Global Volunteers is a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota, USA. In this Agreement, "Global Volunteers" means the corporation, its trustees, directors, officers, employees, team leaders, and agents. "You" and "your" refers to the person signing this Agreement. "The Host" refers to the entity(ies) (e.g., school, clinic, hospital, organization, and/or government agency) which invited Global Volunteers and/or to which you are assigned to serve, and its employees, agents, officers, and directors.
Global Volunteers will make all the necessary arrangements to provide you with the opportunity to work with and learn from local people in the community for which you register, subject to availability. You agree to volunteer your time and talents to the best of your ability following Global Volunteers guidelines and policies.
You further agree to the terms outlined in this document.
SERVICE PROGRAM PAYMENT POLICIES
Service Program fees are printed in Global Volunteers' Adventures in Service catalog and on the website at www.globalvolunteers.org. A $350 nonrefundable deposit, which is applied toward the Service Program fee, is due with this Application. The balance of the fee is due 75 days prior to the scheduled date of arrival. If Global Volunteers receives your application within 75 days of the scheduled date of arrival, you must pay a late application fee of $35. The Service Program fee does not include visas or airfare. You authorize Global Volunteers to use your fee for general operating purposes until the Service Program begins.
ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
For international service programs, you will need a valid passport. The Service Program fee covers all meals beginning with dinner on the arrival date, lodging, in-country ground transportation for international programs, administrative expenses, and work project costs, except those expenses you may incur during free time. You are responsible for any additional costs you may incur during free time and personal time, and for activities that are outside the Global Volunteers Service Program. Lodging is generally in double-occupancy accommodations; however, in a few locations, e.g. U.S. and Tanzania, accommodations may be shared by three or four people. In many countries, single accommodations are available at an additional cost to you. Single accommodations are on a first-come, first-served basis; costs vary as to location and time of year and you are responsible if the single accommodation cost increases. Global Volunteers is not responsible for the acts or failures of anyone else who provides services to you.
TRAVEL DEVIATIONS
If you voluntarily deviate from Global Volunteers’ scheduled itinerary, you may not be able to take the costs of the Service Program as a tax deduction. We recommend that you seek the advice of a tax advisor regarding this matter. (Please inform Global Volunteers of your travel plans so we can coordinate your arrival and departure with the other members of the team.)
CANCELLATION AND REFUND
Global Volunteers may cancel any Service Program at any time. Global Volunteers may also reject an
application anytime before departure. Global Volunteers will refund the total amount you paid to Global
Volunteers (1) if the Service Program is filled at the time you apply, (2) if Global Volunteers does not accept
your application for any reason, or (3) if the Service Program is canceled for any reason other than a U.S. State
Department travel warning that applies to the country to which you are traveling or for any reason beyond the control of Global Volunteers. If you cancel your Service
Program for any reason, you must notify Global Volunteers in writing. Global Volunteers will not make refunds for unused portions of the Service Program or because of your inability to participate according to the scheduled itinerary. If the Service Program is canceled because of a U.S. State Department travel warning, or for any reason beyond the control of Global Volunteers, you will receive a partial refund according to the refund schedule as described below. Global Volunteers will not refund airfare penalties or transfer fees under any circumstances.
Refund Policy Based on Cancellation Date:
Over 60 days: $350 deposit is not refunded. 100 percent of balance is refunded
60 to 30 days: $350 deposit is not refunded. 55 percent of balance is refunded.
Less than 30 days: $350 deposit is not refunded. 25 percent of balance is refunded.
IF YOU MUST TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SERVICE PROGRAM
Please don't apply for a service program until you're certain about both country and dates to avoid costly arrangements made on your behalf. Your nonrefundable $350 deposit may be applied to another program in the same country scheduled within 12 months of the original arrival date - subject to space availability - and with a $100 change fee. Additional transfers are $200 each to the same country. Or $300 is charged for a service program change to a different country. Additional transfers are charged at $400 each.
You acknowledge that there are dangers in traveling to and living and volunteering in the country for which you are applying. You agree to travel and participate at your own risk. You agree to assume full responsibility for injury to you, including death and emotional trauma, and damage to or theft of your property.
YOU AGREE NOT TO SUE GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS OR THE HOST
You will not sue Global Volunteers or the Host because of the negligence of Global Volunteers or the Host or
the negligence of intentional acts of anyone else. If anyone, e.g., you, a family member, spouse, etc., sues
Global Volunteers or the Host because of the negligence of Global Volunteers or the Host, or because of the
negligence or intentional acts of anyone else, you or your estate will reimburse Global Volunteers for all
judgments and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees. You may sue for intentional acts, gross misconduct
or gross negligence caused by Global Volunteers.
Global Volunteers requires that all volunteers arrive at the designated site by the scheduled Service Program arrival date. You will be the guest of the local people and the Host. You agree to follow all applicable rules, policies and guidelines of Global Volunteers and the Host, as well as the laws of the local country. If you do not follow all rules, laws, policies and guidelines, Global Volunteers’ team leader has the authority to ask you to If you are asked to leave, you agree to leave the community immediately.
MINNESOTA LAW CONTROLS
You agree that this Service Program Application and Agreement is to be construed under the laws of the State of Minnesota, USA. You agree that this Agreement is to be construed broadly to provide a release, indemnification and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law. In signing this Agreement, you acknowledge (1) that you have read this entire document, (2) that you understand its terms, (3) that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age, (4) that by signing it you are giving up substantial legal rights you might otherwise have, and (5) that you have signed it knowingly and voluntarily. If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable or too broad to be enforced to its full extent, then that provision and the remaining provisions will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.