Trips
The health and safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance to us. To ensure the best possible experience for all of our volunteers, we require your cooperation, and clear understanding of the following:
We rely on the thoroughness and clarity of the health information you present to us. We do not share your health information with anyone that does not require it, but we do need to know about any potential health issue or medication, so we can help you if needed.
Volunteers will be traveling to remote areas with limited access to medical care and medications. If you require medications, please be sure to pack them with you! If possible, carry a refill prescription separately, we cannot guarantee a suitable substitute will be available.
Expect your trip to be physically and emotionally demanding both as a result of activities and living conditions. During our trips you may experience significant climate and weather changes, strenuous physical activity, loss of sleep, and an unfamiliar diet. Only you and your physician can fairly evaluate your fitness for this kind of activity.
Your trip will require preparation which may include immunizations, other shots or treatments, or other preparation. Please consult your physician prior to your trip with adequate time to meet those demands.
Our employees are not doctors or medical experts. It is your responsibility to plan and provide for your own health and well being for the duration of your trip. If you have a potential health issue or cause for our concern, let us know before your trip what you require. We will let you know whether and how we can accommodate you.
By checking the box below, you are indicating that you have read and understood this information, that you have spoken with your physician about your intended travel, and that you will be following their recommendations.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
BTC requires all volunteers who travel with us to be vaccinated in order to protect you, the group you are traveling with, our staff, and our partners and community members on the ground.
Agreement and Release
THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is between the volunteer (“Volunteer”) and Bridges to Community, Inc.(“BTC”). This Agreement and Release is entered into in connection with the trip offered by BTC (“Trip”) under which BTC provides the opportunity for Volunteer to participate in volunteer service and cultural exchanges. Volunteer enters into this Agreement and Release in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the trip and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which the parties acknowledge.
If Volunteer is younger than 18 years of age, this Agreement and Release must be signed by a parent or legal guardian of Volunteer, and, in such case, all references below to Volunteer include his or her parents or guardian. This document is a legally binding release, which, in certain situations, will reduce or eliminate Volunteer's legal rights and legal recourse. Please read it carefully before signing.
Payment Policy
Payments may be made by credit card via telephone, online, or by regular mail. We accept Visa ,Mastercard, and American Express. We will also accept checks made payable to Bridges to Community,Inc. All payments must indicate the name of the project or volunteer for whom they're intended, as well as the dates of the trip.
Project Cost
The project cost must be paid in full no later than six (6) weeks prior to the date the group is set to travel. BTC will only guarantee your trip and itinerary if they project cost has been paid in full. Failure to pay the project cost will result in BTC cancelling your trip. All donations and payments made toward the project cost and received by BTC are nonrefundable.
In the event that a group does not fully pay for the project before the scheduled trip date, BTC will hold the project funds to be used for a future trip within one (1) calendar year. If the group does not reschedule a trip within that time period, BTC reserves the right to use the funds received to complete the project and/or apply the funds to our general programming.
Volunteer Trip Fee
The completed Volunteer Application and the balance of your volunteer trip fee must be submitted no later than six (6) weeks prior to the start of your trip.
Trip Cancellation by BTC
At any time prior to the Program start date, BTC may, at its sole discretion, cancel a Volunteer's registration, or cancel the trip in which Volunteer is scheduled to participate. In the unlikely event of such a cancellation, trip fees paid to BTC by Volunteer for that trip may be refunded. In the unlikely event of such a cancellation, BTC will hold project related funds and attempt to reschedule the volunteer group within one calendar year.
In the event of a cancellation by BTC due to any extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of BTC, such as a war, strike, riot, act of terrorism, or an event described by the legal term "Act of God" (such as hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc.), beyond the control of BTC that, in the sole opinion of BTC, renders travel or participation in a trip unsafe or impracticable, trip fees will be refunded with the exception of the $250 deposit and BTC will hold project related funds and attempt to reschedule the volunteer group within one calendar year. In those and all other circumstances, BTC shall not be responsible to Volunteer for any other refund, costs, interest, liability, losses, or damages of any kind, including airfare.
