New Staff Central
Getting from where you are to where God’s calling you, one step at a time.
How to use this webpage:
The goal of this web page is to provide you with the information, sequence, and support you’ll need to transition to Doulos. You’ll see we’ve broken it down into 6 different areas to focus on. In each area, you’ll meet your “Point Person” for that area. These are experts to help with any questions, concerns, or roadblocks you might come across for that topic.
IF you haven’t submitted your background check, please do that right now by clicking here.
If you have any questions along the way, you can reach out to the individual “Point People” or newstaff@doulosdiscovery.org
Step One:
Look over this entire web page (no need to click on all the links) to get a sense of the overall process and what to focus on first.
Step Two:
Contact Megan and Tim to get started on Area 1: Doulos Foundations and Area 2: Fundraising
The Six Areas We’ll Help You Rock
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1. Doulos Foundations
Start - Immediately after accepting your job offer.
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2. Fundraising
Start - Immediately after accepting your job offer.
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3. Documentation
Start - After you’ve started fundraising
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4. Travel and Shipping
Start - Book flight right away, then work on the rest 1-2 months before arriving
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5. Cultural & Emotional Transition
Start - 1 month before arriving
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6. Getting Set Up
Start - 1 month before arriving
1. Doulos Foundations
Start - Immediately after accepting your job offer.
Finish - 2 weeks before you arrive.
Point Person: Megan Adams
A strong transition to Doulos starts with alignment and unity around our foundational beliefs, educational philosophy, and staff expectations on and off campus.
Things To Learn
Our most foundational values and educational philosophy
Our core beliefs as a Christian school
Staff expectations on and off campus
Things To Do:
Read and sign right away
Read Before You Arrive:
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2.Fundraising
Start - Immediately after accepting your job offer.
Finish - Work with Tim to set your goal date for being fully funded.
Point Person: Tim Stanley
Henri Nouwen said it best when he wrote, “Fundraising is, first and foremost, a ministry. It’s a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”
Things To Learn
How is fundraising a spiritual act?
Who should I ask to be part of what God’s doing in my life?
How will I ask them to be a part of that?
How much money will I need to raise to serve in the D.R.?
How will I keep people engaged?
Things To Do:
Read
A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen (Purchase on Amazon HERE)
Create a “Prospective Donor List”
“Make a copy” and fill in donor names, PPL, and target low/ high… Prospective Donor List (UNEDITABLE SO BE SURE TO "MAKE A COPY")
Read
Set monthly fundraising goal w/Tim Stanley
Create Personal Monthly Budget
“Make a copy” and fill in projected costs… Personal Monthly Budget Planner - not yet in Onboarding Docs folder
Read
Complete donor contact information on “Prospective Donor List” (email/ number/ address)
Create communication materials
Decide how you will communicate with different groups on the list
Plan one-on-ones w/ PPL
Plan event/ gathering
Begin contacting “PPL 1” people
Create your prospective donor “pitch”
Hold meetings with prospective donors
Send prospective donors your Kindful giving link
Watch for donations (Email From Kindful)
Develop your retention plan with Tim
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3. Documentation
Start - After you’ve started fundraising
Finish - At least 2 weeks before arriving
Point Person: Jonathan Vasquez
Dotting the “i’s” and crossing the “t’s” to make sure everything’s in place for your new chapter.
Things To Learn
What documents do you need to submit and when?
How do you get these documents?
How do you send them to the right place?
Things To Do:
To Do Right Away
Background check
Complete 2 Weeks Before You Arrive
Scan in color and email the following documents to newstaff@doulosdiscovery.org
Transcripts
Copy of Diploma(s)
Copy of Teaching Certificate (if applicable)
Copy of Passport
Copy of Drivers License
Voided Check (this will be used to directly deposit your monthly salary)
Bring the original color paper copies with you and give them to human resources when you arrive.
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4. Travel & Shipping
Start - After you’ve accepted the job
Finish - 2 weeks before arriving
Point Person: Mandy Langenfeld
Getting you and the stuff you’ll need from up there to down here.
Things To Learn
What flight is best for you and your stuff?
Exactly what stuff will I bring down, what will you buy there, and what don’t you need?
What different options do I have to receive packages in the DR?
What is the best way to get my stuff to the DR for the first transition?
Are there any immunizations I’ll want to get before landing here?
Things To Do:
To Do Right Away
Read - Travel Information Overview and Airport Instructions
Book your flight to the DR
Send flight info to newstaff@doulosdiscovery.org
Talk with your doctor about immunizations
As a reminder, we need all new staff for the 2025-26 school year arriving in the DR to the Santiago (STI) airport on July 17, 2024, between 8 am and 10 pm.
Complete 3 Weeks Before You Arrive
Make a copy and fill out the “Ship, Buy There, Don’t Need” Sheet
If you’re not a spreadsheet kind of person you can use this Packing List Document
Choose the mail service or services you’d like to use your first year.
Enroll in your mail service
Make your shipping plan - General Moving Info
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5. Cultural & Emotional Transition
Start - 1 month before arriving
Finish - This one never really finishes
Point Person: Your Staff Mentor
If your life were a snow globe, God’s about to give it a good shake. When everything settles you will feel confident navigating life in Jarabacoa. You’ll have close friends in and outside for Doulos and you will have grown in ways you NEVER could have imagined.
The journey you’re about to go on is unique for each person, but MANY have traveled down it and you are not alone.
Things To Learn
What to expect in the emotional journey of transitioning to Doulos?
The tools and support team you’ll need to navigate the emotional/spiritual aspect of transitioning to Doulos.
How you will best learn or grow in Spanish in the first 6 months you are here?
A little bit of the history and cultural backdrop of the DR.
Things To Do:
Before Your Arrive
Read - Getting Started by Amy Young
Familiarize yourself with the “My Doulos Support Web” Plan for the US side, and start praying for the DR side.
Make your language learning plan for the first 6 months
Study the history and culture of the DR in the form you most enjoy.
Helpful Resources For This Stage -
Fast Facts - The Dominican Republic
Op
Books That Others Have Found Helpful:
“In The Time of The Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez
"Why The Cocks Fight" by Michele Wucker
“When Helping Hurts” by Brian Fikkert
“Cross-Cultural Servanthood” by Duane Elmer
“Looming Transitions: Starting and Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service” by Amy Young
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6. Getting Set Up
Start - 1 month before you arrive
Finish - 3 months after landing here
Point Person: Mandy Langenfeld
There are lots of details to iron out throughout the transition.
Thinking through them both before and during the transition will be really helpful!
Things To Learn
Exactly what will my living situation be in the first 3 months?
Who will I go to for various questions or needs?
How will I get my phone up and working? What are my options for a plan?
How/where will I buy the stuff I need to buy?
What are my health insurance options and requirements?
Where will I live after my transitional housing is done?
Things To Do:
Before Your Arrive
Make your cellphone plan - Cell Phone Information
Consider porting your US number to Google Voice
Make sure your phone is unlocked
After You Arrive
Finish filling out your “My Doulos support web”
Set up your health insurance - Health Insurance Information for NA Staff
Set up phone
Buy things you need
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