CMM Coronavirus Response

Updated March 13, 2020

As concerns about the coronavirus pandemic grow daily, our desire as a ministry is to respond with wisdom and discernment using trusted, available resources. As a Christian ministry, we are not adverse to risk, as it is inherent in what we do and where we sometimes serve. We do, however, take appropriate measures to not take unnecessary risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the World Health Organization, are monitoring COVID-19 cases closely and providing updated guidance to federal, state, and local health officials. We plan to act in accordance with recommendations from our local healthcare professionals and from the CDC for our region. We are also monitoring government recommendations and policies from other countries where CMM staff reside for guidance in these locations.

Coronavirus Task Force

To address the evolving situation, the CMM has created a Coronavirus Task Force to manage the flow of information and create policies and protocols for CMM staff and events. Below are the members and their primary roles.

  • John Patton, COO - Lead CMM’s response and manage internal and external communication to the staff, general public, parents, and the board.

  • Chris Suel, Risk Management Director - Develop protocols for staff and ensure compliance, liaise with regional task force and team leaders, and lead crisis management for any specific events or threats impacting CMM staff.

  • Mark Wilson, SRS Director - Develop CMM’s event cancellation policies and staff travel recommendations.

  • Ryan Emis, Director of Global Partnerships - Gather information from other ministries regarding their response, specifically on international travel and event cancellations.

Anyone may contact the CMM's Coronavirus Task Force by sending an email to sos@mobilization.org which is distributed to the entire team. All regional updates from the leaders below should send updates through this email.

Regional Representation

Chris Suel will be liaising with leaders from countries the CMM is in, both for disseminating information as well as gathering regional information regarding restrictions on travel, public meetings, and access to goods, resources, and medical care. These leaders are Ryan (Malaysia), Manny Martinez (Peru), John Allert (Germany), Paul Strong (Mexico), Taylor Jolley (Kenya), and Hannah (China).

CMM Travel Protocols

In an effort to balance ministry efforts with pragmatic wisdom, the CMM Coronavirus Taskforce are issuing these international travel protocols. We will update these protocols as needed.

  • Evaluate the priority and urgency of the desired travel, but we are not issuing travel limitations at this time.

  • All out of town travel, personal or work must be team leader approved. While we do not have travel limitations in place, team leaders are in the best position to know of the potential impact to team, community, and we must know where staff are at all times in case of quarantines.

    • Review US State Department, CDC and WHO travel advisory sites.

    • Fill out travel form for personal and work trips and get team leader approval prior to purchasing flights.

    • Get written approval from the team leader before purchasing flights.

  • When traveling, ensure you have long layovers (2, preferably 3 hours) to accommodate increased screenings between connections.

  • Take your laptop with you on any travel, including personal vacations, in the case that you are delayed in your travel or quarantined.

Travel Insurance

    • Policy: If the costs are from your personal ministry account, insurance is optional. If it's from a team account, it is mandatory unless flight cancellation cost is cheaper than the insurance.

    • Only "cancel for any reason" travel insurance covers COVID-19 flight changes.

    • While some airlines are updating their policies, airlines and hotels may not automatically reduce change or cancellation fees unless government expressly prohibits travel. Many small hotel chains and AirBnB's may have less accommodating policies.

    • If the airline does not expressly allow changes or cancellations, travel insurance is highly recommended. It is a qualified ministry expense. It is required for any ministry travel which is paid for by a team fund or general fund. If the insurance is more costly than the cancellation cost from the airline, then you do not need to buy the insurance.

    • Some companies allow you to purchase insurance on bookings that were 14 - 21 days prior, but you need to look at the insurers details.

    • Guide to travel insurance | Get a quote

CMM Event Cancellation Policy

The safety of our participants and our staff is of utmost importance. We are following guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and are staying on top of this evolving situation. According to the most recent information from the CDC, for most people, the risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low; however, the greater risk is of young, healthy people inadvertently infecting high-risk individuals such as the elderly or those with pre-existing respiratory issues or lowered immune systems. We want our participants to feel confident when registering and participating in upcoming CMM event.

For the concern of our participants and staff we have put these new policies in place for your convenience. If CMM’s event is impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) preventing CMM from hosting the event or participants from attending the event the following guidelines will be in effect:

  • CMM will cancel international events if the host country imposes a mandatory 14-day or more quarantine on individuals coming in from outside the country. Domestic events may not be impacted under this specific guideline.

  • CMM may cancel events if the venue, host, or hotel cancels our agreement for lodging or meeting space.

  • Current Event Status (check back on this page for the latest updates)

    • Summer Project (Nairobi) - We are still planning on proceeding, though we are delaying airline purchases till April 1. More information will be coming soon.

    • SRS Bootcamps - We are still planning on proceeding with public SRS Bootcamps, though our meeting venues are evaluating their decisions. Click here for the SRS Cancellation Policy.

    • Ministry Leaders Training (Fayetteville, AR) - As this is in late July, we anticipate having this training still.

Advisement on Personal and Community Hygiene

Based on information from the CDC, we recommend event hosts and staff use these guidelines in preparation for their time at CMM events.

    • Guests and hosting staff should prescreen themselves prior to arrival at CMM events. If guests have fever, cough, or shortness of breath they should not attend the CMM events.

    • Guests should wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with 60% alcohol.

    • Guests should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and cough into a tissue or elbow.

We recognize that CMM staff have a role in providing a safe and comfortable place for ministry to happen. We are taking necessary precautions to help minimize the spread of any virus. Our staff should inform their housekeeping to routinely clean every room prior to guests arrival using approved disinfectant chemicals to wipe down all bathroom fixtures, flat surfaces, and doorknobs. They should follow this same process for cleaning public areas like bathrooms, meeting rooms, and other public common areas. Staff should supply alcohol based hand sanitizes throughout the facility especially during snack and mealtimes.

We are taking these precautions at the CMM Headquarters as well.