Vidyaraaj Foundation believes that volunteering plays an important role in creating positive social change and strengthening communities.
Our volunteer initiatives aim to encourage individuals to contribute their time, skills, knowledge and experience toward activities related to education, social welfare, women empowerment, youth development, healthcare awareness, charitable initiatives and community development.
This Volunteer Policy outlines the principles, expectations, responsibilities and general conditions applicable to individuals volunteering with Vidyaraaj Foundation.
The purpose of this policy is to:
Establish clear expectations for volunteers.
Encourage responsible, respectful and ethical participation.
Promote a safe and inclusive volunteering environment.
Protect the dignity, privacy and welfare of community members.
Clarify the responsibilities of the Foundation and its volunteers.
Support effective coordination of volunteer activities.
Individuals interested in volunteering may submit an application or enquiry through the Foundation’s official website or other authorized channels.
Depending on the nature of the activity, volunteers may be asked to provide:
Full name and contact information.
General location and availability.
Skills, interests and relevant experience.
Preferred volunteer activities.
Identification or supporting documents where reasonably necessary and legally permitted.
Acceptance as a volunteer may depend on the activity’s requirements, available opportunities, suitability and any applicable verification or safeguarding procedures.
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance, assignment, appointment or participation in a specific activity.
For activities involving children or other vulnerable individuals, additional eligibility checks, consent requirements or safeguarding measures may apply.
Volunteering with Vidyaraaj Foundation is generally voluntary and unpaid unless a separate written arrangement expressly provides otherwise.
Volunteer participation does not automatically establish an employment relationship, agency relationship, partnership or entitlement to salary, benefits or permanent appointment.
Reasonable expenses, reimbursements, allowances or other arrangements, if offered, will be communicated separately and subject to the applicable conditions.
Volunteers must not represent themselves as employees, authorized spokespersons or official representatives of the Foundation unless they have been expressly authorized to do so.
Volunteers may be considered for suitable activities in areas such as:
Education and learning support.
Women and youth empowerment.
Social welfare and charitable activities.
Community development.
Healthcare and cancer awareness initiatives.
Events, seminars and cultural programs.
Fundraising and campaign support.
Administrative and digital support.
Communications, media and outreach.
Environmental and community awareness activities.
The availability of opportunities may vary according to the Foundation’s programs, resources and operational requirements.
All volunteers are expected to:
Act honestly, respectfully and responsibly.
Treat beneficiaries, colleagues, partners and members of the public with dignity.
Follow reasonable instructions and applicable safety procedures.
Provide accurate information during registration.
Respect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and the Foundation.
Use Foundation resources responsibly.
Avoid discrimination, harassment, intimidation, exploitation and abusive conduct.
Report safety concerns, suspected misconduct or safeguarding issues through appropriate channels.
Obtain authorization before making public statements on behalf of the Foundation.
Use the Foundation’s name, logo, documents and materials only as authorized.
Comply with applicable laws and activity-specific requirements.
Volunteers must not collect donations, make financial commitments, sign agreements or open accounts in the Foundation’s name without appropriate authorization.
Vidyaraaj Foundation expects volunteers to maintain professional and ethical conduct during all Foundation-related activities.
The following conduct is prohibited:
Harassment, bullying, discrimination or threatening behaviour.
Misuse of funds, donations, resources or organizational information.
Fraud, dishonesty or deliberate misrepresentation.
Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personal information.
Exploitation or inappropriate treatment of beneficiaries.
Unauthorized photography, recording or publication of sensitive information.
Misuse of the Foundation’s identity to solicit money or personal benefits.
Any unlawful or unsafe activity conducted under the Foundation’s name.
Concerns or complaints will be reviewed appropriately, with due regard to fairness, safety and applicable legal requirements.
The safety and dignity of children, vulnerable individuals and community members must be respected at all times.
Volunteers must:
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Obtain required permissions before interacting with or photographing beneficiaries.
Follow applicable child-protection and safeguarding procedures.
Avoid making promises of financial, medical or other assistance that they are not authorized to provide.
Report suspected abuse, exploitation, harassment or unsafe practices promptly through appropriate channels.
Where an activity involves children, parental or guardian consent and other legal safeguards will be followed where required.
