VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT

For Volunteers, Campaigners, Chapter Members, Chapter Organisers, City Coordinators, Event Volunteers, Online Volunteers, Community Volunteers and Other Unpaid Representatives

1. Introduction and Purpose

Animal Climate and Health Save Foundation ("ACHSF"), including its public-facing initiatives and programmes such as Animal Save India where applicable, works to advance animal rights, veganism, non-violence, environmental sustainability, public health and related public-interest objectives.

Volunteers are an important part of ACHSF's work and may participate in campaigns, public outreach, educational programmes, events, screenings, workshops, demonstrations, community engagement, digital campaigns, research, administration, content creation, chapter activities and other organisational programmes.

This Volunteer Code of Conduct establishes the minimum ethical, behavioural, professional, vegan, safeguarding, confidentiality, safety and organisational standards expected from every person volunteering with ACHSF.

Volunteering with ACHSF is conditional upon compliance with this Code.

For the purpose of this Code, the term "Volunteer" includes volunteers, campaigners, chapter members, city volunteers, chapter organisers, coordinators, event volunteers, online volunteers, community volunteers, project volunteers and any other person who voluntarily undertakes work or represents ACHSF without being engaged as an employee.

Where a Volunteer is also an employee, consultant, intern, fellow, Service Provider or engaged in any other formal capacity with ACHSF, the applicable Codes, policies and agreements shall apply together.

2. Applicability

This Code applies to Volunteers while:

  • attending or organising ACHSF events, meetings or campaigns;

  • participating in demonstrations, vigils or public outreach;

  • representing ACHSF before members of the public;

  • attending schools, colleges, institutions or community programmes;

  • participating in online meetings or digital campaigns;

  • using ACHSF WhatsApp groups, email groups, shared drives or communication systems;

  • travelling or staying somewhere in connection with ACHSF work;

  • wearing ACHSF or Animal Save India branded clothing while officially representing the organisation;

  • communicating with donors, partners, speakers, institutions, beneficiaries, media or members of the public on behalf of ACHSF;

  • using information, access, relationships or resources obtained through ACHSF;

  • creating photographs, videos, designs, documents, campaign materials or other content for ACHSF; or

  • otherwise acting or reasonably appearing to act on behalf of ACHSF.

Certain obligations, including confidentiality, intellectual property, responsible use of organisational information, non-retaliation and other provisions expressly stated in this Code, shall continue after volunteering ends.

3. Signing, Validity and Acceptance

Every Volunteer who participates in any activity organised by Animal Climate Health Save Foundation (also known as Animal Save India) shall observe and be governed by the clauses in this Code of Conduct. Participating in any campaign organised by ACHSF or its permitted assigns automatically binds the Volunteer to the clauses in this Code of Conduct.

ACHSF may refuse onboarding, restrict access to activities or groups, suspend responsibilities, remove a Volunteer from an activity or discontinue a Volunteer relationship where the Volunteer refuses to acknowledge or comply with this Code.

4. Volunteer Status and Authority

Volunteering is voluntary and does not, by itself, create an employer-employee relationship, partnership, agency, entitlement to remuneration or authority to bind ACHSF, subject always to applicable law and any separate written agreement.

A Volunteer shall not, unless expressly authorised:

  • enter into contracts or agreements on behalf of ACHSF;

  • commit ACHSF to expenditure;

  • promise grants, donations, partnerships, sponsorships or payments;

  • issue legal notices or legal commitments;

  • appoint another person on behalf of ACHSF;

  • make commitments to donors, institutions, vendors or partners;

  • represent themselves as a Director, employee, official spokesperson or authorised agent of ACHSF; or

  • otherwise create a legal or financial obligation for ACHSF.

Authority associated with a volunteer role may be withdrawn by ACHSF at any time.

5. Mission, Animal Rights and Vegan Principles

ACHSF's work is rooted in animal rights, veganism, compassion, non-violence, public health and climate justice.

