WELCOME!

We are grateful that you would like to volunteer with us at the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) as a {volunteer Position}. IAPMD is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire hope and end suffering in those affected by Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) through peer support, education, research, and advocacy. Above all, we aspire to create a world where people with PMDD and PME can survive and thrive! As a volunteer at IAPMD, you are an essential member of our team and will serve as a representative of our organization to the community at large.

This document details our policies regarding volunteers and volunteering for IAPMD. These policies include Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, use of IAPMD’s technology platforms, brand guidelines, representation of the organization, harassment and discrimination, copyright protection, and your service as a volunteer with the organization.

For a better understanding of what you can expect as a volunteer and what is expected of you by our organization, we ask you to review the contents of this document and sign it using the electronic form to denote your agreement with the terms.

An IAPMD Volunteer 

A "volunteer" is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of IAPMD. A "volunteer" must be officially accepted and have signed this agreement before performing any tasks, except for virtual volunteers engaged in awareness campaigns relating to posting or reposting IAPMD-branded social media through their own social media channels. Volunteers are not considered to be "employees" of the organization.

Service at IAPMD

IAPMD accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of IAPMD. Volunteers agree that the organization may at any time, for any reason, decide to terminate the volunteer's relationship with the organization. The volunteer may at any time, for any reason, decide to sever the volunteer's relationship with IAPMD. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible in writing to IAPMD's Executive Director.

Representing IAPMD & Publicity

Volunteers must maintain the “voice” and reputation of IAPMD. Volunteers may not contact other organizations or individuals on behalf of IAPMD unless they are given written directions to do so from their IAPMD contact. Before taking any action or making a statement that might significantly affect or obligate the organization, volunteers must seek prior consultation and approval from their IAPMD contact. These actions may include, but are not limited to, public statements to the media or public, coalition or partnering efforts with other organizations, or any agreements involving contractual or other financial obligations. 

If asked to work with or respond to inquiries from the media or writers, volunteers must seek prior consultation and approval from IAPMD’s Executive Director and/or Board President. All media responses and publicity should first and foremost cite IAPMD positions on issues and direct audiences to iampd.org and other IAPMD resources for further information. Responses should not promote personal opinions and views, or the viewpoints of related organizations or businesses, as the official position of IAPMD unless specifically given permission to do so by IAPMD leadership. If a personal opinion or testimony is expressed, it should be clearly stated: “This is my professional opinion (or personal opinion, as appropriate) and does not represent the views of IAPMD for which I am a volunteer.”  

Safeguarding IAPMD’s Brand

IAPMD’s brand is our most valuable asset. It represents the face of the organization and creates a lasting impression in the minds of those we work with and support. Therefore, volunteers must safeguard IAPMD’s reputation and the integrity and strength of the IAPMD brand.  

IAPMD owns all rights in the IAPMD logos and marks and reserves all rights except to the extent IAPMD grants a license for their use. Permission to use the IAPMD brand is at the sole discretion of IAPMD. To ensure consistency and continuity of IAPMD’s brand, the organization has established “Brand Standards & Guidelines” and “Brand Voice Guidelines.” These guidelines must be referenced by any volunteer using IAPMD brand elements to create marketing and communications materials. They provide a standardized approach to creative work to uphold the integrity of the brand and organization. 

Confidentiality 

Respecting the privacy of our clients, donors, community members, contractors, volunteers, and the organization itself, is a fundamental value of IAPMD.  Volunteers may be exposed to information that is confidential and/or privileged and proprietary. It is the policy of IAPMD that such information must be kept confidential both during and after volunteer service. Volunteers, including board members, are expected to return all materials and documents containing privileged or confidential information at the time of separation or expiration of service. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged information is a serious violation of IAPMD’s policy and will subject the person(s) who made the unauthorized disclosure to appropriate discipline, including removal/dismissal.

Conflict of Interest

Transparency is a core value of IAPMD. It is a policy to avoid the perception of and any actual conflicts of interest between the interests of IAPMD, and the personal, professional, and business interests of volunteers and board members. A conflict of interest results when a volunteer makes or influences a decision related to IAPMD for some personal gain that may be unfair, unethical, or even illegal. Many volunteers have relationships with other organizations involved in various ways with women’s reproductive health issues. Inevitably, these relationships – by their very nature – may produce conflicting interests. Conflicts of interest are not inherently wrong; they simply exist. To protect the integrity of IAPMD's decision-making process, volunteers are required to disclose to their IAPMD contact any family, friendship, employer/associate, or financial, situation which could affect their actions as an IAPMD volunteer. “When in doubt, ask.” It is always best to be transparent and accountable to ensure we eliminate either the perceived or actual conflict of interest. 

Access to IAPMD's eWare 

IAPMD may provide volunteers with access to eWare (any software or technology platform provided and/or supported by IAPMD, including Facebook Workplace, Asana, Canva, G-Suite, Jotform, Intercom, Funraise, Zoom, GiveLively, Salesforce, etc.). IAPMD eWare is intended to be utilized to conduct IAPMD business. Volunteers having concerns about the confidentiality of their personal non-work-related communications or data are encouraged to use NON-IAPMD resources for those purposes. IAPMD is committed to the concept of privacy and, to the greatest extent possible, strives to protect the privacy of electronic materials and communications of IAPMD volunteers. However, individuals using IAPMD eWare should be aware that there are circumstances under which the content of such resources may be reviewed by IAPMD officers or employees in the scope of their job responsibilities or by third parties as directed by IAPMD or as required by law.

Ownership/Copyright 

It is the intent that IAPMD will have full and exclusive rights to all Work Products (any materials produced for assignments, projects, or programs, including, but not limited to: graphic materials, marketing materials, blog submissions, newsletter content, web page designs, web page content, narratives, research, compilations, instructional texts, and digital collateral, etc.) created by volunteers while supporting IAPMD. Volunteers hereby assign to IAPMD all rights, titles, and interest worldwide in the Work Product (including, without limitation, copyrights, trade secrets, patents, or other intellectual property rights and moral rights in the Work Product; (b) grants to IAPMD an irrevocable, exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and worldwide license to any rights in the Work Product that cannot be assigned to IAPMD; and (c) waives enforcement against IAPMD of any rights in the Work Product that cannot be assigned or licensed to IAPMD. Volunteers will assist IAPMD in obtaining and enforcing these rights in the Work Product.  These materials become the property of IAPMD upon submission, and are not limited to, may be copied, reproduced, and published at the discretion of the organization. 

Volunteers should be aware that IAPMD-created content is copyright protected, whether it's rendered in ink or pixels, and it may not be copied or published elsewhere without the express (typically written) permission of IAPMD. However, the organization supports awareness and education related to premenstrual disorders and encourages websites to link to iapmd.org and related websites.

Harassment and Discrimination

In carrying out services, volunteers will not harass, discriminate, retaliate, or be abusive toward any member of the IAPMD community, including engaging in any verbal, physical, written, or visual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or other characteristic protected by the law.