Boo at the zoo Volunteering!

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to drugs/alcohol. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: The work place should be free from the hazards posed by the use of alcohol and controlled substances in order to protect the safety of employees and the public. Alcohol and drugs can impair thinking and reasoning and may lead to behaviors that bring the user into severe conflict with their work environment. Misuse of alcohol and drugs/controlled substances among Dane County employees and/or volunteers can have a devastating impact on safety, health and on the efficiency of the workforce.

Dane County Drug/Alcohol Policy

1. Volunteers are prohibited from using alcohol while on duty, and are prohibited from reporting for duty (and from remaining on duty) when their blood alcohol concentration is greater than 0.00

2. Volunteers are prohibited from reporting for volunteering and from continuing to volunteer when under the influence of any drugs/controlled substance. Possession of drugs & controlled substances while on duty is prohibited as defined by statute and administrative rules.

3. Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale or attempted sale, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of alcohol, drugs/controlled substance, and/or drug paraphernalia when representing themselves as a Dane County volunteer - whether on or off site.

4. Volunteers may be asked to leave and may or may not be permitted to return to the site should the Volunteer Coordinator or other staff hold reasonable suspicion that the volunteer is working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Reasonable suspicion must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulate observations concerning appearance, behavior, speech or body odors.

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to posting on social media. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding the use of social media on behalf of the County, as well as guidance regarding volunteers’ personal use of social media, when that personal communication relates to Dane County government.

Guidelines for Dane County Volunteers' Personal Use of Social Media

2.1 Volunteers may not make social media posts on behalf of the Dane County unless specifically authorized. If you identify yourself as a Dane County volunteer, then you must make it clear that what you post is representative of your personal views and opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of the Dane County. Dane County volunteers may not use the Dane County seal or Department logos.

2.2 .Dane County Civil Service Rules require volunteers to use good judgment and to show respect for colleagues and the people we serve. If you’re about to publish something that makes you uncomfortable and it is related to Dane County’s business, please discuss the post with the Volunteer Coordinator. For example, while it is fine for colleagues to disagree, volunteers should not use their personal social media sites or accounts to air differences in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner. Dane County will investigate complaints regarding the use of social media on a case by case basis.

2.3 Certain Dane County volunteers, such as those who provide information to the public) have a higher obligation regarding the use of good judgment and showing respect for the people whom Dane County serves. Due to their positions, these volunteers should not only assume that Dane County colleagues and members of the general public may read what they post on social media, they should be careful not to publish personal thoughts in way that implies they are expressing official Dane County positions.

2.4 Social media blurs many of the traditional boundaries between internal and external communications. Dane County volunteers should be careful not to disclose Dane County confidential or proprietary information on social media (or elsewhere).

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding volunteer expectations as they relate to the time that the volunteer is representing themselves as a member of the HVZ team in a personal or professional capacity.

Guidelines for Henry Vilas Zoo Volunteers
1. Volunteer Policy. Volunteers understand that they are not employees of Dane County, and are not entitled to compensation from Dane County. Volunteers understand that Dane County will not be paying wages, stipend, or Workman's Compensation benefits. Finally, they understand that the HVZ volunteer program is not a guaranteed pathway to paid work, nor does it take the place of an internship or job shadow program of any kind.

2. Experience Expectations. Volunteering at Henry Vilas Zoo should be fun and meaningful for every volunteer. If at any point one of those two things becomes the opposite, volunteers can talk with the Volunteer Coordinator, and/or the HVZ staff member who works most closely with them.

3. Behavior Expectations. Volunteers understand that we are all humans working together toward the common well-being of our animals, guests and each other. They show respect, patience and understanding towards all humans on Zoo grounds.

4. Dress Code. Volunteers will wear weather-appropriate clothing with the HVZ logo and/or nametag visible at all times. Shoes will be closed-toed. Henry Vilas Zoo will not be held responsible in the event that a volunteer comes to harm due to inappropriate dress. Volunteers will not wear their shirts or nametags outside of official Henry Vilas Zoo volunteer service.

5. Representation. Volunteers represent the Henry Vilas Zoo any time they are in uniform and/or volunteering with Henry Vilas Zoo in an official capacity. They welcome, listen, include and teach all who come through our gates or interact with us in any way.

6. Communication. Volunteers communicate their questions, concerns, and other ideas in a timely manner to the Volunteer Coordinator and/or HVZ staff member who works closely with them.

7. Health. Volunteers put health first. Volunteers communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator regarding schedule changes related to health. They do not put themselves or others at risk by showing up to volunteer while sick. In the event a volunteer needs to take a break from service due to long-term health issues of any kind, Henry Vilas Zoo will work with the volunteer to coordinate communication over the break.

8. Volunteers give permission to Henry Vilas Zoo to use images of them while on grounds in a promotional capacity for the Zoo and its programs. Volunteers understand that a criminal background check is part of the onboarding process for all adult volunteers.