International Volunteer Guidelines
These guidelines are established to maintain professional and non-dependent relationships and are based upon our experiences during the years we have been operating as a humanitarian organization working with refugees and residents of refugee camps. By following these guidelines, you will contribute to a continuous good reputation of Team Humanity USA as well as showing respect for the people you will meet during your assignment.
General
- Once application form is complete, you will be approved to volunteer after receiving clearance through our screening process.
- You will not receive a salary during your stay with Team Humanity USA and we are not responsible for your insurances, vaccines or travel arrangements to the destination.
- You are not allowed to make financial commitments or decisions on behalf of Team Humanity USA.
- You should be respectful towards everyone you are collaborating with during your volunteering stay.
Before Departure
When accepted as volunteer field worker with Team Humanity USA, you must:
- Book your travel and accommodation (and car rental) and make sure to have the relevant insurances. We can help with cheap accommodation and car rental.
- Read all information sent from Team Humanity USA, and make sure you are well prepared physically and mentally.
- You must send a passport photo in order to get your ID card.
- Attend mandatory Skype/ Facebook/ Whats App meeting with Volunteer Coordinator from Team Humanity USA.
Volunteering Abroad
- You will receive a schedule for your volunteering work.
- Your will receive an ID card and/or reflective vest/t-shirt. It must always be worn on duty.
- You should not visit any refugee camp during your time off or after closing of Team Humanity USA activities.
- You should not visit residents of the refugee camp alone.
- When on duty with Team Humanity USA wearing ID card, vest or t-shirt, you shall always refrain from consuming alcohol.
- Consumption of illegal substances is strictly forbidden, and such behavior will be reported to the police.
- Be careful with physical contact with children and how you approach and interact with them. Avoid any behavior that could affect a child in any way.
- Bullying, sexually exploit, harassment, abuse or any form of discriminating is prohibited.
- You must always exercise appropriate level of physical contact with refugees.
- Do not engage in a sexual or strong emotional relationship with the refugees.
- You must always respect the security guidelines and codes of conduct of the location/camp you are volunteering.
- Do not disseminate political or religious materials on site or engage in any political or religious activism.
- When volunteering at Team Humanity USA, you are encouraged to dress decent.
- You are prohibited from doing tasks that may be confused for police work or other types of work that is the authority’s responsibility.
- You cannot carry arms, ammunition or items resembling weapons when working as a volunteer.
- Do not put yourself in danger when confronted with physical violence or any other kind of hazard.
- You are required to show respect and courtesy to the locals, the diverse range of cultures, customs and traditions, the authorities and other aid organizations on site.
- The Coordinator will always be available if you have any questions or concerns towards refugees or other volunteers.
After Your Volunteer Stay
- You will have a debriefing with the local coordinator before you leave the site and you will be contacted by our volunteer coordinator when you arrive back home for an interview about your experiences, ideas etc.
- You will receive a certificate for your volunteer stay.
Sharing Information
All inquiries from media, related to Team Humanity USA, are to be directed to the local coordinator or board members.
- If the media contact you on site or after volunteering, you cannot answer on behalf of the organization. You may talk to the press, but keep in mind that you are communicating as a private person. Whatever you write is your personal expression, and not of Team Humanity USA.
- Respect the regulations in the camp regarding photo/video restrictions. The local Coordinator will make sure that you are updated with the current regulations.
- You must be very cautious if taking photos or videos that could identify refugees.
- Never take a photograph or video with someone in it without their consent.
- You cannot distribute or share pictures and videos from situations you experienced while volunteering for the organization, if this may offend the people involved.
- It is strictly forbidden to use or distribute pictures or videos with violence towards humans and children in particular, partially or fully undressed people and children.
- Do not share content with prejudice and racist attitudes.
- Your photos and videos shared in public, showing the organizations work, may be used by the organization for public relations purposes.
- Make sure you have approval before you distribute material made by or belonging to Team Humanity USA.
Confidentiality
- Sensitive information given to you as a volunteer when working for the organization is confidential; you may not share them with people outside the organization. The oath of confidentiality also applies when your volunteer work is over.
Violation of These Guidelines
- By violating any of the above, the Coordinator, the board of Team Humanity USA or local authorities may deny you to volunteer for the organization with immediate effect. You must then hand in the ID card, the reflective vest and other items belonging to Team Humanity USA immediately.
- By violating these guidelines, it could lead to that, you will lose the opportunity of volunteering with the organization in the future.
- Team Humanity USA will report issues that are in violation of international and national laws.
By signing/accepting these guidelines, you do at the same time accept processing and storing information according to the USA GDPR policy.
Christmas Hope Project
Christmas Hope Project