Purpose of Volunteer Policies

These policies are written to provide overall guidance and direction to staff and volunteers engaged in volunteer involvement and management efforts.

Definition of 'Volunteer'

A "volunteer" is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the agency. A "volunteer" must be officially accepted and enrolled by the agency prior to performance of the task. Unless specifically stated, volunteers shall not be considered as "employees" of the agency

Service at the Discretion of Agape Development

These policies are written to provide overall guidance and direction to staff and volunteers engaged in volunteer involvement and management efforts. Agape Development accepts the service of all volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the agency. Volunteers agree that the agency may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer's relationship with the agency

These policies are written to provide overall guidance and direction to staff and volunteers engaged in volunteer involvement and management efforts. The volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to sever the volunteer's relationship with the agency. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible to the volunteer's supervisor. Volunteers are authorized to act as representatives of the agency as specifically indicated within their job descriptions and only to the extent of such written specifications

Confidentiality

Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a single staff, volunteer, client, or other person or involves overall agency business. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of the volunteer's relationship with the agency or other corrective action. All pictures and video taken will be used in an appropriate setting, manner, and purpose

Screening/Reference Checks

For some tasks, volunteers must submit samples of work and professional references. If such is required, it will be outlined in the task description

Contacting Other Volunteers

Occasionally, volunteers will need to contact other volunteers with regard to their activities with Agape Development. We expect all such communications among volunteers to follow general etiquette guidelines. Other than email addresses, Agape Development will not share contact information about a volunteer with another volunteer without the express consent of all parties involved.

Ending Your Volunteer Role

You can cease volunteering with Agape Development upon the completion of any volunteer assignment. You may stay subscribed to the e-mail lists as long as you wish, regardless of your volunteering status with Agape Development.

Dismissal of a Volunteer

Volunteers who do not adhere to the rules and procedures of the agency or who fail to satisfactorily perform their volunteer assignment are subject to dismissal. No volunteer will be terminated until the volunteer has had an opportunity to discuss the reasons for possible dismissal with supervisory staff.

Dress Code

Volunteers will wear appropriate dress for working within their program. Volunteers who work with children should ensure they are dressed decently, safely, and appropriately for the program they are involved in. Adults should wear clothing which is appropriate to their role and could not be viewed as offensive, revealing, or sexually provocative. Sexually provocative clothing includes clothing that shows an inappropriate amount of cleavage, midriffs and/or backs which are bare or covered only in transparent materials such as lace or nylon, skirts or shorts higher than 4” above the knee. Clothing should not distract, cause embarrassment, give rise to any misunderstanding or contain political or other contentious slogans. Clothing should be non discriminatory and culturally sensitive. Where tattoos are visible, they should be discreet and unlikely to cause offense to others.

As a volunteer, I will:
● Safeguard children and youth entrusted to my care at all times. Oppose at all times any form of discrimination, oppression or exploitation of children and young people, and preserve their rights
● Respect the relationship of the child or young person to his/her parents, his/her siblings, other members of his/her family and other significant persons, taking account of his/her natural ties and interdependent rights and responsibilities
● Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration. Value and respect each child or person as an individual in his/her own right, in his/her role as a member of his/her family, and in his/her role as a member of the community s/he lives in.
● Use information appropriately, respecting the privacy of children and young people, maintaining confidentiality where necessary, respecting the right of children and young people to be informed of matters concerning themselves, and avoiding the misuse of personal information.
● All pictures and video taken will be used in an appropriate setting, manner, and purpose.
● Avoid situations where I am alone with children and/or youth.
● Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children and/or youth. Facilitate the optimal growth and development of each individual child or young person to achieve his or her potential in all aspects of functioning
● Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children and/or youth without prior written approval from the parents or guardian and the Executive Director.
● Report suspected abuse to the appropriate supervisor. I understand that I have a moral obligation to report suspected abuse. Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children and/or youth.
● Obey all traffic laws when driving children and youth.
● Respect and use all equipment appropriately and as required for my assignment.

As a volunteer, I will not:
● Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
● Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.
● Pose a health risk to children and/or youth (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations).
● Strike, spank, shake, or slap children and/or youth.
● Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade children and/or youth.
● Use profanity in the presence of children and/or youth.
● Promote or encourage any of the above destructive behaviors.
● Drive a vehicle not in compliance with regulations and/or inspections while driving children.
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These policies do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement. Agape
Development reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time and to expect adherence to the
changed policy. Changes to or exceptions from these policies may only be granted by the Volunteer Program
Manager, and must be obtained in advance and in writing. Areas not specifically covered by these policies shall be
determined by the Volunteer Program Manager.