Step Forward with Confidence
Volunteer Liability Waiver and Agreement
Before participating in any volunteer activity, we ask that you review and agree to the terms outlined in our Volunteer Liability Waiver and Release Agreement. This ensures safety, transparency, and a shared understanding for everyone involved.
Thank you for your interest in serving as a volunteer for Second Families, a nonprofit organization organized and existing under the laws of the State of California (collectively with its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents, the “Organization”). To carry out its mission of providing resettlement assistance to newly arrived refugees in Southern California (its “Activities”), the Organization regularly engages volunteers. In line with and in consideration for your participation as a volunteer, we ask you to confirm your understanding and agree to the following:
Policies and Safety Rules
For my safety and that of others, I will comply with the Organization’s volunteer policies, safety rules, and other directions. If I become aware of any hazardous condition or danger relating to the Activities, I will alert the Organization.
Awareness and Assumption of Risk
I understand that the Activities have inherent risks that may arise from the activities themselves, my own actions or inactions, or the actions or inactions of the Organization, its directors, officers, employees and agents, other volunteers, and other individuals not affiliated with the Organization. I assume full responsibility for any and all risks of injury, harm, or loss caused by or arising directly or indirectly from my participation in the Activities.
Waiver and Release of Claims
I fully and forever release and discharge the Organization from, and expressly waive, any and all claims that exist or may arise from my participation in the Activities, including all unknown or unanticipated claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, liabilities, and causes of action of every kind and character. I agree not to make or bring any such claim against the Organization and understand that this agreement discharges the Organization from any liability or claim that I may have against the Organization with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, property damage, or property loss that may result from the Activities.
I, accordingly, expressly waive and relinquish, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all provisions, rights, and benefits that I may have under statute, principle of public policy, federal law, any law of any state or territory of the United States or any foreign country, or principle of common law, which would narrowly construe releases purporting by their terms to release such unknown or unsuspected claims in whole or in part or which would limit or restrict the effect of the releases to those claims actually known or suspected to exist at the time of the execution of the releases, including but not limited to Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, or any similar provision of law or successor statute to it, which provides as follows: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”
I have been advised of the existence and contents of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, and understand and agree that Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and the benefits thereof, and of any other similar law and benefit of any other state, if applicable, are hereby expressly waived.
Indemnification
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organization from any and all liability, losses, damages, judgments, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, arising out of any claim that the Organization may incur or sustain as a result of my negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct in connection, directly or indirectly, with my participation in the Activities.
Volunteer Not an Employee
I understand that (i) I am not an employee of the Organization, (ii) I will not be paid for my participation, and (iii) I am not covered by or eligible for any insurance, health care, worker’s compensation, financial assistance, or any other benefits of the Organization. I may choose at any time not to participate in any of the Activities or to entirely cease volunteering with the Organization.
Medical Care Consent and Waiver
I give consent and authority to the Organization to obtain medical treatment on my behalf if I am injured or require medical attention during my participation in the Activities. I understand and agree that I am solely responsible for all costs related to such medical treatment, medical transportation, and/or evacuation. I release, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Organization from any claim whatsoever in connection with such treatment or other medical services.
Confidentiality
As a volunteer, I may have access to confidential information, including but not limited to addresses, phone numbers, and/or medical information of individuals and families receiving the Organization’s services. At all times during and after my participation, I agree to hold any such confidential information in confidence and not disclose or use it except as required in relation to the Activities or as the Organization expressly authorizes.
General Provisions
I agree that this agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications or understandings, either oral or written between me and the Organization. This agreement will be binding to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this agreement is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms will be effective. This agreement is binding on and inures to the benefit of the Organization and me and our respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns.
Governing Law
I agree that this agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted, and that this agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to any choice of law doctrine.
BY SIGNING, I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND THAT I AM FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE THE ORGANIZATION.
Policies and Safety Rules
For my safety and that of others, I will comply with the Organization’s volunteer policies, safety rules, and other directions. If I become aware of any hazardous condition or danger relating to the Activities, I will alert the Organization.
Awareness and Assumption of Risk
I understand that the Activities have inherent risks that may arise from the activities themselves, my own actions or inactions, or the actions or inactions of the Organization, its directors, officers, employees and agents, other volunteers, and other individuals not affiliated with the Organization. I assume full responsibility for any and all risks of injury, harm, or loss caused by or arising directly or indirectly from my participation in the Activities.
Waiver and Release of Claims
I fully and forever release and discharge the Organization from, and expressly waive, any and all claims that exist or may arise from my participation in the Activities, including all unknown or unanticipated claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, liabilities, and causes of action of every kind and character. I agree not to make or bring any such claim against the Organization and understand that this agreement discharges the Organization from any liability or claim that I may have against the Organization with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, property damage, or property loss that may result from the Activities.
I, accordingly, expressly waive and relinquish, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all provisions, rights, and benefits that I may have under statute, principle of public policy, federal law, any law of any state or territory of the United States or any foreign country, or principle of common law, which would narrowly construe releases purporting by their terms to release such unknown or unsuspected claims in whole or in part or which would limit or restrict the effect of the releases to those claims actually known or suspected to exist at the time of the execution of the releases, including but not limited to Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, or any similar provision of law or successor statute to it, which provides as follows: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”
I have been advised of the existence and contents of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, and understand and agree that Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and the benefits thereof, and of any other similar law and benefit of any other state, if applicable, are hereby expressly waived.
Indemnification
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organization from any and all liability, losses, damages, judgments, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, arising out of any claim that the Organization may incur or sustain as a result of my negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct in connection, directly or indirectly, with my participation in the Activities.
Volunteer Not an Employee
I understand that (i) I am not an employee of the Organization, (ii) I will not be paid for my participation, and (iii) I am not covered by or eligible for any insurance, health care, worker’s compensation, financial assistance, or any other benefits of the Organization. I may choose at any time not to participate in any of the Activities or to entirely cease volunteering with the Organization.
Medical Care Consent and Waiver
I give consent and authority to the Organization to obtain medical treatment on my behalf if I am injured or require medical attention during my participation in the Activities. I understand and agree that I am solely responsible for all costs related to such medical treatment, medical transportation, and/or evacuation. I release, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Organization from any claim whatsoever in connection with such treatment or other medical services.
Confidentiality
As a volunteer, I may have access to confidential information, including but not limited to addresses, phone numbers, and/or medical information of individuals and families receiving the Organization’s services. At all times during and after my participation, I agree to hold any such confidential information in confidence and not disclose or use it except as required in relation to the Activities or as the Organization expressly authorizes.
General Provisions
I agree that this agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications or understandings, either oral or written between me and the Organization. This agreement will be binding to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this agreement is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms will be effective. This agreement is binding on and inures to the benefit of the Organization and me and our respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns.
Governing Law
I agree that this agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted, and that this agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to any choice of law doctrine.
BY SIGNING, I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND THAT I AM FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE THE ORGANIZATION.