Volunteers may have access to personal information, internal documents, photographs, contact details or other confidential material while participating in Foundation activities.
Volunteers must:
Access information only when necessary for their assigned duties.
Keep confidential information secure.
Avoid sharing personal information without proper authorization.
Use photographs, videos and testimonials only with appropriate permissions.
Report suspected data loss, unauthorized access or disclosure promptly.
These confidentiality responsibilities may continue after a volunteer’s participation ends.
Personal information collected by the Foundation will be handled in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable law.
The Foundation may provide orientation, activity instructions, training materials or supervision according to the nature of the volunteer role and available resources.
Volunteers are expected to understand their assigned responsibilities and seek clarification when uncertain.
Volunteers must not undertake medical, legal, financial, technical or other regulated professional activities unless appropriately qualified,
authorized and permitted to do so.
The Foundation may change assignments or activity arrangements when reasonably necessary for operational, safety or program-related reasons.
Volunteers must follow applicable safety instructions and report hazards, injuries, accidents or other incidents as soon as reasonably possible.
Volunteers should participate only in activities appropriate to their capabilities and any relevant requirements communicated for the assignment.
Reimbursement of approved expenses, travel costs, meals or other expenses is not automatic. Any reimbursement arrangement must be authorized in advance and supported by the documentation required by the Foundation.
Insurance coverage, if any, will depend on the specific activity and the terms of the applicable policy. Volunteers should not assume that insurance or financial compensation is provided unless expressly confirmed.
Volunteers should communicate their availability honestly and make reasonable efforts to attend activities they have agreed to support.
If a volunteer cannot attend or needs to withdraw from an assignment, they should inform the designated coordinator as early as reasonably possible.
Volunteers may generally discontinue their participation by notifying the Foundation, subject to any separate written commitments or legal requirements applicable to the particular activity.
Where available and approved, the Foundation may provide volunteer identification, participation acknowledgements, experience letters or certificates in accordance with its applicable procedures.
The issuance of any certificate or recognition may depend on verified participation, completion of specified requirements and authorization by the Foundation.
Registration alone does not guarantee a certificate, designation, award, official appointment or employment opportunity.
Volunteers must not alter, reproduce or misuse identification cards, certificates, letters or other official documents.
The Foundation’s name, logo, branding, photographs and other organizational materials may be used only with appropriate authorization.
Volunteers must not create misleading announcements, issue press statements, publish confidential information or represent personal opinions as official Foundation positions.
Photography, video recording and publication involving beneficiaries, volunteers or event participants must respect consent, privacy, safeguarding and applicable legal requirements.
Volunteers may report concerns involving misconduct, discrimination, harassment, unsafe practices, misuse of funds or other inappropriate behaviour.
Reports should be submitted through the Foundation’s official contact channels or to an authorized coordinator.
The Foundation aims to review concerns fairly and take appropriate action in accordance with the circumstances and applicable law.
Where required, matters may be referred to the relevant authorities.
The Foundation may suspend, reassign or end a volunteer’s participation where reasonably necessary, including in circumstances involving:
Violation of this policy or an applicable code of conduct.
Misuse of organizational funds, resources or identity.
Serious misconduct or unsafe behaviour.
Breach of confidentiality or safeguarding requirements.
Failure to comply with applicable legal or activity-specific requirements.
Changes in program needs or operational circumstances.
Where appropriate, the Foundation will consider the circumstances and provide a reasonable opportunity for clarification, subject to urgent safety concerns and applicable law.
Vidyaraaj Foundation may revise this Volunteer Policy to reflect changes in its activities, volunteer arrangements, safeguarding practices or legal requirements.
The latest version will be published on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.
Volunteers may be asked to acknowledge updated terms where appropriate.
For volunteer registration enquiries, questions, complaints or clarification regarding this policy, contact:
Vidyaraaj Foundation
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91 8208428213
Email: vidyaraajfoundation@gmail.com / info@vidyaraajfoundation.org
WhatsApp: +91 8208428213
Please use the subject line “Volunteer Policy Enquiry” when contacting us by email.
Vidyaraaj Foundation
Empowering Lives. Inspiring Change. Creating Impact.