UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA BEE ATLAS CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS (“EXTENSION”)
VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

I wish to volunteer as part of a Minnesota Bee Atlas Program. In exchange for the opportunity to volunteer, I agree as follows:

  1. I may accept or reject any assignment. Once I have accepted an assignment, I will use reasonable efforts to complete that assignment or inform EXTENSION staff as soon as I believe I may not be able to complete it. EXTENSION is not obligated to offer me any particular assignment.
  2. I will perform assignments under EXTENSION staff direction and control, and will abide by the University of Minnesota’s Code of Conduct and EXTENSION policies and procedures while volunteering.
  3. I am not an EXTENSION employee. I will not receive salary, benefits or compensation, and do not qualify for workers' compensation benefits. I carry personal medical insurance to cover expenses for injuries I incur while volunteering with EXTENSION. If there is a claim against me based on services I perform in good faith as part of my volunteering, l may be eligible for legal defense and indemnification under the applicable Regents policy.
  4. I certify that I am a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or I have an appropriate visa status that authorizes me to be present in the United States and participate in this volunteer experience.
  5. I may resign, or EXTENSION may terminate, my volunteer status at any time. I understand the following are reasons EXTENSION may terminate my volunteer status: misconduct or insubordination; being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs; theft or misuse of property, equipment or materials; abuse or mistreatment of others involved with EXTENSION; failure to abide by EXTENSION policies or procedures; failure to satisfactorily perform assignments; breach of this Agreement; any other conduct EXTENSION staff reasonably determine is contrary to EXTENSION's best interests.
  6. Release. I know volunteering can result in severe personal injury, disability, death, or property damage ("Risks"). EXTENSION has no control over factors that influence Risks. I understand Risks exist even when l follow EXTENSION rules and directions. l will immediately bring any unusual or significant hazard l observe to the attention of the nearest EXTENSION staff.
    1. I voluntarily and knowingly accept responsibility for encountering Risks, known and unknown. On behalf of myself, my heirs, next of kin, successors, assigns, and anyone else who might claim through me or on my behalf, or who might have a claim arising out of, related to, or based upon any disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property I may experience as a result of volunteering, I expressly forever release, indemnify and hold harmless Regents of the University of Minnesota, EXTENSION directors, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and each of their agents, representatives, successors, and assigns, and all other persons associated with EXTENSION (“Releasees”), from any and all loss, cost, expense or other damage of any kind, including but not limited to insurance subrogation and attorney’s fees (together and singly, “Claims”). THIS RELEASE APPLIES EVEN TO CLAIMS BASED IN WHOLE OR IN PART ON RELEASEES’ NEGLIGENCE AND/OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Volunteering is voluntary, and not a part of, or related to, my educational program, residence, or employment at the University of Minnesota in any way.
    2. In the event of an emergency, EXTENSION staff may render first aid and obtain medical treatment. I will be financially responsible for all costs incurred thereby, regardless of insurance coverage.
    3. I grant Releasees full permission to use and broadcast images, recordings, or any other record of me performing volunteer services in any medium. Further, any photos I upload to an EXTENSION photo sharing site may likewise be used and broadcast.
  7. This is the entire Agreement. No other agreement, oral or written, exists outside of this Agreement.
  8. My electronic signature is the legally binding equivalent of my handwritten signature on paper. I hereby irrevocably waive any claim that my electronic signature is not legally binding or enforceable. If I wish to sign a hard copy of this Agreement instead of an electronic version, I will contact EXTENSION.