Volunteers are expected to respect these principles while undertaking ACHSF work.

A Volunteer shall not knowingly use ACHSF platforms, events, programmes, branding or resources to promote animal exploitation or commercial activities involving animal-derived products.

5.1 Vegan Operational Requirement

During ACHSF activities, Volunteers must not bring, consume, serve, distribute, sell, display, promote, cook, store or intentionally handle non-vegan food, beverages, merchandise, gifts, samples or promotional material within an ACHSF-controlled event, stall, campaign space, meeting, workshop, training, shoot or other official work area.

This includes, among other things:

meat, fish, eggs, dairy milk, curd, cheese, paneer, ghee, butter, cream, whey, casein, honey, gelatin, leather, wool, silk, fur, feathers, shellac, bone china and other animal-derived items.

A Volunteer shall also not publicly promote a non-vegan product while presenting themselves as an authorised representative of ACHSF.

ACHSF may prescribe stricter mission-alignment requirements for certain leadership, spokesperson, organiser or public-representation roles.

6. Satya, Ahimsa and Public Advocacy

ACHSF follows a peaceful and non-violent approach to social change.

Volunteers must conduct advocacy respectfully, peacefully and lawfully.

No Volunteer may use ACHSF activities to:

  • threaten or physically intimidate another person;

  • deliberately provoke violence;

  • damage property;

  • trespass after being instructed to leave;

  • engage in physical retaliation;

  • use abusive, threatening or dehumanising language;

  • knowingly communicate false information;

  • target an individual for personal humiliation;

  • encourage mob behaviour;

  • interfere with emergency services, lawful authorities or public safety; or

  • engage in conduct inconsistent with ACHSF's commitment to peaceful advocacy.

Firm disagreement, criticism of systems and industries, presentation of factual information about animal exploitation, peaceful demonstration and lawful advocacy are not prohibited merely because they may be uncomfortable or challenging.

7. Following Campaign and Organisational Instructions

Volunteers participating in an ACHSF campaign, event or programme must follow reasonable instructions issued by the authorised organiser or designated ACHSF representative.

Volunteers must not independently alter:

  • approved campaign messaging;

  • public statements;

  • institutional commitments;

  • event format;

  • approved placards or campaign materials where uniformity has been instructed;

  • press statements;

  • legal claims;

  • fundraising requests; or

  • official positions attributed to ACHSF

without appropriate authorisation.

Where a Volunteer disagrees with an organisational instruction, the concern should be raised with the designated coordinator rather than creating a public confrontation during an activity.

8. Respectful Conduct, Equality and Anti-Harassment

Every person interacting with ACHSF must be treated with dignity.

Volunteers shall not engage in:

  • sexual harassment;

  • discrimination;

  • bullying;

  • stalking;

  • intimidation;

  • threats;

  • humiliation;

  • coercion;

  • exploitation;

  • unwanted sexual or romantic conduct;

  • physical violence;

  • repeated unwanted contact;

  • abusive behaviour; or

  • retaliation against a person who raises a good-faith concern.

This obligation applies to conduct involving other Volunteers, employees, organisers, interns, consultants, Service Providers, donors, beneficiaries, students, speakers, partners, members of the public and any other person encountered through ACHSF work.

Nothing in this provision prevents legitimate disagreement, performance feedback, organisational supervision, disciplinary action or respectful criticism.

9. Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Persons

Volunteers interacting with children, students, beneficiaries or persons in vulnerable situations must follow safeguarding instructions communicated by ACHSF or the host institution.

Volunteers must not:

  • behave sexually or romantically toward a minor;

  • privately solicit personal photographs or intimate information from minors;

  • unnecessarily isolate themselves with a child in a private location;

  • use threatening, humiliating or exploitative behaviour;

  • disclose a child's personal information without authorisation;

  • photograph or publish identifiable children contrary to applicable consent requirements;

  • transport or remove a child from an activity without proper authorisation; or

  • use organisational access to establish an inappropriate private relationship.

