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Information and resources for Vassar College volunteers

Best Practices Notice for Alum Volunteers

We’re thrilled and grateful that you are committing to volunteer for Vassar College (Vassar) and/or the Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College (AAVC). Thank you! A volunteer is anyone who gives of their time by serving in an unpaid role (such as Class Agent or Club President) for Vassar or AAVC.

This Best Practices Notice sets forth the expectations and rules for volunteers for Vassar and AAVC. By participating as a volunteer for Vassar or AAVC, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

  1. Ambassador. At all times, volunteers serve as ambassadors for Vassar and AAVC with a constructive, professional, and cooperative approach. Volunteers should conduct themselves with integrity at all times. This includes being honest and showing respect in communications and interactions with all individuals encountered while doing this work. Volunteers will undergo training, as specified by Vassar from time to time. For tasks performed in their volunteer roles, all volunteers are covered under Vassar’s General Liability and/or Directors’ and Officers’ Liability plans (depending on their roles).
  2. Policies & Procedures. Volunteers should be knowledgeable about and act according to Vassar and AAVC’s policies and procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, a commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion and abiding by Vassar’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct. Volunteers may report any violation of this policy to Vassar’s EEOA/Title IX Office. As a general rule, volunteers do not have decision-making authority for the college and are not authorized to enter into agreements or spend money on behalf of Vassar. Volunteers who encounter a situation that may require them to incur an expense on Vassar’s behalf should contact their Vassar staff contact for approval in advance.
  3. Confidentiality. Volunteers must keep confidential any personal or non-public information that they may be exposed to as a volunteer. See the Office of Advancement Statement on Restricted and Confidential Data for more details about this commitment. Volunteers will not share confidential or personal information with others without prior approval from their Advancement Staff liaison or the AVP for Engagement.
  4. Conflict of Interest. If a volunteer or an immediate family member is involved in an activity or is employed by a company which is financially or otherwise benefited by or connected to Vassar, the volunteer should report this potential conflict of interest to the AVP for Engagement. Making sure that everyone is aware of the potential conflict is the most important thing. In most cases, disclosure of the conflict will not result in any disqualification of a volunteer (or their family) from their relationships with Vassar.
  5. Media Inquiries. Volunteers are not permitted to respond to media requests on behalf of Vassar or AAVC. If a volunteer receives a media inquiry, they may inform the requester that they are not authorized to make a statement on behalf of Vassar, and may refer them to Vassar’s Office of Communications.
  6. Social Media Guidelines. Volunteers should familiarize themselves with AAVC’s Recommended Community Guidelines for Alum Social Media Pages and Groups.
  7. Donations. Volunteer philanthropic support, in any amount, is appreciated and gives Vassar a higher ranking among organizations that evaluate colleges on this basis. While financial support is not mandatory for volunteers, the Office of Advancement does have a goal of reaching 100% participation in annual giving among volunteers.
  8. Contact Information for Vassar staff. Volunteers who have any issues or concerns related to their volunteering or wish to give notice of resignation or reports about things that they have experienced or observed, may contact their staff contact and/or the AVP for Engagement.
  9. Dismissal of Volunteer Service. Volunteers who do not adhere to these terms and conditions may be asked to terminate their volunteer service and to step down from any appointed positions.
  10. Resigning from Volunteer Service. A volunteer may resign from their role as a volunteer at any time by sending prior, written notice to their Vassar staff contact or the AVP for Engagement. If at any time a volunteer believes that they are unable to act as an ambassador for Vassar or AAVC, they should promptly resign from their volunteer role by contacting their Vassar staff contact or the AVP for Engagement.
  11. Effectiveness of Notice. We encourage all volunteers to read and be familiar with this notice. Please note that if a person engages in any volunteer activities for Vassar, the terms and conditions of this Best Practices Notice will apply.
  12. Modifications. From time to time, Vassar may make changes to this Best Practices Notice, which Vassar will email to its volunteers and post on their website. If a volunteer continues to provide volunteer services to Vassar after it has made changes, service as a volunteer will be deemed acceptance of these new terms.

Last updated: August 8, 2024