GKG - COMMUNITY RELATIONS: SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The Superintendent shall ensure that the School implements a volunteer program to supplement and support the efforts of employed staff to work directly with students in the instructional or residential programs, or to provide support services in other departments of the School. In implementing the program, the School shall consider volunteers a resource that requires advance planning and preparation for effective use. Volunteers shall not be used to usurp, diminish, or replace the positions or functions of employed staff. If practicable, the School shall include volunteers in addition to paid staff in planning the implementation of the program. Govt. Code 2109.003

Volunteers serve without receiving compensation in the form of hourly wages or salary.

Reimbursement for necessary and authorized expenses are not considered compensation.

The purpose of volunteer activity at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is to meet the needs of the School and its students rather than to meet the needs of prospective volunteers.

The Superintendent designates the Director of Community Resources to coordinate the School's volunteer program. The Director of Community Resources or designee will work with prospective volunteers who have a genuine interest in visually impaired students or the operation of the School and can provide a needed service within the School's programs or operational functions.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

The School's volunteer program shall include:

  1. An effective training program for paid staff and prospective volunteers.
  2. The use of paid staff to plan and implement the volunteer program.
  3. An evaluation mechanism to assess the performance of volunteers, the cooperation of paid staff with the volunteers, and the overall volunteer program.
  4. Follow-up studies to ensure the effectiveness of the program.

Govt. Code 2109.004(a)

The School may:

  1. Reimburse volunteers for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of volunteer services.
  2. Cooperate with private organizations that provide services related to those provided by the School.
  3. Purchase engraved certificates, plaques, pins, and/or other awards of a similar nature that do not exceed $75 per person in value to recognize special achievement and outstanding service of volunteers.

Govt. Code 2109.004(b)

CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD

Applicability

This section applies to a volunteer or person who has indicated, in writing, an intention to serve as a volunteer with the School. 

Exception

This section does not apply to a person who volunteers or is applying to volunteer with the School if the person is volunteering for a single event on the school campus.

Criminal History

A volunteer may not perform any volunteer duties until:

  1. The volunteer has provided to the School a driver’s license or another form of identification containing the person’s photograph issued by an entity of the United States government; and
  2. The School has obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety and may obtain from any other law enforcement agency, criminal justice agency, or private consumer reporting agency all criminal history record information that relates to a volunteer.

Costs

The School shall pay any costs related to obtaining criminal history record information under this section.

Education Code 22.0835

VOLUNTEER IMMUNITY

A volunteer who is serving as a direct service volunteer at TSBVI is immune from civil liability to the same extent as a School employee under Education Code 22.051.  However, this section of law does not limit the liability of a person for intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

A "volunteer" is a person rendering services for or on behalf of the School on School premises or at a School-sponsored or School-related activity on or off School property who does not receive compensation in excess of reimbursement for expenses.

Education Code 22.053; 30.02

PROCEDURES

The Superintendent shall develop procedures to implement a Volunteer Program. These procedures shall address, but not be limited to, the following areas: criminal records checks, documentation of time volunteered, training of volunteers, monitoring of volunteers, dismissal of volunteers, and cancellation of volunteer activities. 

Adopted:          11/13/81
Amended:        9/26/86, 11/12/87, 9/25/92, 3/26/93, 9/29/95, 1/23/98, 5/28/03, 11/18/05, 6/4/08
Reviewed:

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