VOLUNTEER SERVICES AGREEMENT AND LIABILITY WAIVER
This Volunteer Services Agreement and Liability Waiver (“Agreement”) is made by and between the undersigned volunteer (“Volunteer”) and Star Horses, Inc. (“Company”). Company is a not-for-profit corporation with income-tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Volunteer’s services to Company will be based on the understandings set forth below.
1. Relationship of the Parties: Volunteer represents that he or she is providing services for Company for charitable purposes and without promise, expectation, or receipt of any compensation, wages, or other benefits for the work performed. Volunteer represents that the services are being provided freely and without pressure or coercion of any kind by Company. Volunteer acknowledges and understands that he or she is not an employee, partner, agent, shareholder, or agent of, or joint venturer with Company in any respect. If at any point the relationship of the parties changes, any change must be documented in a formal contract for employment, services, or other arrangement.
2. Volunteer’s Services: Volunteer shall help support and advance the charitable missions and objectives of Company, which generally is to enhance the wellbeing of people with physical, mental, and emotional challenges through meaningful and effective equine therapy. Volunteer agrees to attend Company’s training session before beginning the services. Volunteer shall only undertake those duties that he or she is authorized to perform and obey all reasonable directions and instructions from Company’s staff. Volunteer shall advise Company if he or she wishes to change the service hours or role at any time. Volunteer’s services will include the following:
A) Being a side walker, meaning walking on the side of clients riding horses to help them balance and keep them safe.
B) Looking after horses, including feeding, walking, grooming, bathing, refilling water buckets, putting in and out of sunpens, and putting in turn outs.
C) Preparing horses for therapy sessions by grooming and tacking horses.
D) Maintaining and sweeping walkways so that they are safe and accessible for clients with impaired mobility.
E) Maintaining, cleaning, and conditioning equipment used for therapeutic riding.
F) Assisting with building items used in therapy, such as mounting blocks that need to be constructed to help clients with physical challenges get on and off a therapy horse.
G) Assisting with maintenance of the facility, including the stables, by painting, gardening, and decorating.
H) Assisting with assembly of tables, benches, and chairs used by clients and their families.
I) Assisting with answering the phone and answering questions about services offered by the nonprofit.
J) Assisting with fundraising efforts.
K) Assisting with basic administrative tasks.
L) Assisting with building and maintaining a webpage.
3. Amount/Term of Services: Volunteer’s services will begin and end as stated by Company, except that Volunteer or Company may terminate this Agreement at any time. Volunteer will spend a minimum of two (2) hours per week on the services.
4. Code of Conduct: Volunteer shall perform only those assigned tasks that are within his or her physical capability and will not undertake any tasks that are beyond his or her physical capability or ability. Volunteer will not undertake to operate or use vehicles, equipment, or tools that he or she is unfamiliar with, and that he or she has not received specific training or authorization to use from staff. Volunteer will strictly observe all safety rules and will treat everyone with respect, patience, integrity, courtesy, and dignity.
5. Choice of Law and Jurisdiction: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. In addition, Volunteer submits to personal jurisdiction in the State of California for any dispute or claim arising out of this Agreement or Volunteer’s services to Company.
6. Entire Agreement: This Agreement contains the entire, integrated agreement of the parties, and there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement, whether oral or written.
7. Severability: If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
8. Reasonableness: Volunteer has carefully read and considered the individual and expressly written paragraphs in this Agreement and, having done so, agrees that the terms set forth herein are fair and reasonable.