Volunteer Waiver and Agreement
Thank you for volunteering to participate in one or more of the programs or projects of Homes with Hope, Inc. (“Homes with Hope”). This document (“Agreement”) explains possible risks of volunteering and includes liability waivers, consents and other legal agreements related to volunteers’ participation. By signing below, I, the volunteer (or my parent or legal guardian), acknowledge that entry into this Agreement is in consideration of my participation as a volunteer, and confirm my understanding of and agreement to the following:
1. Policies, Safety Rules and Guidelines. I will comply with all of Homes with Hope’s policies and safety rules, and with any guidelines related to Homes with Hope’s programs or projects that Homes with Hope may issue from time to time.
2. Volunteer Not an Employee. I am not an employee of Homes with Hope, will not be paid for my participation and am not covered by or eligible for any Homes with Hope insurance, health care, worker’s compensation or other benefits. Homes with Hope may terminate my volunteer status at any time, for any reason or for no reason.
3. Risks Associated with Volunteering. Volunteering for Homes with Hope has risks. Those risks may arise in a variety of ways including, without limitation, from physical activity, handling materials of various kinds and interacting with or being in the presence of other volunteers, visitors and other people. Those risks include, but are not limited to, risks of injury, illness and death, and risks of property damage or loss, and they may arise from my own actions or from the actions of others at or near Homes with Hope facilities or encountered when traveling for Homes with Hope activities offsite. Even if Homes with Hope, I and other persons present at Homes with Hope facilities or events follow all health and safety protocols, I may still be exposed to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
4. Awareness and Assumption of Risk. With knowledge and awareness of the information described above, and with the recognition that other factors may create additional such risks, I knowingly, freely and voluntarily: (i) sign up to volunteer for Homes with Hope; (ii) engage in volunteer activities and (iii) assume and accept the risks of all injury, illness, death, property damage or loss, financial obligation, loss of privacy, loss of reputation, and all other injuries and other consequences, whether known or unknown, whether foreseen or unforeseeable, and whether incurred at Homes with Hope facilities or elsewhere, that may result, directly or indirectly, from my presence at Homes with Hope facilities or elsewhere or from participation as a Homes with Hope volunteer, regardless of the cause.
5. Waiver and Release of Claims. I waive and release Homes with Hope and its directors, officers, agents, employees, volunteers and affiliates (collectively, “Homes with Hope Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, costs and expenses of any kind and of whatever nature which I or my heirs, next of kin, parents or legal representatives may have or which may later accrue, caused by or arising directly or indirectly from my presence at Homes with Hope facilities or participation in Homes with Hope activities at any location. This waiver and release includes, but is not limited to, in each such case, all claims in respect of the risks noted above, known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseeable, regardless of the cause or whether such claims arise from tort, contract or otherwise, and even if caused by negligence, whether passive or active. I will not sue any of the Homes with Hope Parties on the basis of these waived and released claims.
6. Disclosure of Medical Conditions. I understand that I am solely responsible for knowing my own physical condition and making my own decisions about volunteering. I will disclose all medications and conditions relevant to my participation in Homes with Hope programs or projects to my supervisor or other staff at Homes with Hope, including chronic conditions, if my supervisor needs to be aware of them. I understand that Homes with Hope needs such information because some medication side effects or medical conditions could affect my safety or that of others at Homes with Hope. I consent to Homes with Hope’s sharing that information with health professionals or first responders if I become ill or injured while at Homes with Hope facilities or while participating in Homes with activities in any location.
7. Medical Care Consent and Waiver. I authorize Homes with Hope to provide me with first aid and to arrange medical assistance, transportation and emergency medical services for me if I get hurt while volunteering. I understand that Homes with Hope is not obligated to provide this care. I will be solely responsible for any costs related to my medical treatment and transport. I understand that Homes with Hope does not provide health, medical, disability or other insurance coverage for me.
8. Confidentiality. I may have access to Homes with Hope’s confidential information (including, without limitation, information about Homes with Hope’s clients). At all times during and after my participation, I will hold all of such confidential information in confidence and will not disclose or use it except as Homes with Hope expressly authorizes. The terms and conditions of this paragraph will continue in effect after my acting as a volunteer for Homes with Hope expires or terminates.
9. Assignment of Work Product. I grant full rights to Homes with Hope in any reports, brochures, website content, photos, images, videos, or other materials or works I may create in the course of volunteer activities, and any intellectual property rights in or derivatives of such materials.
10. Use by Homes with Hope of My Name and Image. I understand that Homes with Hope may take photos or videos of me. I consent to use by Homes with Hope of my image, voice, name, and story, and of images of any works I may create as a volunteer (collectively, “Materials”), in Homes with Hope’s digital and print promotional, fundraising, educational and other communications. Homes with Hope may use the Materials without obtaining my approval or paying me for such use. I grant Homes with Hope all copyrights in, and waive any legal claims relating to, the Materials including, without limitation, those relating to copyright, rights of publicity or privacy, or defamation, or arising from any distortion, blurring or alteration that may occur in the making, editing or use of the Materials.
11. General Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the other provisions will remain effective. This Agreement shall be governed by Connecticut law. I affirm that I am of legal age and able to sign on my own behalf and am freely signing this Agreement. I have read this Agreement and fully understand that by signing this Agreement, I am giving up rights and remedies that may be available to me and others. I affirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the volunteer and am freely signing this document on the volunteer’s behalf. I certify that I have the authority to sign on behalf of the volunteer and to make decisions for the volunteer regarding volunteering. I also waive and release Homes with Hope Parties from any and all liability, claims, costs, and damages of any kind which I may have resulting or arising directly or indirectly from the participant’s volunteering. I have read this Agreement and fully understand this Agreement, and I am giving up rights and remedies that may be available to the volunteer, to me, and to other persons.