Volunteer Guidelines/Waiver

The C&S Patient Education Foundation is a registered, 501(c)(3) public charity.  It is our mission to improve the experiences and outcomes of Chiari and syringomyelia patients through education, awareness, and support.  It is our goal, and our informal name, to Conquer Chiari.  To accomplish this will require the ongoing efforts of many people, especially volunteers.  It is only with your help that we can improve people's lives and defeat this disease. 

The Foundation strives to perform its duties with the utmost professionalism and as such is highly regarded both among patients and in the medical community. In order to keep this reputation intact, and avoid any potentially costly legal problems, it is critically important that any and all volunteers read, understand, agree to, and abide by the guidelines described below...

While acting as a Volunteer for the C&S Patient Education Foundation (Conquer Chiari):

1. I understand that my activities are voluntary and in the spirit of the organization's mission, and I will not be compensated in any way or engage in activities for personal gain.

2. My volunteer activities will be within the scope of the programs as defined by the Foundation and I will abide by the instructions of any assigned activity coordinator, volunteer coordinator, or Foundation staff.

3. I will conduct myself in a legal and ethical manner at all times, and will not engage in any political activities.

4. I will not engage in providing medical advice, or refer people to specific medical professionals.  I will encourage people to seek professional medical care if they have a problem.

5. I will not slander, libel, make derogatory statements about, or impugn the reputation of any medical professional. 

6. I will at all times respect people's privacy and will never divulge any personal information of which I am made aware.

7. I will not endorse any doctors, hospitals, medical facilities, products, or procedures.

8. I will not act as a spokesperson for the Foundation,  to the media or to any other person or organization, unless specifically requested to do so by the Foundation.  I will refer all media requests to the Executive Director at director@conquerchiari.org, or 724-940-0116.

9. I understand that if I, or anyone I come in contact with, has any questions or concerns, we should contact the Executive Director as listed above.   I further understand that if I have a disagreement or difference of opinion with another volunteer or Foundation staff, that I may contact the Executive Director.  If I have a disagreement or difference of opinion with the Executive Director, I may contact the Board of Directors of the Foundation through the President, Rich Kushner, at rkushner@selectintl.com

10. I understand the Foundation can dismiss me from volunteer activities at any time, for any reason.

11. I knowingly and freely assume all risks associated with my volunteer activities and release the C&S Patient Education Foundation, its officers, directors, staff, partners, and other volunteers from any and all liability.