Insurance

Each volunteer enrolled at Whatcom Volunteer Center is eligible for three kinds of insurance through CIMA .

• Accident
• Personal Liability
• Excess Automobile Liability

This policy provides coverage for the volunteer during volunteer service and while the volunteer is traveling to and from their volunteer worksite. This insurance coverage is “secondary” in addition to your personal insurance. This coverage is paid for by the Whatcom Volunteer Center and there is no cost to volunteers. For the insurance to be in force, you must be enrolled and currently reporting volunteer hours to Whatcom Volunteer Center.

Newsletter

All Whatcom Volunteer Center volunteers receive a quarterly newsletter and time sheets during the other months. The newsletter contains a timesheet, pertinent information about programs and issues important to volunteers, and news about what Whatcom Volunteer Center volunteers are doing. Many volunteers receive this information via e-mail. If you can receive it this way, we urge you to do so.

Timesheets

• Help to document your volunteer experience for class requirements, scholarships, job applications or other professional development opportunities.
• Document your volunteer activity for monthly insurance coverage. You cannot be covered if we have no record of volunteer activity.
• Serve as official documentation for charity hours and donated mileage for tax purposes.

Many nonprofit agencies track the number of volunteers and hours donated in support of their services. If timesheets are submitted to Whatcom Volunteer Center, we can provide summary reports of volunteer hours to our partner agencies. These reports allow agencies to use the value of donated volunteer hours as an in-kind match for some grants.

Reimbursement

The following programs offer volunteer transportation support upon request.

• Volunteer Chore Program
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
• Whatcom/San Juan Nutrition Program

The RSVP and Nutrition Programs reimburse for travel from your home to the volunteer agency and back again. The rate of reimbursement is set by the Whatcom Volunteer Center Board of Directors and is contingent on agency budget and revenues. RSVP transportation support is offered to low-income elders. Chore reimbursement is set according to the policies of that program.

To request volunteer transportation support, a volunteer must have the state required auto insurance coverage and a valid driver’s license. This information must be kept current with Whatcom Volunteer Center files. All requests for transportation support must be signed by a volunteer agency supervisor, checked in the reimbursement “yes” box, and submitted to Whatcom Volunteer Center office before the 5th of the following month.

Volunteer Rights

As an enrolled volunteer through the Whatcom Volunteer Center, you will contribute your time to a local school, nonprofit agency, healthcare facility, or government office that has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Whatcom Volunteer Center. As a volunteer, you enjoy rights that should be recognized by the managers and staff of partner agencies.

• You should be treated as a co-worker by staff members at the agency.
• You should be given assignments that utilize and develop your skills.
• You should be given adequate information and training to carry out your assignments.
• You should be told about the organization, its policies and programs as they relate to your tasks.
• You should receive guidance and supervision by a staff member.
• You should feel free to discuss problems, ask questions, or make suggestions.
• You should have a written job description and a designated place to work.
• You should receive recognition for a job well done.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers expect and enjoy certain rights when they donate their time. Volunteers, however, have specific responsibilities not only to the agency where they volunteer, but also to Whatcom Volunteer Center. As a volunteer you are free to set your own work schedule, but be prepared to fulfill the commitment you make.

• You must be dependable, reliable, businesslike, and abide by the agreement you make with the volunteer agency.
• You must notify your agency if it is not possible to meet your commitment or to complete your assignment as planned. If you are unable to reach that agency, you may ask Whatcom Volunteer Center to assist you.
• You must notify Whatcom Volunteer Center if you change or terminate your position with a partner agency.
• If you have problems or concerns, please speak to your supervisor so that they may be discussed and resolved. Be sure to ask questions about things you don’t understand.
• You should offer constructive suggestions about matters involving your assignment.
• You must be sure to keep a record of your volunteer hours and submit your timesheets to Whatcom Volunteer Center by the 5th day of the month.