Visitor & Volunteer Policy

Harvesting Change

Where Learning, Creativity & Community Grow.

1. Purpose

Harvesting Change is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where individuals of all ages can learn, create, connect, and contribute to their community.

This policy establishes expectations for individuals visiting or volunteering at Harvesting Change programs, workshops, educational activities, gardening projects, and community events.

2. Visiting Harvesting Change

Harvesting Change welcomes individuals and families interested in participating in its educational and community programs.

Visits and activities may be scheduled in advance or offered during designated public events.
Visitors must follow posted guidelines and instructions from authorized representatives.
Advance registration may be required for workshops, classes, and special activities.
Visitors must remain within designated public or activity areas.
Access to offices, storage areas, equipment, and restricted spaces requires authorization.
Program locations, schedules, and availability will be announced through official Harvesting Change communications.

Harvesting Change may operate at different locations as facilities and partnerships become available.

3. Volunteer Participation

Volunteers are essential to the mission of Harvesting Change.

Volunteer opportunities may include assisting with educational workshops, gardening projects, arts and crafts, community outreach, fundraising, events, administrative activities, and other approved programs.

Volunteers are expected to:

Complete any required volunteer application and orientation.
Follow organizational policies and instructions.
Participate in activities suited to their abilities, interests, and training.
Communicate scheduling changes or cancellations when possible.
Respect fellow volunteers, participants, instructors, and visitors.
Use organizational supplies and resources responsibly.
Report safety concerns or inappropriate conduct promptly.

Volunteer participation does not automatically establish corporate membership, a committee appointment, or a position on the Board of Directors.

4. Volunteer Scheduling & Attendance

Harvesting Change recognizes that volunteers have different schedules, responsibilities, and availability.

Volunteers may participate regularly, occasionally, or during special events and projects, depending on organizational needs.

When volunteers accept a scheduled assignment, they are encouraged to fulfill that commitment or notify the designated coordinator if they cannot attend.

Volunteer hours may be recorded for organizational reporting, grant documentation, recognition, and program planning.

5. Children & Youth Participation

Harvesting Change encourages family involvement and age-appropriate learning opportunities.

Minors must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Parents or guardians remain responsible for supervising their children unless an activity specifically provides an approved supervised program.
Minors may participate only in activities appropriate for their age and abilities.
Activities involving tools, potentially hazardous materials, or specialized equipment require appropriate supervision.
Youth volunteers may be subject to additional age restrictions, consent requirements, and supervision procedures.

Individuals working directly with minors may be required to complete additional screening or training.

6. Health & Safety

All visitors and volunteers must follow the Safety Guidelines at Harvesting Change and any additional instructions applicable to their activities.

Participants are expected to:

Use tools, equipment, and materials safely.
Wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment when required.
Maintain clean and orderly workspaces.
Follow applicable food-handling, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, or damaged equipment.
Respect activity restrictions and safety boundaries.
Avoid performing tasks for which they have not received appropriate instruction or authorization.

Harvesting Change may postpone, modify, or cancel activities when conditions create unacceptable safety risks.

7. Respectful Conduct & Nondiscrimination

Harvesting Change is committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

Harassment, bullying, intimidation, threats, discrimination, violence, or other inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.

Visitors and volunteers must respect personal boundaries, differing abilities, and the rights of others to participate in a welcoming environment.

Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered in accordance with applicable law and available program resources.

8. Registration, Waivers & Permissions

Depending on the activity, visitors and volunteers may be required to complete:

Event registration forms
Volunteer applications or agreements
Participation acknowledgments
Liability waivers
Parent or guardian consent forms
Emergency contact information
Additional training or screening documentation

Photography and video permissions will be handled separately where appropriate. Participation does not automatically authorize the public use of a person’s image.

9. Volunteer Instructors & Committee Participants

Individuals interested in teaching workshops, coordinating programs, or serving on committees are encouraged to share their skills and experience.

Proposed activities must align with the mission and approved programs of Harvesting Change.

Volunteer instructors and committee participants must follow applicable organizational policies and may not independently commit funds, enter agreements, represent official organizational positions, or make commitments on behalf of Harvesting Change without authorization.

Committee appointments and responsibilities are governed by the organization’s bylaws and applicable board-approved procedures.

10. Organizational Property & Donations

All visitors and volunteers are expected to respect organizational property, donated materials, supplies, and equipment.

Materials purchased or donated for Harvesting Change programs must be used for authorized organizational purposes.

No individual may remove, borrow, distribute, or personally retain organizational property without permission.

Donations must be accepted and documented in accordance with applicable organizational policies.

11. Privacy & Confidentiality

Volunteers may occasionally encounter personal information involving participants, donors, or other volunteers.

Such information must be handled responsibly and used only for authorized organizational purposes.

Confidential information must not be disclosed, photographed, published, or shared without appropriate authorization.

12. Volunteer Service & Expenses

Volunteer service is generally unpaid and does not create an employment relationship.

Volunteers are not entitled to reimbursement for personal expenses unless those expenses have been approved in advance by an authorized representative.

Volunteers may not make purchases or financial commitments on behalf of Harvesting Change without prior authorization.

13. Policy Violations & Participation Restrictions

Harvesting Change reserves the right to address conduct or safety concerns through appropriate measures, including verbal reminders, additional training, reassignment, suspension, or removal from an activity or volunteer position.

Immediate removal may be necessary when behavior threatens the safety or well-being of others.

Decisions will be made by authorized organizational representatives in accordance with applicable policies and law.

14. Policy Acknowledgment

By participating in Harvesting Change activities, visitors and volunteers are expected to follow applicable organizational rules and safety instructions.

Where required, individuals must acknowledge this policy through a registration form, volunteer agreement, or other designated acknowledgment process.

15. Policy Review & Amendments

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and may be amended by the Board of Directors or through authority properly delegated under the organization’s governing documents.

Changes will be communicated as appropriate.