
Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Non-profit organisations and other small businesses rely on volunteers to make their business model viable. Even though there's no money being exchanged in these relationships, it's still a good idea to establish some rules and regulations between parties. That's where a volunteer agreement comes in useful.
A volunteer agreement sets out the foundations of a relationship between an organisation and the volunteers that work there. As well as outlining the expectations of both parties in terms of responsibilities and duties, the agreement can include a volunteer confidentiality agreement, the grounds on which the contract can be terminated and any relevant health and safety practices.
Download this template at Lawpath
The only time you should use a volunteer agreement is when you're employing volunteers to work for your organisation. A volunteer is someone who spends time doing unpaid work for a charitable organisation or similar establishment.
While a volunteer agreement and an internship agreement can contain very similar terms, organisations use them to employ different types of workers. A volunteer is someone who works for the benefit of someone else, i.e. a charity or hospital. An intern, on the other hand, may take on unpaid work in exchange for industry experience. This is usually to better their own career prospects.
At the very least, a volunteer agreement should outline the commitments of both parties, including duties, responsibilities and expectations.
You might also choose to include clauses that deal with the following:
Volunteer agreements aren't generally used as a legally binding contract. That doesn't mean they're not effective though. Establishing a contract at the beginning of a new working relationship helps both parties to understand where they stand and what the other party expects from them.
You shouldn't need a lawyer to draft up your agreement, especially if you use a volunteer agreement template. If you've drafted up your agreement, but you're still unsure if it contains all of the right information, it doesn't hurt to ask a professional to look over it.
A volunteer agreement only needs to be a short document to cover the basics of a volunteer's duties. When you write a volunteer agreement, it's important to make it crystal clear that the person is not employed by the organisation and does not hold the same rights and responsibilities of those who are hired as employees.
Putting together this document is even easier with the help of a volunteer agreement template. You can find these online by carrying out a quick Google search. Otherwise, you can use the websites we've scouted out below.
How to use your design skills as the basis for a profitable enterprise you can run from the comfort of your home.
Get set up for success with a CV that matches high-quality visuals with the right words.
Turn your passion for electronics into a profitable company.
Equip yourself with the right know-how to open your own wallpaper business.
Find and compare quotes from reputable companies in Darwin.
From your business structure to pricing, here's what you need to know about starting a rubbish removal business.
Here's everything you need to know to set up and grow your entertainment business.
If you’ve got a knack for languages, opening up a translation business can be an attractive career choice.
From the legal to the practical, here's what you need to know before opening a dog boarding company.
Monetise your ability to help companies with their products and services.