Volunteer Rules & Waiver

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Certain roles may have additional requirements (physical, licensure, security clearance, background check clearance). The Foundation may decline any volunteer application at its sole discretion.

Volunteers are not employees, agents, or contractors of the Foundation. Volunteer service is unpaid and does not create an employment relationship or an expectation of compensation, benefits, or continuing engagement.

The Foundation reserves the right to require a background check for any volunteer role, at any time, including but not limited to roles that involve unsupervised contact with participants, program leadership, financial handling, or represent the Foundation to outside partners. Background checks are performed through a reputable third-party consumer reporting agency.

If the Foundation requests a background check, you will be provided with the required disclosures and asked to sign a separate authorization consistent with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state law. Refusal to consent to a required background check will result in the Foundation declining or ending the volunteer engagement.

Volunteers agree to:

• Treat every participant, teammate, partner, and community member with respect and dignity.
• Follow all Foundation program leaders’ instructions and safety guidance.
• Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or violence.
• Not consume alcohol, illegal drugs, or arrive impaired to any Foundation activity.
• Protect the privacy of participants and other volunteers.
• Follow the Community Guidelines and the Terms of Service.

The Foundation may end a volunteer’s engagement at any time, with or without cause, for conduct inconsistent with this Code of Conduct.

Volunteer activities may involve physical exertion, outdoor conditions, travel, equipment handling, contact with participants who may be in crisis, and other risks that cannot be fully eliminated. You voluntarily assume all such risks in exchange for the opportunity to serve.

You confirm you are physically able to perform the tasks assigned to you and will inform the program leader immediately if a condition arises that could affect your safety or the safety of others.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and hold harmless the Esprit de Corps Foundation, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and program partners (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, damages, or causes of action arising out of or related to your volunteer service, including injury, loss, or damage to person or property, except for claims arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Released Parties.

The Foundation may photograph, film, or record volunteer activities for internal records, program reporting, funder updates, marketing, and public communications. By participating, you grant the Foundation a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use your name, likeness, and voice in these materials.

If you do not want to appear in Foundation media, notify the program leader in writing before the activity begins. The Foundation will make a reasonable effort to accommodate the request.

Volunteers may access non-public information about participants, teammates, partners, financial matters, or operations. You agree to keep that information confidential, not to disclose it outside the scope of your service, and to return or destroy any confidential material when your engagement ends.

When you sign up for a shift or event, please attend. If you cannot, notify the program leader as early as possible so we can adjust coverage. Repeated no-shows may result in restricted access to future shifts.

Any tools, equipment, materials, credentials, or Foundation Portal access issued to you remain the property of the Foundation. You agree to return them and any copies of Foundation data at the end of your engagement. Portal access is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy.

If you or a participant is in imminent danger, call 911. For crisis support: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text 838255 (Veterans Crisis Line). Report any incident, injury, or safety concern to the program leader on scene and to privacy@espritdcf.org within 24 hours.

Either party may end the volunteer engagement at any time, for any reason. Sections 3 (Background checks), 6 (Release of liability), 7 (Media release), and 8 (Confidentiality) survive termination.

This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Venue for any dispute lies in state or federal court in Cook County, Illinois.

Email volunteer@espritdcf.org.