The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program has adopted the following policies regarding volunteer involvement. Please read them thoroughly and contact us with any questions. Your signature is required when you register to Volunteer as your agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct.  We work diligently to create a safe environment so participants have every opportunity to be successful.  We have ZERO tolerance for inappropriate behavior of any kind, including sexual abuse or misconduct.

Purpose of Volunteer Policies
These policies are written to provide overall guidance and direction to people engaged in volunteering activities. These policies do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement. The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time and to expect adherence to the changed policy.

Definition of ‘Volunteer’
A “volunteer” is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a task in support of the aims and objectives of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program Volunteers shall not be considered as “employees” of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program. The minimum age to volunteer with the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program is dependent based on the type of event and will be listed on the event page. Any volunteer under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Liability
Volunteers are expected to understand the risks associated with volunteering. Further, volunteers hereby waive any claims against, indemnify, and hold harmless the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program, its respective officers, directors, employees, sponsors, representatives and volunteers from any and all liability, including attorney fees that may result from illness, personal injury, property damage, or wrongdoing resulting from involvement with the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program volunteer program.

Volunteers Under 18:
Volunteers under 18 years old must have their parent or legal guardian co-sign this Code of Conduct statement. Parents are invited to call or email the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program with any questions or comments about our program.

Discrimination
The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program is committed to a policy of fair representation and will not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, geography, or age. The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program will follow this policy in the selection of volunteers. Volunteers are expected to adhere to these same standards in the course of their duties.

Service at the Discretion of the Organization
The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program accepts the service of all volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the organization. Volunteers agree that the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the agency. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible to the volunteer.

Representing The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program
Volunteers are asked to not contact organizations or individuals on behalf of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program unless they are given express written directions to do so. Prior to any action or statement which might significantly affect or obligate the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program volunteers should seek prior consultation and approval from appropriate staff. These actions may include, but are not limited to, public statements to the press, partnership efforts with other organizations, or any agreements involving contractual or other financial obligations.

Ending Your Volunteer Role
You can cease volunteering with the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program upon the completion of any volunteer assignment, or when you are not currently engaged in an assignment. If you choose to remove yourself from our list of active volunteers, we would appreciate the opportunity to conduct an exit interview with you in person, by phone, or via e-mail.

Confidentiality
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a board member, contestant, volunteer, judge, or other person or Miss Oregon Scholarship Program business.  Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of the volunteer’s relationship with the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program.

Dismissal of a Volunteer
Volunteers who do not adhere to this Code of Conduct or who fail to satisfactorily perform their volunteer assignment are subject to dismissal. No volunteer will be terminated until the volunteer has had an opportunity to discuss the reasons for possible dismissal. Possible grounds for dismissal may include but are not limited to, the following: gross misconduct or insubordination, theft of property or misuse of Miss Oregon Scholarship Program materials, abuse or mistreatment of customers, board member, contestant, volunteer, judge, or other person, failure to abide by policies and procedures, and failure to satisfactorily perform assigned duties.

As a Miss Oregon Scholarship Program VOLUNTEER, I WILL:
• Represent the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program with professionalism, dignity and pride, and be responsible for conducting myself with courtesy and appropriate behavior.
• Follow through and complete accepted tasks.
• Conduct myself in a respectful manner, exhibit good sporting conduct, and be a positive role model.
• Display respect and courtesy for board members, contestants, other volunteers, employees, program participants, visitors, property, etc..
• Provide a safe environment by not harming anyone in any way, whether through discrimination, sexual harassment, physical force, verbal or mental abuse, neglect, or other harmful actions.
• Respect the privacy of all persons served by the organization and hold in confidence sensitive, private and personal information.
• Keep the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program Executive Director informed of progress, concerns and problems within the committee(s) in which I participate.
• Work cooperatively as a team member with board members, volunteers, contestants, etc.
• Respect and follow the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program policies and program expectations.
• Keep personal opinions and actions separate from those made as a representative of this organization.
• Avoid conduct, both on and off duty that would jeopardize program effectiveness and integrity.
• Promote and support the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program in developing effective local and state programs.

AND, As a Miss Oregon Scholarship Program VOLUNTEER, I WILL NOT:
• Use vulgar or inappropriate language.
• Solicit gratuities, gifts or bequests for personal or professional benefit.
• Use or be under the influence of illegal drugs.
• Consume or be under the influence of alcohol or consume tobacco at Miss Oregon Scholarship Program events.
• Discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status or disability, or sexual orientation.

AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

 

The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program and Miss Oregon’s Teen Competition, as well as our official local preliminary programs, welcomes and embraces all volunteers with our organization.   Certainly, our participants can and do benefit from interaction with a wide array of good role models.  

1. When accompanying any Program participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders).  An adult female volunteer must always be in attendance as well.  The rule of three is always encouraged and anticipated.
   
   
2. When transporting participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders) in a private vehicle, there must be no less than two chaperones/volunteers (one of whom must be female). Additionally, at all official program events, participants must be accompanied at all times by no less than two chaperones/volunteers (one of whom must be female).  
3. Participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders). may stay in the same hotel room, rental house, etc. with no less than two chaperones/volunteers (one of whom must be female).  At no time may a chaperone/volunteer share a bed with a participant.
   
   
4. Male volunteers attending overnight events involving participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders) must leave prior to the time any participant (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders) retires for the evening.
   
   
5. There is a strict no-touch policy between volunteers and participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders).  Additionally, public displays of friendly affection between volunteers and participants (Miss or Teen contestants, Outstanding Kids, Princesses or Titleholders) are highly discouraged. 
   
   
6. No volunteer including those who work in production, will enter the dressing rooms or be in close proximity to such areas unless specifically appointed to work in those areas (except during the official set-up, construction of those rooms).  Dressing room volunteers will be responsible for making sure that appropriate barriers are in place to cordon off the stage area from dressing rooms, holding rooms, etc.  Additionally, no non-program affiliated individuals will be allowed in the backstage area, dressing rooms or holding rooms.
   
   
7. Volunteers are prohibited from dating a participant.  If a volunteer does begin dating a participant they must step down from their volunteer position during the time the participant is actively participating in the program in any aspect.