PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL / PALYUL RETREAT CENTER
LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS &
COVID-19 SAFETY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Please read this document carefully and in full. By signing below, you agree to be legally bound by this waiver and release of liability.
I, the undersigned, know that participation in Palyul Ling International (“PLI”) retreats is potentially hazardous to my health. In choosing to participate in activities at the Palyul Ling International and its Retreat Center (“PRC”), I fully accept and assume all risks whether before, during or upon completion of programs. These include without limitation, risk of physical injury, emotional distress, trauma, death, loss, accident, and injury due to physical and mental exercises; contact with other participants, contact with animals or insects, contact with construction materials, contact with vehicles, contact with tents or buildings and appliances, contact with kitchen or electrical equipment; the natural environment including sticks and forests and uneven rocky terrain; and the effects of weather including wind and lightning, falling trees or branches, and extreme temperature or conditions. I hereby acknowledge that I understand that PRC is under construction and is located in an extremely rustic and primitive natural setting where these and many other risks exist. All risks are known and appreciated by me. I waive any and all specific notice of the existence of the risks.
I hereby acknowledge that I understand that the PLI programs and activities may be physically and emotionally stressful and I am participating in them voluntarily and that it is my sole responsibility to refrain from participating in any activities, which may be stressful or harmful to my physical or emotional health or well-being. Knowing these facts and in consideration of my admission and participation in PLI programs, I release, waive, discharge, covenant not to use, and agree to hold harmless the PLI, its Retreat Center, its officials, support people, employees and representatives from any claims, demands and actions of any kind whatever I have, may have or bring, or which may hereafter accrue against the released parties directly or indirectly arising out of or relating in any respect to participation in Palyul Ling International and its Retreat Center programs and activities.
I hereby acknowledge that I agree to abide by the rules outlined in the Retreat Manual, available on request from the office or on the retreat website (https://retreat.palyul.org). I understand that I may be expelled from the retreat for certain violations of retreat policy and only refunded as per most current refund policy.
My waiver and release of all such claims, demands, and actions for which the released parties might otherwise be liable shall include without limitation, any injury, damage or loss to my person or property which may be (a) caused by any act, or failure to act, by the above identified persons and entities, or (b) sustained before, during or after my participation in PLI and its Retreat Center programs and activities.
COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION:
While participating in events held by PLI, and consistent with CDC guidelines, participants in the Palyul Summer Retreat (“Retreat”) are encouraged to practice hand hygiene, “social distancing” and wear face coverings to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, PLI has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This includes encouraging all participants to have been fully vaccinated within five months of the start of the program. Despite this, PLI cannot guarantee that its participants, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19. In light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19, individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not engage in PLI events and/or other face to face events. By attending a PLI event, you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories:
1. Individuals who currently or within the past fourteen (14) days have experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath among others;
2. Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.
DUTY TO SELF-MONITOR:
Participants and volunteers agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (symptoms typically include fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and, contact PLI at retreat@palyul.org if he/she experiences symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating or volunteering with PLI.
DUTY TO AGREE TO RETREAT COVID POLICY:
Participants and volunteers agree to follow the published COVID-19 policy on our website at the URL below. I understand that the center may update this policy and will make best-faith efforts to inform me and agree to the policy as it appears published on the web.
https://retreat.palyul.org/?q=covid-policy-2023
LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS:
I acknowledge that I derive personal satisfaction and a benefit by virtue of my participation and/or voluntarism with PLI, and I willingly engage in the PLI Retreat and/or other activities (the “Activity”).
RELEASE AND WAIVER. I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE AGAINST PALYUL LING INTERNATIONAL, ITS RETREAT CENTER AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, INCLUDING IN EACH CASE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS (THE “RELEASED PARTIES”), EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH I, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF, WHICH ARISE OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE FROM MY PARTICIPATION WITH THE RETREAT.
ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK. I acknowledge and understand the following:
1. Participation includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist;
2. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, even if arising from the negligence or fault of the Released Parties; and
3. I hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with the Retreat, including any injury, harm and loss caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of the Released Parties.
MEDICAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RELEASE. I acknowledge the health risks associated with the Retreat, including but not limited to transient dizziness, lightheaded, fainting, nausea, muscle cramping, musculoskeletal injury, joint pains, sprains and strains, heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. I agree that if I experience any of these or any other symptoms during the Retreat, I will discontinue my participation immediately and seek appropriate medical attention. I understand that the retreat center is not staffed to provide ambulance services or medical services of any kind and that I must prepare to care for these myself should the need arise.
I DO HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIM WHATSOEVER WHICH ARISES OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY FIRST AID, TREATMENT, OR SERVICE RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE RETREAT.
As a retreatant, participant, volunteer, or attendee, You recognize that your participation, involvement and/or attendance at any Palyul Ling International event or Retreat is voluntary and may result in personal injury (including death) and/or property damage. By attending, observing or participating in the Retreat, You acknowledge and assume all risks and dangers associated with your participation and/or attendance at the Retreat, and You agree that: (a) Palyul Ling International and (b) all past, present and future affiliates, successors, assigns, employees, volunteers, vendors, partners, directors, and officers, of such entities (subsections (a) through (b), collectively, the "Released Parties"), will not be responsible for any personal injury (including death), property damage, or other loss suffered as a result of your participation in, attendance at, and/or observation of the Retreat, regardless if any such injuries or losses are caused by the negligence of any of the Released Parties (collectively, the "Released Claims").
BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE RETREAT, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
USE OF LIKENESS
I acknowledge that my likeness may appear in a photograph or videotape which may be created during retreat that may appear in a webcast such as Zoom, Faceook Live, or YouTube or other social media.
I hereby grant PLI permission to use my likeness in such photographs or videotapes in any and all of its publications, including social media, livestream, online video or website entries, without payment or any other consideration. I hereby irrevocably authorize PLI to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute photos or videos that include a likeness of me for purposes of publicizing PLI’s programs or for any other lawful purpose without identifying me. I waive any right to inspection or to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of any photograph or video that I may appear in.
I have read this agreement, waiver and release and agree to and accept the terms.