PAWMETTO LIFELINE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT: VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, WORKS CREATED, DISCLOSURE POLICY, AND ANIMAL CARE

Pawmetto Lifeline is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization formed to promote, develop, educate, and otherwise further the practice of companion animal welfare and a no-kill society. This document serves as a code of conduct for volunteers in their capacity as Pawmetto Lifeline volunteers. Volunteers affirm their endorsement of the Code and acknowledge their commitment to uphold its principles and obligations by accepting and retaining volunteer positions.

1. CODE OF CONDUCT:

Volunteer members of Pawmetto Lifeline shall at all times abide by and conform to the following code of conduct in their capacity as volunteer members.

Volunteer members must exercise a DUTY OF CARE to act in a reasonable and informed manner when acting as a volunteer of Pawmetto Lifeline. The duty of care includes exercising what is in Pawmetto Lifeline's best interest overall, irrespective of other entities with which the volunteer is affiliated or sympathetic.

Volunteer members must exercise a DUTY OF LOYALTY that requires performance of duties in good faith and in the best interests of Pawmetto Lifeline, rather than in one’s own interests. The This duty requires that all volunteers be conscious of the potential for conflicts of interest and act with candor and care in dealing with such situations. that All volunteers are to treat as confidential all matters involving Pawmetto Lifeline until there has been general public disclosure.

Volunteer members must exercise a DUTY OF OBLIGATION when they agree to serve as a Pawmetto Lifeline representative to external organizations or to represent Pawmetto Lifeline in an official capacity with individuals, members, vendors, companies, non-profit groups or other entities. The duty of obligation requires Pawmetto Lifeline volunteer representatives to articulate and support the decisions of Pawmetto Lifeline leadership irrespective of any individual interest, opinions or positions.

Volunteer members must exercise a DUTY OF DISCLOSURE relating to involvement with other animal care organizations whether not-for-profit or otherwise. Volunteers also have a duty to disclose any felony charges, restrictions, suspensions or revocations of licenses that may negatively impact Pawmetto Lifeline. For good cause, and with prior notice to the member whose information is at issue, such information may be disclosed to the Board of Directors. Volunteer participation with Pawmetto Lifeline activities may be limited or prohibited as a result of these disclosures.

Volunteer members will exercise proper authority and good judgment in their dealings with Pawmetto Lifeline Staff, suppliers and the general public and will respond to the needs of Pawmetto Lifeline employees in a responsible, respectful and professional manner.

Retiring volunteers will, at Pawmetto Lifeline’s request, promptly return to Pawmetto Lifeline all documents, electronic and hard files, reference materials, and other property entrusted to the volunteer member for the purpose of fulfilling his or her job responsibilities. Such return will not remove the retiring volunteer member from his or her continuing obligations of confidentiality with respect to information acquired as a consequence of his or her tenure as a volunteer.

2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

A conflict of interest arises whenever a volunteer’s activities are in opposition to, detract from or in some manner might become detrimental to the purpose of Pawmetto Lifeline.

It is the responsibility of any volunteer of Pawmetto Lifeline to recognize, identify and disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest they may have. Such individual shall disclose all relevant information regarding the conflict to the Manager of Volunteer Programs and shall remove themselves from all conflicting situations as a result. Any person disclosing potential conflicts must agree to work with Pawmetto Lifeline towards resolution as disclosures or disclaimers alone are not appropriate mechanisms to resolve conflicts of interest.

