Effective June 1, 2026
VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
Thank you for serving with Generosity Foundation. What you do matters — to us, to the Northwoods neighborhood, and to the people you'll meet when you show up.
This document exists because the people we serve deserve to feel protected, and because we want you to feel protected too. It's not meant to be intimidating. It's meant to be clear.
By checking in to serve, you're agreeing to these standards. They're straightforward, and we're confident you already live most of them.
Who We Serve
Our programs regularly include children, teenagers, and adults who may be going through hard seasons. Some are minors (under age 19 under Alabama law). Some are vulnerable adults dealing with physical or mental health challenges. All of them are our neighbors, and all of them deserve to be treated with dignity and care.
How We Show Up
A few simple guidelines that help us create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone:
- Don't be alone with a child or teenager in a private, non-visible space. Keep interactions in open areas where others can see. If a young person wants to talk privately, step somewhere out of earshot but still in plain sight of others — and let another adult know you've stepped away.
- Keep all physical contact appropriate and public — a handshake, a high five, a brief pat on the back. No kissing, lap-sitting, or prolonged physical contact of any kind.
- Don't share personal contact info with minors or message them privately without copying a parent or staff member.
- No alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances around participants.
- Treat every person — participant, fellow volunteer, and staff member — with respect. No demeaning, sexual, or humiliating language toward anyone.
- Follow the direction of on-site staff and team leaders.
If Something Feels Wrong
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, act immediately. Do not wait. Do not handle it alone.
Step 1 — Immediate Danger
📞 Call 911
If you or anyone else is in immediate physical danger, call 911 first. Your safety comes before anything else.
Step 2 — Someone May Be in Danger or Discloses Something to You
🙋 Tell a Staff Member Immediately
If you witness or suspect abuse or neglect, or if a child or adult shares something with you that concerns you:
- Stay calm and listen. Don't promise to keep it secret.
- Tell them you care about them and that you need to tell someone who can help.
- Then find a Generosity Foundation staff member right away. Do not try to investigate or intervene on your own.
Step 3 — Report to the Right Agency
Staff will guide you through reporting. These agencies are available if needed:
📞 Madison County Child Abuse: 256-427-6200
📞 Alabama Child Abuse Hotline: 334-242-9500
📞 Adult Abuse Hotline: 1-800-458-7214
Photos and Social Media
We love when people share about their serve experience. Just a couple of guidelines:
- Ask First: when taking photos that clearly identify minors. It is always best to ask their parents before posting those photos to social media.
- Don't: Post to social media anything that could embarrass or harm a participant or community member.
If We Need to Act
We take these standards seriously. If a volunteer acts in a way that puts a participant at risk or violates this code, we may ask them to step away from the event, pause their volunteer involvement, or in serious cases, refer the matter to law enforcement. We don't say that to be heavy-handed — we say it because the people we serve are worth protecting.
We're glad you're here.
Generosity Foundation exists because people like you show up. These standards exist to make sure the people we serve can trust that. Thank you for being part of this.
This Code of Conduct is a companion document to the Generosity Foundation Abuse and Molestation Prevention Policy (effective June 1, 2026). Questions? Contact us at 730 Cook Ave. NW, Suite F, Huntsville, AL.