North Sydney Independents Volunteer Agreement

This document is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and it may be cancelled at any time by either us or you.

Purpose

North Sydney’s Independent (NSI) is a local volunteer group supporting our community’s democratic representation at all levels of Government. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and we want your involvement with NSI to be enjoyable and meaningful.

You are a volunteer

Your position is a voluntary one. This means that you perform all duties on a voluntary basis and you will not receive remuneration or payment for your work, other than reasonable reimbursement of expenses 

Standards of Behaviour

We want to live the behaviours we wish to see in others and particularly those elected to parliament. We expect that at all times you will:

  • act positively and in the best interests of NSI
  • demonstrate honest and decent behaviour
  • respect the opinions of those you disagree with and refrain from any negative comments
  • behave respectfully and courteously to all staff and the public in the course of your role
  • be welcoming and inclusive of all

Mutual Commitment

NSI value their volunteers and will endeavour to provide you with:

  • an orientation and any training necessary for the volunteer role
  • clear directions and support from a supervisor
  • a safe environment for you to volunteer
  • respect for your privacy, including keeping your private information confidential
  • insurance to cover you for the volunteer duties you are authorised to perform.
  • reimbursement of reasonable expenses

In your volunteer role we require you to:

  • agree to participate in an orientation program
  • only undertake duties you are authorised to perform, and follow reasonable directions and instructions that you are given
  • act with care and diligence
  • provide sufficient notice to your supervisor if you are unable to undertake your commitments
  • use any property or equipment given to you safely and only for the purpose of volunteering and return it to the organisation when you finish
  • keep all information confidential if in the course of your duties you work with people's personal information in a database or any other non database information that needs to be kept confidential, eg social media discussions, information on donations
  • declare any interests which might conflict with your role with NSI
  • not accept any gifts or benefits in the course of your role
  • not perform your role if you are affected by drugs or alcohol, including medications
  • not bring NSI into disrepute, for example through the use of social media
  • comply with the law at all times.

Role Description

Your role, tasks, estimated time commitment and location is described in your position description included at Appendix ??

Media

NSI has appointed authorised representatives to speak to the media. If you are approached by the media, do not comment, and  refer them to ……………..

Health and Safety

At NSI volunteer safety, and the safety of everyone who is involved in our organisation, is a priority. NSI will always need to consider work health and safety issues, and will work with you to provide a safe and enjoyable volunteering experience.

As a volunteer, you have safety responsibilities too. These include:

  • to take reasonable care for your own health and safety
  • to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others
  • to comply with any reasonable instruction by NSI
  • to let NSI know of any concerns you may have about safety, harassment and/or fitness in undertaking your role
  • to cooperate with any reasonable policies and procedures of NSI

We will endeavour to provide you with an orientation when you commence as a volunteer with our organisation. However, please do not hesitate to talk to your contact person at any time if you have any health and safety concerns.

Insurance

We are committed to providing adequate insurance cover for volunteers whilst carrying out their volunteering roles that have been approved and authorised by us.

NSI holds public liability insurance, to ensure this insurance covers you for any incidents that occur while you are volunteering with us, you need to ensure you only undertake authorised activities, and that you report an incident as soon as it occurs.

Consent to use photographs and images

  • You agree that NSI may take photographs and video footage of you carrying out your volunteer work and use it for the purposes of marketing and promotion of NSI and its goods or services. This may include printed and digital marketing, including the use of your image on social media platforms.

Conflict resolution

In the case of a complaint, NSI will attempt to resolve the issue directly with you. If it is not possible to resolve the issue, NSI may decide not to offer future volunteering opportunities.