Welcome to Oregon's world famous Whale Watching Program!

The Upcoming Winter Whale Watch Week is:

Tueday, March 28th through Sunday, April 2nd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM each day at 16 different locations along the Oregon coast.

Training:

This spring we plan to offer an in-person training opportunity in cooperation with OSU's Marine Mammal Institute. This opportunity will be announced through email correspondence when the details have been finalized.Please ensure you are signed up on our mailing list by contacting Whale.Watching@oprd.oregon.gov to gain access to this information when it becomes available.

If you have concerns about being able to attend or would like to review previous training materials and videos, please view our video resource page here: https://orwhalewatch.org/volunteer-video-resources-2/.

Returning volunteers are encouraged, but not required to attend a training session.

This Form:

This next pages will allow you to register to volunteer at the Spring 2023 Whale Watch event!

Each person volunteering will need to compete this form individually.

This process should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Sincerely,

The Oregon Whale Watch Team

Each year, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, along with our partners, coordinate several training sessions focused on Gray Whales and how to successfully participate in the Oregon Whale Watch Weeks.

Attendance at a training session is required for new volunteers and encouraged for returning volunteers every 2 to 3 years. After attending a training, you are required to volunteer for at least 2 days during the upcoming whale watching season.

Each training is a full day of learning from local scientists, marine environment experts and Oregon State Park Rangers.

All State of Oregon Volunteers, which includes Oregon Whale Watch Volunteers, are required to complete a Volunteer Service Agreement.

As a volunteer with a State of Oregon agency, you need to understand the scope of your volunteer duties, your responsibilities, the expectations of service, and the extent to which you are covered by State of Oregon insurance for liability and personal injury/illness. Please read the following sections carefully and sign this form.

This Volunteer Service Agreement is valid for one year from the date it is signed.

Assigned Volunteer Tasks

Volunteer duties are specified in the volunteer assignment description below. Volunteers will perform agreed-upon volunteer assignment to the best of a volunteer’s mental and physical capability. Volunteers will speak to their supervisor in advance if there are any limitations and/or concerns about carrying out the tasks as described.

OPRD's Welcoming Statement

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is proud to care for Oregon’s varied landscapes and rich cultural history. The department serves the state of Oregon through the properties and programs it oversees, and recognizes that Oregon’s resilience and beauty are strengthened by its diverse population. Oregon State Parks are public spaces, and as such are welcome to all. Accordingly, OPRD is committed to valuing and serving everyone and actively working to provide safe and equitable access to state parks and agency programs. To this end, the department will not tolerate racism, harassment, discrimination, or intimidation in any form.

Tort Liability

You will be protected from civil liability for injuries or damage to the person or property of others, subject to the following general conditions:

1. You are working on a state agency task assigned by an authorized agency supervisor;
2. You limit your actions to the duties assigned; and
3. You perform your assigned tasks in good faith, and do not act in a manner that is reckless or with the intent to unlawfully inflict harm to others.

The conditions and limits of this protection are as stated in the Oregon Tort Claims Act, ORS 30.260-300, and Oregon Department of Administrative Services Risk Management Division Policy Manual, 125-7-202.

Vehicle Use

OPRD volunteers may be required to drive a state vehicle, personal vehicle, or utility vehicle as part of their volunteer service. Volunteers must receive permission from their volunteer supervisor in advance to drive a vehicle. During volunteer service:

• Vehicles are to be used exclusively for trips directly related to volunteer assignment tasks and not for personal purposes.
• Volunteers are required to comply with and operate vehicles in accordance of Oregon traffic laws.
• Vehicle passengers may only be other state employees, or other volunteers when it’s related to service being actively performed. Children under the age of 18, even when volunteering, are not permitted to ride in state vehicles; see an OPRD manager regarding exceptions.
• Alcohol, illegal drugs, contraband, and firearms are prohibited from being transported in a state vehicle. Smoking in vehicles is also prohibited.
• Volunteers whose manager has given them explicit permission to drive a personal vehicle as part of volunteer service, are required to complete the Private Vehicle Authorization form and receive advanced permission to request travel reimbursement.
• If you use a personally owned vehicle in the course of your duties, you are required to have automobile liability insurance to provide your primary coverage for any accidents involving that vehicle. State provided auto liability coverage will apply on a limited basis only after your primary coverage limits have been used.

