International Service Project Volunteer
Important: Each adult volunteer must sign this "Adult Volunteer Acknowledgement, Release and Waiver of Liability" before volunteering in a HOPE worldwide service project. Read this waiver very carefully before you sign. HOPE worldwide will retain this waiver on record from the date of signature until revoked or otherwise terminated by you.
This Adult Volunteer Acknowledgement, Release and Waiver of Liability (the "Waiver") is executed in favor of HOPE worldwide, Ltd., HOPE worldwide USA, Inc., HOPE worldwide-Massachusetts, Inc., and their affiliated entities, nonprofit corporations wherever organized, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively “HOPE worldwide”). The volunteer identified below (“Volunteer or “I”) desires to participate, without compensation, in a HOPE worldwide service project and engage in activities related to participation in a HOPE worldwide-sponsored service project (each a “Service Project”). HOPE worldwide desires to permit Volunteer to participate in a Service Project but would not do so without Volunteer’s execution of this Waiver. Volunteer hereby freely and voluntarily, without duress, agrees to the terms of and executes this Waiver under the following terms:
1. Waiver and Release. For and in consideration of HOPE worldwide allowing me to participate in a Service Project, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, I unconditionally, irrevocably and in perpetuity release, waive, discharge and hold harmless HOPE worldwide and its successors and assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, or liability whatsoever, of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from my participation in a Service Project including, but not limited to, claims of bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property loss or damage, whether caused by the negligence of HOPE worldwide or otherwise, except as prohibited by applicable law. I understand that this waiver and release shall be binding upon myself, my spouse, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin. I acknowledge and agree that this Waiver unambiguously demonstrates a clear and understandable intention to relieve HOPE worldwide (as defined above) from liability such that an ordinary and knowledgeable person will know what he or she is contracting away.
2. Insurance. Except for the short-term health and travel insurance purchased through HOPE worldwide for the purpose of this trip, and included in the participation fee, I understand that HOPE worldwide does not carry any insurance or assume any responsibility for my conduct or to provide financial assistance or other assistance including, but not limited to, medical or disability insurance in the event of injury, illness, death or property loss or damage. Accordingly, I expressly waive any claim for compensation from or liability on the part of HOPE worldwide beyond what insurance benefits may be offered freely to me by an authorized representative of HOPE worldwide in the event of such injury, loss or medical expense.
3. Medical Treatment. In case of an emergency, in the event I am not able to make my own medical decisions, I hereby give permission for the person(s) leading or directing a Service Project to use their best judgment in obtaining medical attention or treatment (including first aid) for me. I further give permission to the physician or other medical professional who is selected by the Service Project leader to render medical attention or administer medical treatment to me as the physician or medical professional deems appropriate or necessary. Further, I unconditionally, irrevocably, and in perpetuity hereby release, waive, discharge and hold harmless HOPE worldwide and its successors and assigns from any claims, demands, causes of action, damages or liability whatsoever which arise or may hereafter arise on account of any first aid treatment or other medical services rendered to me by any party in connection with or during a Service Project. I understand that I will be responsible for any costs including but not limited to medical, travel, or other unforeseen expenses incurred by such accident, illness, or injury that may not be covered by the short-term health and travel insurance purchased through HOPE worldwide for the purpose of this trip, and included in the participation fee.
4. Assumption of Risk.
a. I acknowledge that Service Projects may be located in places where I may encounter poor living conditions, extreme temperatures, unclean or dangerous environments, and/or unstable political climates. I understand that such Service Project locations and activities may present risks that could result in injury, illness, and/or loss of life to me. I understand and acknowledge that I have seriously considered these risks prior to executing this Waiver.
b. I understand that a Service Project may include activities that may be hazardous to me including, but not limited to, construction activities, loading and unloading of heavy equipment and materials, strenuous physical activity and local transportation to and from Service Project sites. To the best of my knowledge, I have no physical, mental or medical condition which would in any way restrict or interfere with my ability to participate in a HOPE worldwide Service Project, or that may present a danger to the well-being of myself or others in performing such activities.
c. I hereby represent and acknowledge that prior to electing to participate in a Service Project, I have investigated and evaluated all circumstances and conditions related to the Service Project as I deem necessary and/or prudent to my protection, and that by my election to participate in a Service Project, I agree to and have elected to expressly assume the risk of injury or harm that may result from Service Project environments and activities, and I release HOPE worldwide from all liability for injury, illness, death or property loss or damage resulting from Service Project environments and activities.
d. I understand that participation in a Service Project includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases, including but not limited to MRSA, influenza, COVID-19, and/or harmful substances, including but not limited to mold, chemicals, and toxins. I understand that I may choose to implement additional measures to reduce these risks. However, I must abide by all safety directives required by local health authorities including but not limited to the use of masks, social distancing, personal hygiene, and other protective equipment for protection against infectious diseases. I understand that should I experience any common symptom of an infectious disease, including COVID-19, I will immediately report such symptoms to the nearest Service Project leader.