Any safeguarding concern must be reported promptly.

Where an institution, school or programme imposes additional safeguarding requirements, Volunteers must follow them.

10. Personal Relationships, Professional Boundaries and Post-Relationship Conduct

10.1 General Principle

ACHSF recognises that individuals associated with the organisation may have personal, familial, romantic, intimate or former personal relationships with one another.

Such relationships must not interfere with organisational work, safety, professional conduct, decision-making, access, confidentiality, reputation or team functioning.

10.2 Disclosure

A Volunteer must confidentially disclose a personal, romantic, intimate, familial or former relationship where it may reasonably affect:

a. volunteer selection, supervision, leadership or work allocation;

b. access to organisational information or resources;

c. event responsibilities or campaign leadership;

d. decision-making or recommendations;

e. travel or accommodation arrangements;

f. professional boundaries or team functioning;

g. safety;

h. favouritism or perceived favouritism;

i. conflicts of interest; or

j. the organisational reputation of ACHSF.

ACHSF shall not require unnecessary intimate details and should handle such information sensitively, subject to safeguarding, POSH, legal and organisational requirements.

10.3 Conduct During ACHSF Activities

Volunteers shall not use ACHSF:

  • events;

  • campaigns;

  • travel;

  • accommodation;

  • WhatsApp groups;

  • email systems;

  • databases;

  • social-media accounts;

  • volunteer networks;

  • donor networks;

  • work opportunities;

  • communication channels; or

  • organisational access

to pursue, pressure, monitor, control, revive, interfere in or retaliate in relation to a personal or former relationship.

Intimate, sexual or otherwise inappropriate displays of affection shall not take place while individuals are representing ACHSF in an official capacity.

10.4 End of Relationship

Where the end of a relationship may affect organisational work, communication, safety, access or team functioning, the concerned Volunteer should confidentially inform ACHSF so that reasonable boundaries can be established.

10.5 Prohibited Post-Relationship Conduct

No Volunteer shall use ACHSF access or networks to:

  • repeatedly contact a person who has indicated unwillingness to engage;

  • stalk or monitor the person;

  • threaten, coerce, blackmail or intimidate them;

  • circulate their private conversations, photographs, videos or personal information;

  • interfere with their ACHSF role or reputation;

  • mobilise other Volunteers against them;

  • misuse grievance procedures for retaliation;

  • publicly shame them;

  • create hostile working conditions; or

  • otherwise use ACHSF as a mechanism for personal retaliation.

Nothing in this section prevents a person from making a genuine complaint regarding harassment, sexual harassment, stalking, assault, threats, abuse, coercion, safeguarding concerns or unlawful conduct.

11. Conflict of Interest

Volunteers must disclose any actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest relevant to their ACHSF responsibilities.

Examples include:

  • close family or personal relationships affecting organisational decisions;

  • financial relationships with proposed vendors or partners;

  • receiving commissions or referral benefits;

  • personal business interests connected with an ACHSF activity;

  • selecting oneself or a related person for a paid opportunity;

  • using confidential ACHSF information for personal benefit; or

  • participating in a decision where personal interests may compromise independence.

Disclosure of a conflict does not automatically disqualify a Volunteer. ACHSF may manage the conflict by changing responsibilities, requiring recusal or implementing other safeguards.

12. Anti-Bribery, Gifts and Improper Benefits

Volunteers must not request, accept, offer, facilitate or arrange bribes, kickbacks, commissions or improper personal benefits in connection with ACHSF activities.

A Volunteer shall not use an organisational role to obtain:

  • discounts for personal benefit represented as organisational discounts;

  • commissions;

  • referral fees;

  • free products;

  • personal travel;

  • hospitality;

  • preferential services; or

  • other private benefits

unless expressly authorised or disclosed to ACHSF.

Nominal gifts received during legitimate community or institutional engagement should be handled according to instructions issued by ACHSF.

