Member Application

I understand that in the performance of my duties I may come in contact with confidential information and that it is part of my job to protect this information. I understand that confidential information comes in many forms and from many sources. I also realize that it is my responsibility to report to the Project Lead (or Operations Lead) and the fiduciary any breach of confidentiality that I witness.

By signing below, I confirm that I have received a copy of this confidentiality policy and will uphold its contents. I understand that improper release or disclosure of information is considered a misdemeanor pursuant to Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 750.410; and that violation of this law may be subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution. I further understand that my continued contract, assignment or volunteer duties for this initiative may be contingent upon my compliance with this policy and that violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination or release of duties.

Operating from the perspective of, “It takes a Village,” and the mindset that “Those closest to the problem have the solutions,” as trusted resources with the lived experience and connections to authentically engage the people that we live, work and play with daily, RiA Members and Partners are committed to progress the community, by supporting each other, by strategically working together collectively, collaboratively, effectively and efficiently to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequity and to successfully brainstorm, plan, implement and execute strategies led by residents (the people) to lift each other up, to advocate for and promote grass roots initiatives and activities, and take concerted action to challenge the status quo and to positively impact outcomes.

• Presume positive intent,

• Mutual respect and trust,

• Meetings are a Safe Space,

• Keep the RIA defined population at the forefront,

• Set aside our own agenda for the good of the community,

• Come prepared,

• Do your homework,

• Actively participate,

• Limit distractions,

• Do not let negativity infiltrate RIA work,

• Speak Up when there are issues even when it is a hard conversation,

• Start and end on time,

• Think outside of the box,

• Welcome respectful and constructive feedback,

• Speak up when anyone violates these agreed upon working agreement/ground rules

• Remember the WAIT (Why Am I Talking) and WAINT (Why Am I Not Talking) Concepts

I, __________________________________________________ (hereinafter “volunteer”) of (address) ______________________________________________ in the State of _____________, agree that my unpaid volunteer services with Residents in Action, Inc.. (hereinafter “the charity”) shall be strictly on the following terms and conditions:

WITNESSETH: Whereas, volunteer intends to donate services to the charity identified above, and said charity intends to accept the donation of volunteer services.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Volunteer agrees to donate services to charity as [Insert title of volunteer, e.g., Program Manager]
2. It is mutually and expressly understood that volunteer services shall be donated, and that said volunteer is not entitled to nor expects any present or future salary, wages, or other benefits for these voluntary services.
3. Volunteer agrees to follow the supervision and direction of any personnel, employee, or volunteer to whom volunteer has been assigned to perform services and to participate in any training required by the charity in order to perform the voluntary services.
4. Volunteer agrees that he/she will not be considered to be an employee of the charity for any purposes while performing the above described voluntary services.
5. Volunteer further understands that if volunteer is responsible for injuries to third parties or damages to their property while acting outside the scope of assigned volunteer duties, that said volunteer may be held personally liable for any monetary damages a court may award to the injured party.
6. Volunteer further agrees that volunteer will fully cooperate with the charity and its agents in any investigation, lawsuit, arbitration, or any other legal or quasi-legal proceedings that arise from the matters covered by this agreement. Volunteer further agrees to notify the charity immediately of any incident that occurs or may occur within the knowledge of the volunteer which gives rise to liability on the part of the volunteer of the charity.
7. Volunteer also understands that volunteer’s assignment may be terminated at any time by either party to this agreement.
8. Volunteer acknowledges that volunteer has been advised that all information and documents that volunteer may have knowledge of or access to through volunteer’s affiliation with the charity are strictly confidential.
9. Volunteer agrees at all times to treat as confidential all information acquired through the volunteer program with the charity and not to disclose same except as authorized by the charity or by law. Volunteer acknowledges that such information is not to be altered, copied, interfered with or destroyed, except upon authorization and in accordance with the policy of the charity. Volunteer agrees not to discuss such confidential information with any party nor will volunteer participate in or permit the release, publication or disclosure of such information, nor will volunteer copy, photograph, scan, email, distribute, or disseminate such information, except as authorized in the course of volunteer’s services or by law.
10. Volunteer understands that this agreement includes:
a. never discussing the personality of a client of the charity, his or her file or any details thereof with anyone other than a member of the charity directly concerned;
b. avoiding the use of names of clients in conversations with other colleagues, friends or relatives;
c. ensuring that disclosures of information are made only to persons entitled to that information;
d. ensuring that conversations relating to clients or other charity business are not conducted in the elevator, in the reception area, or other public areas where conversations may be heard by individuals other than charity personnel;
11. Volunteer understands and acknowledges that as a volunteer of the charity, volunteer is required to honor and be bound by the confidentiality provisions even after volunteer has left the volunteer program of the charity.
12. Volunteer understands and acknowledges that during volunteer’s program or business relationship with charity, and thereafter, to the fullest extent permitted by law, volunteer is obligated to keep confidential and never disclose, use, misappropriate, or confirm or deny the veracity of, any statement or comment concerning Tashia Carter and/or Resident in Action, Inc.’s, charity, (which, as used herein, included all entities related to charity) or any of its Confidential Information. The phrase 'Confidential Information' as used in this Agreement, includes but is not limited to, any and all information which is not generally known to the public, related to or concerning: (a) Tashia Carter and/or Residents in Action, Inc. and/or their business or private life; (b) the business activities, dealings or interests of charity and/or its officers, directors, affiliates, employees or contractors; and/or (c) charity’s volunteer program practices or policies applicable to its employees and/or contractors. Volunteer understands that during volunteer’s program or business relationship with charity, and thereafter, volunteer is obligated to refrain from giving or participating in any interview(s) regarding or related to Tashia Carter and/or Residents in Action, Inc.’s volunteer’s program or business relationship with charity and/or may matter which concerns, relates to or involves any Confidential Information.
13. Volunteer understands that compliance with the confidentiality requirements of the charity is a condition of volunteer’s program and that failure to comply with the policy may result in termination of volunteer’s involvement with the charity.
14. Volunteer understands that volunteer is expected to exercise good judgment and common sense when creating and distributing messages. E-mail is the property of the charity and should be used exclusively for work-related purposes. Volunteer understands that:
a. Volunteers are strictly prohibited from sending e-mail messages of a harassing, intimidating, offensive or discriminatory nature. Such conduct, or any other conduct in violation of this policy, may result in immediate dismissal or other disciplinary measures.
b. The charity retains copies of all e-mails generated using the charity e-mail address and retains the right to access volunteer’s e-mail at any time for any reason without notice to the volunteer.
c. Volunteers should not expect that e-mail is confidential or private.
15. Volunteer agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and will continue to be so bound following the termination of volunteer’s program.
16. Volunteer has been advised that volunteer has the right to seek independent legal advice prior to signing this agreement.