Volunteer policy

ARTICLE I – PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Volunteer Policy ("Policy") is to establish rules and practices concerning volunteer roles established by the Board of Directors ("Board") of Wikimedia District of Columbia (the "Corporation") and supervised by the President of the Corporation (the "President").

2. Scope. This Policy does not apply to any Officers of the Corporation, nor to the Board, committees, paid staff, or contractors.

3. Transition. This Policy supersedes previously enacted Resolutions of the Board establishing the Cultural Partnerships Coordinator (Resolution No. 3.B2.13), the Events Coordinator (Resolution No. 3.B2.17), the Social Media Coordinator (Resolution No. 3.B2.18), and the Event Promotion Coordinator (Resolution No. 3.B9.12), but does not affect the tenure of the current holders of said positions.

ARTICLE II – GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Definitions. This Policy refers to two different types of volunteers:

a. Staff Volunteer. A Staff Volunteer is a volunteer appointed to represent the Corporation, plan programs and events for the Corporation, and engage in administrative work for the Corporation on an ongoing basis. Staff Volunteers shall be considered members of the Corporation's staff.

b. Event Volunteer. An Event Volunteer is a volunteer appointed to provide volunteer services for the duration of a program or event conducted by the Corporation.

2. Principles. The Corporation promotes and encourages volunteer work in support of our Mission as a charitable organization. Volunteer work shall enrich volunteers by providing practical experience and a greater understanding and appreciation of our Mission. The Corporation shall seek to recruit and train volunteers to the best of its ability.

3. Part-Time Work. Volunteers shall not be expected to carry on more than part-time responsibility for no pay. Volunteer work shall not interfere with a volunteer's ability to make a living for him or herself, since overburdened volunteers are at risk of attrition or becoming single points of failure with respect to the conduct of the Corporation's programs.

4. Internships.

a. Standards for Internships. Internships are educational opportunities by definition. Internship programs shall be established to provide educational experience that is primarily to the benefit of the intern. Interns shall work under the close supervision of existing staff.

b. No Unpaid Internships. The Corporation shall establish no unpaid internship programs. The Corporation is opposed to unpaid internships, as they have the effect of denying access to education to those of low income, inconsistent with our Mission.

5. Compliance with Law. Compliance with Law. Nothing in this Policy is intended to contravene or circumvent any relevant employment-related law. It is the policy of the Corporation to comply with applicable laws at all times.

ARTICLE III - VOLUNTEER PLAN

1. Annual Volunteer Plan. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2014–15, the Board shall adopt an Annual Volunteer Plan ("Plan"). This Plan may be incorporated into the general Annual Plan or adopted separately.

2. Organizational Continuity. In the event a fiscal year begins and no Annual Volunteer Plan has been adopted, the previously adopted Plan shall remain in force pending the adoption of a new Plan by the Board.

3. Plan Contents. The Plan shall include a list of Staff Volunteer and Event Volunteer roles, the responsibilities of each role, and the number of hours per week that should be expected to be spent on each role.

4. Abolished Positions. In the event a Plan abolishes a filled Staff Volunteer position, best efforts should be made to transfer the holder of such position to a comparable Staff Volunteer role.

5. Transition. Pending the adoption of the first Plan, the defined Staff Volunteer positions shall be the Cultural Partnerships Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Event Promotion Coordinator positions as previously established by the Board.

ARTICLE IV - RECRUITMENT

1. Recruitment. The President is responsible for disseminating information regarding open volunteer positions, and for conducting the recruitment, screening, and selection process.

2. Event Volunteers. The President is authorized to recruit Event Volunteers as needed for events listed on the Corporation's calendar, pursuant to the Plan. The President may also delegate the recruitment of Event Volunteers to appropriate staff.

3. Non-Discrimination. All staff members involved in the hiring process shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Corporation's Non-Discrimination Policy at all times.

4. Orientation. The President shall ensure that each recruited volunteer understands his or her role as a volunteer and the relevant policies of the Corporation.