5. Covenant Not to Sue. Volunteer, for himself/herself, and for Volunteer’s spouse, heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby agrees not to sue or bring any claims, demands, causes of action, suits in equity of whatever kind or nature, directly or indirectly, against HOPE worldwide arising out of Volunteer’s participation in the Service Project, including without limitation all claims, demands, causes of action, and suits that arise from or in any way relate to the negligence, acts of negligence, omissions or recklessness of any of the HOPE worldwide parties. Should Volunteer or their spouse, heirs, assigns, personal representatives or next of kin, institute any action against HOPE worldwide arising out of any injury to person or property, as a result of participation in any of the activities related to the Service Project, or as a result of traveling to or from the Service Project, they shall be responsible for paying all costs of such action, including without limit attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred by HOPE worldwide.
6. Indemnity. Volunteer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold HOPE worldwide harmless from and against any and all losses or damages arising from or in any way related to any of HOPE worldwide’s actions or failure to act while engaging in any activities related to the Service Project or otherwise on, in, or traveling to the Service Project, including without limitation all claims, demands, causes of action and suits, that arise from or in any way relate to the negligence, acts of negligence, omissions or recklessness of any of the HOPE worldwide parties.
7. Conduct. I acknowledge that I am responsible for my own conduct and that my conduct can reflect positively or negatively on HOPE worldwide. I understand that it is my responsibility to be cooperative, courteous, and respectful in working with the beneficiaries, community members, and the other volunteers connected with a Service Project and to refrain from any and all offensive, abusive, harassing, unlawful or harmful actions or speech. I further agree to comply with all guidelines and standards of conduct, policies and expectations of performance as outlined, instructed or otherwise provided or required by HOPE worldwide. Any behavior, acts or omissions which fail to live up to, breach or violate HOPE worldwide’s expectations, standards or policies will not be tolerated by HOPE worldwide, and may be grounds for discipline, or immediate termination of Volunteer’s participation in the Service Project in HOPE worldwide’s sole discretion. HOPE worldwide may terminate Volunteer’s participation in the Service Project, at any time without cause, upon written notice to Volunteer and Volunteer will be required to leave Service Project at Volunteer’s own expense. I further understand that it is my responsibility to: (a) participate in any training required by HOPE worldwide in connection with a Service Project, and (b) to follow the direction of any personnel, employee, or volunteer designated by HOPE worldwide to supervise a Service Project. I also understand that all injuries, damage or loss to property should be reported to the Service Project leader as soon as is reasonably possible.
8. Photographic Release. Volunteer grants HOPE worldwide permission to photograph, video and audio record, Volunteer’s participation in the Service Project (“Images/Recordings”). Volunteer grants to HOPE worldwide a perpetual, royalty-free license and right to exhibit, distribute, display, stream, broadcast, edit, transmit and otherwise use or disseminate the Images/Recordings and create derivative works therefrom, in whole or in part, throughout the world, in any and all media and formats now known or hereafter developed without approval from Volunteer or compensation to Volunteer. Volunteer also grants to HOPE worldwide the perpetual, fully paid, royalty-free license and permission to use, re-use, publish and republish Volunteer’s name, voice, likeness and image in whole or in part, in relation to the Images/Recordings, or Volunteer’s participation in the Service Project, at HOPE worldwide’s sole discretion. Volunteer hereby unconditionally releases, discharges, and agrees to hold harmless, HOPE worldwide, from any and all liabilities known and unknown, for any claim arising by virtue of any use of the Images/Recordings or any blurring, distortion, alteration, illusion or use in composite form (whether intentional or otherwise), or invasion of privacy, that Volunteer may have or may occur in connection with the use of the Images/Recordings.
9. Transportation and Lodging. I further understand and acknowledge that HOPE worldwide is responsible for arranging with third parties to provide transportation and lodging during the Service Project. I hereby waive and release HOPE worldwide from and against any claims, demands, causes of action, or liability that may arise from the transportation or lodging provided during the Service Project.
10. General Terms and Conditions. I expressly acknowledge and agree that this Waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state of Georgia, USA and that this Waiver shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Georgia. In the event that any action, suit or proceeding is instituted arising from or relating to this Waiver, I agree that such action shall be resolved in the state and federal courts sitting in Fulton County, Georgia, and I hereby consent to personal jurisdiction in such courts. I further agree that any action shall be brought exclusively in such courts and waive any objection to venue in such courts. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Waiver shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Waiver, which shall continue to be enforceable. Further, I represent that I am at least 18 years old and am competent to execute this Waiver on my own behalf.
11. Security Risk Statement. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the Security Risk Statement posted on our service trip websites and linked here.
I HAVE READ THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT, AND FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS WAIVER ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY SPOUSE, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND NEXT OF KIN.
Opt-out. Volunteer may elect to opt-out of signing this Waiver electronically by closing the Waiver without signing and requesting a paper copy from HOPE worldwide.
This form is for Adults only. If volunteer is under the age of 18 (a minor), a separate Minor Volunteer Acknowledgment, Release and Waiver of Liability must be signed by Minor’s parent or legal guardian and Minor.