Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability

This Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability (“Release”) is executed in favor of The Bigger Vision of Athens, Inc. (“Organization”), a 501(c)(3) Georgia nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide shelter and support for those experiencing homelessness, by the undersigned individual (“Volunteer”). If Volunteer is under eighteen (18) years of age, Volunteer’s parent or legal guardian (“Parent/Guardian”) must also execute this Release, both on behalf of the minor Volunteer and in Parent/Guardian’s own individual capacity, as a condition of Volunteer’s participation. In consideration for Organization’s acceptance of Volunteer to engage in voluntary, unpaid work and services, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, Volunteer (and, if applicable, Parent/Guardian) freely and voluntarily executes this Release for and on behalf of Volunteer and Volunteer’s heirs, successors, beneficiaries and assigns (and, if applicable, for and on behalf of Parent/Guardian and Parent/Guardian’s heirs, successors, beneficiaries and assigns):

1. Volunteer’s Participation. Volunteer will engage in activities for Organization which may include, but are not limited to, meal preparation and delivery (including use of Volunteer’s personal vehicle and kitchen), guest check-in and registration, storage of guest belongings, laundry services, guest interaction and supervision support, yardwork, carpentry, and other tasks as requested by Organization (“Volunteer Activities”). Organization staff will be present during all Volunteer Activities. Volunteer understands and agrees that Volunteer is donating Volunteer’s services to Organization as an unpaid volunteer, and that Volunteer is not and will not be considered an employee, agent, partner, or independent contractor of Organization for any purpose, including for purposes of wages, benefits, insurance coverage, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, or tax withholding. Volunteer is not entitled to any compensation, wages, or employee benefits of any kind in connection with the Volunteer Activities.

2. Conduct of Volunteer. Volunteer will perform Volunteer Activities in a professional, ethical manner consistent with Organization’s mission. Volunteer agrees to read, acknowledge, and comply with Organization’s Volunteer Code of Conduct, incorporated herein by reference, as may be amended from time to time, and all other rules, regulations, policies, and directions of Organization staff. Volunteer warrants that all information provided to Organization is true and accurate and assumes responsibility for any claims or liabilities resulting from inaccurate information. Violation of the Organization’s Volunteer Code of Conduct or any Organization policy may result in immediate termination of Volunteer’s participation. Volunteer understands that, except as otherwise agreed in writing by a Released Party, as defined in Section 3 below, the Released Parties do not provide workers’ compensation, medical, health, disability insurance, or any other financial assistance to volunteers.

3. Release and Waiver. Volunteer hereby releases, waives, forever discharges, covenants not to sue, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Organization and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, causes of action, losses, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, arising out of or relating to the Volunteer Activities, including but not limited to (i) bodily injury, illness, death or property damage, (ii) first aid or medical treatment rendered or failed to be rendered, and (iii) any act, omission, or condition relating to the use of facilities, equipment or vehicles, in each case regardless of whether caused in whole or in part by any Released Party.

4. Assumption of Risk. Volunteer understands and acknowledges that the Volunteer Activities may expose Volunteer to inherently dangerous conditions and risks, including, but not limited to, (i) burns, cuts, slips, trips, and falls associated with meal preparation, cooking, and use of kitchen facilities and equipment, (ii) motor vehicle accidents, bodily injury, or property damage arising from the use of Volunteer’s personal vehicle for meal delivery or other transportation, (iii) physical injury from yardwork, carpentry, use of tools, heavy lifting, or manual labor, (iv) exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, cleaning agents, or unsanitary conditions, (v) unpredictable behavior, verbal or physical confrontation, or other risks arising from direct interaction with guests or members of the public, and (vi) potential exposure to COVID-19 or other communicable or infectious diseases through contact with employees, guests, other volunteers, or members of the public. Volunteer hereby expressly and specifically assumes all risks of damage, injury, harm, illness, or death arising out of or in connection with the Volunteer Activities. Volunteer acknowledges and fully understands that such risks may result not only from Volunteer’s own actions, inactions, or negligence, but also from the actions, inactions, or negligence of others, or from the condition of the premises, facilities, or equipment used in connection with the Volunteer Activities.

5. Medical Treatment. Volunteer hereby authorizes the Released Parties to act on Volunteer’s behalf in providing first aid and securing medical treatment for Volunteer in the event of injury or illness to Volunteer. Volunteer understands and agrees that any expense will be Volunteer’s responsibility. Volunteer shall provide the name and telephone number of an emergency contact person who may be notified in the event of injury or illness.

6. Media Release. Volunteer agrees to be photographed or recorded in other media, such as video or audio recordings, in connection with Volunteer Activities or other activities or events of Organization. Volunteer grants and conveys to Organization all right, title and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by or for Organization during Volunteer’s participation in the Volunteer Activities, including, but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived from such photographs or recordings. Volunteer shall not photograph, video, audio record, or otherwise capture or reproduce the image or likeness of any guest of Organization without the prior written consent of Organization.

7. Transportation Requirements and Release. Volunteer shall not drive any vehicle in furtherance of Volunteer Activities unless Volunteer has a valid driver’s license and is competent to operate a motor vehicle. If using Volunteer’s personal vehicle, Volunteer must maintain valid and reasonable vehicle insurance coverage. Volunteer acknowledges that the release, waiver, indemnification, and hold harmless provisions set forth in Section 3 of this Release apply to any and all claims arising out of or relating to the operation or use of any vehicle in connection with the Volunteer Activities, whether Volunteer’s personal vehicle or a vehicle owned or operated by Organization.

8. Confidentiality. Volunteer understands that it is the policy of Organization to ensure that the operations, activities, and affairs of Organization are kept confidential, unless the sharing of such information is approved in advance by the Executive Director, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, what is shared during any meetings and daily work activity, internal reporting, personal information about Organization’s guests, clients, donors, volunteers, or employees, financial data, business information, and intellectual property. In consideration for the opportunity to work as a volunteer with Organization, Volunteer agrees to refrain, both during and after the end of the volunteer relationship, from repeating to any outside source and to keep confidential all information or records pertaining to Organization’s operations, guests, clients, donors, volunteers, or employees obtained while doing Volunteer Activities. Volunteer understands that this is privileged information and is not to be shared with anyone other than a current employee of Organization, and then, only as necessary to properly carry out the Volunteer Activities. Volunteer acknowledges that any violation of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action which may include termination of Volunteer Activities, and that Organization may take legal action against Volunteer, including but not limited to seeking temporary restraining orders or permanent injunctions to prevent the disclosure of confidential information in federal or state courts in Georgia.

9. Miscellaneous. This Release constitutes the entire agreement between Volunteer and Organization with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings. This Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia without regard to conflict of laws principles. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall lie in state or federal courts in Clarke County, Georgia. The failure of Organization to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver thereof. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, VOLUNTEER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS RELEASE.

BY SIGNING, VOLUNTEER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT VOLUNTEER HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT VOLUNTEER IS VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE ORGANIZATION.