Withdrawal by Volunteer
If Volunteer withdraws for any reason, Volunteer must notify BTC in writing. If Volunteer voluntarily withdraws from the trip, funds paid by Volunteer to BTC will be refunded only as set forth below:
A trip fee deposit of $500 deposit will not be refunded.
Any further trip Fee payments made may be refunded or held for a future trip within one (1) calendar year.
No portion of any Trip Fee paid shall be refunded if the withdrawal is received one week before the trip start date.
Changes to and cancellation of airfares are subject to the regulations of the providers, and any travel fees, charges, expenses or penalties that might result from any cancellation of or withdrawal from the trip will be the sole responsibility of the Volunteer.
Alterations to Program
BTC reserves the right to change the trip due to severe weather, acts of war or terrorism, or other causes beyond our control. In such cases we will make our best effort to offer alternate dates for travel. BTC will not be responsible for any additional costs associated with such circumstances. If Volunteer withdraws from the trip due to such causes, the same withdrawal policy as above will remain in effect.
Volunteer's Responsibility for Costs, Third-Party Suppliers
The trip fee covers all food, water, lodging, in-country ground transportation, administrative expenses, and program costs. Volunteer is responsible for:
1) travel to and from the starting point of the trip, which begins at the airport of your trip's country destination.
2) any additional costs incurred during free time, personal time, or on activities which are outside the trip.
3) any costs incurred should Volunteer be injured, become sick, or otherwise require a doctor’s visit or hospitalization, or
4) withdraw early from or remain past the time scheduled for the trip.
BTC is not responsible for the acts or failures to act of anyone who provides goods or services in connection with the trip. In addition, BTC is not responsible for any costs, losses, damages, interest, or penalties that Volunteer may incur because of delays or losses caused by any airline, other transportation or car rental company, travel agent, hotel, restaurant, medical facility or other individual or organization providing goods or services, regardless of who arranged or paid for such goods or services, or because of any act or failure to act by any governmental entity, including any delay or change of travel plans caused by any action by any governmental entity.
Dismissal from the Program BTC has the authority at any time and in its sole discretion to dismiss Volunteer from the trip. Causes for dismissal may include, but are not limited to:
1) Behavior that is destructive, abusive, violent, or involves harassment, theft, vandalism, or chronic defiance of policies.
2) Refusal to abide by the laws and regulations of the country and local community or of the United States of America and /or the State of New York, or to behave in a manner that is appropriate therein, all as determined by BTC in its sole discretion.
3) Engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, unauthorized absence from the group, or failure to abide by curfews and/or other set policies or expectations.
4) Possession or use of any weapons, non-prescribed drugs, or narcotics.
Deterioration of Volunteer's physical health or mental condition
BTC personnel may discuss Volunteer's situation, including Volunteer's health, physical, or mental condition, with any person, including other BTC personnel, family members, or medical personnel, and release any information concerning Volunteer to such person. If Volunteer is dismissed from the trip, BTC will provide transport to the appropriate airport or will arrange for other means of departure. Volunteer will be responsible for all costs incurred as a result of such dismissal, and there will be no refund of all or any portion of the Program Fee.
Personal Property Loss
BTC takes all reasonable measures to ensure the security of Volunteer's personal belongings. However, petty theft occurs worldwide. BTC will not be held responsible for the loss of, theft of, or damage to, Volunteer's personal property or equipment.
BTC strongly advises Volunteer not to bring expensive or irreplaceable items including, but not limited to, cameras, computers, portable music players, cell phones, other electronic equipment, and/or jewelry on the Program.
Medical Insurance and Emergency Treatment
It is highly recommended that volunteers purchase "Trip Cancellation Insurance" at the same time they register for the trip to protect their investment.
