Volunteer Handbook

1. Volunteer Responsibility

As a volunteer, you agree to:

  • Respect the confidentiality of materials, records, and information that you may come into contact with during the course of your volunteer experience.
  • Make a commitment to the department for a period of time which will be negotiated at the initial interview. If for some reason you cannot fulfill your commitment, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Keep accurate records of the time spent volunteering, days and times, and report your total hours at the end of each month to Volunteer Services. Perform assignments effectively.
  • Report any on-the-job injury immediately to your supervisor. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible.
  • Notify your work supervisor if you will not be in as scheduled. Discuss any scheduling conflicts in advance if possible.
  • Give adequate notice of job resignation. (Request 2 weeks notice.)
  • Dress appropriately for your job assignment.

2. Tax Deduction for Volunteers

There are a number of tax benefits available to volunteers. In preparing their tax returns, volunteers may deduct non-reimbursable out-of pocket-expenses directly related to their volunteer service if they itemize deductions. Examples of types of expenditures include:

  • Bus or cab transportation expense
  • Parking costs or toll fees
  • Telephone bills
  • Supplies purchased to perform volunteer duties
  • Automobile mileage and expenses for gas
  • Any other non-reimbursable out of pocket expense related to volunteer duties

3. Automobile Usage

The following guidelines for operating a city vehicle must be followed:

If during the course of your assigned duties as a volunteer you have been authorized to use a City vehicle, you will need to complete an Authorization to Operate A City Vehicle form and have it on file with Volunteer Services and Risk Management.

The authority to drive City vehicles will be denied or revoked at any time the volunteer does not possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license and may be revoked at any time that documented charges are substantiated of misuse or abuse of a vehicle, or at any time the volunteer’s driving records reflects one or more of the following:

  • Driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level, leaving the scene of an accident, or failure to report an accident.
  • Medical or legal evidence of alcohol or drug abuse, or any physical impairment that could affect any ability to drive safely.
  • Any number of traffic violations/accidents determined to be excessive by the City.

The volunteer should be aware and understand that they will not leave Coral Springs city limits in a City vehicle unless authorized to do so by a supervisor. It is also understood that the volunteer must report all traffic violation citations received while driving on business, or any suspension or revocation of the volunteer’s driver’s license, to a supervisor immediately. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

It is mandatory that all volunteers who intend to utilize their personal vehicle during the course of their volunteer duties maintain a copy of their insurance card on file with Volunteer Services and Risk Management. All State of Florida minimum liability limits must be met for a volunteer to utilize their automobile

4. Grievance Procedure

The aim of the Volunteer Program is to maintain cooperative and productive working relationships between volunteers and City employees. Volunteers are urged to discuss any problems, difficulties, suggestions, misunderstandings or concerns with their department supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator.

If this does not resolve the matter satisfactorily, the existing Grievance Procedure for paid employees will be utilized. The Volunteer Coordinator will be kept informed of all decisions regarding volunteer placement and performance.