Driving accidents and violations that take place outside of volunteer service may affect a volunteer’s driving record, and impact their ability to drive vehicles as an authorized driver. If a volunteer is involved in an accident, received a moving violation, or has their driving license revoked or it expires, it is their responsibility to immediately inform them volunteer supervisor.

Code of Conduct and Service Expectations

Volunteers with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department agree to uphold the following terms, as relevant to the volunteer assignment.

OPRD’s standards of ethical conduct include, but are not limited to:

1. Obey all laws of the United States, state and local jurisdiction in which you are volunteering.
2. Provide factual and correct information during the recruitment, selection and on-boarding process; volunteers will not misrepresent or omit information on volunteer application, agreement, criminal history or any other paperwork related to volunteer service.
3. Engage in OPRD permitted, non-partisan volunteer service; partisan activity to promote a particular candidate or one side of a political issue while on duty or representing OPRD is prohibited.
4. Sell and distribute only approved OPRD merchandise in designated park stores and sites, and/or as instructed by OPRD staff.
5. Maintain ethical boundaries in relationships and while engaging with the public. Volunteers may not use their relationship or volunteer position with OPRD to solicit and receive special benefits, financial gain, loans, gifts of money or property, or use of products such as day-use passes, firewood, park recycling deposits etc. for themselves, family or friends. Such benefits include gifts from sources that might reasonably be expected to have a legislative or administrative interest in OPRD, or in any promise of future employment.

OPRD’s volunteer service standards, including to:

1. Maintain a safe, harassment and violence-free (physical, sexual, or verbal) environment at all times. Use only words and gestures that respect the dignity and rights of all people; use of profanity, racial or ethnic slurs, physical force, threats, intimidation or any form of discrimination towards the public, other volunteers, employees, contractors, vendors or the family members of any of these individuals is strictly prohibited.
2. Abstain from use of alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances while engaged in volunteer service. Abstain from volunteering while under the influence of any medication or substance that impairs judgment or physical ability. When using tobacco products during off-service hours, use is confined to designated areas in parks.
3. Abstain from carrying personal weapons, including antique weapons, in the workplace and/or while engaged in volunteer service.
4. Not create publications, media, social media accounts, or make official public statements on behalf of OPRD; not to use the OPRD shield or brand without explicit permission from an OPRD manager.
5. Dress according to official volunteer uniform standards and only wearing the uniform while actively volunteering. Maintain the uniform and keep it in good condition. At the end of volunteer service, all uniform items will be returned to park staff.
6. Use state property in the performance of their volunteer assignment with permission and instruction from OPRD staff. Volunteers are not permitted to use state property for personal use, unless explicitly given advanced permission by management.
7. Abstain from park enforcement activities. Volunteers are neither expected nor empowered to enforce OPRD park rules. Volunteers may advise, or educate the public on park rules, but may not engage in rule compliance. Prohibited enforcement activities include, but are not limited to: issuing compliance requests verbally or in writing and issuing violation notices.
8. Report all safety incidents, public safety violations, and emergencies to an OPRD staff member, and/or emergency services when necessary. Volunteers are not required to provide first aid or additional medical support in a safety or medical incident.
9. Engage in welcoming interactions with the public, staff, and other volunteers:
   1. Volunteers must be respectful, courteous, considerate and professional towards the public, other volunteers, employees, contractors and vendors at all times.
   2. Respect the cultural, religious and political views of others and refrain from personally imposing your cultural, religious and political views on others.
   3. Offering medical, legal, or financial advice is prohibited.
10. Adhere to strict confidentiality when given access to sensitive information. Volunteers with access to confidential information, including that of other volunteers, employees, contractors, and visitors, agree to maintain strict confidentiality regarding confidential information for which they are responsible for and for the security of the confidential information to which they are granted access.

