The Volunteer Program at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) is an integral part of the programs, services, and community involvement that BARCS sets forth in its mission statement and philosophy. BARCS, the largest companion animal shelter in Maryland, is an open admission shelter that strives to provide quality care and place all animals that come through its doors.

BARCS provides its volunteers with an orientation, training, supervision, staff support, workspace and the materials deemed reasonably necessary to enable its volunteers to perform their voluntarily donated services.

 

Volunteer Principles

BARCS requires all volunteers to:

• Support the philosophy and mission of BARCS;
• Follow all policies and procedures of BARCS and conduct themselves accordingly;
• Read and understand volunteer handouts and standard operating procedures;
  Recognize the risks of working around animals and use preventive actions when appropriate;
• Follow all commitments and expectations of BARCS volunteers;
• Be positive role models in the animal care community;
• Communicate clearly and promptly any problems or concerns on any issue pertaining to volunteering at BARCS  to the Volunteer Manager;
• Respect all animals, employees, customers, and fellow volunteers;
• Complete all required orientation and training specific to volunteer activities at BARCS;
• Commit to volunteer for six months at BARCS and fulfill any volunteering commitments made; 
• Inform BARCS of any change in status as active volunteers, by notifying the
• Volunteer Manager in a timely manner via email  prior to the next scheduled volunteer activity; and
• Be personally responsible for prompt and accurate documentation of volunteer hours, evaluations, and fundraising donations on the appropriate forms.

Volunteer Expectations and Codes of Conduct

Treatment of Animals and Each Other

Volunteers are expected to treat all animals and people at or associated with BARCS with humanity, respect, compassion and in a professional manner. 

Confidentiality 

All volunteers are expected and required to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary, confidential or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as volunteers. This includes, but is not limited to, information that may involve adoptions, owners of animals, surrendered animals, redemptions, euthanasia, contact information for employees, volunteers, and the public, and the overall business of BARCS. In addition to BARCS business, volunteers may be exposed to Animal Control records, cases, pet owners, and/or investigations. This information may not be discussed/shared with anyone except the appropriate BARCS personnel as necessary. 

Conduct 

Volunteers at BARCS are representatives of the organization to the general public, and must adhere to the BARCS standards of attire, language, positive humane image and behavior expected of anyone associated with BARCS. Disparaging remarks or disrespect of BARCS, partner organizations, the animals, fellow volunteers, staff, and customers is neither acceptable nor tolerated.  Such behavior should be reported immediately to the Volunteer Manager or a member of the BARCS management team. 

Fundraising for BARCS 

Volunteer involvement with raising funds or growing our program and services is greatly encouraged by BARCS. However, the Executive Director or the Development Director must give prior written approval for any direct or indirect solicitation on behalf of BARCS. 

Volunteer Attire 

Volunteers must be in appropriate attire for BARCS’ activities both onsite and at events. While volunteering in the shelter, volunteers must wear flat, non-skid, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and an identifying name badge. Community event volunteers must wear shoes as noted above, a BARCS shirt and a name badge identifying them as an active BARCS volunteer at events. No obscene or controversial logos, slogans, etc are permitted on a volunteer’s clothing or person while volunteering at BARCS. 

Media Procedures 

All media contacts on behalf of BARCS will be handled by the Executive Director, Director of Communications, or her designee. Media refers to any print, broadcast, electronic or televised format.   If a BARCS volunteer is contacted by a media representative regarding BARCS or their volunteer work with BARCS, the volunteer must respectfully decline comment at that time and refer them to the Executive Director or the Director of Communications for approval. The Executive Director may, in her sole discretion, permit volunteers to speak with the media on a case-by-case basis. Volunteers may not reach out to media on behalf of BARCS. BARCS welcomes positive potential contacts, resources, or storylines you may have. Please direct them to the Volunteer Manager or Director of Communications. 

Harassment 

BARCS forbids harassment in any manner of its volunteers, staff, or other individuals that a volunteer may come into contact with as part of their assigned task or event. Harassment is deemed to have occurred when the conduct interferes with the volunteer’s performance at the assigned task or event or creates a hostile environment for the volunteer. 

Any volunteer who may experience such harassment should promptly notify the Volunteer Manager or the Director of Operations, so appropriate action can be taken. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

Abuse of drugs, the use of illegal drugs or alcohol is not tolerated in the BARCS workplace environment at any time and should be reported to the Volunteer Manager, or another manager in their absence, immediately for appropriate action.

Health and Medical Coverage

All volunteers, regardless of age, should be in general good health. Each volunteer should notify the Volunteer Manager if there are any changes in health status or physical limitations that would require accommodations to carry out scheduled volunteer duties. Workers’ compensation does not cover any injuries sustained by volunteers. Therefore, all volunteers are required to have their own current health insurance coverage that will cover the cost of any injury sustained while volunteering at BARCS or on BARCS’ behalf. BARCS will not be liable for any coverage. If changes in health insurance coverage occur, volunteers must notify the Volunteer Manager immediately.

Emergency Contact

Volunteers must provide a current completed Emergency Contact Form to BARCS and are required to keep the information updated.

Business Documents 

Any documents produced or received by volunteers during the course of his or her participation are the proprietary property of BARCS and therefore are not to be copied or transmitted to any other parties by any method, including but not limited to e-mail transmission or physical removal without the prior written consent of the Executive Director. 

