Shoulder to Shoulder Site Visit Policies

Please read these policies carefully before signing the release. Also pay attention to the internet access policy, #11.

Shoulder to Shoulder (STS) has many brigades and rotators who participate in our projects in Honduras serving the poor.  It is an honor to have you/your group’s interest in providing care as part of Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc.  In order to assure a pleasant, safe, efficiently run, productive and positive experience for everyone, we have established the following protocols.  

These policies apply to any STS participant using any STS services or facilities in Honduras.   The onsite Honduran staff or brigade leaders are not authorized to approve any transportation or scheduling changes with the exception of a dire medical emergency.   Brigade members are those traveling with groups, typically for 2 weeks.   Rotators are those staying in Honduras for a month or more.

1. All activities requiring STS support must be cleared through the U.S. Staff.
2. STS can accommodate brigades ranging in size from 8-25 people.  If you would like to bring a group that is outside of these limits, please contact us to get special permission before making any travel plans.  Special permission will be granted based on concurrent in-country activities as well as group make-up.
3. All travel arrangements must be cleared through U.S. Staff.   This includes early and late arrivals/ departures.   Everyone in a brigade must arrive before 1:30 p.m. on the first day.   Arrivals after 1:30 p.m. must arrive the day before the brigade unless the whole group is arriving late.  This will require staying in the arrival city that night.  The brigade leader must clear group late arrivals with the U.S. Staff 120 days prior to arrival in country.
1. Any changes in brigade or rotator dates must be approved by the U.S. Staff at least 90 days in advance of the arrival date.
4. The Honduran STS Staff is not permitted to provide transportation to volunteers in Honduras after dark.   This cannot be waived and is a safety precaution.
5. There will be no support for volunteers before or after the dates of a brigade or rotation.   This includes volunteers traveling within Honduras or staying on site.   Any volunteers staying on site after a brigade will incur additional fees.  Through participants’ project fees, STS will provide transportation, food, lodging and incidental expenses for each brigade participant or rotator.   Other travel for sightseeing is at the expense of the traveler and may be accommodated only by requesting such travel before the person arrives Honduras.  
6. Public transportation is not acceptable in a STS sponsored brigade or for rotators.   While it is solely at the risk of the participant to take public transportation, an incident would greatly inhibit our ability to continue our mission in Honduras.
7. U.S. Passports must have an expiration date of at least 6 months past the brigade’s entry date into Honduras.  A non U.S. Passport holder must obtain a visa from their home country/embassy, if required by Honduras for entry.   This is the traveler’s responsibility.
1. Late arrivals due to improper documents will be charged for additional transportation/ personnel required to accommodate the(se) traveler(s).  
8. All members of any brigade will have evacuation insurance included in their brigade fees.   If the brigade member has their own insurance, we will also automatically enroll them for this with the brigade.   Rotators have the option of purchasing STS’s insurance; if not, the rotators must submit confirmation of their insurance with its contact numbers.   This documentation must be submitted to STS’s U.S. Staff with the payment of fees.
9. For brigade leaders, please note that medications for each brigade must be obtained by the group in charge of that brigade.  Shoulder to Shoulder will help with the purchase of medications through their contacts, but this must be coordinated at a minimum 4 months in advance of your brigade.
10. As a representative of STS, please take into consideration the following recommendations for attire:
1. When in patient care, please do not wear informal t-shirts or tank tops.  
2. Scrubs are acceptable in the clinic.
3. Shorts and informal t-shirts may be worn during free time, but shorts must be of conservative length so as to not draw unwanted attention.
11. Internet is sometimes available, but it is limited to email. Absolutely do not plan to have internet available while in Honduras. Do not plan to be able to do school work, complete medical records, or any other personal projects from our sites.
12. Airline tickets for participants can be purchased by each brigade member within the time constraints listed above or airline tickets may be purchased through STS as a group.  If purchased by STS, there is a $30 fee per ticket for this service in addition to the travel agent’s fee.  All airline tickets purchased through STS must be made 75 days prior to the brigade leave date.  Individuals making airline reservations should confirm dates and times with the U.S. Staff prior to making those reservations.   Please inform STS who is purchasing tickets for your brigade/rotation. 
1. It is absolutely necessary to confirm date, time and city of arrival in Honduras BEFORE making airline reservations.   Email or phone Sharon (513.721.2221x10).
13. No special meals can be promised to travelers with tremendously specialized dietary restrictions (e.g. gluten intolerance).   There should be a sufficient variety of foods for anyone with special needs, but the traveler with extraordinary needs should be prepared to support their own needs.
14. Use of any STS facilities/resources is limited to groups or persons who have approval by the Board of STS.
15. Use of STS assets and personnel for other projects need to be requested 3 months in advance of need.   For example, if shipping a large item to Honduras for use at your site, advance notice is required so it does not interfere with operations in Honduras.  Those shipping goods are responsible for paying all fees involved.
16. Honduran translators are provided to brigades according to need and to availability.  They are not charged for their participation in the brigade, neither are they paid for their services.  They must abide by the rules and regulations as set forth by the waiver of liability.  
17. The current brigade fee is $1000 and is due with the application and waiver 90 days before departure.  Checks should be made payable to Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc., and mailed to Sharon Mullen at Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc., 2123 Auburn Avenue, Suite 340, Cincinnati, OH   45219.   All remaining fees (e.g. airfare) must be paid 60 days prior to arrival in Honduras.  The rotator fee is $250 per week with a 4 week minimum; there is also a $25 NR fee for rotators.  Long and short term volunteers should consult Sharon about fees.   Airfare is in addition to this brigade fee.
1. Late cancelations, less than 45 days, will result in a return of half of the brigade fee.   Medical emergencies/other extenuating circumstances would be considered differently in this policy.
18.  All participants must sign a waiver of liability and submit an application.   The liability form must be signed, scanned and sent to the U.S. Staff Office (sharon.m@shouldertoshoulder.org) 90 days prior to departure.   Physicians and dentists must also submit a scanned color copy of their Passport, medical school diploma and a copy of their current state license.
19. Brigade participants and rotators are responsible for payment of their Honduran exit fee.  It is about $40 and must be paid in cash – U.S. Dollars or Lempira or a combo. 
20. Information provided on the application will be shared with the other people on your brigade and internally within Shoulder to Shoulder.