For the safety of students, all prospective volunteers will be asked to fill out the Adult Volunteer Application. All prospective volunteers will be given a "background check" pursuant to state public record. Additionally, Giving Gardens of Indiana in its discretion and without a statement of reason, may run a complete criminal history check on any volunteer at any time.

Each question below is required for the Department of Child Services to run a background check. Reminder, you must always disclose criminal information.

Please read carefully before signing and dating this application

What you hear and observe about students, families and staff while volunteering at Giving Gardens is confidential. Repeating a seemingly harmless comment can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. For our organization to provide the best environment for learning, everyone's privacy must be respected.

Volunteers are obligated under mandatory child reporting laws to report any suspected child abuse or neglect. Please speak with a director to proceed on this reporting.

Volunteers perform under the direction and supervision of Giving Gardens personnel. Volunteers should know and follow organization policies and rules. The organization, in its discretion and without a statement of reason, may suspend a volunteer from any further volunteer activities pending any background check.

If for any reason you are not able to volunteer when expected, please contact a director and leave a message. Similarly, Giving Gardens staff will contact you if your scheduled volunteer time is canceled or changed for any unforeseen reason. You may contact Rachel: 260-609-6784 or Jessica: 260-797-2040 or email givinggardensin@gmail.com with questions or for assistance.

Volunteers function in a position of trust and Giving Gardens does not extend that position of trust outside of its supervised programs. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to notify the site administrator immediately if he/she becomes involved with a student/family outside of the Giving Gardens environment.

1. I, the Volunteer, release and forever discharge and hold harmless Giving Gardens of Indiana and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to Giving Gardens. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges Giving Gardens from any liability or claim that I may have against Giving Gardens with respect from the services I provide to Giving Gardens or occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
2. Insurance: Further I understand that Giving Gardens does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of my injury, illness, death or damage to my property. I expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of Giving Gardens beyond what may be offered freely by Giving gardens in the event of such injury or medical expenses incurred by me.
3. Medical Treatment: I hereby Release and forever discharge Giving Gardens from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a volunteer with Giving Gardens.
4. I understand that the services I provide to Giving Gardens may include activities that may be hazardous to me including, but not limited to bee stings, heavy lifting, heat exhaustion, involving inherently dangerous activities. As a volunteer, I hereby expressly assume rock of injury or harm from these activities and Release Giving gardens from all liability for injury, illness, death or property damage resulting from services I provide as a volunteer or occurring while I am providing volunteer services.
5. Photographic Release: I grant and convey to Giving gardens all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by Giving Gardens in connection with my providing volunteer services to Giving Gardens.
6. Other: As a volunteer, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Indiana and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana. I agree that in the event that any clause of provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Release shall not be affected.