Revocation of Eligibility to Volunteer

Your service as a volunteer is at-will and by mutual agreement. A volunteer may resign from service at any time. OPRD reserves the right to end a volunteer agreement if a volunteer violates any of the terms from the Volunteer Service Agreement or if it is no longer mutually beneficial to continue the volunteer service of an individual, group, or volunteer assignment.

Photography, Video and Audio Model Release (optional)

I grant OPRD and its legal representatives and assigns the irrevocable and unrestricted right to take, use, reuse, publish, and republish photos, video and audio of me, or in which I may be included, for restricted use in OPRD’s marketing materials, including in print, online and any other medium; and to alter and composite the same without restriction and without my inspection or approval. I understand that once an image is posted to an OPRD website or other media outlet, the image can be downloaded by any computer user. I hereby release OPRD and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs. I acknowledge that participation is voluntary, and financial compensation will not be provided. I also acknowledge that the photographs, video and audio clips are the property of OPRD, and the photographer will not sell, distribute, or release said photographs, video or audio.

Volunteer Injury Coverage (VIC)

The agency has elected to have VIC for authorized volunteers. It is limited to only injuries due to an accident while performing volunteer duties. The state will pay medical treatment bills, disability, death and dismemberment benefits to the limits and under the terms and conditions described in Oregon Department of Administrative Services Risk Management Division Policy Manual, Volunteer Injury Coverages, 125-7-204. If you are injured in a private vehicle, the owner’s insurance is responsible for your medical bills.

Any time you are involved in any accident or exposed to a potential liability situation while performing assigned duties, you must inform you volunteer coordinator or park manager as soon as possible

Partial Waiver and Release of Rights — Volunteer Insurance Coverage (VIC)

AUTHORIZED STATE VOLUNTEER PARTIAL WAIVER AND RELEASE OF RIGHTS UNDER THE OREGON TORT CLAIMS ACT ORS 30.260-300

As an authorized state volunteer performing activities on behalf of the State of Oregon and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, I understand that the state will pay medical treatment bills, disability, death and dismemberment benefits to the limits and under the terms and conditions described in Oregon Department of Administrative Services Risk Management Division Policy Manual, Volunteer Injury Coverages, 125-7-204. In exchange for the coverage, I, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, release and forever discharge the State of Oregon from any and all demands or claims for damage or injury, from any cause of suit or action, known or unknown, that I may have against the State of Oregon, and/or its officers, agents or employees, and from all liability under the Oregon Tort Claims Act, ORS 30.260-300, for any and all harm or damage to my health in any manner resulting from or arising out of my state volunteer activities.

This release does not extend to or waive any rights I may have under the Oregon Tort Claims Act, ORS 30.260-300, to defense and indemnification from any demand, claim, suit or action brought against me, or liability I may be subject to, or arising out of my authorized state volunteer activities.

In the event that I am injured while performing state volunteer activities, I will notify my agency supervisor and apply for injury coverage benefits.

Emergency Contact Information

List an emergency contact.

Parent or Guardian Authorization for Medical Care and Consent to this Volunteer Service Agreement

Please read carefully.

I, {parentGuardianName} (parent/guardian), hereby grant permission for {firstName} {lastName} (volunteer) to do volunteer work for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. In the event of an emergency, accident, or illness, I authorize the agency and its employees to administer emergency medical care to my child and/or, if deemed necessary, to secure emergency medical services and incur expenses for which I will be responsible for payment. My signature on this form hereby represents that I have read, understand, and consent to this agreement.

Acknowledgment and Signature

To sign, use your computer cursor if you're using a desktop computer, or your finger if you're signing with a touch screen device (like a smartphone or tablet).