VOLUNTEER CONTRACT

Whereas Amida Trust has established a scheme under which individuals may, in a voluntary capacity, be placed in Amida Trust sponsored projects, run by Amida Trust or by associated organisations and whereas

NAME: ........................................................................, hereinafter referred to as the Volunteer, has applied to be a volunteer under this scheme, the following is agreed between the Amida Trust and the above named.


A. TRAVEL AND LENGTH OF STAY
1. If the Volunteer will be allocated to a placement in an Amida Trust sponsored scheme, travel arrangements will be made by Amida Trust.
2. The Volunteer is expected to stay with the project to which they have been assigned for the duration of their agreed placement. Normally this will be the period for which their air travel ticket has been purchased.
3. The volunteer contract starts from the date of signature and must be in place before the Volunteer leaves UK
4. In case of bereavement or similar personal crisis, compassionate leave may be granted, or the volunteer may be released from the contract on compassionate grounds.
5. If volunteers leave for inappropriate reasons, they will be asked to refund their air fare
6. If an Amida project is terminated for any reason, volunteers shall have a choice whether to stay in the country of placement or return to UK. If they remain in the country where they are posted they may not continue the project in Amida's name without a new contract. If the volunteer chooses to return to UK, Amida Trust will be responsible for travel arrangements. If the volunteer chooses to stay, they may use the return ticket already purchased or make their own arrangements.
7. If the project leader leaves the project, Amida Trust will replace them or enter into negotiations with volunteers about the best way forward.

B. HEALTH CARE
8. The Volunteer will complete the Personal Details Form and lodge this with with the Amida Trust in UK. The form will be held in confidence in case of emergency.
9. To the best of their ability, the trustees of Amida Trust will, through their agents, attempt to ensure that the wishes stated on the form are complied with.
10. The Volunteer is responsible for obtaining medical advice, vaccinations, and appropriate prophylactic treatment in advance of travel, for following that advice prior to, during, and subsequent to the period of overseas residence, and for storing and appropriately self administering any medicines prescribed.
11. Volunteers are responsible for making sure that they are covered by adequate health insurance for the duration of stay
12. Volunteers agree not to take drugs that are illegal in the country they are in or that would be illegal in the UK
13. Volunteers will not take unnecessary risks and will not take part in, or will desist from, any activity when told to do so by the team leader on health and safety grounds.

C. TIME OFF
1. The Volunteer will be entitled to take 6 free days per month and 2 hours per day free time.
2. Free time should be taken by negotiation with other members of the team

D. DUTIES
1. The Volunteer will be expected to be flexible in performing duties. Although they may have particular skills or expertise, these will not always prove to be what is required at the time. Projects need to be responsive to local conditions. The Volunteer may therefore have to adapt his or her expectations as the project progresses.
2. The Volunteer will take part in planning and debriefing meetings at which decisions about the most appropriate approach to the project work can be discussed.
3. The project leader will have ultimate responsibility for deciding the direction of work in the project and for allocating volunteers to tasks, but in doing this will consult with volunteers, taking into account their areas of expertise.
4. Household tasks will be shared between all members of the project team.

E. ACCOMMODATION
1. As far as possible within local conditions, a reasonable standard of accommodation and sanitation will be provided. Volunteers will generally be expected to live at a level comparable with the local community they are serving providing this does not pose significant health risks.

F. FINANCE
1. The Project leader is responsible for overseeing the management of financial and other resources. Decisions relating to these will be made by the Project leader.
2. Amida Trust will provide basic resources for the work being undertaken in the project. Expenditure will be agreed with project leader.
3. Reasonable travel and other expenses will be paid to volunteers on Amida duties. All such expenditure should be agreed in advance with the project leader.