Email and Internet Access

Any e-mail or Internet access provided by BARCS to volunteers is solely for business purposes.  BARCS reserves the right to access and review any and all volunteer e-mail and Internet activity stemming from sources it provides. There is no expectation of privacy for the individual in regards to any email or Internet activity that is derived from sources provided by BARCS. In addition, BARCS in its discretion may disclose the contents of Internet activity when it determines that there is an appropriate reason to do so. All records of Internet activity are also subject to backup or another form of electronic storage or reproduction. 

Volunteers are not permitted to access the email or Internet activity of any employee or other volunteer without prior written approval of that employee or volunteer.

If at any time volunteers receive any email that is perceived to be inappropriate, for any reason, and receive it in conjunction with association to BARCS, the email and other details about the communication must be forwarded immediately to the Volunteer Manager and/or the Director of Operations.

Volunteer Meetings 

All volunteers are required to attend volunteer open house at the start of their time at BARCS in order to have an understanding of the organization's mission, values, programs and services. Volunteers are also required to attend training sessions for their selected specific areas of volunteer activities. Throughout the year, volunteer meetings are held to facilitate the exchange of ideas, review program procedures, and/or for further education.  

Suggestions and Solutions

Volunteers may notice ways to improve the quality or efficiency of volunteer service and/or shelter operations. The volunteers are asked to share these ideas with the Volunteer Manager. After considering suggestions and solutions, the Volunteer Manager will determine, with Management, if suggestions will be implemented and, if so, what action will be taken. 

Recruitment of Other Volunteers 

Volunteers are asked to share their positive experiences and opportunities with others in an effort to recruit additional volunteers. 

Volunteers under 18 Years of Age

Volunteers that are 18 years of age or older may volunteer at the shelter independently. Minors over the age of 16 may volunteer at BARCS in limited and specific activities in the shelter. 

Minors ages 13-15 may volunteer at BARCS in limited and specific activities in the shelter and may be required to have a parent or legal guardian with them at all times as designated by the Volunteer Manager.  If designated by the Volunteer Manager, the minor and the parent/legal guardian must conduct all volunteer activities together including volunteer orientation, trainings, and all volunteer tasks. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the minor while at the shelter. The Volunteer Manager shall have sole discretion as to determining which BARCS volunteer activities are appropriate for the minor and parent/legal guardian to undertake.

Minors under age 13 are not permitted to volunteer in the shelter, but may still support BARCS through at-home projects such as passing out literature about BARCS, food and linen drives, etc. 

Community Service

BARCS has several opportunities for those seeking community service hours. The Volunteer Manager must be notified prior to beginning service hours in order for them to be properly tracked and approved. All service hour requirements must be in writing and agreed upon by the community member and the Volunteer Manager prior to beginning. 

Personal Information

Due to our concern for the safety of our volunteers, BARCS will not release a volunteer's phone number, address, age, or other personal information to anyone outside of our organization or to other any volunteer without that volunteer's prior written permission to do so. 

Conflict Resolution 

BARCS has an open door policy for bringing volunteer concerns to the attention of management. Although we believe that positive, clear communication to and among all volunteers will help prevent most concerns from arising, when questions or concerns arise volunteers are asked to discuss the issues immediately with the Volunteer Manager. An open discussion is usually the easiest and most effective way to deal with the problem. If further assistance is needed, volunteers should bring the concern to another member of the management team.

Corrective Action Process 

Violations of this Volunteer Policy shall be cause for termination.  BARCS reserves the right to suspend or terminate a volunteer’s relationship with the organization at any time, with or without cause. The Volunteer Manager and/or Director of Operations may provide verbal counseling and/or a written warning prior to termination, but are not required to do so.

BARCS Volunteer Liability Waiver and Release

I hereby agree to accept a position as a volunteer for Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS). I fully understand and acknowledge that my services are to be performed subject to all the rules and regulations of BARCS, that violations thereof may, in the sole discretion of BARCS, be cause for immediate dismissal, and that all services that I provide are strictly voluntary, without pay or compensation of any sort and without liability of any nature on behalf of BARCS. I further acknowledge that all services are performed at my own risk. 

I recognize and acknowledge that working with animals entails inherent risks of injury to me and/or damage to my property. I understand it is my responsibility to report all injuries or damage to the Volunteer Manager or another Manager. I hereby waive any and all claims which I might otherwise have against the above organization. If I am unresponsive, I give staff members permission to call appropriate authorities as well as the people I have listed as my contacts.

I agree to abide by all provisions of the BARCS Volunteer Policy, a copy of which has been provided to me. I certify that I have read and understand this Policy.

I understand all of the safety procedures, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I will adhere to all safety protocols. I will hold no one else accountable for my safety while volunteering at BARCS. 

I understand that all animals are unpredictable in their behavior and that there is a risk of injury to myself or my property when performing any activity with or near animals. I also understand that there is a risk of contracting and spreading disease to other animals and to people, including those outside of the shelter. I am aware of the procedures and policies to prevent contamination and injury.

I further understand that BARCS reserves the right to terminate my volunteer status as a result of any of the following:

• Failure to comply with organizational policies, rules, and other regulations;
  Absences without prior notification;
• Unsatisfactory attitude, communication, work, or appearance; and
• Any other circumstances which, in the sole discretion of the BARCS administration, would make my continued service as a volunteer contrary to the best interest of BARCS.