OUR RULES

Purposely, Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders has few rules. However, the following rules are strictly enforced. Please read them carefully.

HOURS

All hours must be logged onto the website by April 30th of each year in order to possibly qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. (See “Awards“ and “What is Community Service” on this website.)

MEETINGS

Groups are required to schedule six meetings annually. Members will be required to attend 4 of the 6 meetings in order to maintain their group Membership status. Members who do not fulfill this requirement will have their status updated to Individual Member. Group Members have meetings to get to know each other, share ideas, learn Robert’s Rules of Order and plan group service events. Group meetings should avoid school breaks and national holidays. Groups have found that meetings held on Sundays in the late afternoon or early evening have the best attendance. Members usually take turns hosting the meetings, or the Class Coordinator will hold them in his or her own home. It’s also a good idea to hold meetings before or after a service activity.

DUES

To renew your membership, login to your account and click on the membership tab. The renewal dues are due by your anniversary date. (See Refund Policy in our FAQ's for further details.)

FUNDRAISING

Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders encourages members to focus on community service activities that involve giving time, attention, and resources. Participation in fundraising activities while representing Lion's Heart is discouraged. No member shall collect monetary donations. However, members may volunteer to support fundraising events and activities in other capacities (i.e. welcoming guests, giving a speech, collecting canned goods, passing out water etc.).

VOLUNTEER ETIQUETTE Download a copy here!

• Be on time. If you have agreed to be somewhere to volunteer at a designated time, show upon time or call if you are running late.
• Don’t be a no-show. If you commit to volunteer at an event and for some reason find you cannot make it, you must call the event coordinator to let them know that you cannot make it as soon as possible so they can find someone else.
• Volunteer with a positive attitude. You've committed yourself as a Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders volunteer, so smile and show that you want to be there. You are both representing yourself and Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders.
• Dress appropriately. Wear your Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders t-shirt unless the volunteer organization has a shirt you are required to wear. Please no bare midriffs, no super short shorts, no ripped clothing.
• Follow the rules. If you are given a set of rules, do your very best to follow them. They've been established for a reason, and sometimes for your safety or the safety of others.
• Do the best job you can. What you do as a volunteer reflects your character and how much you care. Be a volunteer that they would want to invite back.
• Work well with others. You don't have to agree with other volunteers or the staff, but you can find a way to get along with everyone. After all, your are now on a team that's supposed to be committed to working together to do something worthwhile.
• Be courteous. Say please and thank you. Be respectful of others. You may see things that you are not used to so remember to be compassionate and empathetic towards others at all times while volunteering.
• Put your phones away. We know everyone is used to having their cell phone on and in hand, but this is not the appropriate time to be on it. Whether it be a call, text, snapchat or other social media, it can wait, so please be courteous to others and turn off/put away your phones.
• Be respectful on social media. Remember you are representing Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders every time you share a photo in your Lion’s Heart t-shirt, you post a photo at a volunteering event, or you share on your groups page on Instagram or Facebook, including instant messages.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Members are expected to act respectfully of others during Lion’s Heart meetings and volunteering. If a Class Coordinator feels a member is not acting respectfully, the Class Coordinator, at his or her discretion, can require a parent to attend the next six meetings and all volunteering activities until the sixth meeting. If a parent is not in attendance at a meeting or during volunteering, the member will not receive credit for attending that meeting nor be able to log in the volunteer time. If the member continues to act inappropriately after the sixth meeting, the member will be resigned from Lion’s Heart immediately. It is completely at the discretion of the Class Coordinator to implement this rule. Any confirmed bullying, violence, threats, or destruction of property at any Lion’s Heart or volunteer event will result in the immediate expulsion from Lion’s Heart and dues will not be refunded. The member will be unable to reenroll in Lion’s Heart.

Events involving a member that take place outside of Lion’s Heart, e.g., at school,sporting events, extracurricular activities, among others, will be handled on a case-by-case basis. However, if the event results in expulsion from school due to violence, threats of violence, discrimination, bullying or abuse will result in the immediate expulsion from Lion’s Heart and dues will not be refunded.

