Welcome to the registration page for the South Central Jurisdiction Disaster Response Academy. This academy offers tracks for everyone, from the person who is "just interested" in disaster response - to the person who is the defined leader at the Conference level.  

Annual conference and district disaster response coordinators should receive training at least once a quadrennium. This academy serves the purpose of offering this training to many more people than can be accomodated by the United Methodist Committee on Relief training that is held each November in Baldwin, Louisiana.

Academy Tracks

Track 1:  The Basics of Disaster Response Ministry 

Basic Disaster Ministry is an introduction for all people interested in the unique and important role the faith community plays in disaster readiness and response in the United States. Participants learn about disasters, traditional responses to a disaster and how the faith-based response is different, how to prepare for a disaster, and ways to get involved after disaster strikes. The track provides a vision of disaster response that includes emotional and spiritual care as well as physical rebuilding to assist in long-term recovery of those in need and addresses the unmet needs of all survivors, particularly people who were vulnerable before a disaster.  Courses include:

1. Opening, Introductions
2. Plenary: United Methodism 101
3. Basic Disaster Response 101
4. Basics of Disaster Response Organizations:  FEMA, SEMA, COAD, VOAD
5. Volunteers In Mission/Disaster Response Team Leaders Training
6. Long Term Recovery Basics
7. Ministry of Caring
8. Tabletop Excercise

Track 2:  Connecting Neighbors Leadership: Train-the Trainer

Required Prerequisites:  UMCOR Overview; Basic Disaster Ministry (Disaster 101), and student is recommended by their conference as a Trainer.

Churches can better provide a caring Christian response to local disasters if they have prepared their church families and facility before disaster occurs. Connecting Neighbors addresses the faith community’s responsibility in disaster readiness and response and suggests tools to meet individual and community needs.

Leaders are taught how to present the Connecting Neighbors program, how to connect the church to outside resources and to the community’s emergency plans; where the church fits in and how the church can help the community at large.

Participants are given all the tools necessary to present a meaningful program to local churches and to assist the local congregation in developing a disaster ministry.

Track 3:  Early Response Team: Train-the-Trainer 

Required Prerequisites:  1)  the Instructor has served on an Early Response Team in the field AT LEAST once; 2) has completed the basic class; 3) is recommended by their conference as an ERT Trainer; and 4) passes a background check.

All Early Response Team classes are taught by UMCOR-trained and authorized instructors. This program prepares those Instructors for volunteer ERT training within their United Methodist Conference. 

Once trained, potential ERT Trainers will be evaluated in a class setting by an UMCOR trainer. ERT Trainers become certified after successful completion of the UMCOR ERT Trainer Evaluation. 

Courses include

1. Plenary: United Methodism 101
2. ERT Train-the-Trainer class (4 sessions)
3. ERT SA 200 (1 session)
4. Tabletop Exercise. 

Track 4:  Advanced Track 

Required Prerequisites:  1) the participant has already taken the Basic Track (Track 1). 

This track is for the advanced participant who has been serving as a conference representative and has already taken the Basic Track. 

Courses include:

1. Plenary: United Methodism 101
2. Long Term Recovery Best Practices
3. FEMA: National Recovery Framework
4. ERT SA 200
5. Conference DR Plan
6. SEC Care for the Caregiver (2 sessions)
7. What's New!
8. Tabletop Excercise

Mt. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center

Housing & Accomodations

Each person is responsible for making their own housing and meal reservations at Mt. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center. For instructions, visit 

http://www.mountsequoyah.org/Mount_Sequoyah/TRAININGS_CONFERENCES.html to download the registration form.

479.443.4531 OFFICE    800.760.8126 TOLL FREE

For 90 years, friends, family and colleagues have gathered on 32 private acres for meetings, trainings, conferences and retreats.

Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center welcomes individuals and families, as well as, faith groups, non-profit groups, and business leaders looking to bring focus and direction for their missions and purposes. It is a home away from home to college students when their loved ones visit. 

A hideaway above the city, Mount Sequoyah offers a pleasant and unique change from hotels or convention centers.  The campus offers a place of solitude and numerous meeting and lodging locations while convenient to cultural venues, world class art, sporting events, shopping and eateries. 

The Center is located just minutes from outdoor recreational activities in the Ozarks, the University of Arkansas, and many historical places that are within a short driving distance.  

When You Arrive 

Registration opens Monday at 10 a.m. Our first gathering will be at lunch at noon on Monday. Classes start at 1 p.m.

Please come to the Registration Office to check in to the Academy. If you are staying at Mt. Sequoyah then you can get your room assignment and key at that time.  Watch for signs directing you to the proper locations.

If you are flying into Fayetteville, Jim’s Shuttle Service is available for  reservations to bring you to Mt. Sequoyah at 479-205-0011. You can also contact them at: jimsexpressshuttle@hotmail.com. The cost is around $50 one way plus tip.