As part of the registration process, all new members must pass a criminal background check and digitally sign acceptance of the documents below. These documents are intended to protect all children and adults involved in the mission of SHBHU.

In order to retain membership, all current and past members have until February 29, 2016 to complete the new registration process – including background checks and policy acceptance.

Small Hands Big Hearts United (SHBHU) makes an active effort to prevent child abuse, which includes but is not limited to a Verified Volunteer background check. When practical, volunteers should not put themselves in a position in which they are alone with a single child and cannot be observed by others. Allegations or suspicions of child abuse within SHBHU are taken seriously and are reported to police and/or state agencies for investigation. It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, or disability. No question on this form is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

SHBHU goals for children are:

  1. To nurture children’s instinctive compassion to others and the world around them.
  2. To deliver accessible programs in a positive environment of safety, support and care.
  3. To support and strengthen the family unit and provide a family environment to share in the nurturing process of each child.

RELEASE, WAIVER, AND INDEMNIFICATION

The undersigned (for himself or herself, and any minor to which the undersigned is the parent or legal guardian) (collectively, the “Releasing Parties”), acknowledges and agrees that participating in activities with Small Hands Big Hearts United, Inc. (“SHBHU”), will have inherent risks due to the nature of the activities, interaction with other participants, the location of such activities, transportation to and from such activities, and other such applicable risk factors. I, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, have fully informed myself of all of the details concerning the intended activities, and represent and warrant to SHBHU that the participant named on this form have the necessary abilities, skills, and knowledge to participate in the activities. I, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, hereby agree to, and do, assume the full risk of any injuries or damages sustained by any of the Releasing Parties as a result of participating in the activities, including, but not limited to, (i) personal injuries, including death, (ii) any property loss, and (iii) all other expenses, costs, damages or losses. I, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, acknowledge that I will be responsible for any damages caused to property or person caused by any Releasing Party.

For and in consideration of the benefit of participating in activities with SHBHU, the undersigned (on behalf of the Releasing Parties) does hereby knowingly and voluntarily release, acquit, remise and forever discharge SHBHU, its affiliates, representatives, volunteers, officers, agents, directors, staff, supervisors, employees, representatives, contractors, members, attorneys, and all of their successors and assigns, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of them (the “SHBHU Parties”) from any and all past, present or future claims, charges, complaints, grievances, damages, obligations, costs, loss of income, attorneys’ fees, demands, actions, causes of action for injuries, expenses, pain and suffering, property damages, or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, at law or equity, contingent or otherwise, matured or unmatured, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, actual or potential, that any of the Releasing Parties may have, or claim to have, now or hereafter arising or existing, against any of the SHBHU Parties, where related (whether directly or indirectly) to participation in activities with any of the SHBHU Parties. The undersigned (on behalf of the Releasing Parties) also agrees to indemnify each of the SHBHU Parties from and against all costs, expenses, damages, and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from any and all injuries that may be suffered or alleged to be suffered by any Releasing Party related to participation in activities with any of the SHBHU Parties.

The undersigned, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, fully understands that he or she is hereby assuming all risks and waiving any legal claim he or she (or any Releasing Party) may have against any SHBHU Party associated with the participation in activities with any SHBHU Party, and that all SHBHU Parties are hereby released from all liability, known or unknown, related to or arising out of the undersigned’s participation in activities with any SHBHU Party. The undersigned, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, further agrees that any of the SHBHU Parties may plead this Release, Waiver and Indemnification as a complete bar in defense of any action brought against any of the SHBHU Parties by any of the Releasing Parties. It is expressly agreed, intended and understood by the undersigned, on behalf of the Releasing Parties, that this Release, Waiver and Indemnification is to be a complete accord and satisfaction of any and all claims any of the Releasing Parties may have against any of the SHBHU Parties arising out of or related to, whether directory or indirectly, activities with any of the SHBHU Parties.

In the event of an emergency, I authorize the SHBHU Parties to secure, from any licensed hospital, physician and/or other medical personnel, any treatment deemed reasonable and necessary for the children named on this form, and agree that I will be responsible for payment for any all such treatment rendered. In the event any of the SHBHU Parties pay for any such services, I, on behalf of all the Releasing Parties, hereby irrevocably assign to the appropriate SHBHU Parties all right, title and interest in and to corresponding compensation, reimbursement or payment received or to be received by any of the Releasing Parties from any insurance company or other third party. Any party having notice of this assignment is hereby authorized and directed to pay directly to the appropriate SHBHU Parties the amount of any indebtedness due hereunder. I, on behalf of all of the Releasing Parties, have read and understand all the terms and conditions hereof, and represent and warrant to the SHBHU Parties that I am the parent or legal guardian of the participant named below, and have the legal authority to execute this Release, Waiver and Indemnification.