Inclusiveness Policy Statement:

1A. Policy:

Lion’s Heart, in recognition of its responsibility to its volunteers, its staff, and the members it serves, reaffirms its policy to ensure fair and equitable treatment in all its practices to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. Our efforts include combating discrimination, promoting respect, and creating a sense of belonging as exemplified through the values of Lion’s Heart.

There shall be no discrimination regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.

1A. Procedure:

All volunteers will be informed of the existence of Lion’ Heart policies and procedures. Lion’s Heart policies will be made available to all volunteers on the website. Each operational volunteer (i.e., serving in a leadership capacity) will receive notice of these policies and procedures to help them understand what is expected of a volunteer. Every volunteer must agree to abide by the policies and principles of Lion’s Heart or be subject to sanctions as set forth in these policies, up to and including dismissal.

1B. Policy:

As a federal youth nonprofit Lion’s Heart is required to follow Title IX, and Sections 6361 and 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code which is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in programs and activities.

1B. Procedure:

The welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the group in question are our top priority. In general, a member is recognized by the gender they select at enrollment, and which they are recognized by their school/community.

1B. Procedure:

Every member has the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity. A court-ordered name or gender change is not required, and the member need not change their official records. We strongly recommend that volunteers and members enter pronouns in the member portal, or during enrollment.

Anti-Bullying Policy

Lion’s Heart expects that all members will treat each other in a civil manner, with respect for differences. Lion’s Heart is committed to providing all members with a safe environment that is free from bullying and cyberbullying. “Bullying” is defined as the repeated use by one or more members of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a member that: (i) causes physical or emotional harm to the member or damage to the member’s property; (ii) places the member in reasonable fear of harm or of damage to the member’s property; (iii) creates a hostile environment at Lion’s Heart related activities for the member; (iv) infringes on the rights of the member at Lion’s Heart related activities; or (v) materially and substantially disrupts Lion’s Heart related activities.

“Cyberbullying” is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, and includes, but is not be limited to, computers, cell phones, and the Internet. Lion’s Heart will not tolerate any unlawful or disruptive behavior, including any form of bullying, cyber bullying or retaliation, in our group meetings, volunteer opportunities, or in any Lion’s Heart related activities. Lion’s Heart will promptly investigate all reports and complaints of bullying and retaliation and take prompt action to end that behavior and restore a sense of safety to all members involved. This commitment is an integral part of our comprehensive efforts to promote leadership, and to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and other harmful and disruptive behavior between members that can impede that process. Please see the discipline policy to view steps and behaviors for expulsion.

Harassment

Lion’s Heart is committed to an environment and climate in which relationships are characterized by dignity, respect, courtesy, and equitable treatment. It is the policy of the organization to provide all volunteers with an environment free from all forms of unlawful or unwelcome harassment, including implied or expressed forms of sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin or ancestry, creed, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other bias proscribed by non-discrimination laws. Any volunteer who feels that they have been subjected to harassment of any type, whether by another volunteer, staff member, or any agent of the organization should promptly report the incident; please see procedures for escalating a conflict. Lion’s Heart reserves the right to refuse membership endorsement, refuse to reappointment volunteer positions, and to dismiss or suspend affiliation with the organization, of any volunteer who while conducting Lion’s Heart program, is found to have harassed another volunteer, employee or member.

Volunteer Conduct

Policy:

Volunteers are expected to be positive role models for the Lion’s Heart members and conduct themselves in an exemplary manner that is aligned with all Lion’s Heart Policy and Standards, and Volunteer Agreement.

To create a safe environment for all members and volunteers, legislation requires 2 background screened adults to be present at Lion's Heart group meetings and Lion's Heart events. Note: this does not apply for volunteer opportunities hosted by a third party unless the organization requires so.

Standard:

All Members of the organization will provide an environment that is free of sexual, physical or verbal abuse, intimidating, hostile, or offensive behavior and will attempt to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of all members.

TRANSFERRING GROUPS/CHAPTERS

Members may transfer to another group in their chapter by contacting their Chapter President. To transfer to another chapter, please contact the Volunteer Services Manager at info@lionsheartservice.org. It is up to the member to request availability in the group to which they wish to transfer. Neither the Class Coordinator nor the Chapter President will keep track of requests or notify member when an opening is available. Members are allowed 2 group assignments per Lion’s Heart year, which runs May 1 - April 30.