Please Read Carefully the following Impact Team Volunteer Role Description & Contract, Code of Conduct, and Financial Liability and Cancellation Policy and Sign below.

Impact Team Volunteer Role Description & Contract

The Purpose:

The purpose of the Impact Team Volunteer is to strengthen the witness and work of iTeams Canada’s Impact Programs by building personal relationships and connections with local leaders who give them a glimpse of the transformative work God is doing through them and their churches in implementing communities. These relationships foster mutuality and a shared sense of mission between partnership and implementing communities as they work together with iTeams Canada to help break the cycle of poverty in the lives of widows, orphans, and refugees around the globe.

The Person:

The person or persons for the role should be committed to iTeams Canada’s vision and values, and have the following qualities:

• Others-centred
• Willing to learn & take direction
• Committed & flexible
• Cooperative

The Time Commitment:

A flexible and varying time commitment of at minimum 8 hours in Canada for training plus time for fundraising, and on average 8-10 days of service overseas (trip and location-dependent).

The Fundraising Commitment:

Impact Team Volunteers are responsible for raising their full personal fundraising goal. Fundraising goals are set by iTeams Canada, and are based on location-dependent rates, which include all essential costs related to an Impact Team trip including travel, in-country ministry materials, lodging, and food.

Prepayment 

In the event that a volunteer’s fundraising goal is not met by the agreed upon due dates, the remaining balance must be paid upfront to iTeams Canada either by donation or using our Prepayment Option. The Prepayment Option allows individual team members with outstanding balances or the sending church/group to submit a cheque valuing the fundraising balance to cover their costs while they continue to fundraise up until, and 30 days after, their trip. Any amount of the fundraising balance raised during this time will be reimbursed to the issuer of the Prepayment Cheque, as long as it was properly submitted with a completed Prepayment Form, and was not given in the form of a donation. Any prepaid funds not covered by fundraising within this time frame will be reallocated as a donation at the end of this 30 day post-trip period and a tax receipt can be issued. Prepayments may also be used to cover the cost of flight deposits, where applicable. 

Refunds

Per the Canada Revenue Agency, iTeams is unable to refund donations for any reason. This includes donations that are made for the purposes of arranging travel by land, air, or water, as well as arranging lodging, food, or other reasonable expenses. Donations are gifts that transfer ownership from the donor to the charity; once the transfer is made, the charity’s governing documents oblige it to use the gift to carry out its charitable purposes. Donations made to individuals whose travel is postponed due to a travel advisory will be held for one (1) year for the purpose of rescheduling travel, less any funds already used to cover travel and/or in-country costs. If, within one year from the original date of departure, the team has not rescheduled an Impact Team experience, donations made will be used at the discretion of iTeams Canada to carry out its charitable purposes.

Fundraising Surplus

In the event of a fundraising surplus, the surplus funds will be used at the discretion of iTeams Canada to carry out its charitable purposes. Designated giving to individuals or initiatives that fall outside the program structure will not be allowed or managed by International Teams Canada.

The Position:

The position will include, but is not limited to, the following activities interacting with the three communities that make up our Impact Programs:

iTEAMS CANADA COMMUNITY

As iTeams Canada facilitates their involvement with an Impact Program, the volunteer will be expected to comply with established screening, training, and data collection practices:

• Completing all required paperwork including supplying police checks, proof of travel insurance and parental consents (for those under 18)
• Consulting a medical professional about necessary vaccinations for travel as outlined by Public Health Canada
• Engaging in all mandated Impact Team training/debrief elements and sessions
• Self-identifying to the team leader any medical or physical concerns that may impact one’s ability to participate fully in the team experience
• Sharing input and photos from experience where useful and permissible through the completion of Reflection Questions or otherwise

PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY

As a participant of an Impact trip, the volunteer is joining a community of partners who support and relate to the Implementing Community before, during, and after time overseas. A positive and mutual partnership between partners, local leaders and their organizations in the implementing community adds velocity and kingdom value to the transformative work being done. As an Impact Team member and partner, the volunteer will be expected to:

• Respect the work and approach of the program
• Honour the input of the Program Champion where it is given
• Learn about (before) and advocate for (after) the program and its work, with opportunities to participate in future initiatives in support of the program if interested
• Meet all fundraising goals and deadlines punctually. Any money raised beyond the fundraising goal will be a donation directly to the program.
• Steward donations well by keeping close track of those gifts needing receipts by using donor response slips, properly thanking donors and communicating the value of their support
• Commit to praying for program leadership and those benefiting from the work being done

IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY

Implementing communities, led and controlled by wise local leadership and churches, know best the needs of their community, in many cases having dedicated their lives to the transformative work they are doing with widows, orphans, and refugees. Impact Team Volunteers are guests given the privilege of being present in the implementing community with the permission of local leadership to learn, support, and build relationship with community members and staff. As such, and as representatives of iTeams and the partnership community, it is expected that Impact Team Volunteers:

• Participate in all mandatory team activities, submitting to the supervision and discretion of Team Leader, the itinerary, and all local leadership with flexibility and a positive attitude
• Conduct themselves at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect, allowing local expectations to govern their dress, speech, consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, interactions with the opposite sex, handling of money, and any other behaviour deemed culturally inappropriate
• Respect the involvement of prayer, bible study, and church services
• Remain focused on the trip’s purposes; not treating the trip as a vacation or a self-serving experience, refraining from pursuing a romantic relationship with other team members during the trip or nationals at any time
• Always acknowledge the dignity, agency, and God-given value of local leaders and community members in any trip-related photography and storytelling

Financial Liability & Cancellation Policy

Cancellation due to Travel Advisory

In the case that Global Affairs Canada and/or local partners advise against non-essential travel, iTeams Canada commits to postponing an Impact Team trip and holding any funds less any incurred in-country costs, flight cancellation fees, etc for one (1) year. If within one (1) year , the team is not able to reschedule their trip, all remaining funds will be used at the discretion of iTeams Canada to carry out its charitable purposes.

