Are you looking for an agreement to protect your company’s and volunteer’s rights? Here’s the right place for you. It is fundamental to create a volunteer agreement for a long-term and trustworthy relationship between the two parties.
The volunteer agreement is created to set clear expectations between the volunteer who is working voluntarily for a cause or purpose and the organization that assigns the work.
It sets not only a reference point for the volunteers but also a reminder to the organisation which should meet their standards.
What Is a Volunteer Agreement?
When the company provides a volunteer to a said person, the volunteer shall first accept the role and perform all the duties without any expectation of remuneration or payment except a reasonable reimbursement of expenses incurred if any.
This legal document describes such terms and conditions and is duly signed by both the parties in acknowledgment. Moreover, it shall clearly be stated that neither organization nor the volunteer intends to create any contractual relationship or employment.
In case the circumstances change, and the volunteer shall undertake an employment position and be paid for it or involved in vocational training in the same organization with a separate formal employment agreement.
Who Needs a Volunteer Agreement?
An organization, NGO, or research committee is looking for volunteers to help them carry out their cause or purpose. The volunteer agreement is a way to predetermine the expectations of the volunteer from the organization and what the organization shall hope from the volunteers.
With this agreement, the volunteer is able to maintain his or her commitment until the said duration. It reminds the organization if a volunteer could meet the predetermined standards of the good work.
However, the agreement may vary in terms and conditions but generally bear the same information like attendance, training, confidentiality, safety, and policies. So, let’s look into what the parties shall add to form a well structured volunteer agreement.
What Should Be Included in a Volunteer Agreement?
Here are some elements which should be included in the volunteer's agreement:
Duties
The organizations shall precisely describe the duties of the volunteering position. However, the volunteer shall acquaint themselves with the organization's policies and procedures. They shall work as per the required structure of the organization.
Reimbursement
In case the volunteer incurs any valid out-of-pocket expenses during his duties, it shall be reimbursed. However, the volunteer shall provide a valid receipt to the program coordinator for processing.
Hours of Work
The program coordinator prepares a program schedule to predetermine the normal hours of work weekly or monthly. In case the volunteer is unable to abide by the described hours, he shall be provided with one week’s notice by the program coordinator.
Insurance
It is the organization’s responsibility to take care of the volunteers’ safety while they are on duty. So, the organization provides Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance cover for the duration of their volunteer duties.
Code of Behavior
The volunteers shall sign the agreement in acknowledgment to abide by the ‘code of behavior’ as guided by the organization in the agreement.
Dispute
The volunteer also needs to agree upon the staff/volunteer dispute and grievance policy outlined by the organization in the document. What action shall be taken in case of dispute shall be described in this policy.
Confidentiality
The volunteer agrees to be bound by the clauses in the confidentiality agreement so that he doesn’t disclose any critical information of the organization mentioned in the agreement or discussed in the meetings.
Supervision and Training
If there are any supervision or training sessions for the volunteer, the clause regarding their compulsion shall be mentioned. However, it shall be mentioned in the agreement that volunteers shall report an issue to the program coordinator or manager at any time.
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Conclusion
A well formed volunteer agreement should maintain the aim and object of the organization and protect the right of volunteers.
Before stepping into the process of signing the agreement, the volunteer needs to do a research in depth of the organization. On the other hand, the organization should interview the volunteer before hiring in order to avoid any future fraud or misunderstanding.
If you are looking for an available and reliable volunteer agreement, please check our templates created by our expert team at CocoSign.
DOCUMENT PREVIEW
Volunteer Agreement
This Volunteer Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between ______________________________, a _________________________ (the “Association” or “MLS”) and __________________, individually (the “Volunteer”).
RECITALS
A. The Association has appointed the Volunteer to serve as set forth in this Agreement, and Volunteer has agreed to accept the appointment.
B. In connection with the appointment and service by Volunteer, Volunteer may be engaged in the development of certain projects that involve the creation of intellectual property rights that will belong to the Association.
C. In consideration for the appointment, Volunteer agrees to enter into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In exchange for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, Volunteer and Association agree as follows:
1. Appointment. Association hereby appoints Volunteer to serve in the capacity of
__________________ (the “Appointment”), until either Association or Volunteer terminates such appointment. Volunteer agrees and acknowledges that Volunteer serves strictly at the pleasure of the Association, and the Appointment may be terminated at any time and for any
reason.
2. Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights. Volunteer acknowledges that during
the course of the Appointment, Volunteer may be engaged in activities sponsored by the Association, or otherwise, whereby original works of authorship, or other intellectual property may be created, and that Association desires to retain all intellectual property rights in all projects in which Volunteer in engaged. Without the agreement of Volunteer under this Agreement, Association would not make the Appointment. Therefore, in consideration for the Appointment, Volunteer hereby irrevocably assigns and transfers to Association any and all copyright rights, and other intellectual property rights, and all actions and causes of actions related to the foregoing, and all damages, profits, and other recoveries related thereto, which may be created, had, developed, acquired or contributed during the course of the Appointment. Volunteer agrees and acknowledges that Association will own all intellectual property rights associated with all works created during the course of the Appointment, and Volunteer shall not challenge or take any action inconsistent with such rights.
3. Relationship of the Parties. Volunteer acknowledges that he/she is a Volunteer of
Association and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create a partnership, or joint venture, between Association and Volunteer. Volunteer will not make any claim, demand, or
application to or for any right or privilege applicable to an officer or employee of Association, including, but not limited to, workers' compensation coverage, unemployment insurance benefits, social security coverage, health insurance, disability insurance, or retirement benefits. In addition, Volunteer will comply with all applicable tax obligations. Volunteer shall be responsible for the purchase of his/her own equipment, materials, tools, transportation and other expenses or costs under this Agreement, and Association shall have no obligation to reimburse Volunteer for any expenses or costs incurred by Volunteer in the performance of Volunteer’s duties under this Agreement.
4. Work Only by Volunteer. Volunteer agrees and acknowledges that this
Agreement is being entered into with Volunteer because of the unique qualifications and attributes of Volunteer. Accordingly, this Agreement is personal to Volunteer and Volunteer may not assign any of his/her rights or delegate any of his/her duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Association, which consent may be withheld for any reason in Association’s sole discretion. Any attempt to assign, transfer, or delegate any of Volunteer’s rights, duties, or obligations under this Agreement or enter into any sub-agreement without such consent shall be void. This Agreement shall be binding upon all permitted successors and assigns.
5. [Add additional terms and conditions]
6. Attorney’s Fees. If any action is brought by either party to this Agreement
against the other party regarding the subject matter of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, in addition to any other relief granted, reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expenses of litigation.
7. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of __________. Volunteer acknowledges that by entering into this Agreement and accepting the Appointment, Volunteer has transacted business in the state of ________. By transacting business in the state of ___________ by agreement, Volunteer voluntarily submits and consents to, and waives any defense to the jurisdiction of courts located in ___________ County, state of __________, as to all matters relating to or arising from this Agreement.
8. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole and exclusive
benefit of Association and MLS and is not intended to benefit any third party. No third party may claim any right or benefit under or seek to enforce any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
Volunteer and Association concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes any contemporaneous or prior proposal, representation, agreement, or understanding between the parties. This Agreement may not be amended except in writing signed by Association and Volunteer.
