YOUR INFORMATION:
Fill in all fields as it is important for our records. The information gathered here is kept confidential. No reproduction of your information will ever be used unless specifically identified.

Confidentiality Statement:
Volunteer information provided to South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. is confidential, and will only be used for volunteer planning and coordinating purposes. South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. will not disclose or distribute any information contained in these records beyond staff management, as needed.

Applicants under 18:
Your parent/guardian must fill out Section 7 of this application. There will be a portion notifying you of this as you proceed through the questions.

Policy On Age Ranges:
It is the policy of SWFHR to make it possible for all to give their time to a noble cause. But we do have a policy on age ranges which are listed below: If you are:

• [1 - 11] --> Only if accompanied by a parent organization.. such as Girl Scouts or 4-H. As much as we appreciate the willingness we just don't have the staff to maintain a safe enough environment for those under 12. Special conditions do apply.
• [12 - 15] --> You must be accompanied by a legal guardian or someone identified by your legal guardian at all times.
• [16 - 17] --> You must have a parental consent letter on file to perform volunteer activities without them present.
• [18+] --> You are free to volunteer without restriction.

Paper Application Version:
We have opted to manage our data better by requesting everyone to submit applications through this form.  We do understand the security of information is a concern for many people. 

If you would rather download and print a paper version of the application... select the paper version below then click the button.  After completing the application you can either mail, scan, and email or set up an orientation and bring it to us.  You will have to email us at info@swfhr.org to notify us that you are filling out a paper version and that you request an orientation date.

VIEW THE PAPER APPLICATION

PLEASE READ:

With COVID-19 as a concern not to be taken lightly, we've taken steps to reduce our staff and current volunteer's exposure to new people, at least at our facility.

Our new orientation routine will be limited to only 3 people per orientation.  No orientation scheduling more than 40 days in the future allowed.  If you will not be available for more than a month from your application then complete your application closer to your availability.

Masks are currently not a requirement but distancing is.  New volunteer training will still consist of pairing with an established active volunteer but the use of the same vehicle (riding together) is up to the active volunteer.  We only have so many vehicles.  This means provisional & candidate volunteers may need to walk to and from paddock areas.

This form provides options for applicants to choose a day that is suitable.   In the case where a planned orientation day falls on a holiday or one of our fundraisers, that orientation day will not be available to applicants.

Once you've chosen a day, it will be your responsibility to show up.  We will remind prospective volunteers of their scheduled appointment through multiple email notices. 

You are not required to start training after orientation but you may if you would like.  The bulk of chores will be done by the time orientation is over.

NOTE:

• If the days or time is not a reasonable choice for your schedule, you can request a special appointment day or time.  You must close this form and submit a direct email to volunteer@swfhr.org  with a request for a different time or date for orientation. 

ORIENTATIONS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT 9:00 AM

You've been identified as under

18

An adult must fill out this part!

Guardian Information is Required

GUARDIAN STATEMENT:

** And when applicable, to include the listed minor of which I am the parent or legal guardian of the Participant agree to release the liability of SWFHR to all indicated acknowledgments and endorsements mentioned above were as my minor being ultimately responsible to myself will be accompanied by myself or another adult who is given my permission to act in my stead when my minor is participating in activities associated with the Nonprofit.

NAMES & AFFILIATION TO YOUR MINOR
Please list by "Full Name & their Relation to your Minor", up to (4) individuals authorized by you the guardian, to act in your stead as a guardian of your minor when volunteering.

For alternate contacting purposes, the use of social media is important. The following questions pertain to our needs for communications only. All questions are completely optional and are not required.

DO YOU USE:

Emergency Reference 1

Emergency Reference 2

Have you ever been?

[22a] I hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in activities that subject me to either being with, near, around, or in the area of equines while performing volunteer actions with SWFHR.

[23a] I understand that the activity of being with, near, around, or in the area of equines to include horseback riding, handling, or meeting outside of fencelines involves numerous inherent risks of injury that are my responsibility, and I assume these risks while performing volunteer actions with SWFHR.

[24a] I further understand that an animal, to include equines, irrespective of its training and usual past behavior and characteristics may act or react unpredictably at times based upon instinct or fright which is a risk to be assumed by each individual independently in any activity of being with, near, around, or in the area of equines while performing volunteer actions with SWFHR.

[25a] I understand and will inform myself of the Florida State Statutes chapter 773 (EQUINE ACTIVITIES) with special respect to section 773.04 as identified by Florida Law that the mentioning statement to follow will be posted in equine establishment performing equine activities.

