Volunteer

The inherent right of all individuals is to be respected as an equal. In all our programs, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standard in respect to personal information. Therefore, Agape has established this Statement of Confidentiality:

I, the undersigned, agree to hold in confidence all information given to me regarding any specific individual here at Agape. All health histories and personal information regarding particular individuals is covered by this agreement. I will not post confidential information about Agape, clients or employees on any social media or personal site. This includes names, contact information, finances, etc. I will not discuss with my family, friends, acquaintances, or general public, specific individuals, riders, staff or volunteers, or any information relating to an individual here at Agape.

I agree not to share images or information about Agape participants, volunteers, or staff through any form of media, including social networking and social media sites. I will not post photos of Agape clients. I understand that only Agape staff have permission to share information and images.

• I understand that the goal of volunteering is to fulfill the Vision and Mission of Agape. My attitudes and actions should always further that goal.
• I will treat students, fellow volunteers, staff and the horses of Agape with respect at all times.
• I agree to work my entire volunteer shift as scheduled, to conduct myself in an appropriate manner, to dress in attire that follows the volunteer dress code, to follow safety procedures, and to be prepared for my volunteer shift.
• I shall not use my cell phone for any reason during my volunteer shift while with participants/horses.
• I agree not to share images or information about Agape participants, volunteers, or staff through any form of media, including social networking and social media sites. If information and images are shared, ONLY Agape staff have permission to share.
• I agree to respect everyone involved at Agape, whether in private or public, and understand that I represent Agape at all times, on and off the premises.
• I understand that I am responsible for reviewing all materials given to me at the Volunteer Orientation session or any other Agape training.
• I understand that during my volunteer shift at Agape I am to be fully present and focused on my responsibilities for the safety, security, and continuation of excellence in programming. An inattentive volunteer, or one who cannot perform the functions or duties of a volunteer, will be removed from classes, or invited not to return to Agape.
• I know that I represent Agape and I promise not to engage in any activity on or off of the premises that may cause harm to Agape, others, or myself.
• I understand that if I cannot make my volunteer shift (or any part of my shift), it is important to notify the Volunteer Coordinator or Site Manager, at least 24 hours in advance at:
  • North: 317-773-7433 | volunteers@agaperiding.org
  • East: 317-477-2276 | eastsitemanager@agaperiding.org

Volunteers that fail to observe the Volunteer Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action and can result in my dismissal from the volunteer program at Agape. Agape has the right to terminate any volunteer who does not adhere to this Code of Conduct and our policies. Volunteering at Agape is a privilege. We do appreciate all the skill, energy and commitment volunteers bring to our programs, however, sometimes it may be necessary to remove a volunteer from a specific class or from programs of Agape if it is determined that the Volunteer is unfit to continue.

The following will result in immediate termination of a volunteer from classes and property:

• Agape will not tolerate intoxicated or chemically impaired volunteers to volunteer at Agape. If there may be a question, Agape staff will err on the side of caution, and will not permit the individual to volunteer. Please understand, for the safety, security, and continuation of excellence in programming, an inattentive volunteer, or one who cannot perform the functions or duties of a volunteer, will not be permitted to volunteer.
• Agape will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and is committed to providing a safe environment for all, that is free from sexual harassment and other types of discriminatory harassment while on or off the premisises as these behaviors do ont reflect the culture of Agape.
• Agape will not tolerate theft, animal abuse, vandalism, or any other criminal activity while on or off the premises as these behaviors do not reflect the culture of Agape.

In the event emergency medical aid/treatment is required, Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc. will:

1. Contact 911, state the nature of the emergency and request that an ambulance be sent to the scene of the occurrence;
2. Contact the person(s) listed above in the priority listed; and
3. Provide the information listed above to emergency medical providers.

This Equine Activity Release, Assumption of Risk and Agreement to Indemnify (the “Agreement”) is hereby entered by on the dates indicated below.