G. SAFETY
1. Where possible, the Volunteer will be advised if any undue risk is perceived and should not take risks
2. Project leaders will take steps to assess risks
3. The Volunteer will not be requested to go out alone at night or to enter areas designated as dangerous alone
4. The Volunteer should be aware that in some countries services such as water or electricity may not be as safe as those found in UK. They must therefore take precautions in using such services.
5. Copies of passport and other important documents will be left in UK
6. Amida Trust will ensure that usual and reasonable security is in place whenever possible
7. The Volunteer is responsible for the security of his or her own documents

H. ETHICAL GUIDELINES
1.1 Violence: The Volunteer will not engage in or give support to any act of violence against persons or against other sentient creatures. Exceptions may be made in some cases of health hazard
1.2 The Volunteer will be mindful of the environmental implications of their actions and mode of operation
1.3 As far as reasonably possible within the constraints of local circumstances, the Volunteer will keep to a vegetarian diet. Any house that is under Amida control will maintain a vegetarian dietary regime
2.1 The Volunteer will be carefully scrupulous in handling money and other resources donated to the project, ensuring that these are properly used for their intended purpose and that waste is avoided.
2.2 The Volunteers will avoid becoming involved in ventures for personal profit.
The Volunteer will refuse to become involved in any form of corrupt practice, even where this appears to be accepted local custom or the only way of achieving desired ends.
2.3 The Volunteers will not accept gifts or invitations from students or other users of the project without the permission of the project leader.
3.1 The Volunteer will avoid becoming sexually involved in any way with people with whom they have dealings on behalf of Amida Trust.
3.2 The Volunteer will dress and act in a manner that is sexually restrained and not offensive to local custom.
4.1 The Volunteer will avoid making, supporting or becoming associated with statements that are critical or designed to curry hostility toward others. He or she may, however, make or support statements of fact that can be verified from reliable sources, leaving others to draw whatever conclusions they think are appropriate.
4.2 The Volunteer will not become involved in political controversy nor give support to groups set up to seek political advantage.
4.3 The Volunteer will seek to build understanding between those who are divided and will cultivate harmony.
5.1 On days when the Volunteer is on Amida business he or she will not consume alcohol. On days off, the Volunteer will exercise discretion, giving priority to the requirements and regulations of the Trust's work. The Volunteer shall not act in ways that bring the Dharma into disrepute in the eyes of the population served by the project or other members of the public.

I. CHILD PROTECTION
1. Volunteers will not work with children unchaperoned unless they have been given clearance to do so prior to leaving UK. Those going to placements that primarily serve children will be required to undergo clearance procedures.
2. If a volunteer suspects that children are being abused in any way, they are expected to raise the matter immediately with the project leader who will decide what action can be taken, depending on local circumstances.

J. AUTHORITY
1. The team leader has the authority and responsibility for the project on the ground and is accountable to the Amida Trustees.
2. Volunteers will respect the authority of the team leader.
3. The team leader will consult with volunteers in his or her team whenever possible.

K. SUPPORT
1. The Volunteer may seek support at any time by contacting offices or trustees of Amida Trust.
2. Training will be offered to the Volunteer prior to commencement of the volunteer posting. Obtaining a posting is conditional upon the Volunteer completing this training satisfactorily.
3. Volunteers will be required to attend a debriefing on return at the end of their posting, either in UK or elsewhere. Amida Trust will make any necessary travel arrangements required for this.
4. Team meetings of two kinds will be held during the placement. These will each take place once a week whenever practical. There will be a Business Meeting for review and discussion of work; and a Gathering for personal sharing.
5. The team leader will be available for individual interviews by arrangement.
6. The Volunteer shall maintain proper standards of confidentiality. Matters arising within the project will not be discussed with outsiders without the agreement of the team. Information received is the property of the team, not of individuals.
7. It is hoped that concerns will be raised as they occur so they can be discussed before they become too large.

L. BUDDHIST PRACTICE
1. The project team will generally engage in formal Buddhist practice together. The Volunteer will participate in the practice of whatever community they are resident in.

We hereby agree this contact.

Signatures

The Volunteer.....................................................................

Please print your name........................................................ Date.............................

On behalf of Amida Trust....................................................

Please print your name.........................................................

Official capacity................................................................... Date.............................