Hello!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering.
We are excited to meet you and we are so grateful that you want to support our Sanctuary.
Our Volunteer Policy and Waiver is attached below, along with our Volunteer Application.
Once we receive both, we'll send a link to our online Volunteer Orientation via email.
Please note:
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age.
- Children 10 years old and younger may accompany an adult volunteer guardian and must be supervised for the duration of the volunteer shift
VOLUNTEER POLICY AND WAIVER
The Volunteer Program at the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland, Inc. (SDS) is an integral part of the SDS’s programs, services, and community involvement. SDS 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
SDS requires all volunteers to:
- Support the philosophy and mission of SDS;
- Follow all policies and procedures of SDS and conduct themselves accordingly;
- Read and understand volunteer handouts and standard operating procedures;
Recognize and accept the risks of working around animals and use preventive actions when appropriate;
- Follow all commitments and expectations of SDS 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 SDS to the Manager on Duty or Executive Director;
- Respect all animals, employees, customers, and fellow volunteers; and
- Complete all required orientation and training specific to volunteer activities at SDS.
VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Treatment of Animals and Each Other
Volunteers are expected to treat all animals and people at or associated with SDS with 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 SDS. In addition to SDS 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 SDS personnel as necessary.
Conduct
Volunteers at SDS are representatives of the organization to the general public, and must adhere to the SDS standards of attire, language, positive humane image, and behavior expected of anyone associated with SDS. Disparaging remarks or disrespect of SDS, partner organizations, the animals, fellow volunteers, staff, and customers is neither acceptable nor tolerated. Such behavior should be reported immediately to the Manager on Duty or the Executive Director.
Fundraising for SDS
Volunteer involvement with raising funds or growing our program and services is greatly encouraged by SDS. However, the Executive Director must give prior written approval for any direct or indirect solicitation on behalf of SDS.
Volunteer Attire
Volunteers must be in appropriate attire for SDS’ activities both onsite and at off-site events. While volunteering at the SDS facility or at SDS off-site events, volunteers must wear flat, non-skid, closed-toed shoes, and long pants. No obscene or controversial logos, slogans, etc. are permitted on a volunteer’s clothing or person while volunteering at SDS.
Media Procedures
All media contacts on behalf of SDS will be handled by the Executive Director. Media refers to any print, broadcast, electronic, or televised format. If an SDS volunteer is contacted by a media representative regarding SDS or their volunteer work with SDS, the volunteer must respectfully decline comment at that time and refer them to the Executive Director 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 the media on behalf of SDS. SDS welcomes positive potential contacts, resources, or storylines you may have.
Harassment
SDS 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 of the assigned task or event or creates a hostile environment for the volunteer.
Any volunteer who experiences such harassment should promptly notify the Manager on Duty or Executive Director, so appropriate action can be taken.
Drugs and Alcohol
Abuse of drugs, the use of illegal drugs, or alcohol is not tolerated in the SDS workplace environment, including off-site events, at any time and should be reported to the Manager on Duty or Executive Director, immediately for appropriate action.
Health and Medical Coverage
All volunteers, regardless of age, should be in general good health. Each volunteer should notify the Manager on Duty 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 SDS or on SDS’ behalf. SDS will not be liable for any coverage. If changes in health insurance coverage occur, volunteers must notify the Manager on Duty or Executive Director immediately.
Emergency Contact
Volunteers must provide a current completed Emergency Contact Form to SDS 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 SDS 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 SDS to volunteers is solely for business purposes. SDS 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 regard to any email or Internet activity that is derived from sources provided by SDS. In addition, SDS 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 SDS, the email and other details about the communication must be forwarded immediately to the Manager on Duty or Executive Director.
Volunteer Meetings
All volunteers are required to attend a volunteer online orientation at the start of their time at SDS 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 SDS operations. The volunteers are asked to share these ideas with the Manager on Duty or Executive Director. After considering suggestions and solutions, the Manager on Duty or Executive Director will determine 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 SDS independently. Minors under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with them at all times. Minors and the parent/legal guardian must conduct all volunteer activities together including volunteer orientation, training, and all volunteer tasks. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the minor while at SDS. The Manager on Duty or Executive Director shall have sole discretion to determine which SDS volunteer activities are appropriate for the minor and parent/legal guardian to undertake.
Community Service
SDS has several opportunities for those seeking community service hours. The Manager on Duty or Executive Director 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 Manager on Duty or Executive Director prior to beginning.
Personal Information
Due to our concern for the safety of our volunteers, SDS will not release a volunteer's phone number, address, age, or other personal information to anyone outside of our organization or to any other volunteer without that volunteer's prior written permission to do so.
Conflict Resolution
SDS has an open door policy for bringing volunteer concerns to the attention of management. Although we believe that positive and 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 Manager on Duty or Executive Director.
Corrective Action Process
Violations of this Volunteer Policy shall be cause for termination. SDS reserves the right to suspend or terminate a volunteer’s relationship with the organization at any time, with or without cause. The Manager on Duty or Executive Director may provide verbal counseling and/or a written warning prior to termination but are not required to do so.
SDS VOLUNTEER LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE
- I hereby agree to accept a position as a volunteer for SDS. I understand and acknowledge that my services are to be performed subject to all the rules and regulations of SDS, that violations thereof may, in the sole discretion of SDS, 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 SDS.
- 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 immediately report all injuries or damage to the Manager on Duty or Executive Director.
- I hereby waive any and all claims which I might otherwise have against SDS.
- If I am unresponsive or require urgent medical attention, I give SDS permission to contact appropriate authorities as well as the people I have listed as my contacts.
- I agree to abide by all provisions of the SDS Volunteer Policy, a copy of which has been provided to me. Based on my signature below and/or the signature of my parent or legal guardian, 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 SDS.
- 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 SDS.
- I am aware of the procedures and policies to prevent contamination and injury.
- I further understand that SDS reserves the right to terminate my volunteer status as a result of any of the following:
- Failure to comply with SDS policies, rules, and other regulations;
- Unsatisfactory attitude, communication, work, or appearance; and
- Any other circumstances which, in the sole discretion of the SDS administration, would make my continued service as a volunteer contrary to the best interest of SDS.