Volunteer Agreement
Exemption and Disclaimer
(referred to as “Volunteer”) in requesting Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. and all of its affiliates, directors, officers, trustees, employees, sponsors, donors, volunteers and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”).
I, as a Volunteer, wish to work as a volunteer for one or more of the parties who are exempted from compensation and engage in all activities related to being a volunteer. I understand that all of my activities are possible, including but not limited to the following: working in the offices and locations of the Habitat for Humanity program; work in or for Habitat for Humanity's ReStore operations; unload and transport materials, travel to and from work sites, cities and countries; consuming food that is available or provided; living in settlements provided for volunteers, assisting in disaster recovery areas; constructing and rehabilitating residential buildings; other related development activities; and other volunteer activities (‘Activities’).
I, as a Volunteer, understand and understood that activities may harm me, including, but not limited to exposure to lead, asbestos and mold, which will result in the deterioration of certain health conditions of mine, especially if I do not wear protective equipment, exposed for a long period of time, or have a pre-existing immune system deficiency.
I also understand that there are some inherent risks in eating local foods and staying in local accommodation within a city or country visited. I also understand that it is possible to travel to and from locations where there is a risk of terrorism, war, insurgency, criminal activity, instability, bad weather or other difficulties that could threaten my health and safety. I also understand that it is the policy of the Released Parties not to pay a ransom or make other payments to keep safe and escape hostage-taking.
I, as a Volunteer, hereby freely, voluntarily and without duress or coercion, agree to this release under the following conditions:
Exemption and Release. I, as a Volunteer, understand and understood that participation in all activities carries certain risks, including, but not limited to personal loss, physical injury, illness, permanent disability, property damage, loss and or death (“Risk”). These risks include, but are not limited to, exposure to and infection with Covid-19 and/or other viruses and/or infection from bacteria even under ideal conditions, and despite all reasonable efforts to mitigate such risks. I further acknowledge and agree that, due to the environment of the activity, social distancing of one meter per person will not always be possible and my activity may expose me to the risk of Covid-19 and or virus and or bacterial infection.
I, the Volunteer, further confirm that prior to engaging in the Activities, I have no objection to being required to fill out and complete the Covid-19 health screening questionnaire provided by one or more parties who are waived of their obligations. I agree that I will answer all the questions in the questionnaire honestly. I agree not to participate in any Activities if, within a certain time and to the best of my knowledge, I am a carrier of Covid-19 or infected by Covid-19. I also agree to follow all safety precautions outlined by the Released Parties while volunteering.
In consideration and so that followed to participate in all activities, I, the Volunteer, hereby release and indefinitely exempted the Exempted and their successors of all liabilities, claims, demands and damages of any kind if arising from tort, contract or others, which I or may inherit, assign, close relatives, or legal representatives may have or may subsequently acquire, arise from, or in any way relate to all of my activities with any of the discharged parties, including but limited to personal injury , physical injury, illness, property damage, loss or death, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence, tort or other fault of one of the Released Parties or other volunteers, other than their intended or negligence. In addition, the Released Parties will benefit from future liability protection for matters related to COVID-19 authorized by any government entity that is the target of the Released Parties.
I understand and understood that by signing this Release I am aware of the risk of injury, harm, damage and loss associated with all activities. I also understand that the Released Parties do not bear all liability for or is obliged to provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance in the event of an accident, illness, death, or property damage. Regarding diseases and viruses, including Covid-19, I, a Volunteer, understand that although following all the instructions for the prevention of diseases and viruses, including Covid-19, there is still a risk that volunteers may be exposed to the virus or disease.
I understand and understood that children under 15 years of age are not allowed in the Habitat for Humanity work site while the construction process is in progress. While ages between 15 and 18 are allowed to participate in certain types of work, I understand that using heavy equipment, lifting, demolition, working on roofs and similar activities is not permitted for anyone under the age of 18. I agree it is my responsibility to communicate these terms to children under the age of 18 who will enter or participate in Activities.
