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Key Pages

What is a CUPS Virtual Team?

A CUPS Virtual Team is a concept designed to support individuals, or groups of individuals, who are interested in a CUPS mission project in Mexico, but who are unable to travel to Mexico as part of a traditional workgroup.  With membership on the Virtual Team, those who cannot be part of the physical team in Mexico can still support CUPS by being there in spirit, if not in body.

Virtual Teams for Intact Groups

A Virtual Team can be set up for an intact workgroup who wants to simulate the experience of going to Mexico.  The leader of this Virtual workgroup would select a work week in coordination with Louise, recruit members, get the members registered online at the CUPS web site, and might schedule activities for the workgroup prior to, during, and/or following the work week to enhance fellowship within the group, and to some extent simulate activities that might have taken place had the group gone to Mexico.  Example activities could include dinners together, short meetings to receive progress updates on the work actually going on in Mexico that week, a followup meeting after the workweek to view photos of the work completed, etc.  The workgroup leader would also help to solicit donations from workgroup members to support the work planned ($50 per person, or more, if decided by the workgroup).

Open Enrollment Virtual Team for Individuals

A Virtual Team has been set up on the Workgroup Registration page on the CUPS web site for individuals that are not part of an intact group, but who nonetheless want to support CUPS' project activity in Mexico by participating in a Virtual Team.  Those wishing to sign up for this type of team should also register on the CUPS web site, by following the link to the Workgroup Registration page, and signing up for the 'Open Enrollment Virtual Team 2011'

How Does the Virtual Team Work?

Those who sign up for a Virtual Team will be notified of all the details of the actual work project by the team leader, including the week selected for work, and the nature of the work to be performed.  During that week, as work progresses on the project, Virtual Team members will receive daily email progress reports, including pictures and descriptions of the work being completed.  As soon as practical after the completion of the work week, the Virtual Team leader and Louise will conduct a toll-free conference call with Virtual Team members to give a project report and answer questions.  Pictures and descriptions of the project, including testimonials of locals working on, or benefiting from, the project, will be posted on the CUPS web site, and if the project is not fully completed during the Virtual Team work week, the Virtual Team leader will continue to provide updates via the web site until the project is completed.  The local community volunteers working on the project will be made aware of the names of Virtual Team members who are supporting them, and Virtual Team members may transmit their messages of encouragement to the community through Louise. 

How Do I Get Started?

Sign up for the Virtual Team will be via the same registration process as used for physical workgroups, using the Online Registration process on the CUPS web site.  For those not familiar with this process, you click on the Workgroup Registration link in the left-hand column of this page, and complete STEP 1 and STEP 3 of the registration process described there.

Those who register for the Virtual Team are asked to offer a daily prayer for the community and volunteers working on the project.  Also, a donation of $50 or more to support CUPS' work on this project is requested.  Some may wish to estimate what their typical travel expenses might be for participating in a workgroup, and use this as a guide for how much to donate.  For an Intact Virtual Team, donations will be coordinated by the Team Leader.  For the Open Enrollment Virtual Team, donation checks should be sent to the CUPS Business Office, or can be made by credit card using CUPS' Online Donation system at Network for Good.  Donations should be designated "Virtual Team registration"

If you are ready to register now, click here to be taken to the Workgroup Registration page.

Virtual Team Status Report

CUPS has selected two projects for completion in Mexico in 2011:  1)  Classroom and a kitchen/dining area for the school in Ejido Vicente Guerrero, and 2)  Building for library and computer classes in Primaria Alberto Carrera.  Details of these 2 projects can be found under the Projects pulldown menu on the CUPS web site.  CUPS will designate a work week on one of these two projects for each Virtual Team.  Local community volunteers will be recruited to work under Fidencio's direction to complete the project.  As usual, CUPS will provide all materials and tools for the project.

At this point, the selection of the project and Virtual Team leaders are still works in progress.  If you sign up for a Virtual Team, you will notified by the team leader of updates in the status of the project, which will be posted here on the web site, and as the work begins, pictures, progress reports, and testimonials will also be posted here.