In addition, volunteers shall:

Avoid placing (and avoid the appearance of placing) one’s own self-interest or any third-party interest above that of Pawmetto Lifeline while acting as a volunteer for the organization

Not abuse their position by improperly using their volunteer position or Pawmetto Lifeline’s Staff, services, equipment, materials, resources, or property for their personal or their third-party gain or pleasure, and shall not represent to third parties that their authority as a volunteer extends any further than which it actually extends

Not engage in any outside business, professional or other activities that would directly or indirectly materially adversely affect Pawmetto Lifeline

Not engage in or facilitate any discriminatory or harassing behavior directed toward Pawmetto Lifeline Staff, members, officers, directors, meeting attendees, exhibitors, advertisers, sponsors, suppliers, contractors, or others in the context of activities relating to Pawmetto Lifeline

Not solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, trips, honoraria, personal property or any other item of material value from any person or entity as a direct or indirect inducement to provide special treatment to such donor with respect to matters pertaining to Pawmetto Lifeline without fully disclosing such items to the Manager of Volunteer Programs.

Not persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of Pawmetto Lifeline to leave the employ of Pawmetto Lifeline or to become employed by a person or entity other than Pawmetto Lifeline.

Not persuade or attempt to persuade any member, exhibitor, advertiser, sponsor, subscriber, supplier, contractor or any other person or entity with an actual or potential relationship to or with Pawmetto Lifeline to terminate, curtail or not enter into its relationship to or with Pawmetto Lifeline, or to in any way reduce the monetary or other benefits to Pawmetto Lifeline of such relationship.

Not speak negatively of a board member, employee or fellow volunteer of the organization or speak in a negative or derogatory manner about the organization in general. Should there be concerns by a volunteer relative to these issues, the concerns need to be addressed with the Volunteer Manager and resolved internally.

3. WORKS CREATED FOR PAWMETTO LIFELINE:

Pawmetto Lifeline encourages the volunteers to participate in the creation and development of creative and useful works (collectively, the “Works”) in connection with their service to Pawmetto Lifeline. Through your participation you may either individually, through committees, and/or in conjunction with Pawmetto Lifeline Staff and/or outside consultants participate in the creation and development of Works that are subject to copyright protection. You agree that all such Works created, in whole or in part, by you in connection with your relationship to Pawmetto Lifeline shall be considered specially commissioned works of Pawmetto Lifeline and shall be owned by Pawmetto Lifeline. You assign to Pawmetto Lifeline ownership of all right, title and interest in the Works. You agree to comply with all terms of the Volunteer Agreement. By violating these terms, you are electing to remove yourself as a volunteer of Pawmetto Lifeline.

4. WAIVER OF LIABILITY:

Pawmetto Lifeline Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

In consideration of this opportunity to volunteer, I agree to the following terms and conditions, intending to be legally bound by them:

I will abide by the mission, rules, regulations, policies and programs of Pawmetto Lifeline while I am a volunteer.

I can volunteer a minimum of TWO (2) hours per MONTH. If my status as a volunteer for Pawmetto Lifeline discontinues for any reason or upon Pawmetto Lifeline’s request at any time, I will promptly RETURN all of Pawmetto Lifeline’s supplies, nametags, equipment, records, moneys, and other items in good, clean condition.

I assume the risks of being bitten, scratched, injured, or frightened by cats, kittens, dogs and puppies in connection with my volunteer work for Pawmetto Lifeline. Pawmetto Lifeline is not liable to me for any injuries, damages, liabilities, losses, judgments, costs or expenses whatsoever, which I might suffer or sustain in connection with the performance of my volunteer activities for Pawmetto Lifeline, unless they are the result of Pawmetto Lifeline’s negligence or intentional misconduct. I will indemnify, defend and hold Pawmetto Lifeline harmless from and against any claims, lawsuits, injuries, damages, losses, costs or expenses whatsoever, sustained by any companion animal or any person in connection with my intentional misconduct or grossly negligent performance of volunteer activities for Pawmetto Lifeline or my breach of Pawmetto Lifeline’s rules, regulations, policies and programs.

I understand and agree that Pawmetto Lifeline may refuse volunteer applications for any reason.

If I will be sheltering or providing foster care or boarding any of Pawmetto Lifeline’s animals in my home or business, I consent to Pawmetto Lifeline visiting my home or business from time to time to observe the animals and their living conditions.

