Spark WA Foundation Volunteer Guidelines

1. Joining the team

Submitting the volunteer form expresses your interest. A role is confirmed once a coordinator discusses the opportunity, availability, and expectations with you. Some roles may require orientation or additional screening.

2. Commitment and ownership

• •Choose tasks that fit your availability and skills. You may decline an assignment before accepting it.
• •Once you accept a task, take responsibility for completing it by the agreed deadline.
• •Ask questions early and let your coordinator know if you need help.
• •You are welcome to suggest ideas. Changes involving budgets, partners, schedules, or public announcements need coordinator approval.

3. Attendance and communication

• •Arrive on time for confirmed shifts and follow check in and check out instructions.
• •If you cannot attend or finish a task, notify your coordinator as soon as possible, preferably at least 24 hours in advance when practical.
• •Emergencies happen. Please communicate when you are able.
• •Check the agreed communication channel during an active assignment. Volunteers are not expected to be available around the clock.

4. Respect and teamwork

Treat volunteers, guests, vendors, and community members with kindness and respect. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, threats, and unwanted attention are not acceptable.

Work cooperatively, respect different backgrounds and opinions, and raise disagreements calmly. Avoid personal attacks and sharing private disputes in group chats.

5. Group communication and promotion

Keep volunteer groups focused on relevant tasks, updates, and questions. Avoid unrelated forwards, repeated messages, and unsolicited advertising.

Do not use volunteer groups, contact lists, or events to promote personal businesses, recruit for other organizations, or collect leads without approval. Disclose any personal or business interest connected to your assignment.

6. Privacy, photos, and social media

• •Protect personal information about volunteers, donors, attendees, and families.
• •Do not copy or share contact lists, private messages, or personal stories without authorization.
• •Follow event photography instructions and respect anyone who does not want to be photographed.
• •Photos or videos of children require parent or guardian permission through the approved process.
• •Only authorized team members may speak on behalf of Spark WA or publish through its accounts. Get approval before using its name or logo for your own materials.

7. Safety and working with children

Follow venue rules and safety instructions. Report injuries, hazards, or concerning behavior promptly. In an emergency, call 911 first when needed.

Do not undertake tasks you are not trained or comfortable doing. Do not work while impaired.

Activities involving children must follow the assigned supervision plan. Avoid being alone with a child, privately messaging children, or arranging transportation outside an approved process. Volunteers under 18 need parent or guardian consent and an age appropriate assignment.

8. Donations, spending, and property

Only designated volunteers may handle donations, payments, or financial records. Use approved collection methods and never route donations through personal accounts.

Get written approval before making purchases or financial commitments. Reimbursement requires prior approval and receipts. Return borrowed supplies, equipment, keys, and account access when your assignment ends.

9. Volunteer hours and benefits

Volunteering is unpaid. Record hours accurately and submit them for coordinator verification.

Participation does not automatically include free event admission, meals, gifts, certificates, references, or employment opportunities. Any role specific benefits will be explained in advance. Employer matching or volunteer grant eligibility depends on the employer's rules.

10. What you can expect from Spark WA

Spark WA will provide a designated coordinator, clear task expectations, relevant instructions, and respectful communication.

You may ask for help, raise concerns, decline unsafe work, or request a change in responsibilities. Following social media accounts, posting on personal accounts, buying tickets, or donating is optional and is not a condition of volunteering.

11. Concerns and accountability

Report concerns to your coordinator or contact@sparkwa.org. If the concern involves your coordinator, ask for review by another Foundation leader. Information will be shared only as needed to address the concern. Retaliation for raising a concern in good faith is not acceptable.

Depending on the circumstances, concerns may lead to a discussion, additional guidance, reassignment, or suspension or removal from volunteering. Serious safety or conduct issues may require immediate action.

12. Stepping back

You may pause or end your volunteer involvement at any time. Please give notice when possible and help hand over unfinished tasks. Spark WA may also adjust assignments as program needs change.