after an emergency or natural disaster. Everyone in the community may then be directed to JustServe.org to find ways to help. Priesthood-directed relief assignments should not be posted on JustServe.org (see Q7).

Q15. Can a couple who share an email address both register using that address?

No, each person who registers on JustServe.org needs a unique email address.

Projects

Q16. Will service organizations be disappointed if no volunteers show up?

Manage the expectations of organizations. Never promise that volunteers will sign up. JustServe.org merely provides exposure for projects.

Q17. Are there suggestions for helping stake JustServe working groups identify service opportunities?

Identify faith-based and charitable organizations and see if there are ways we might help. Schools, libraries, parks, and community and senior centers frequently need volunteers. United Way, AmeriCorps, and many government entities also maintain websites that list charitable organizations.

Q18. What if projects cross stake boundaries?

If a project covers multiple stake boundaries, work with the coordinating council JustServe specialist to decide which stake will be the liaison with the service organization.

Q19. How can someone volunteer an entire group to participate in a service project?

If an organization has permitted groups to volunteer, you may sign up your group (for example, a quorum or class) on JustServe.org or contact the sponsoring organization directly to make arrangements.

Q20. Do I have to sign up for a project within my stake boundaries?

No, you may volunteer for any project on the website. On the website, under “More Search Options,” filter by selecting “Group Project.”

Q21. How do annual Church service projects and JustServe complement each other?

Large annual service projects can meet local priesthood objectives. Church communication directors and JustServe specialists should work with their priesthood leaders to determine what works best for their areas. This may include asking Church members to give service to JustServe projects on a specific date or during a specific time period in support of a larger state or Church area initiative.

Q22. How can we overcome the reluctance of some organizations or churches to work with us?

Begin with organizations with which you already have a relationship. Then build on the success of those relationships as you reach out to other organizations. Encourage JustServe-participating organizations to share their success stories on JustServe.org and other social media. Emphasize that we want to help them with their projects.

Other

Q23. How can we continue to remind each other to serve and use JustServe.org as a resource for meaningful service?

Sharing positive stories and pictures about service is vital to the success of JustServe. Success stories may be shared on JustServe.org by the person who posted the project. Anyone may share experiences and pictures on social media and tag JustServe on Facebook and Instagram. Priesthood leaders may share stories and experiences in Church meetings. There are many ways to share the joy of Christlike service.

Q24. Should we send out press releases on JustServe projects?

No. It is best if contact with the media comes through the sponsoring organization.