13. Attendance, Reliability and Responsibility

Volunteers are not expected to treat volunteering as employment. However, where a Volunteer has voluntarily committed to a specific responsibility, event, shift, campaign, deadline or leadership role, reasonable reliability is expected.

Volunteers should:

  • arrive at agreed times;

  • inform the organiser promptly when unable to attend;

  • complete accepted responsibilities reasonably and in good faith;

  • hand over incomplete work where necessary;

  • not repeatedly claim responsibilities they do not intend to perform; and

  • communicate respectfully with team members.

Repeated unexplained absence, abandonment of critical responsibilities or irresponsible conduct may result in reassignment or removal from a role.

14. Organisers, Coordinators and Leadership Responsibility

A Volunteer who receives an organiser, coordinator, chapter lead or similar role holds additional responsibility.

Such Volunteers must:

  • treat other Volunteers fairly;

  • avoid favouritism;

  • communicate approved organisational information accurately;

  • maintain appropriate records where required;

  • protect personal information collected from Volunteers;

  • not misuse their position for personal influence;

  • not impose unauthorised fees or contributions;

  • not create unofficial rules represented as ACHSF rules;

  • escalate serious issues appropriately;

  • follow approved financial procedures; and

  • return organisational access, passwords, records and property when requested.

A title such as "organiser", "coordinator", "chapter lead" or similar designation does not independently create legal authority to bind ACHSF.

15. Fundraising, Donations and Financial Integrity

Only persons authorised by ACHSF may solicit funds, sponsorships or donations in ACHSF's name.

Volunteers shall not:

  • ask donors to transfer ACHSF donations into personal bank accounts or personal UPI IDs;

  • retain donations intended for ACHSF;

  • issue unauthorised donation receipts;

  • represent personal fundraising as official ACHSF fundraising;

  • promise tax benefits without authorisation;

  • make unauthorised financial commitments;

  • conceal money collected during organisational activities; or

  • use ACHSF donor information for personal fundraising.

Cash, where authorised to be collected, must be properly recorded and transferred according to ACHSF instructions.

Any suspected loss, theft or misuse of funds must be reported immediately.

16. Volunteer Expenses

Volunteers shall not assume that expenditure personally incurred will automatically be reimbursed.

Where reimbursement has been authorised, Volunteers may be required to:

  • obtain prior approval;

  • remain within the approved amount;

  • submit original or valid digital receipts;

  • truthfully describe the expense;

  • return unused advances; and

  • comply with ACHSF's expense procedures.

False receipts, inflated claims, duplicate claims or personal expenses represented as organisational expenses constitute serious misconduct.

17. Confidentiality, Data Privacy and Information Security

During volunteering, Volunteers may receive access to information concerning:

  • donors;

  • Volunteers;

  • employees;

  • interns;

  • beneficiaries;

  • students;

  • participants;

  • institutional contacts;

  • partners;

  • media contacts;

  • campaign plans;

  • unpublished campaigns;

  • event plans;

  • financial information;

  • passwords;

  • photographs;

  • videos;

  • shared drives;

  • internal discussions;

  • grievances;

  • investigations; or

  • organisational strategy.

Volunteers must use such information only for authorised purposes.

Volunteers must not without authorisation:

  • forward internal chats;

  • publish screenshots;

  • leak internal documents;

  • disclose donor information;

  • download databases for personal use;

  • retain passwords after access ends;

  • copy contact lists;

  • add organisational contacts to personal marketing lists;

  • transfer files to unrelated third parties; or

  • use ACHSF information to build a personal or competing database.

Any suspected data breach, lost device, hacked account or accidental disclosure must be reported immediately.

These confidentiality obligations continue after volunteering ends.

18. Photography, Video and Participant Information

Photographs and videos created during ACHSF activities must be handled responsibly.

Volunteers must follow instructions concerning consent, privacy, children, beneficiaries and sensitive subjects.

A Volunteer shall not use access obtained through ACHSF to privately collect, retain or publish sensitive photographs, videos or personal information for unrelated purposes.

