VOLUNTEER’S RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES / VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT

Please read the following so that you understand your rights and responsibilities.

Volunteering is a mutual arrangement and as such any agreement to undertake activities on behalf of the Cairns Italian Festival Inc. are done so only with the consent of the volunteer. Not with standing the above either party may terminate the volunteer agreement at any time by notification to the other party.
No payment will be made for any volunteer activity undertaken nor does undertaking of volunteer activity create any right or expectation of future paid work.
A Volunteer Coordinator of the Cairns Italian Festival is appointed to direct and supervise the activities of volunteers we ask that you undertake all reasonable requests and directions given in order to perform tasks and activities by your appointed Volunteer Coordinator.
If you are unable to undertake or complete any assigned task or activity, or where you are unsure of how tasks are to be performed, you are to seek clarification from your Volunteer Coordinator.
Where your activities are part of a roster you should notify your Volunteer Coordinator for the Cairns Italian Festival if you are unable to attend on any day that have been requested to attend. The use of rosters is purely for the purpose of ensuring that we have sufficient volunteers to cover all required tasks at any given time, it does create an employment relationship.
Volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum shift duration of three (3) hours unless otherwise agreed upon with the Volunteer Coordinator. This ensures adequate coverage for event operations and helps maintain a consistent level of support across all festival activities.
You are expected to be courteous at all times to staff, the public and other volunteers.
You will be advised of appropriate dress requirements for the tasks you will undertake and be expected to dress appropriately. A Festival t-shirt (if provided) must be worn to all volunteer shifts as it identifies you as part of the volunteer crew.
Volunteers are asked to bring a mobile phone to all volunteer shifts, to be contactable and to have the ability to call security if the need arises.
Please respect the environment and dispose of any rubbish in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
Smoking whilst on duty is not permitted. You may smoke in a designated smoking area away from the event participants and in a discreet manner. We ask that you dispose of your cigarette butts in a thoughtful manner.
The Cairns Italian Festival Inc. will not allow the use/sale/possession of any alcohol, illegal drugs or other substances that may affect your ability to operate as an event volunteer whilst on duty. In the event that you are found or suspected to be under the influence of such substances your volunteer agreement will cease immediately.
Any requests from the media for information or for interviews must be directed to your Volunteer Coordinator who will direct them to the Marketing and Publicity Team. Staff and volunteers must not make any comment to members of the media.
Cairns Italian Festival volunteers consent to the use by Cairns Italian Festival for promotional purposes of images (photographs) taken of the event and the activities you are involved in.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 you must follow reasonable direction given by the Cairns Italian Festival, its agent or representative in regard to safety practices and procedures. Under the Act you are also expected to take reasonable responsibility for your own health and safety as well as the health and safety of others.
Where you have a concern about a matter and you are not sure what action to take you should advise and discuss this with your Volunteer Coordinator. This is particularly so, where you believe the health or safety of an event participant is at risk.
Any plant, property, equipment or tools that is provided for use during your placement is only to be used to undertake tasks assigned to you and remains the property of the Cairns Italian Festival at all times.
While undertaking tasks under the direction of the Cairns Italian Festival, its agent or representative you will be indemnified by the Cairns Italian Festival’s Public Liability Insurance for any injury or damage caused by your actions, other than where you willfully or deliberately cause that injury or damage.
While under the Cairns Italian Festival’s direction you may be covered by a limited accident insurance cover, subject to the terms of the policy. (Details of the policy are available upon request).
Should you suffer any injury you must notify your Volunteer Coordinator immediately. Should you become aware of an injury to another party or of damage to property you must notify your Volunteer Coordinator.
In the event of illness or injury, the Cairns Italian Festival will take all reasonable steps to notify your emergency contact as nominated on this form as soon as possible and may arrange transport to a suitable medical facility if reasonably required in the circumstances.

Volunteers Application Form