Volunteer Policy

ARTICLE I – PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Volunteer Policy ("Policy") is to document the rules and practices used by Wikimedia District of Columbia (the "Corporation") to recruit and manage volunteers.

2. Scope. This Policy shall not apply to members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"), to the Officers of the Corporation, or to members of the Standing, Special, and Advisory Committees of the Corporation.

ARTICLE II – GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Definitions. As used in this Policy, the following terms have the indicated meaning:

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

(b) Project and Event Volunteers. "Project Volunteer" or "Event Volunteer" shall refer to a volunteer recruited to provide specific volunteer services for the Corporation which are limited in scope and duration, such as volunteering at events organized by the Corporation or projects carried out by the Corporation.

2. Principles. The Corporation shall promote and encourage volunteer work in support of its mission as a charitable organization, and shall seek to recruit and train volunteers to the best of its ability. Volunteer work shall enrich volunteers by providing practical experience and a greater understanding and appreciation of the Corporation's charitable mission.

3. Duration of Work. No volunteer working on behalf of the Corporation shall be expected to engage in such volunteer work on a full-time basis, or to the extent that doing so would interfere with said volunteer's ability to earn a living wage.

4. Supervision. All volunteers shall work under the supervision of the President, or of a person designated by the President in writing.

5. Internships.

a. Standards for Internships. Internship programs shall 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.

6. Compliance with Law. No provision of this Policy shall be interpreted in a manner that conflicts with any applicable law or regulation. It is the policy of the Corporation to comply with all applicable laws and regulations at all times.

ARTICLE III – VOLUNTEER PLAN

1. Annual Volunteer Plan. Within thirty (30) days of the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board shall adopt an Annual Volunteer Plan ("Plan"). This Plan may be incorporated into the Corporation's Annual Plan or adopted separately.

2. 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 Content. The Plan shall include a list of Staff Volunteer and Project and Event Volunteer roles, the responsibilities of each role, and the expected number of hours per week of volunteer time required for each role.

4. Abolished Positions. In the event that the Plan abolishes a previously established Staff Volunteer position, best efforts shall be made to transfer the volunteer holding said position to another comparable Staff Volunteer role.

ARTICLE IV – RECRUITMENT

1. Recruitment. The President shall be responsible for disseminating information regarding open volunteer positions, and for recruiting, screening, and selecting volunteers.

2. Staff Volunteers. The President shall have the authority to recruit Staff Volunteers in accordance with the Plan. Staff Volunteers shall serve at the pleasure of the President, but the President shall consult with the Board prior to dismissing any Staff Volunteer.

3. Project and Event Volunteers. The President shall have the authority to recruit Project and Event Volunteers as required to support events listed on the Corporation's calendar and projects undertaken by the Corporation, provided that such recruitment is not inconsistent with the Plan. The President may, at his or her discretion, delegate the recruitment of some or all Project and Event Volunteers to any other member of the Corporation's staff.

4. Non-Discrimination. All persons involved in the recruitment, screening, and selection of volunteers shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Corporation's Non-Discrimination Policy at all times.

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

ARTICLE V – TRANSITION

1. Superseded Resolutions. This Policy supersedes the 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).

2. Interim Positions. Pending the adoption of the first Plan, the defined Staff Volunteer positions shall be the Cultural Partnerships Coordinator and Event Promotion Coordinator positions as previously established by the Board, and the current holders of said positions shall continue in their roles.