In consideration of the opportunity to volunteer, I agree to the following terms and conditions, intending to be legally bound by them:

 

1. I will abide by the mission, rules, regulations, policies and programs of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. while I am a volunteer.
2. I will become familiar with all the materials prepared and/or assembled by Tender Loving Cats, Inc. to assist me in performing my job and in answering questions from the public. I will also stay informed about upcoming Tender Loving Cats events.
3. If I stop being a volunteer for Tender Loving Cats Inc., for any reason or upon Tender Loving Cats Inc. request at any time, I will promptly return all supplies, equipment, records, moneys and other items belonging to Tender Loving Cats, Inc. in good, clean condition.
4. I assume the risks of being bitten, scratched, injured or frightened by cats and kittens in connection with my volunteer work with Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Tender Loving Cats, Inc. is not liable to me for any injuries, liabilities, losses, judgements, costs or expenses whatsoever, which I might suffer or sustain in connection with the performance of my volunteer activities for Tender Loving Cats, Inc., unless they are a result of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. gross negligence or intentional misconduct. I will indemnify, defend and hold Tender Loving Cats, Inc. harmless from and against any claims, lawsuits, injuries, damages, losses, costs or expenses whatsoever, sustained by any companion animal or any person in connection with my intentional misconduct or grossly negligent performance of volunteer activities for Tender Loving Cats, Inc., or my breach of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. rules, regulations, policies and programs.
5. I understand and agree that Tender Loving Cats Inc. may refuse volunteer applications for any reason.
6. I will be sheltering or providing foster care or boarding of any of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. animals in my home or business, I consent to Tender Loving Cats, Inc. volunteers visiting my home or business from time to time to observe the animals and their living conditions.
7. I have accurately and truthfully completed this Volunteer Agreement.
8. Any modification to this agreement must be in writing signed by both parties. This agreement is binding upon Tender Loving Cats Inc., myself, and Tender Loving Cats’ and my respective heirs, successors, assigns, executors, and personal representatives.

PURPOSE

Tender Loving Cats, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which exists for the benefit of homeless cats, in particular on Long Island, according to the mission statement and By-Laws of Tender Loving Cats, Inc.

ACTIVITIES

The purpose of the activities of Tender Loving Cats include, but are not limited to, placement of cats in suitable homes, education of the public about the need to spay and neuter, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts.

OPERATION

Tender Loving Cats, Inc is an all-volunteer organization. Every person’s contribution is important and vital to the success and continuation of the organization.

INTERITY

Tender Loving Cats, Inc. endeavors to operate with the utmost integrity, in the way it presents itself to the public, in its truthfulness and its endeavors. Tender Loving Cats, Inc. shall be intolerant of bias, favoritism, abuse, harassment, hostility and behaviors which are destructive to the organization, its members/volunteers and/or its efforts.

AUTHORITY

No action may be taken on behalf of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. without prior approval of the President and/or the Board of Directors pursuant to the current By-Laws of this organization.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Board of Directors, Officers, members, foster parents and volunteers are ambassadors for Tender Loving Cats, Inc. and its public image. It is expected that the organization, its Board of Directors, Officers, members, volunteers and foster parents shall act in the best interest of the animals and organization, and shall set aside minor differences and conflicts to achieve the organization’s ultimate goals. The Board of Directors, Officers, members, volunteers and foster parents, shall conduct themselves in a civil, respectful and appropriate manner. It is further expected that the Board members, Officers, members, volunteers and foster parents shall conduct themselves in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organization as set forth herein, in the By-Laws and mission statement of the organization.

Mailing lists (whether physical or electronic) arising from the organization should be used with Caution. Correspondence should not be sent to a general (e-)mail list derived from the organization without authorization (as stated herein below Use of (e-)mail list(s) for improper purposes, including but not limited to harassment, defamation, incitement and fraud, shall be considered abuse and cause for dismissal from the organization.

POLICIES

 

Tender Loving Cats, Inc. has developed, through its Board of Directors and Officers, a number of policies to guide and control the activities of the organization. These policies have been considered and were deemed best for the organization and public policy. Adherence to these policies is required.