Raw footage or photographs containing sensitive organisational or participant information must be transferred, stored or deleted according to ACHSF instructions.

19. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, material created specifically for ACHSF by a Volunteer in connection with their volunteer role shall belong to ACHSF to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

This includes, where applicable:

  • designs;

  • photographs;

  • footage;

  • videos;

  • raw files;

  • edited files;

  • scripts;

  • captions;

  • campaign concepts;

  • posters;

  • presentations;

  • reports;

  • research;

  • written material;

  • training material;

  • databases;

  • templates;

  • event materials;

  • graphics;

  • logos;

  • brand material;

  • website content; and

  • other organisational work product.

This applies to material created, developed, modified, contributed to, submitted, shared or delivered in connection with ACHSF work, including relevant material created before the signing of the Volunteer Code acknowledgement where it was created or contributed specifically for ACHSF.

Volunteers must not sell, licence, commercially exploit, claim exclusive ownership over, publish as a separate organisational project or transfer ACHSF work without permission.

Volunteers must also avoid knowingly submitting plagiarised or unlawfully copied third-party material.

This section shall survive the end of the Volunteer relationship.

20. Use of ACHSF Name, Logo, Brands and Identity

Volunteers may use ACHSF or Animal Save India branding only for authorised organisational activities.

Volunteers must not use ACHSF's name, logo, photographs, videos, campaign assets, donor names, partner names or organisational identity to:

  • establish an unrelated organisation;

  • solicit unauthorised donations;

  • create commercial products;

  • promote personal businesses;

  • obtain personal benefits;

  • issue unauthorised press statements;

  • represent an unofficial event as an ACHSF event;

  • represent themselves as an employee, Director or authorised spokesperson; or

  • imply endorsement of an outside person, company, political organisation or product without approval.

Authorisation to use ACHSF branding may be withdrawn at any time.

21. Social Media, Public Communication and Media Interaction

Volunteers are free to maintain personal views and personal social-media accounts.

However, where a Volunteer is communicating on behalf of ACHSF, they must follow approved organisational positions and communication instructions.

Volunteers must clearly distinguish personal opinions from official ACHSF statements where confusion may reasonably arise.

Unless authorised, Volunteers shall not:

  • speak to journalists as an official spokesperson;

  • issue press releases on behalf of ACHSF;

  • communicate confidential organisational information;

  • disclose upcoming campaigns before approved launch;

  • announce partnerships that have not been confirmed;

  • publish private grievances as official ACHSF information;

  • operate unofficial accounts represented as official ACHSF accounts;

  • use ACHSF accounts for personal opinions; or

  • make legal, financial or institutional commitments on ACHSF's behalf.

Volunteers must not knowingly publish fabricated, manipulated or misleading evidence as genuine evidence of ACHSF's work or campaigns.

22. Political, Religious and Other Unrelated Advocacy

ACHSF may undertake lawful public-interest advocacy and policy engagement consistent with its objects.

However, Volunteers must not use ACHSF events, databases, groups, platforms, branding or resources for unrelated:

  • party-political campaigning;

  • electoral campaigning;

  • candidate endorsement;

  • religious conversion or proselytisation;

  • commercial promotion; or

  • personal ideological campaigns

unless expressly approved as part of an authorised ACHSF programme.

Where an ACHSF campaign engages with a cultural or religious subject, Volunteers must follow the approved campaign framing and avoid attributing unapproved religious interpretations or statements to ACHSF.

23. Public Events, Demonstrations and Field Safety

Volunteers must follow reasonable safety instructions issued by ACHSF, event organisers, venue authorities and competent public authorities.

Volunteers should not unnecessarily place themselves or others in physical danger.

Where an interaction becomes unsafe, threatening or violent, Volunteers should disengage and seek appropriate assistance.

Volunteers shall not attend ACHSF activities under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, illegal substances or another substance that materially impairs judgment or safety.