Other Cancellations

If the entire team opts to cancel their trip for a reason other than a government and/or local leadership travel advisory, after deposits and donations have already been submitted, the funds will be used at the discretion of iTeams Canada to carry out its charitable purposes. If an individual Impact Team member cancels before all deposits and donations have been submitted to iTeams Canada, they will be responsible for fundraising or donating the value of the costs already incurred on their behalf at the time that they step down from the trip. This amount may range from exclusively their $200 registration deposit to their full fundraising goal, and will be determined by iTeams Canada. If possible, any flights purchased on the cancelling team member’s behalf will be refunded and not counted as owed, or, if nonrefundable, will be converted to flight credit for use by the cancelling team member in the case that the airline offers credit. If an individual Impact team member cancels after deposits and donations have already been submitted to iTeams Canada, the funds less any incurred in-country costs, flight cancellation fees, etc are transferred to the Impact team account to support the team’s fundraising progress. If iTeams Canada has not received payment of the team’s full fundraising goal amount 30 days prior to the Impact Team’s departure, and reasonable efforts have not been made to fulfill the financial obligation, iTeams Canada reserves the right to cancel the trip. All deposits and donations are non-refundable and will be used at the discretion of iTeams Canada to carry out its charitable purposes.

Risks & Demands

Some of the demands of a team experience may be, but are not limited to, the following:

Standing or walking for long periods of time, lifting and carrying luggage or equipment, transportation over rough or dusty roads, exposure to new allergens or illness, exposure to temperature extremes, a new or very different diet, shared living space, working in a team setting, limited personal time alone, fatigue, exposure to extreme poverty, sudden changes in itinerary or team plans, significant cultural/socio-economic differences, etc.

Some of the risks of a team experience may be, but are not limited to, the following:

Damage/theft/loss of personal items, exposure to sudden violence or political unrest, personal injury due to negligence, over-exertion or otherwise, flight cancellation/re-routing, etc.

iTeams Canada Vision: Lives and Communities Transformed by the Power of God

iTeams Canada Values: The church, the poor, the indigenous leader. We aspire to excellence, measurable performance and stewardship. We are characterized by relationships, innovation and integrity.

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Waiver

I have read, understand and agree to fulfill the duties outlined in this Impact Team Volunteer role description. I agree to uphold iTeams Canada’s vision and values as a representative of both the iTeams Canada and partnership community. I understand that failure to comply and/or fulfill my duties may result in my removal from the team at my own expense. I will ensure that if I have any concerns about my ability to fulfill these duties effectively, I will discuss this with my team leader.

I certify that the information given is correct and complete. I understand that if the information I have provided is found to be incomplete or untrue, my membership on the team or role as a volunteer may be terminated at any time in the future.

I acknowledge that costs incurred as a result of illness, exposure to illness, and/or injury in-country are my/my team’s responsibility. This includes costs associated with having to travel home early as a result of the illness/injury, and/or costs associated with having to remain in-country for longer than anticipated, such as costs associated with additional lodging, food, transportation, and other reasonable expenses.

I have consulted / am committed to consulting a medical doctor concerning required (including the COVID-19 vaccine series) and recommended immunizations appropriate to the location(s) where I will be travelling. I understand the risks of opting out of immunization and I understand that some countries will not allow visitors entry without certain immunizations, and that if I cannot or do not receive required immunizations, I may not be accepted as a volunteer with iTeams Canada.

I give my consent for my team leader or program leader to act on my behalf should I require emergency medical treatment in the destination country or during travel to/from my destination. I will disclose any prior serious medical conditions to my team leader and/or iTeams Canada, and confirm my clearance to travel from the medical practitioner treating me for these conditions. I understand that I am responsible for any medical expenses and must submit a claim to my medical insurance provider for reimbursement. I release International Teams Canada and its partner organizations from any lawsuit or liability claim that may come as a result of not being immunized. 

I do hereby stipulate and agree to indemnify and forever hold harmless International Teams Canada (“iTeams Canada”), its board, officers, independent contractors, affiliates, employees, representatives, successors against any and all claims and demands or actions which hereafter may be made or arising out of or connected in any way to the implementation of the Impact Team Trip described in this agreement . While I recognize that International Teams Canada and its partners will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants, I undertake this Impact Trip at my own risk and with the understanding that International Teams Canada, and its partners are not legally responsible for my welfare.

I acknowledge that any information I have provided on behalf of a family member over the age of 18 will require their electronic consent and verification, and that if I am under the age of 18, my registration will not be complete until a parent/guardian has given their electronic consent and verification.