(Equine Activities - statement)

WARNING: UNDER FLORIDA LAW, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO, OR THE DEATH OF, A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES. - FLORIDA §§ 773.04

[26a] I understand that I must sign in person or electronically, a liability release waiver for volunteering before any activities are performed.  Additionally, I understand that annually a new liability release must be signed by my anniversary date.

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “release”) executed on {entrydate}, by {volunteerName} (“Participant”, “I”, “me”) who releases Southwest Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. (“Nonprofit”), a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida, and each of its directors, officers, employees, and agents. The Participant desires to interact with the Nonprofit and engage in activities of being near equines and or potentially touching equines. More specifically for the purposes of volunteering.

Participant understands that the scope of Participant’s relationship with Nonprofit is limited to a participant position and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided by Participant, that Nonprofit will not provide any benefits traditionally associated with employment to Participant, and that Participant is responsible for his/her own insurance coverage in the event of personal injury or illness of Participant’s services to Nonprofit. The participant will agree to the conditions:

1. Waiver and Release : I, the Participant, release and forever discharge and hold harmless Nonprofit and its successors and assigns from any and all liability claims and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to Nonprofit. I understand and acknowledge that this release discharges Nonprofit from any liability or claim that I may have against Nonprofit with respect to bodily injury, personal illness, death, or property damage that may result from the services I provide to Nonprofit or occurring while I am providing Participant services.
2. Insurance : Further I understand that Nonprofit does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any mature in the event of injury, illness, death or damage to my property, I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Nonprofit beyond what may be offered freely by Nonprofit in the event of such injury or medical expenses incurred by me.
3. Medical Treatment : I hereby release and forever discharge Nonprofit from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a Participant with Nonprofit.
4. Assumption of Risk : I understand that the services I provide to Nonprofit may include activities that may be hazardous to me including, but not limited to:  Donations collections, Assist in fundraising events (paperwork to soliciting), Events (food service to auction type assistants), Feed horses, Interaction with horses, Grooming horses, Petting horses, Weed eating, Tree trimming, Mowing, Fence repair, Fence building, Stall building, Barn maintenance and building, Horse rehab, Picking up debris (clearing lots and stalls), Assist in picking up a rescue from other locations (this would include trailering horses and paperwork from Owner surrenders), Check up on prior rescues that have been adopted (Participants and founders do random checking to check on the status of adopted horses), Driving golf carts and other farm equipment.
   As a Participant, I hereby expressly assume the risk of injury or harm from these activities and release Nonprofit from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the services I provide as a Participant or occurring while I am providing services.
5. Photographic Release : I grant and convey to Nonprofit all right, title, and interest in and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or likeness or voice made by Nonprofit in connection with my providing services to Nonprofit.
6. Other : As a participant, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Florida and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Release shall not be affected.

By signing below, I express my understanding of the conditions set forth and have the intent to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willing and voluntarily.

*****

Once you click next... you will be taken to our Orientation Scheduling Form on the next page.

{volunteerName}

PLEASE READ:

With COVID-19 as a concern not to be taken lightly, we've taken steps to reduce our staff and current volunteer's exposure to new people, at least at our facility.

Our new orientation routine will be limited to only 3 people per orientation.  No orientation scheduling more than 40 days in the future allowed.  If you will not be available for more than a month from your application then complete your application closer to your availability.

Masks are currently not a requirement but distancing is.  New volunteer training will still consist of pairing with an established active volunteer but the use of the same vehicle (riding together) is up to the active volunteer.  We only have so many vehicles.  This means provisional & candidate volunteers may need to walk to and from paddock areas.

This form provides options for applicants to choose a day that is suitable.   In the case where a planned orientation day falls on a holiday or one of our fundraisers, that orientation day will not be available to applicants.

Once you've chosen a day, it will be your responsibility to show up.  We will remind prospective volunteers of their scheduled appointment through multiple email notices. 

You are not required to start training after orientation but you may if you would like.  The bulk of chores will be done by the time orientation is over.

NOTE:

• If the days or time is not a reasonable choice for your schedule, you can request a special appointment day or time.  You must close this form and submit a direct email to volunteer@swfhr.org  with a request for a different time or date for orientation. 

ORIENTATIONS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT 9:00 AM

HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR ORIENTATION

PLEASE READ!!!

You must click on the Day and then click on the Time for your selection to work properly.

You will see a confirmation box in blue below the calendar of your selection if done properly.

There are only 3 slots open on the available days. Only days that are highlighted are left available. 

By entering your Birth Year, Initials, and Zip Code (i.e. 1998ABR33908) you attest the submitted information is correct and agreed upon under penalty of perjury.

** You will receive an email of your elections for orientation.  Be sure to check your spam/junk folders if you don't see an email from SWFHR. You can always call (239) 567-4111 to ask questions... be sure to leave a message if there is no answer.