A. Scope of Services Provided. Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc. (“Agape”) is a not-for-profit organization that sponsors, organizes and/or provides facilities for activities involving equines including, but not limited to, therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning programs with such activities taking place both on the premises owned by Agape (“Premises”) and at other locations within the State of Indiana (“Locations”) (collectively “Agape Equine Activities”).

B. Inherent Risks of Equine Activities. The undersigned expressly understands that certain dangers or conditions are an integral part of such Agape Equine Activities including but not limited to: i) The propensity of an equine to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around the equine, ii) The unpredictability of an equine's reaction to such things as sound, sudden movement, unfamiliar objects, people, or other animals, iii) Hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions, iv) Collisions with other equines or objects and v) The potential of a person involved in Agape Equine Activities to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to that person and/or other persons, such as by failing to maintain control over an equine. The undersigned expressly understands and agrees that such dangers or conditions exist whether a person is: i) personally engaging in Agape Equine Activities, ii) a spectator of Agape Equine Activities or iii) entering, departing or being on the Premises or Locations where Agape Equine Activities are taking place and that by doing any of these actions, such a person is a “Participant.”

C. Assumption of Risk, Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement. In consideration of Agape allowing the undersigned, as well as those persons for whom the undersigned has listed herein, to be a Participant and with an understanding of the Inherent Risks of Equine Activities as set forth in Paragraph B above, the undersigned, individually and on behalf of each persons listed herein by the undersigned, hereby assumes all such risks and forever releases, waives, discharges and covenants not to sue Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc. (including its directors, officers, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, volunteers, insurers, affiliates, successors, assigns and others acting on Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc.’s behalf including, without limitation, independent contractors such as trainers, instructors, veterinary personnel, farriers, equine care providers and maintenance personnel) (collectively the “Released Parties”) from all liability, loss, claims, demands, possible causes of action, court costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses, known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, that may result from any loss, damage or injury (including death) to the person or property of i) the undersigned and ii) each person listed herein by the undersigned which, in any way, results from, or arises in connection with, or relates to, any Agape Equine Activity whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or others. I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, and voluntarily assume the risk of being exposed to or infected by COVID-19 or other respiratory infections while on Agape property and I hereby fully release Agape, its agents and assigns, from any and all damages, liability, costs and expenses related to any such exposures or infections.

D. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, agents, insurers and assigns of the undersigned and shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by the Released Parties. If this Agreement is executed for and on behalf of a Participant who is under the age of eighteen (18) or under some other legal disability, the undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she is in fact the legal parent or guardian of said Participant with full rights of custody and control and that this Agreement and all terms contained herein is given on behalf of and is intended to be binding upon said Participant, his/her heirs, executors, administrators, agents, insurers and assigns.

E. Complete Agreement, Choice of Law, Venue and Attorneys Fees. The terms of this Agreement contain the entire agreement of the parties as to the subject matter set forth herein and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana. In the event any provision of this Agreement is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable by any court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, then the Agreement shall be deemed to be restricted in scope or otherwise modified to the extent necessary to render its provisions valid and enforceable. The parties agree that Hamilton County, Indiana is the exclusive venue for any legal proceedings arising from or related to this Agreement and the Released Parties shall be entitled to recover the costs incurred (including reasonable attorneys fees) from the undersigned in the event that any legal action (regardless of whether a lawsuit is filed) is required to enforce this Agreement.

I understand that Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources will conduct a criminal history background check when processing my volunteer and/or employment application to include a search for criminal records in my counties of residence. Further, I understand that Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources will conduct an investigation to verify my social security number and information about past employment.

I also understand that before I am denied participation in the volunteer program based on information obtained in this investigation, I will receive a copy of the findings and a written description of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

I understand if I disagree with the accuracy of any information in the findings, I must notify Executive Director of Agape within three (3) business days of receipt of the report in order to qualify for an opportunity to address the information contained in the criminal history/background check.

I understand that the information contained in the criminal history/background check will be available to the person(s) involved in performing the criminal history/background checks and to the person(s) making volunteer and/or employment assignments and that this information will be used for the purpose of making decisions concerning volunteer and/or employment participation and assignments.