Thank you for your interest in joining our Practicum Volunteer Team.
Thank you for your interest in joining Bissell Centre for your practicum.
As a volunteer, your gift of your time and efforts are very much appreciated.
Together, we can make a difference in our community!
As a Volunteer with Bissell Centre, I agree to the following:
- Be guided by Bissell Centre’s mission
- Accept duties which I am capable of handling and perform them to the best of my ability
- Adhere to Bissell Centre’s guidelines and procedures regarding the recording of volunteer hours
- Follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Volunteer Handbook
- Follow department policy and procedures for the programs volunteering in
- Meet time and duty requirements and inform my supervisor if I am unable to meet my volunteer commitment
- Work as a team member with staff and my fellow volunteers
- Communicate any specific issues or concerns to my supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator
- I will not claim to represent, nor will I speak on behalf of Bissell Centre to any media including on my private social media account(s) or other public forums.
Confidentiality
I understand that as a volunteer at Bissell Centre that I may be privy to confidential information, recorded and unrecorded, pertaining to the internal affairs and activities of Bissell Centre. As inappropriate distribution of such information may adversely affect the welfare of the agency and clients of the agency, I agree that:
- I will protect the confidentiality and ethics of all professionally acquired information.
- I will disclose such information only when properly authorized or obligated legally or professionally to do so.
Photo Release
I grant Bissell Centre, its representatives, employees, corporate partners, donors, and designated agents, permission to use my first name, content from interviews, take photographs of me, my child, and of my property for the purpose of promoting Bissell Centre and/or its corporate partners, donors, or designated agents.
I authorize the above to use, copyright, publish and otherwise distribute for publication, these photographs in print and/or electronic form for the public to view. I understand that the photos may be used in a newsletter, report, bulletin, poster, website, social media, or used in other similar ways.
I understand that there will be no financial or other remuneration for recording me, my child, and/or my property, either for initial or subsequent transmission or playback.
Use of Personal Vehicle
As a volunteer, I understand that Bissell Centre does not insure personal vehicles belonging to volunteers and the use of my vehicle is at my own risk. I agree that I am solely responsible for my own personal property and vehicle. I understand that any parking tickets or fines accrued while volunteering with Bissell Centre will not be the responsibility of Bissell Centre.
Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement
I, the Volunteer, on behalf of myself, my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, representatives and assigns, hereby forever waive all claims and release, discharge and hold harmless the Bissell Centre (the “Organizers”), and their representatives and agents including, without limitation, event sponsors, event directors, event contractors, event producers, municipal, provincial, federal governing agencies, park governing agencies, and all other entities associated or involved in the organization, programs or staging of events or any other volunteer activities, including, but not limited to, volunteers, third party vendors, all venues in which volunteer activities or segments of volunteer activities are held, and the members, officers, directors, employees, representatives, assigns, affiliates, and agents of any of the above (collectively, the “Releasees”); for any and all losses, costs, causes of action, claims or damages, including any claim for damages for personal injury to my person or personal property damage howsoever caused, arising out of or in connection with my taking part in the Event, or volunteer period, notwithstanding that the same may have been contributed to or occasioned by, without limitation, the negligence, breach of contract or breach of any statutory or other duty of care of the Organizer, or any of the Releasees.
I agree not to sue any of the persons or entities mentioned above for any of the claims or liabilities that I have waived, released or discharged herein; and I indemnify and hold harmless the Organizers and Releasees from and against any and all losses, claims, suits, actions, damages or liabilities (including without limitation, legal fees and disbursement on a solicitor and its own client basis) assessed against them as a result of or in connection with my actions during, and in connection with the Event or volunteer period with programs at Bissell Centre.
Assumption of Risk
I acknowledge that I am aware of the possible risks, dangers and hazards associated with volunteering for Bissell Centre including the possible risk of severe or fatal injury and property loss. I hereby assume these risks which include but are not limited to the possibility of physical injury to myself and others, such as, muscle strain, broken bones, concussion, soft tissue damage, infectious diseases, and cardiac arrest.
I certify that I have not been advised against volunteering by a qualified health professional. I acknowledge that the Organizers, permitting me to volunteer for the Bissell Centre, accept my statements on this release waiver.
Further Acknowledgement
- I acknowledge that as a volunteer, I am not covered under any Workers Compensation plan.
- I agree to carry out my assigned volunteer tasks in a reasonable and safe manner.
- I understand the release of liability and assumption of risk covered in this agreement.
- The personal information collected for volunteering will be collected and shared in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act (FOIP). The collection of personal data includes:
- Determine eligibility for volunteer opportunities or programs
- Facilitation of event registration process
Media Communication Protocol for Volunteers
As ambassadors of Bissell Centre's mission and values, each of us plays a crucial role in maintaining the credibility and reputation of our organization.
You must refrain from responding directly to all media inquiries. Instead, direct all media-related communication to our dedicated media contact:
Email: mediainquiries@bissellcentre.org
Phone: (587) 336-1568.
This protocol is in place to ensure that our responses to media inquiries are consistent, accurate, and aligned with our organizational messaging. By channeling all media communication through our designated contact, we can better manage and coordinate our responses to portray Bissell Centre and our advocacy efforts in the best possible light.
Why is this important?
Credibility and Reputation: Our interactions with the media directly impacts our credibility and brand reputation. We can present a unified and well-crafted message by centralizing communication through our media contact.
Advocacy Efforts: As we continue to advocate for those we serve, it is crucial that our public statements are aligned with our organizational goals. Inconsistencies or missteps in media communication can seriously damage our public image and advocacy efforts.
Social Media and Public-Facing Forums:
It's incredibly important to be cautious about what we share on our social media platforms and other public-facing forums. Remember that your online presence reflects Bissell Centre, and however well-intentioned you mean to be, inappropriate, misinformed or poorly considered posts can have a lasting impact on our organization.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS AGREEMENT AND I AM AWARE THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT OR BY REGISTERING ONLINE I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE, WHICH I, OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNEES, MAY HAVE AGAINST THE ORGANIZERS AND RELEASEES.
