Volunteer Agreements. If your organisation is not in a position to be able to pay people for the time they spend coaching for you, a Contract of Employment will not be necessary. However, you may want to consider using a Volunteer Agreement, as this clarifies what commitment both the coach and the organisation can expect from each other. Volunteer Agreements are not intended to be legally binding documents and should simply be used as guidelines for both parties. An example is given on the next page.
Volunteer Agreements. In signing this agreement: • I am willingly volunteering my services on my own free will and out of a desire to be of service to the Majestic Theatre. I understand I am providing services without compensation or benefits of any kind. I understand that by volunteering, I am not an employee of the Majestic Theatre or Lexington Public Schools. • I agree to follow basic health guidelines and use equipment safely according to instructions I receive. • I agree only to perform work that I am comfortable doing and that I feel I can accomplish safely. • I agree to behave in a responsible manner and to treat theatre patrons, management and other volunteers professionally and courteously. • I agree to handle the Majestic Theatre’s cash responsibly and honestly. • I agree not to admit anyone into the film without paying. • I agree not to give concession food and drink away. • I agree I will refer all problems to theatre management.
Volunteer Agreements. The original tribunal said that the CAB’s Volunteer Agreement should have stated explicitly that the agreement was not intended to create a legal relationship. The appeals tribunal felt that, on the contrary, the fact that the agreement was not signed, and that its stated intention was “to clarify the reasonable expectations of both the volunteer and the bureau” suggested that it was never intended to be legally binding. The original tribunal had pointed to a minimum commitment of 6 hours per week as a contractual element in the relationship. The appeals tribunal felt that, as the agreement expressed this is “a usual minimum commitment”, it was simply outlining an expectation. Volunteers were not told they had to work those hours, nor was there any sanction against them if they did not. The bureau relied on volunteers and that it was therefore not unreasonable for it to have guidelines. Also, volunteers were not paid for the hours. The reimbursement of expenses was regarded as significant by the original tribunal, but this was dismissed by the appeals tribunal, which felt that it would be surprising if organisations left unpaid volunteers out-of-pocket. The appeals tribunal was, however, prepared to accept that the agreement to reimburse expenses did amount to a contract. At first glance, this is confusing, because a contract normally involves a 2-way relationship. But the appeals tribunal felt there may be a unilateral contract (known as an “if contract”) in the agreement to reimburse expenses and insure volunteers against negligence claims, based on the wording of the Volunteer Agreement; “if you do any work for the bureau and incur expenses in doing so, and/or suffer a claim from a client you advise, the bureau will indemnify you against your expenses and any such claim”. Now this may be a contract of sorts, but it is a contract on this issue only – not an employment contract, as crucially it does not obligate the volunteer to do any work for the bureau. The original tribunal concluded that the “usual minimum commitment” of 6 hours committed volunteers to work, and in return as a consideration (a payment element of a contract) the bureau would provide training , supervision, experience, expenses and insurance cover – all benefits that would be removed if the volunteer didn’t provide the bureau with work. The appeals tribunal considered the original tribunal’s reasoning to be flawed. They felt that the benefits were not linked to a reciprocal relationshi...
Volunteer Agreements. Members of the NSS and CRF are encouraged to sign volunteer agreements with the BLM in accordance with BLM Manual Section 1114. Members may sign either individual or group volunteer agreements for specific projects or long term services rendered.
Volunteer Agreements. In signing this Liability Waiver and Confidentiality Agreement, I agree that I am willingly volunteering to participate in a United Methodist Home for Children, Inc. project or activity. I agree to behave in a responsible manner. I agree to only perform work that I am comfortable doing and that I can accomplish safely.
Volunteer Agreements. These sample volunteer agreements are a starting point to help you draft one that suits your organisation. Feel free to adapt them to suit your needs. The first is more formal and detailed than the second one.
