Volunteer Application - Oshkosh Area Humane Society

Legal Name

First

Last

Preferred Name

Address

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Phone

Date of Birth:

Emergency Contact Name and Number:

If Applicable: Name of Child Who Wishes to Volunteer with You:

First Name

Last Name

If Applicable: Child's DOB:

If Applicable: Name of Second Child Who Wishes to Volunteer with You:

First Name

Last Name

If Applicable: Second Child's DOB:

Employer:

Do you (or your child, if applicable) have health, physical or psychological limitations that might make some aspects of volunteering more difficult and might require extra training/assistance?

Yes

If yes, please explain:

Are you working with an agency or job coach to gain job skills through volunteering?

Yes

Are you (or your child) volunteering to complete community service hours for:

If you answered "Yes" above, how many hours do you (or your child) need to complete, and by when?

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: Why do you want to volunteer? What do you hope to contribute? What do you hope to gain from your volunteer experience?

Please describe any past volunteer experience with OAHS or another group, even if it wasn’t with animals. (If you have none, just write “FTV” – first time volunteer):

Please list any skills or hobbies that you have that may be helpful to OAHS (such as sewing, photography, computer skills, teaching ability, etc.):

Please pick the area you would like to volunteer first - please choose ONLY ONE AREA TO BEGIN.

You will start your volunteer experience with OAHS in one animal area only. You can choose additional areas later if you would like to volunteer in multiple animal areas.

Training is provided for all positions. Successful completion of training is required for your volunteer application to be approved.

The animal area I would like to begin volunteering is:

Cat Socialization – Play with the cats, pet / socialize / brush, scoop litter boxes

Dog Socialization – Walk and exercise dogs, conduct basic manners training

Small Mammal Socialization – Exercise small mammals, socialize, provide enrichment

OtherOther

I would ALSO be interested in helping with the following:

Would you be willing to commit to a regular scheduled shift/shifts?

Yes

Are you willing to commit to at least 4 hours per month?

Yes

Are you willing to commit to at least 4 months of volunteering?

Yes

Are you able to work independently without staff support?

Yes

OSHKOSH AREA HUMANE SOCIETY RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT

IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted work as a volunteer for Oshkosh Area Humane Society and engage in activities related to being a volunteer, the undersigned hereby acknowledges, understands, and agrees as follows:

1. I acknowledge and understand that my participation as a volunteer for the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, including but not limited to, the handling and spending time with animals, cleaning cages, walking dogs, changing food and water dishes, participating in or attending adoption and fundraising events, sending mailers, soliciting donations, and transporting animals (collectively referred to hereinafter as “OAHS Volunteer Activities”) may place me in a hazardous situation that could result in serious injury to me or my personal property. I further understand that the behavior of animals is sometimes unpredictable and that some animals are capable of inflicting serious personal injury and even death. I further understand that these risks and injuries may be caused by, or compounded and increased by, the negligent actions or inactions of OAHS, and its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and representatives.

2. I hereby expressly accept and assume the risk of any and all bodily injury, illness, death, or property damage to me or my personal property relating to my participation in OAHS Volunteer Activities resulting from the negligence of OAHS, its officers, employees, agents, volunteers and representatives (collectively referred to hereinafter as “OAHS Releases”).

3. I, on behalf of myself and my heirs, personal representatives and next of kin, hereby release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, and covenant not to sue the OAHS Releases from and for any liability, loss, damage, claim, or demand for any bodily injury, illness, property damage, wrongful death, or loss of services to me or my personal property, arising out of or related to my participation in OAHS Volunteer Activities and caused by the negligence of the Releases.

4. I represent and warrant that I have been given sufficient opportunity to review this Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement (“Agreement”), discuss its terms with OAHS, and ask questions prior to the execution of this Agreement.

BY INITIALING BELOW, THE VOLUNTEER (AND IF APPLICABLE, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN) AFFIRM THAT THEY HAVE READ THE OSHKOSH AREA HUMANE SOCIETY RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT located at https://www.oahs.org/volunteer-liability-waiver, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY. Please enter volunteer (AND if applicable, parent/guardian) initials here:

Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) Volunteer Code of Conduct

The Oshkosh Area Humane Society’s mission is to provide compassionate care and comfort to animal in need and to build a community that promotes humane treatment of all animals.

Volunteers are an integral extension of staff’s ability to fulfill the mission and as such are held to the same high standards as our staff. Volunteers agree to conduct themselves in a professional manner while representing OAHS during all volunteer activities - physically at OAHS, off-site at other related activities, or on social media. I understand that the OAHS Volunteers have varying degrees of expertise and may be assigned varying levels of responsibility. I agree to respect authority of staff and more experienced volunteers and allow them to serve as mentors to strengthen our team.

