Volunteer Agreement

MISSION STATEMENT

Classroom Law Project is a non-profit organization of individuals, educators, lawyers, and civic leaders working to equip students with the knowledge, essential skills, and motivation to participate in our democracy.

The purpose of this Agreement is to establish common understanding and expectations for all adult volunteers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of student and other participants. This policy applies to volunteers in the context of any volunteer commitment or activity with Classroom Law Project (CLP).

Please read all sections carefully, and complete the form at end.

VOLUNTEER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

A volunteer has the right:  

  • To be treated with respect by staff and other volunteers.
  • To have a suitable assignment that matches your personal preference, personality, skills, and life experience.
  • To have a clear job description.
  • To have safe and enjoyable working conditions.  
  • To have a mechanism for providing feedback, positive or negative.
  • To be free from intimidation, bullying, coercion, and discrimination or harassment of any kind.
  • To have the opportunity to make a difference.

A volunteer has the responsibility:  

  • To notify staff as early as possible if unable to fulfill volunteer duties.
  • To attend all orientation and training sessions required for the program(s) for which they are volunteering.
  • To acknowledge the right of Classroom Law Project to require additional training or guidance in their volunteer task, and/or to dismiss a volunteer because of negative performance or harm caused by their actions.
  • To carry out assignments in good faith and seek assistance from experienced volunteers or staff members whenever guidance or help is needed.
  • To be respectful to students and other participants, other volunteers, and staff and to work as a member of the team. 
  • To communicate criticism or concerns about another volunteer or staff member to the staff member responsible for the program they are volunteering for or to the Executive Director of Classroom Law Project.  
  • To communicate personal limitations such as: transportation needs, time constraints, or other challenges that could interfere with volunteering. 
  • To be able to work effectively and respectfully with the culturally diverse population of program participants and engage in additional training in this area as necessary. 

 

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENTS

In order to volunteer with Classroom Law Project, volunteers agree to the following:

  • I will check in with CLP staff upon arrival for volunteer duties. 
  • I will wear or show volunteer identification whenever I am volunteering in-person.
  • I will follow the directions of the venue administrators, teachers, security personnel, and/or appropriate staff members. 
  • I will act in a professional, respectful manner at all times. I understand that volunteers are role models for students, and will conduct myself accordingly. See Professional Conduct Between Adults and Students below.
  • I will immediately share with staff, teachers, school administrators, and/or appropriate authorities any concerns that I may have related to student welfare and/or safety. 
  • If I am a designated mandatory reporter, I understand that, per Oregon law, this obligation still applies while I am volunteering.
  • I understand that I am responsible for following the policies and procedures of Classroom Law Project programs, including all policies related to discrimination or harassment related to race, gender, sexual identity, ability, or any other protected group. I understand that CLP has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion of all students. I will uphold those policies and values while volunteering. 
  • I will not share my personal political views with students while volunteering. If I have any questions about this as it pertains to certain programs, I will ask the CLP staff member who leads that program.
  • I will keep information about students confidential, and I will not take or share photographs or other social media of student participants, staff, or other volunteers while carrying out their duties without permission from CLP. 
  • I will not have weapons of any type in my possession while engaging in volunteer activities with Classroom Law Project.
  • I will not use tobacco or any nicotine-related products, and will not be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs during CLP events, with the exception of events with a social or networking component that are primarily intended for adults, which may include alcohol.
  • I will not engage in sexual harassment of students, teachers, other volunteers, or CLP staff. I will not engage in any inappropriate contact or behavior, including but not limited to all forms of sexual touching, sexual relations, or romantic relations, and any touching which is unwelcome or inappropriate given the age and maturity of the student. I will refrain from touching or hugging students, even if the student instigates physical contact. I will not pursue or establish a personal relationship with any student participant outside of any CLP program or unrelated to a CLP program or event.

 

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT BETWEEN STUDENTS & ADULTS

Volunteers must show extraordinary dedication and care in their work with students. Students’ most significant learning about relationships comes from how adults behave, and modeling behavior that emphasizes proper and consistent boundaries helps students understand expectations and reinforces healthy behavior. 

  • No Classroom Law Project volunteer should ever engage in direct, unsupervised contact with individual students. 
  • If a student initiates a discussion about a significant personal or family issue in their life, volunteers are encouraged to seek guidance from appropriate resources such as their teacher, principal, school counselors, or CLP staff. 
  • There may be circumstances where there is an appropriate personal relationship between a volunteer and a student’s family that exists independently of volunteer activity with Classroom Law Project (e.g., when the families’ children are friends); however, volunteers must maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the nature of the activity with regard to all student participants with whom they interact in the course of their volunteer work with CLP.

IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING VIDEO

Volunteers are required to watch this video regarding Implicit Bias – though it is related to jury duty, the concepts and ideas are applicable to volunteer work and CLP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. LINK TO VIDEO

 

MULTNOMAH COUNTY COVID-19 WAIVER & VACCINE POLICY

  • Per Classroom Law Project’s contract with the Multnomah Educational Service District* (MESD), all staff and volunteers engaged to provide services, compensated or uncompensated, to or at a school that includes direct or indirect contact with students are required to be vaccinated pursuant to OAR 333-019-1030.
  • All volunteers engaged in activities involving MESD students will be required to provide proof of vaccination to CLP prior to volunteer service.
  • Volunteers shall indemnify, defend, and hold CLP and MESD harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, judgments, losses, or expenses of any nature arising out of volunteers’ failure to follow the CDC, federal, state, or local orders or guidance regarding COVID-19 and that leads to, directly or indirectly, the infection of COVID-19 or any other illness or injury related to COVID-19.

*MESD includes Centennial, David Douglas, Portland Public, Parkrose, Reynolds, Gresham-Barlow, Corbett, and Riverdale schools.

Agreement: I agree to abide by this Volunteer Agreement, the standards of conduct as stated above, and maintain confidentiality. I understand that volunteering is a privilege, not a right. I understand that failure to comply is grounds for immediate suspension or permanent revocation of my volunteer privileges.