1. Volunteering With Us
Getting Started

2. Completing Forms
Please complete all forms and return them to your supervisor or the Volunteer Development Manager
Volunteer Agreement Form
Volunteer Supplemental Abuse Reporting Policy
Volunteer Orientation and Handbook Acknowledgement Form
W-9 if accepting a stipend

3. Logistics Know when and where you will be volunteering Keep in contact
Who should you ask for on your first day?
What will you be doing?
Keep in contact
Ask your Supervisor for their contact information and the best way to reach them
If you can’t contact your supervisor, contact the Volunteer Development Manager

4. Workplan
You will get a Workplan from your supervisor or the volunteer manager
This will identify what tasks you will perform and who you can reach out to for guidance or assistance
Talk to your supervisor!
Workplans might change
You might finish something early
Keeping in contact helps make your experience better

5. People First Language
During your internship you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of people. At The Arc, we use People First language, meaning we describe the person first, then the disability. EXAMPLE: Amy is a great volunteer who is sight impaired NOT: Amy is the blind volunteer

6. Dress Code
Dress appropriately for your volunteer position or circumstances
Business casual/jeans and tennis shoes are ok everyday.
Avoid worn out, patched, tattered clothing, dirty athletic shoes, exercise apparel, tank and tube tops, midriff shirts, flip-flops, shorts, jeans or pants worn around the hips that reveal the stomach or backside
Minus the hats and apron, of course

7. Scent Policy Some people are negatively affected by scented products
Be sensitive to this and carefully choose which scented products to use

8. Office Closures Sometimes The Arc office has to close
This can be due to bad weather, mechanical problems or for other reasons
If the office will be closed, The Arc staff will notify you by and phone
Make sure your contact information is updated to receive these notices

9. Accommodations
The Arc will make every reasonable effort to accommodate volunteers with disabilities as requested
The goal of the reasonable accommodation is to ensure equal opportunity to everyone and to enable volunteers with disabilities to enjoy the same benefits and privileges as those without disabilities
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please talk to your supervisor or the Volunteer Development Manager

10. Confidentiality
You may have access to private information about individuals we work with, members, contributors, employees or other volunteers
As a volunteer, you will not share any information about a person, including whether that person is receiving services from The Arc to anyone outside the organization unless you are given explicit written permission to do so
This includes documents, notes, files, records, computer files, verbal information or similar materials

11. Conflicts of Interest
Of course you are able to be involved in activities outside The Arc that are private and unrelated to The Arc’s mission, but you need to avoid conflicts of interest
A conflict of interest can happen if you are able to influence a decision that may result in a personal gain for you or an immediate family member
This typically happens if you are involved with organizations that are trying to do business with The Arc
For example, if The Arc is looking to renovate their office space and you recommend a contractor to do the work; if the contractor is your parent, spouse, sibling, boyfriend, girlfriend, or domestic partner, that would be a conflict of interest
You also should not engage in activities that may be in direct competition with The Arc
For example, opening a thrift shop down the street from one of the Arc’s Value Village thrift stores

12. Accepting Gifts
If you work with individuals and families directly, they might thank you by giving you a gift
Staff have received various gift cards or other monetary donations
If you receive a donation, speak to your supervisor or the volunteer development manager immediately
Because The Arc does not charge for its services we do not accept gifts
It can create an appearance that we charge fees or require donations in order to receive help, which is not the case

13. Political Campaigns
The Arc is a non-partisan organization, meaning we do not endorse one candidate or political party over the other
You can do political work on your personal time
Do not use The Arc’s , phones or equipment for purposes of engaging in political activity
Make it clear you are acting personally and not on behalf of The Arc
Respect the right of other employees and volunteers to choose their candidates or party affiliation