Possession or use of unlawful substances during ACHSF activities is prohibited.

Volunteers shall not carry weapons to ACHSF activities except where possession is specifically permitted and required by law for an authorised professional role.

24. Interaction With Members of the Public

Volunteers must remember that public interactions may reasonably be understood as reflecting upon ACHSF.

Volunteers should:

  • communicate respectfully;

  • allow individuals to disengage;

  • avoid unnecessary personal arguments;

  • avoid threatening language;

  • protect participant privacy;

  • communicate campaign information accurately;

  • seek assistance from an organiser where a situation escalates; and

  • follow the approved campaign brief.

Members of the public are not required to agree with ACHSF's position. Volunteers should prioritise communication, education and peaceful advocacy over confrontation.

25. Animals Encountered During ACHSF Activities

Concern for an animal does not automatically authorise a Volunteer to enter private property, seize an animal, represent themselves as a government authority, impersonate law enforcement or take an action prohibited by law.

Where an animal appears to be in immediate danger, Volunteers should follow applicable law, safety requirements and authorised organisational protocols and contact appropriate authorities or qualified persons where necessary.

No Volunteer may make a legal commitment or undertake an animal-rescue operation in ACHSF's name without appropriate authority.

26. Environmental Responsibility

Volunteers should support environmentally responsible organisational practices wherever reasonably possible, including waste reduction, responsible disposal, reduced unnecessary printing, minimal single-use plastic and preference for reusable, recyclable, compostable, cruelty-free and vegan materials.

27. Mutual Non-Disparagement, Reputation Protection and Non-Retaliation

27.1 Purpose

ACHSF's work depends upon public credibility, volunteer trust, donor confidence, community relationships and the dignity and safety of persons associated with the organisation.

Volunteers must not misuse their organisational association to harass, threaten, retaliate against, defame or unlawfully expose ACHSF or persons associated with ACHSF.

27.2 Prohibited Conduct

Volunteers shall not knowingly make, publish, circulate, encourage or assist false, malicious, misleading, defamatory, retaliatory, threatening, confidential or abusive statements or content against:

a. ACHSF;

b. its Founders, Directors or Board members;

c. employees, consultants, interns, fellows, organisers or coordinators;

d. current or former Volunteers;

e. donors, beneficiaries, partners or Service Providers; or

f. persons connected with ACHSF activities.

This includes conduct through social media, WhatsApp, Telegram, email groups, professional platforms, review platforms, activist networks, donor networks, public forums, media channels or third parties.

This provision does not prohibit truthful, good-faith complaints or legally protected disclosures.

27.3 Mutual Standard

ACHSF's authorised management representatives should likewise not make false, malicious, defamatory, retaliatory or confidential reputation-damaging statements regarding a departing Volunteer.

This does not prevent truthful, necessary, good-faith, protective, safeguarding, disciplinary, internal or legally required communications made to persons with a legitimate need to know.

28. Internal Grievance Escalation

Volunteers are encouraged and, where reasonably possible and legally permissible, expected to raise organisational grievances through ACHSF's designated internal channel before escalating ordinary internal disputes publicly.

Concerns may include:

  • interpersonal conflict;

  • campaign disputes;

  • volunteer management concerns;

  • misconduct;

  • unfair treatment;

  • organisational decisions;

  • relationship-related concerns;

  • exit-related concerns;

  • misuse of resources;

  • ethical concerns; or

  • alleged violations of this Code.

Unless another contact has been designated:

Authorised Contact: coordinator@animalsaveindia.org

Grievances should be made truthfully and in good faith.

The organisation should endeavour to handle such complaints discreetly and proportionately.

29. Protected Complaints and Legal Savings

Nothing in this Code prevents or restricts a Volunteer from:

a. reporting sexual harassment;

b. reporting stalking, assault, violence, threats, coercion or abuse;

c. reporting child-safety or safeguarding concerns;

d. reporting corruption, fraud, financial misconduct or unlawful activity in good faith;

e. approaching the police;

f. approaching a court, tribunal, statutory or government authority;

g. participating in proceedings under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 or other applicable law;

h. obtaining confidential legal advice;

i. complying with a lawful notice, summons, investigation or court order; or

j. making any disclosure protected or required by applicable law.

