No. 5: 30 Nov 2017
SWIM NEWSLETTER
SWIM - an ACE-funded project to recruit and train volunteers and trustees in Cambridgeshire museums 2016-2018
Insurance
Volunteers and the Law
Copyright
Volunteers and employees are protected in
In this issue: Volunteer Agreement
different ways. A contract of employment can exist without a written document. To protect against this, the SWIM Volunteer Agreement should be used. Volunteer Agreements are carefully worded, and are based on expectation rather than obligation, and is binding in honour only—not legally binding. That said, if you form an employment relationship, this agreement will not protect you.
Employee or volunteer? A volunteer may be distinguished from an employee where:
There are clear policy and practice differences for volunteers and employees
Volunteers are not providing a minimum number of hours per week
Volunteers are paid fixed expenses per week rather than out-of-pocket expenses
An appropriate volunteer agreement is in place
Insurance
On 15 Nov, we had the latest SWIM Backstage Pass at the University of Cambridge’s Dept of Earth Sciences.16 volunteers were treated to a rare behind the scenes look at some beautiful geological specimens. Then Deborah Walton (UCM Conservation Officer) spoke about conservation and provided a fun practical where we consolidated broken Weetabix as if they were to be placed on display (photo).
Volunteers are covered by Health & Safety regulations. They should be insured for Employers Liability / Public and Products Liability, which may or may not extend to your volunteers. It is best to check that:
that it definitely includes volunteers
how the term ‘volunteer’ is defined for the purposes of that policy
whether any upper or lower age limits apply
that the policy covers the types of activities that the volunteers will be undertaking
Intellectual Property Rights As volunteers are not employees, copyright is not automatically assigned to the organisation through a contract. So volunteers will own copyright and moral rights to ‘original works’ they create. Risk management will determine whether this needs to be mitigated against. In some cases, assignation through a simple statement may be required (but this should not included in the Volunteer Agreement).
17 Trustees from 9 museums met at the second SWIM Trustee Muster on 29 Nov, led by Christine Laverock. She concentrating on Strategic Planning, followed by networking opportunity (photo). More Trustees from a greater number of museums are participating with each Muster we offer, which is very exciting to see.