Application & Placement

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with HAC must complete a volunteer application. The application includes basic contact information, availability, emergency contact information and a participation waiver that includes indemnification, confidentiality and other important clauses/notices.

Families USA does not discriminate against any volunteer because of race, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, disability or veteran’s status. Each prospective volunteer may be interviewed by Families USA (and/or its representatives), and any other designated host board or committee member to determine the applicant’s qualifications and volunteer position. Additional screening procedures may be instituted when volunteers are placed in direct contact with clients, responsible for financial or other valuable organizational resources, or in other positions identified by Families USA. Volunteers who refuse permission to conduct these checks may be removed from consideration.

Volunteers must be age 18 or older and any activity that is assigned to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) will be in a non-hazardous environment and comply with all appropriate requirements of child labor and food and beverage laws. Individual programs or segments of the conference may have specific standards and procedures, and volunteers are required to abide by program policies and procedures.

Volunteers who do not adhere to the rules and procedures, or who fail to perform their volunteer assignments at a satisfactory level may be subject to immediate dismissal. No volunteer will be terminated until the volunteer has had an opportunity to discuss the reasons for possible dismissal with a member of the conference planning team. Possible grounds for dismissal may include, but are not limited to gross misconduct or insubordination, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, theft of property or misuse of organization equipment or materials, abuse or mistreatment of clients or co-workers, failure to abide by organization policies and procedures, and failure to satisfactorily perform assigned duties.

Families USA does not endorse or recommend volunteers should they decide to apply for a paid position within Families USA or a partner organization; they must go through the same hiring process as any other individual. Families USA reserves the right to terminate a volunteer’s engagement at any time.

Notice of Recording and Photography Consent and Release

By registering for Families USA’s events/conferences, you consent to your voice, name and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in photography and audio/video recording for use in any and all media in perpetuity. You release Families USA, its employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of images, video and/or audio recordings. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Families USA or the person or entity designated to do so by Families USA. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

Code of Conduct  

At Families USA’s events/conferences, we want every participant to feel welcome, included, and safe. Moreover, we will do our best to accommodate specific needs such as accessibility. We expect all interactions between attendees to be respectful and constructive. The open exchange of ideas and the freedom of thought and expression are central to Families USA’s aims and goals. This requires an environment that recognizes the inherent worth of every person and group, that fosters dignity, understanding, and mutual respect, and that embraces diversity. Failure to respect these guidelines will result in a detailed accounting of the event for record keeping. At the discretion of leadership, such behavior may also result in a ban of the attendee from continued attendance.

Staff and volunteers are not to engage in any type of solicitation while serving the event. Any staff or volunteer wishing to solicit funds or in-kind gifts must receive prior, written approval from Families USA Senior Leadership. Volunteers should not approach a Speaker, Keynote, or other VIP to request a photo/autograph or similar.  Personal interactions are secondary to fulfilling the role of a volunteer.   There may be opportunities to obtain pictures with speakers and invited guests, which will be organized through the Conference Management Team and will be communicated in advance.  

Drug-Free Workspace  

The possession, distribution or use of alcohol or illegal drugs at any facility or while volunteering in any program is forbidden.

Volunteers may not administer medications of any kind, including over the counter medicines, to other staff/volunteers nor conference attendees.