GREEN VILLAGE INITIATIVE 2026
VOLUNTEER WAIVER,
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
& MEDIA AUTHORIZATION

GVI's mission is to grow food, knowledge, leadership, and community through urban gardening and farming to create a more just food system in Bridgeport.

This document governs all volunteer activities conducted at GVI-operated sites, including Reservoir Community Farm, located at 1469 Reservoir Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608, during the 2026 volunteer season (April through November 2026).

By completing the GVI Volunteer Registration Form and typing their full legal name as a digital signature, the volunteer acknowledges they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms in this document. The typed name and form submission timestamp together constitute a legally valid electronic signature.

PART 1
VOLUNTEER WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY

I hereby notify Green Village Initiative that I wish to participate in Volunteer Activities with GVI.

I acknowledge that my participation in Volunteer Activities and any related activities is purely voluntary and undertaken at my own risk. I assume any and all risks arising out of or in connection with my participation. I understand and agree that I am legally responsible for any personal actions taken by me during Volunteer Activities, including any damage I may cause to personal or real property. I understand that GVI will not be responsible for any expenses or losses incurred by my behavior, including any behavior that compromises the health, safety, or well-being of others participating in Volunteer Activities.

In the event of illness or injury while participating in Volunteer Activities, and if GVI is unable to reach my emergency contact, I expressly consent to GVI and its authorized representatives seeking, obtaining, and authorizing medical treatment on my behalf, and if necessary, transporting me to a medical facility for treatment. I understand and acknowledge that I will bear the sole cost of any medical treatment I receive. Prior to my participation, I agree to inform GVI of anything it should be aware of, including any medications I am taking or pre-existing conditions that may be relevant to my safety.

I understand that GVI reserves the right to cancel Volunteer Activities if a change in circumstances — man-made or natural — warrants cancellation, and that GVI will not be responsible for any financial obligations or losses incurred as a result.

For myself, my personal representatives, heirs, next of kin, and any other related parties, and their successors and assigns, I forever release, discharge, and agree not to sue Green Village Initiative and its employees, officers, directors, agents, assigns, and volunteers from any and all claims and liability, including but not limited to injury, death, and property damage, arising out of or in connection with Volunteer Activities. I hereby waive all such claims which I, or they, now and forever hereafter have against GVI, its employees, officers, directors, agents, assigns, and volunteers arising out of or in connection with Volunteer Activities.

I agree, on behalf of myself and my personal representatives, heirs, next of kin, and their successors and assigns, to hold harmless and defend GVI, its employees, officers, directors, assigns, and volunteers from any and all claims arising out of or in connection with my participation in Volunteer Activities, including any illness, injury, death, or cost of medical treatment. I agree to compensate GVI, its employees, officers, directors, agents, assigns, and volunteers for reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred in any action brought as a result of injury or damage associated with my participation.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A WAIVER OF CLAIMS, A RELEASE OF LIABILITY, AND AN AGREEMENT NOT TO SUE, AND I AGREE TO ITS TERMS VOLUNTARILY AND OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

PART 2
INSURANCE

Green Village Initiative carries general liability and umbrella insurance coverage for its operations, staff, and volunteers acting within the scope of authorized GVI volunteer activities at GVI-operated sites.

This coverage is designed to protect GVI, its staff, and volunteers from third-party claims arising from volunteer activities conducted under GVI's supervision. It does not replace or substitute for a volunteer's personal health insurance, personal property coverage, or coverage for activities conducted outside the scope of GVI's authorized volunteer program.

Volunteers are encouraged to maintain their own personal health insurance coverage. GVI assumes no responsibility for medical expenses, lost wages, or personal property damage sustained by a volunteer during or as a result of volunteer activities, except as may be covered under GVI's existing insurance policies.

PART 3
NAME, LIKENESS & MEDIA RELEASE

I hereby grant Green Village Initiative, and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, and assigns, and to such other persons or entities as they may designate from time to time (collectively, "Licensees"), the absolute right and permission to use in perpetuity my name, video, and/or photograph in all forms of media, including social media, newsletters, and GVI's websites.

I agree that any videos and photographs taken of me by the Licensees are owned exclusively by them. If I receive any print, digital copy, or other reproduction, I shall not authorize its use by any other party. I agree that I will not hold the Licensees, or anyone who receives permission from them, responsible for any liability resulting from the use of my name, video, or photograph in accordance with the terms of this release.

Nothing herein constitutes any obligation on the Licensees to make use of any of the rights set forth in this release.

PHOTO OPT-OUT

This authorization is voluntary and does not affect a volunteer's ability to participate in GVI activities. Volunteers who do not wish to be photographed, recorded, or identified in GVI media may decline this release by selecting
"I Do Not Agree" in the GVI Volunteer Registration Form.

Volunteers who decline must also notify the GVI Volunteer Lead upon arrival at the site so that appropriate accommodations can be made. GVI will make reasonable efforts to ensure that volunteers who have opted out are not recorded. If a volunteer does not notify GVI staff upon arrival, GVI cannot guarantee that opt-out preferences will be honored in all circumstances.

PART 4
CONFIDENTIALITY

All volunteers agree not to divulge any information intended for internal GVI circulation to any person or source outside of GVI, including but not limited to program participant information, organizational strategy, financial information, and donor and partner relationships.

PART 5
MINOR VOLUNTEER CONSENT

Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian read, understand, and agree to all terms in this document on their behalf before participating in any GVI volunteer activity.

GVI requires one adult chaperone for every five youth volunteers on site at all times. Youth under 18 must remain under the supervision of a designated chaperone throughout their volunteer visit.

By providing their name and signature in the GVI Volunteer Registration Form, the parent or guardian confirms they have reviewed this document in full and consent to the minor's participation under its terms.

PART 6
ELECTRONIC AGREEMENT & SEASONAL VALIDITY

This document is incorporated by reference into the GVI Volunteer Registration Form. By completing the registration form and typing their full legal name as a digital signature, the volunteer — or their parent or guardian if the volunteer is under 18 — acknowledges they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms contained in this document.

The typed full name submitted via the GVI Volunteer Registration Form, together with the form's automatically recorded submission timestamp, constitutes a legally valid electronic signature under applicable law.

This agreement is valid for the duration of the 2026 volunteer season, covering all volunteer activities at GVI-operated sites between April 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026.

Download a PDF copy of this document HERE