I give Pawmetto Lifeline permission to publish my picture and name in any promotional materials to include, but not limited to, newsletters, web sites, commercials, and other advertisements or solicitation material. No payment from Pawmetto Lifeline will be expected in exchange.

5. DISCLOSURE POLICY

Individuals that participate as a volunteer of Pawmetto Lifeline may not disclose, divulge, or make accessible confidential information belonging to, or obtained through, their affiliation with Pawmetto Lifeline to any person, including relatives, friends, business associates and/or professional associates. Volunteers shall use confidential information solely for the purpose of performing services as a representative of Pawmetto Lifeline and per the request of the organization. This policy is not intended to prevent disclosure where disclosure is required by law. Volunteers must exercise good judgment and care at all times to avoid unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential information. He or she shall return, at the request of Pawmetto Lifeline, all documents, papers, and other materials, regardless of medium, which may contain or be derived from confidential information, in his or her possession. I agree to comply with all terms of this Confidentiality Statement/Policy. By violating these terms, I am electing to remove myself as a Volunteer of Pawmetto Lifeline.

6. CANINE AND FELINE CARE AGREEMENT:

I understand that during my required new Volunteer Orientation, I will be trained on the basics of canine and feline care. I understand the following key rules and procedures as they relate to interacting with cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies:

6.1. Communication with Animal Care Staff is essential as I begin volunteering with Pawmetto Lifeline, and I'll continue to communicate with them if I have any questions or concerns about a particular pet's needs.

6.2. When and if I am walking a dog, it is important that I remember to only walk one (1) dog at a time, and approach the kennel with the leash in hand and already looped.

6.3. When WALKING dogs past one another, I must do my part in keeping them approximately 10 feet apart to avoid conflict.

6.4. Before engaging in any dog playgroup outside, I must ask the Staff Floor Lead before engaging or not.

6.5. I as a Volunteer should never leave a dog unsupervised in the outside runs or in the upstairs play area, never create playgroups on my own, OR never interact with a dog who has a "Staff Only" sign/symbol on their kennel.

6.6. During a shift, I must wash my hands after walking or interacting with each dog AND before and after handling any puppy.

6.7. If there is a dog or cat fight, I should make a loud, distracting noise and seek a Staff member, never using my body to stop the fight or never running away from the situation.

6.8. When volunteering in Feline Care, I should always check kennel notes, (downstairs) allow only "approved" cats in Cat Condos to come out and interact with other approved cats from Condos, and ALWAYS check each kennel to replenish water and scoop litter boxes as needed. Cats in the "Backyard" cat group room and cats in the "Lake Purray" group room are never to be let out to roam outside of their room.

6.9. When assisting in Feline Care, I not only will socialize with cats inside their prospective areas, but I will also check water, scoop litter boxes as needed, replenish supplies, and commit to helping maintain their cleanliness.

6.10. At the end of your Volunteer shift in Feline Care, if there is NOT another Volunteer present with me or another Volunteer coming in AFTER me, cats and kittens must always be returned to their assigned kennels.

6.11. Volunteers must report to Staff any bites or other incidents immediately and complete an incident report, report to Staff if I feel uncomfortable handling a particular pet, and report any cat fight—Staff members are the only approved people to handle a pet post-incident.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT

Any modification to this Agreement must be in writing signed by both parties. This Agreement is binding upon Pawmetto Lifeline, me and Pawmetto Lifeline’s and my respective heirs, successors, assigns, executors, and personal representatives.

I will participate in required Volunteer Orientation, and during my time at Pawmetto Lifeline as a Volunteer I will help support the Pawmetto Lifeline mission, ever mindful of the organization's Core Values of compassion, respect, justice, and courage.

By selecting, "I agree", I have accurately and truthfully completed this Volunteer Application. I acknowledge that I have read and understand all sections, and that this form submission equates to my signature and agreement to the Pawmetto Lifeline Volunteer Agreement Section in full.