As an OAHS Volunteer, I agree to adhere to the following code of conduct:

I will treat the OAHS animals with compassion and according to animal handling guidelines and training. Mistreatment of animals will not be tolerated.
I will treat fellow volunteers, staff, OAHS administration and board of directors, other shelters, potential adopters and the visiting public with respect and courtesy. Disrespect will not be tolerated.
I will treat OAHS facilities and equipment with respect and care and will not tamper with any equipment setup unless directed by staff.
I will abide by all shelter policies and procedures. Concerns regarding policies, procedures, or incidents will be directed to appropriate manager or supervisory staff.
I will refer all inquiries about animals, surrenders, intake, adoption procedures, stray animals or other procedure-related items to appropriate staff. Staff is solely responsible for adoption decisions.
I will respect personal/professional boundaries for all staff. I will utilize only work email/phone to communicate any volunteer issues. I will not text/call or email non-emergent issues to personal devices.
I will sign in to the volunteer database each time I volunteer at OAHS unless directed to use downtime procedure.
I will secure permission from OAHS staff or management prior to removing or moving any animals or equipment from the OAHS premises. In case of emergency, permission may be waived.
I will immediately report all injuries, animal bites, fire, theft, or other unusual incidents to appropriate authorities and/or OAHS management. Misconduct, inappropriate behavior, or other serious incidents should be reported to senior management immediately.
I will serve as a positive influence for OAHS/Oshkosh community relations. I will refrain from spreading inappropriate or false information regarding OAHS to fellow volunteers, staff or the general public.
I will deal fairly with everyone I encounter at OAHS without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability.
I will refrain from bringing onto OAHS’s property any dangerous materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons, or similar items.
I will refrain from handling or care of OAHS animals while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other intoxicating substance.

BY INITIALING BELOW, THE VOLUNTEER (AND IF APPLICABLE, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN) AFFIRM THAT THEY HAVE READ THE Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) Volunteer Code of Conduct located at https://www.oahs.org/volunteer-code-of-conduct, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY. Please enter volunteer (AND if applicable, parent/guardian) initials here:

I understand failure to adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, verbal or written warning, suspension, and/or dismissal from the volunteer program. Please initial here:

Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) Employee/Volunteer Policy on Social Media

This policy is in regards to social media utilized by employees and volunteers of the Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) and applies to: websites, social media sites (ex: Facebook, Instagram, X - formerly Twitter, Snapchat, Reddit, Tiktok, etc) personal networking sites, blogs and microblogs, message boards and chat rooms, podcasts and webinars, video sharing sites, texting and instant messaging, and the like.

Scope of Policy: The Oshkosh Area Humane Society recognizes that employees and volunteers may engage in communication while off duty as appropriate for performance of their duties and/or for the advancement of our mission. This policy applies to social media content – written, verbal and images - on the Oshkosh Area Humane Society social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and other media) as well as posts made by employees and volunteers on their own personal account pages and/or sites.

Employees and Volunteers who engage in any social media activities must be mindful that their comments, even if done off premises and while off-duty, could have an adverse effect on the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. In addition, some viewers may view you as a de facto spokesperson for the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. OAHS depends on strong community support and goodwill. If you are uncertain whether a comment or post violates a social media policy, please consult a manager at OAHS.

Social Media Policy

No employee or volunteer shall share photos or information on any animal or people that is NOT already shared on our public website. OAHS works with cases involving law enforcement investigations on such matters as abuse, neglect, etc. and any information relating to these cases should never be shared.
Only animals that are currently available for adoption and listed on the OAHS website may be shared on social media.
Do not discredit, disparage, challenge or defame the mission, services, public policy positions, operational or animal status decisions of OAHS.
Do not reveal any confidential or proprietary information about OAHS.
Do not criticize individual staff or volunteer performance (by name, title or role.)
Do not disclose the name or any personal identifying information of any staff or volunteer without his/her permission.
Do not discuss the behavior, medical condition, behavioral status, adoption or euthanasia status of animals in our care which could negatively impact the adoptability of that animal or of other animals in our care.
Do not post information that adversely reinforces negative breed-specific stereotypes.
Do obtain permission from the OAHS administration prior to posting the OAHS logo, trademark, proprietary graphics, and photographs of the shelter, events, employees, volunteers, staff or animals.
When commenting on policy issues for which there is no official OAHS position statement, make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the organization.
Do not create or share Internet media communication that violates any local, state, federal or international laws and regulation. This includes uploading, posting or e-mails that: impersonate/misrepresent, infringe on copyright laws, and contain obscene or defamatory content, forward unsolicited/unauthorized (spam, junk mail, chain letters), and knowingly create or transmit software viruses, works or other disabling codes.
OAHS will regularly monitor the content of all its social media sites. OAHS, at its sole discretion may restrict, block, suspend, terminate, delete or discontinue any employee’s or volunteer’s access to OAHS-managed media sites at any time, without notice and delete postings.

BY INITIALING BELOW, THE VOLUNTEER AFFIRMS THAT THEY HAVE READ THE Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) Employee/Volunteer Policy on Social Media, located at https://www.oahs.org/oahs-social-media-policy-4, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, AGREE TO AND WILL ABIDE BY THIS POLICY, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY. Please enter volunteer (AND if applicable, parent/guardian) initials here:

Volunteer Signature - Electronically signed by:

Date:

Parent/Guardian Name (if applicable):

Parent/Guardian Signature (if applicable) - Electronically signed by:

Additional comments:

If you are human, leave this field blank.

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