Where legally permissible, Volunteers should avoid unnecessarily disclosing unrelated confidential information, donor information, beneficiary information, personal data or private organisational records while making such disclosures.

No Volunteer shall be retaliated against merely for making a genuine good-faith safeguarding, legal or ethical complaint.

30. Confidentiality During Complaints, Investigations and Exit

Internal grievances, safeguarding reports, complaints, investigations, evidence, warnings, disciplinary discussions, relationship-related concerns and exit discussions should be treated as confidential to the extent reasonably possible.

Volunteers shall not use confidential investigations, private chats, personal information or internal evidence as material for retaliation, public humiliation or digital harassment.

This does not restrict lawful reporting, legal advice or protected disclosures under Section 29.

31. Reporting Violations

A Volunteer who becomes aware of serious misconduct involving ACHSF activities should report the concern promptly.

Particular urgency should be given to:

  • safeguarding concerns;

  • sexual harassment;

  • threats or violence;

  • financial misuse;

  • theft;

  • serious data breaches;

  • impersonation of ACHSF;

  • unauthorised fundraising;

  • serious safety issues;

  • criminal conduct; and

  • serious breaches of confidentiality.

Reports may be made to: coordinator@animalsaveindia.org

Where the authorised contact is personally involved in the complaint, ACHSF should provide an alternative appropriate escalation route.

32. Corrective and Disciplinary Measures

Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the matter, ACHSF may take measures including:

  • informal guidance;

  • verbal or written warning;

  • additional training;

  • reassignment;

  • removal from a particular programme;

  • restriction from communication groups;

  • removal of system or database access;

  • removal from a leadership position;

  • removal from an event;

  • temporary suspension;

  • requirement of a written undertaking;

  • termination of the Volunteer relationship;

  • restriction from future volunteering;

  • recovery or return of ACHSF property;

  • reporting to appropriate authorities; or

  • necessary legal action.

ACHSF may take immediate protective action without completing an ordinary disciplinary process where reasonably necessary to protect children, vulnerable persons, Volunteers, staff, organisational data, property, public safety or legal compliance.

33. Ending the Volunteer Relationship

A Volunteer may ordinarily stop volunteering by informing the relevant organiser or coordinator.

ACHSF may also discontinue a Volunteer relationship or particular volunteer role.

Upon resignation, removal or cessation of volunteering, the Volunteer may be required to:

  • return ACHSF property;

  • return identification cards;

  • remove themselves from restricted organisational systems;

  • transfer organisational documents;

  • provide passwords belonging to ACHSF;

  • return or delete confidential datasets;

  • hand over pending responsibilities;

  • cease representing themselves as an active ACHSF representative; and

  • discontinue unauthorised use of ACHSF branding.

Leaving ACHSF does not authorise retention or misuse of confidential information, personal data, organisational intellectual property or access credentials.

34. Survival of Obligations

To the fullest extent permitted by law, obligations concerning:

  • confidentiality;

  • personal information;

  • intellectual property;

  • non-retaliation;

  • misuse of organisational resources;

  • misuse of donor or Volunteer databases;

  • unauthorised representation;

  • legally compliant non-disparagement;

  • protection of private information; and

  • responsible handling of organisational materials

shall continue after resignation, termination or cessation of the Volunteer relationship where their nature reasonably requires them to continue.

35. Annual Review and Amendment

This Code may be reviewed and updated by ACHSF from time to time.

The latest version may be made available through ACHSF's website, onboarding process, email, volunteer groups or another appropriate communication channel.

Volunteers may be required to acknowledge significant revisions.

Continued volunteering after notification of an updated Code shall constitute acceptance of the updated requirements.