BTC will provide emergency medical evacuation insurance to all Volunteers and maintain employer's liability insurance for any claims by Volunteers as part of the trip fee. Volunteer acknowledges that all information that Volunteer has supplied to BTC concerning his or her medical condition and physical and mental health is accurate and complete. Volunteer acknowledges they have reviewed the emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage (provided upon request) and are aware of the coverage limits of that insurance. Volunteers should check with their medical insurance carrier and be aware of the limits of their own medical coverage while traveling internationally. Volunteers should make arrangements to provide additional or supplemental insurance to provide for such coverage, in the case where medical services are required.
Should any medical emergency arise which precludes Volunteer's ability to consent to emergency treatment, BTC will endeavor to communicate with the person designated by Volunteer to request permission for any necessary treatment. If BTC personnel believe, in their sole discretion, that time or circumstances do not permit such communication, Volunteer authorizes BTC to consent on their behalf to any medical treatment, including all types of medical examinations, diagnosis, medication, or physician or hospital care, that is deemed advisable by, and is to be rendered under the general or special supervision of any hospital, medical clinic or physician. Volunteer agrees not to hold BTC responsible for actions or consequences relating to any such medical or emergency treatments or the failure to provide such medical treatment.
Miscellaneous
Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and any action to enforce, construe or modify this Agreement shall be filed in the federal or state courts in the County of Westchester in the State of New York.
Attorney Fees: The non-prevailing party will pay the prevailing party its attorneys’ fees and costs in any legal proceeding brought by the prevailing party to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
Severability: Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered severable. If for any reason any provision herein is determined to be invalid, such invalidity shall not impair or otherwise affect the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, the Parties agree to replace such invalid provision with a substitute provision that will satisfy the intent of the Parties.
Entire Agreement: This Agreement represents the entire agreement of the Parties and may not be changed except by a written document signed by both Parties.
Use of Volunteer's Likeness
Volunteer consents to the use of Volunteer's likeness (whether photographed, filmed or videotaped) and/or oral or written comments or any portion thereof, in any manner now or in the future, including, without limitation, in fund-raising and promotional materials, advertising for television, radio, print or other media, and any other BTC presentations or publications. Volunteer agrees that, in connection with such use, BTC, and persons acting for or on behalf of BTC, may identify Volunteer by name, age, city and/or state or country of residence.
Acknowledgment and Release
Volunteer acknowledges that the trip involves travel to a developing country with a possibly unstable political system and differing cultural expectations and practices. Volunteer acknowledges that there are risks inherent in such trips, including, but not limited to, forces of nature, accident or illness in remote places without immediate access to adequate medical facilities, a lower standard of sanitation, work site injury, waterborne infections and diseases, insect and animal bites, and travel by air, automobile, truck, on foot or by other conveyance.
As stated in the health information section, Volunteers must provide complete and current health information, and are strongly advised to consult a medical doctor for information about immunizations, your physical preparedness to undertake strenuous work activities at one of the work sites, and any medications that may be necessary. Volunteer assumes all the risks of the trip, including health and personal safety risks, and waives all claims for loss or injury to person or property while participating in any of the activities contemplated thereby, whether such damage, loss, or injury results from the negligence of BTC or its officers, directors, representatives, employees, liability insurance carriers or agents, or from any other cause.
Therefore, in consideration of the right to participate in the trip, and of the services, food and transportation arranged by BTC, and its agents and associates, the undersigned Volunteer, intending to be legally bound, consents to the assumption of such risks, and agrees to forever waive, discharge and release for Volunteer and Volunteer's heirs, executors, and administrators, all rights and claims for injuries, damages, illness, losses, demands and other actions of every kind and nature whatsoever, which Volunteer may have against BTC or its officers, directors, employees, liability insurance carriers and agents and all of those entities' representatives, successors and assigns, resulting from or in connection with the trip or any other activities arranged for Volunteer by BTC and/or its agents and associates.