Consent for Transport and Medical Treatment. I agree to use First Aid Treatment in Accidents (P3K) and the use of generic and over-the-counter medicines, as directed by the pharmacist, either belonging to the Released Parties and or personal first aid kit. In an emergency, I understand the Released Parties should contact the person listed below as an emergency contact. If the emergency contact cannot be contacted directly, I hereby authorize the Released Parties to act as guardian to approve all examinations, tests, x-rays, medical, dental, or surgical treatments to me as advised by a doctor, dentist, or other health care providers. This includes, but is not limited to, my assessment, evaluation, medical treatment, anesthesia, hospitalization, or other health care, or procedures recommended by doctors, dentists and other healthcare providers. I also authorize the Released Parties to arrange my transportation if deemed necessary and at their discretion. I, the Volunteer, hereby release, in perpetuity and release of the Released Parties from all obligations, demands, and any actions brought by me or on my behalf arising or which may arise subsequently due to transportation, first aid, examination, testing , treatment, feedback or services provided in connection with my Activities with Released Parties.
If the Volunteers are under 18 years of age, parents with legal custody and or legal guardians for the volunteers also hereby release, permanently release and release parties from all obligations, claims, demands, and actions of any kind from the volunteer or in the name of him/her that arises
Insurance. I understand that, unless otherwise agreed by the Released Parties in writing, the Released Parties are under no obligation to provide, carry or maintain health, medical, travel, disability, or other insurance coverage for any Volunteer. Each Volunteer is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own health, medical, travel, disability or other coverage.
I understand that I am and remain responsible for paying for any hospital, doctor, ambulance, dental, medical or other services obtained for me or my child. I agree that the Released Parties are not responsible for the payment of any fees or expenses that may occur. If I have health insurance, I understand that my personal health insurance is my primary coverage.
Confidentiality. I agree that during my participation in the Activities, I may have access to other people's personal information and/or health care. I agree to keep the information confidential, to use the information only as necessary to do my job as a volunteer, and to comply with Habitat's applicable policies regarding such information.
Authorization to Release Medical Information. I hereby authorize the following entities to disclose my health information to Habitat for Humanity International, Inc., its affiliated companies, and their officers, directors, volunteers, agents, employees and authorized representatives (for the purposes of this paragraph, collectively the "Habitat"): ACE American Insurance Company, its affiliated companies and any authorized representatives (the "Company"). My health information includes any and all information relating to my health held by the Company, including but not limited to medical and dental records, medical consultation, treatment or surgery; psychiatric or psychological treatment; use of drugs or alcohol; medical prescription; and infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. I understand the health information to be disclosed includes information protected by Federal and State laws, including regarding mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, infectious/communicable diseases, and genetic information. I understand that disclosure to Habitat is for the following purposes: confirmation of eligibility; facilitation of claim submission; claims investigation and dispute resolution; fraud detection; and audit and quality control services. I understand that signing this Power of Attorney is voluntary and not required to receive benefits under any Company insurance policies. I understand that I can request a copy of this Authorization. I agree that a photocopy of this Power of Attorney will be as valid as the original. I understand that this Power of Attorney is valid for a period longer than 12 months or the duration of a claim for benefits under the Company's insurance policy, but not longer than 24 months. I understand that I may withdraw this Power of Attorney at any time by giving written notice to the Company at ACE North American Claims c/o ACE A&H Claims, One Beaver Valley Rd, Wilmington, DE. 19803. Such revocation will have no effect on the actions taken by the Company and/or Habitat in reliance on the Authorization prior to each receipt of notice of revocation.
Photos/Recording Release. I hereby grant permission to Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. and its employees, the absolute right, title and interest in any and all photos and video/audio/electronic recordings of me, including my name, image and voice, made by or on behalf of any of the Released Parties during my Activities with the Released Parties, including , but not limited to, the right to use, reuse, publish, republish and make derivative works of, such materials for any purpose and to any royalties, proceeds or other benefits derived from them. I understand that I will have no ownership interest in or to such photos, images and/or recordings, I have not been given or promised any compensation to me, and I hereby waive any right, privilege or claim under the rights of publicity, privacy , title, or any other rights arising in, related to or resulting from photographs, images and/or recordings. I understand and agree that this paragraph also applies to my minors who volunteer.
Others. I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as state law allows. I further agree that if any clause or provision of this Release is held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of that clause or provision will not affect the other clauses or provisions of this Release, which will continue in effect. Further, the waiver of rights under this Release by the Released Parties do not prevent the exercise of any other rights.