The YUVA Volunteer Agreement is the foundation of the working relationship between YUVA and its volunteers. A volunteer agreement clarifies the expectations of both parties in relation to the length of time commitment, confidentiality, attendance at training, and adherence to the organisation’s policies and procedures.
1. You are a volunteer
The YUVAN position at YUVA is a volunteer position. This means that if you accept the role, you will perform all duties on a voluntary basis and will not receive remuneration or payment for your work.
YUVA does not intend to create any employment or contractual relationship (i.e., you are not an employee, independent contractor, or consultant at YUVA. If this changes at any time, and there is a possibility that you might undertake paid work for the organisation or be involved in vocational training, we will discuss this and document the arrangement in a formal employment contract, contract for services, or other arrangements.
2. What can you expect when volunteering at YUVA?
YUVA values its volunteers, and we will endeavour to provide you with:
- a written position description so you understand your role and the tasks you are authorised to perform;
- a full induction, orientation and any training necessary for the volunteer role;
- a safe environment in which to perform your role;
- respect for your privacy, including keeping your private information confidential; and
- a supervisor, so that you have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback (see Section 4 below);
3. What does YUVA ask of its volunteers?
We ask that you:
- support YUVA’s aims and objectives;
- participate in all relevant induction and training programs;
- only undertake duties you are authorised to perform and always operate under the direction and supervision of nominated staff, and obey reasonable directions and instructions;
- understand and comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures;
- notify your supervisor or another member of staff of any health and safety issues or potentially hazardous situations that may pose a risk to you or others and report any accidents or incidents relating to staff, volunteers, or the workplace;
- behave appropriately and courteously to all staff, clients and the public in the course of your role;
- use any property or equipment given to you in your role safely and only for the purpose of the role and return it to the organisation when you finish your volunteer role;
- let us know if you wish to change the nature of your contribution (e.g. hours, role) to YUVA at any time;
- comply with the law at all times, and
- be open and honest in your dealings with us, and let us know if we can improve our volunteer program and the support that you receive.
4. Contact person
Your contact person at YUVA will be Dr Krishna Athal, YUVA Executive Director. If you have any questions or concerns about your role, your health and safety, or any assistance you need to help you undertake your role, please contact the YUVA Secretariat as soon as possible.
5. Role description and details
Job descriptions are given to respective volunteers according to their positions in various service sectors.
It is essential that you only perform the tasks in this role description and that you follow the instructions of your job descriptions and YUVA) staff.
We will explain more about the Universal Declaration on Volunteering in your induction. However, one of the critical factors in ensuring you are protected is performing voluntary community work directed or supervised by an incorporated community organisation. Therefore, it is vital that you only perform the tasks in the role description and as instructed by the organisation. To be covered by these laws, it is also crucial that you are not affected by drugs or alcohol when volunteering.
If you are unsure whether a particular task or work is authorised, please do not hesitate to talk to your contact person.
6. The health and safety of you and others
At YUVA, volunteer safety and the safety of everyone who is involved in our organisation is a priority.
In Mauritius, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2005 (OHS Act) applies to many volunteers because all organisations that engage workers on a paid basis or manage or control a workplace can owe OHS duties to everyone in the organisation (including volunteers). Also, other legal actions (such as negligence claims) may mean we must always consider work health and safety issues.
Under the OHS Act and other laws, YUVA has a duty of care to minimise risks to everyone affected by its conduct (including paid employees and volunteers).
It also means that you may have OHS duties as a volunteer. These include:
- to take reasonable care of your health and safety;
- to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others;
- to comply with any reasonable instruction by YUVA;
- to let YUVA know of any concerns you may have about safety and/or fitness in undertaking our role; and
- to cooperate with any reasonable policies and procedures of YUVA.
When you commence as a YUVAN with our organisation, we will provide you with a full induction, safety equipment, and role training. However, please do not hesitate to talk to your contact officer anytime regarding health and safety concerns.
7. Induction and training required before you start in the volunteer role
YUVA is committed to providing suitable training to support our health and safety, discrimination, and privacy policies. For this reason, it is our policy that all volunteers undertake induction and/or training at YUVA) before commencing their volunteer position.
We will be holding the next volunteer induction session at the YUVA Head Office. Please contact the YUVA Secretariat to confirm your attendance or for details of alternative sessions.
8. Information we require before you can start in the volunteer role
Before you can commence the volunteer role, we need the following information:
- Certificate of Character
- Curriculum Vitae
- National Identity Card
- 2 References
All background check information will be conducted in accordance with our ‘Background Check’ policy and our privacy policy.
9. Volunteer expenses and other benefits
As a volunteer, YUVA will not reimburse you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred when performing authorised tasks associated with your role.
We may sometimes provide you with other benefits as part of your volunteering role; examples include training, free food, accommodation, event entry, clothing or equipment. This occurs on a gratuitous basis at the discretion of YUVA and is not a payment in lieu of salary.
10. Intellectual Property
All volunteers at YUVA agree to transfer all intellectual property rights and interests (including copyright) in any ideas or materials they create relating to their provision of voluntary services at YUVA to YUVA.
Volunteers are asked to consent to YUVA’s use of such creations in a manner reasonably contemplated by the voluntary services provided under this document. As a volunteer, you also agree not to bring any claim for infringement of your moral rights regarding that use.