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Tender Loving Cats, Inc. recognizes that volunteers may engage in communication while on and off duty as appropriate for performance of their duties and/or for the advance of our animal rescue mission. This policy applies to social media content – written, verbal and images - on the Tender Loving Cats, Inc. social media (Facebook and other media) as well as information you post on your personal site(s) or on someone else’s site on the Internet. Employees and volunteers who engage in blogging or posting should be mindful that their comments, even if done off premises and while off-duty, could have an adverse effect on Tender Loving Cats, Inc. legitimate business interests, animal rescue mission and animal privacy interests. In addition, some readers may view you as a de facto spokesperson for Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Tender Loving Cats, Inc. depends on strong community support and good will. Our reputation is a valuable and important asset. Please consider whether you are potentially damaging our reputation before you post on any site, especially if/when you identify yourselves as a volunteer of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. If you are uncertain consult the President of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. before posting on-line. To reduce the likelihood that your blogging or posting will have an adverse effect on Tender Loving Cats, Inc. and the animals under our care, we require that you observe the following terms of use:

1. Your blogging/posting is subject to all of the policies in our Volunteer Handbook.
2. Do not create or share internet media communication that negatively impacts the Tender Loving Cats, Inc. reputation.
3. Do not discredit, disparage, challenge or defame the mission, services, public policy positions, our affiliates, operational or animal status decisions of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Our affiliates are any veterinarian and/or company we work with including but not limited to Dix Hills Animal Hospital, South Shore Animal Hospital, Lindenhurst Veterinary Hospital, Long Island Spay & Neuter, West Hill Animal Hospital and its affiliates and PetSmart or PetSmart Charities. 
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4. Do not reveal any confidential or proprietary information about Tender Loving Cats, Inc.
5. Do not criticize individual volunteer performance (by name, title or role Do not disclose the name or any personal identifying information of any staff or volunteer without his/her permission.
6. Do not discuss the behavior, medical condition, behavioral status, adoption or euthanasia status of animals in our care which could negatively impact the adoptability of that animal or of other animals in our care.
7. Do not “lobby” for specific animals in our care.  Do not "lobby" for specific animals in our care in this public forum.
8. Do obtain permission from the President of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. prior to posting the Tender Loving Cats, Inc. logo, trademark, proprietary graphics, and photographs of the shelter, events, volunteers, staff or animals.
9. Do create content or forward positive compelling content about animal rescue that builds support for the adoption of animals in our care with permission of the President. Obtain permission before naming or referencing any animal in our care or before soliciting material of financial support for Tender Loving Cats, Inc.
10. When commenting on policy issues for which there is no official Tender Loving Cats, Inc. position statement, make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the organization.
11. Do not represent the organization as a spokesperson in the traditional media or on-line media on issues and public policy/legislation without permission of the President.
12. Do not use social media for internal volunteer communications, including but not limited to any disagreements or differences among volunteers.
13. Do not create or share Internet media communication that violates any local, state, federal or international laws and regulation. This includes uploading, posting or e-mails that: impersonate/misrepresent, infringe on copyright laws, and contain obscene or defamatory content, forward unsolicited/unauthorized (spam, junk mail, chain letters), and knowingly create of transmit software viruses, works or other disabling codes.
14. This is a mandatory policy for staff and volunteers. Sign-off and compliance is a condition of volunteering for Tender Loving Cats, Inc. and violation will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Volunteer compliance is expected as part of the Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Volunteer Agreement.

 

PROCEDURE

 

Tender Loving Cats, Inc. will regularly monitor the content of all of its social media sites and, ​at its sole discretion, may restrict, block, suspend, terminate, delete or discontinue any or volunteers access to Tender Loving Cats, Inc.-sponsored Internet media sites at any time, without notice and delete postings.

VIOLATION/PENALTY

 

A violation(s) of this Code of Conduct will be considered by the Board of Directors after inquiry. The Board of Directors will take into consideration the circumstances presented, the nature and severity of the violation(s), the damage to the organization and any other information/evidence which is presented to the Board. A violation(s) of this Code of Conduct may result in a warning, or discharge from membership and/or involvement with Tender Loving Cats, Inc.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

 

Any person who has a complaint about a policy or action by the organization or any person affiliated with the organization shall direct his/her complaint to an Officer of the organization as indicated below. If the complainant does not receive a response, or is not satisfied with the response, then a written complaint shall be presented to the Board of Directors., P.O. Box 827 Melville, NY 11747.

ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT & CODE OF CONDUCT

I have received and read the Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct of Tender Loving Cats, Inc. I understand the information contained therein and agree to abide by the aforementioned provisions.