Volunteers

In order to volunteer at the University, you must complete a Volunteer Packet at least two weeks prior to the start of the volunteer activity. The Volunteer Packet consists of the following forms:

1. Volunteer Profile Form
2. Background Check:
   1. Non-Collaboratory volunteers whose volunteer activity does NOT include interaction with minors: Consent for Volunteer and Background Checks Form AND PA State Police Check
   2. Non-Collaboratory volunteers whose volunteer activity does include interaction with minors: submit the 3-phase background checks
   3. Collaboratory volunteers AND volunteers who will be interacting with minors: submit the 3-phase background checks
3. Volunteer Release Form

Employees may be considered to be providing unpaid volunteer services if:

1. The additional services are NOT closely related to the employee's regular work assignment.
2. The additional services are NOT required by the supervisor or another University employee.
3. The employee is paid for volunteer time during normal working hours and is NOT required to make up time lost during the employee's regular work day for the volunteer assignment (e.g., Service Day).

In general, volunteers should not be working with minors. Volunteer activity that includes interactions with minors requires more extensive background checks and may require additional training. If you have questions about which background checks are required for a volunteer assignment, please contact the Office of Human Resources & Compliance (HR&C) prior to completing these forms.

A volunteer who is not also a Messiah University employee, student employee, or current student is not permitted to drive a University vehicle or transport any Messiah University students or employees in his/her car on University business. The exception to this rule is Collaboratory volunteers who have a higher level of involvement with students and projects and may have a need to provide transportation to students. These Collaboratory volunteers are first required to go through the online training process and apply for approved driver status. After becoming approved drivers, they may transport students in University fleet vehicles. Students should never be transported in personal vehicles on University business.

Volunteers may attend an established appreciation event for other employees in the respective department(s) by invitation. Please note that due to space constraints, we cannot accommodate volunteers at the Employee Recognition Reception.