Volunteer Application Form - Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary

Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary Volunteer Agreement and General Release

Thank you for offering your time to volunteer with Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary! The vital work we do in our community and for the many animals in need would not be possible without your help.

Please read through this entire Agreement carefully. By checking the box at the end, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to all its terms.

1. Voluntary Participation and Relationship

I, the Volunteer whose username appears below, agree to serve as a volunteer for Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary ("Beautiful Together"), a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of North Carolina. I understand that my decision to volunteer is entirely voluntary and that I offer my time and services (the "Services") without expectation of any compensation, salary, benefits, or employment rights whatsoever from Beautiful Together. This Agreement does not create an employer-employee relationship, partnership, or agency relationship between me and Beautiful Together.

2. Nature and Scope of Services

As a Volunteer, I will contribute my time and effort to various sanctuary operations, animal care, and outreach programs. I agree to perform the Services as assigned or directed by an authorized director, employee, or another volunteer of Beautiful Together.

In performing the Services, I specifically agree to:

• Read the Volunteer Handbook and complete all required orientation, training, and paperwork relevant to my volunteer position(s).
• Disclose any physical or psychological limitations to appropriate staff before participating in any activity. I understand that Volunteer Activities may involve interaction with various animals (healthy and sick, large and small), and may require physical labor such as lifting, carrying, or moving. I will respect my personal limitations and immediately inform the appropriate representative of Beautiful Together of any restrictions that may affect my ability to safely perform duties.
• Read, understand, and obey all safety rules and regulations established by Beautiful Together. I acknowledge that Beautiful Together has the right to revoke my volunteer privileges for failure to adhere to these rules and regulations, in the interest of the safety of animals, staff, the public, and fellow volunteers.
• Treat all Beautiful Together staff, volunteers, animals, property, tools, and equipment with respect and kindness.
• Promptly return all Beautiful Together property (e.g., keys, equipment, documents, identification) when my volunteer relationship ends, or upon request.
• Provide my Services without compensation. I reiterate that I am not an employee, partner, or agent of Beautiful Together, and I will not be compensated for my time or effort.
• Acknowledge that this volunteer relationship can be terminated at will by either Beautiful Together or myself, at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice to the other party.

3. Responsibility for My Acts and Omissions & Insurance

I agree to be solely legally and financially responsible for my own acts and omissions while performing Services for Beautiful Together. I will indemnify, defend, and hold Beautiful Together harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or relating to my acts or omissions during my volunteer service.

I understand and acknowledge that I am responsible for securing and maintaining my own personal medical insurance, liability insurance, and auto insurance during my volunteer service. I further understand that I am not covered by workers' compensation insurance nor insured by Beautiful Together for any injuries, damages, or liabilities incurred while providing service, including but not limited to driving a vehicle or transporting an animal.

4. Assumption of Risk/Statutory Warning

I understand that volunteering with animals and participating in Beautiful Together's activities involves inherent and significant risks, dangers, and hazards. I voluntarily participate in these activities with full knowledge and appreciation of these risks. I agree to accept all risks of injury, illness, disease, death, or damage to my personal property, regardless of cause.

These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Animal-Related Risks: Being bitten, scratched, kicked, trampled, or otherwise injured by animals; exposure to zoonotic diseases (diseases transmissible from animals to humans); allergic reactions to animals, dander, or feed.
• Physical Activity Risks: Strains, sprains, fractures, falls, or other injuries resulting from physical exertion, lifting, bending, working outdoors in various weather conditions, or navigating uneven terrain.
• Equipment and Property Risks: Injuries from using tools, equipment, or machinery; accidents related to the condition of the sanctuary property or facilities.
• Travel Risks: Accidents or injuries occurring during travel to or from the sanctuary, or while transporting animals or supplies.
• Other Unforeseen Risks: Any other risks not specifically listed herein but which are inherent to volunteering in an animal sanctuary environment.
• WARNING: Under North Carolina law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities, resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to Chapter 99E of the North Carolina General Statutes.

5. Photo, Video, and Audio Release

I grant Beautiful Together, its representatives, and assigns, permission to photograph, videotape, or audio record me during my volunteer service. I further grant Beautiful Together the irrevocable right to use, reproduce, publish, display, distribute, and copyright such photographs, videos, and audio recordings for any lawful purpose, including but not limited to promotional materials, advertising, public relations, educational programs, and social media, without further compensation or notification. I understand that all such materials created in my capacity as a volunteer shall be the sole property of Beautiful Together.

6. General Release and Waiver of Liability

In consideration of being permitted to volunteer with Beautiful Together, I, on behalf of myself and my executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, distributees, guardians, next of kin, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Releasing Parties"), hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND FOREVER HOLD HARMLESS Beautiful Together, its officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, other volunteers, representatives, affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties"), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, present or future, including but not limited to claims for personal injury, illness, property damage, wrongful death, emotional distress, or any other loss or damage, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO MY SERVICES OR PRESENCE ANYWHERE ON OUR 83 ACRE SANCTUARY, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Beautiful Together.

7. Confidentiality

I understand that during my volunteer service, I may have access to confidential or proprietary information belonging to Beautiful Together. This includes, but is not limited to, information on finances, membership lists, donor information, volunteer performance, research and development, the health and condition of sanctuary animals, campaigns, outreach programs, and any information received from others that Beautiful Together has agreed to keep confidential.

I agree to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all such information. I will refrain from disclosing confidential information to any unauthorized third parties and will use such information only as necessary to perform my volunteer duties. This confidentiality obligation shall survive the termination of my volunteer relationship with Beautiful Together.

8. Term of Agreement

I acknowledge that this Agreement applies to my entire volunteer relationship with Beautiful Together. It commences on the date I first perform volunteer duties (even if prior to the date of my signature below) and remains in full force and effect for as long as I am an active volunteer, and for any period thereafter as necessary to protect the interests and rights of Beautiful Together.

Acknowledgment and Electronic Signature

By proceeding to the next page and submitting this form, I affirm that:

• I have carefully read, fully understand, and agree to the entire contents of this Volunteer Agreement and General Release, including but not limited to, the waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnification provisions.
• The date of birth provided below on my volunteer application is true and correct.
• I understand that this is a legally binding document and that I am giving up certain legal rights by signing it.
• I have had the opportunity to ask questions and, if desired, seek legal advice regarding this Agreement.
• If I am at least eighteen (18) years of age, I voluntarily and knowingly accept all terms included in this Volunteer Agreement and General Release and release Beautiful Together from any and all liability described in this Agreement.
• If I am under eighteen (18) years of age, I understand that my parent or guardian must sign a copy of Beautiful Together's Volunteer Agreement and General Release on my behalf before I can start my volunteer service.