VOLUNTEER PROTECTION

Volunteer Safe Haven Training in Your Own Home! This is AYSO's on-line Safe Haven Certification Training Program. This may be used by volunteers to satisfy their Safe Haven Coach or Referee training requirements.  Volunteers can complete the training at their own convenience and will receive confirmation of their completion for their records.

 

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) has developed over 130 position descriptions for its volunteers.  These descriptions cover specific duties and responsibilities, qualifications, skills, time commitment estimates, training and certification requirements, and activity locations.  Keeping within the limits of the position description protects the volunteer and assures that he/she maintains appropriate certification standards.

 

It is important that each volunteer take personal responsibility for reading and/or obtaining a copy of their position description prior to assuming their volunteer role.  These descriptions are available either from the Regional Commissioner, or by going to AYSO’s National Support and Training Center website.

 

Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

 

1.         The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides certain protections to volunteers in lawsuits based on their activities.  No volunteers shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer if—

 

            A.        The volunteer was acting within the scope of their responsibilities;

            B.        The volunteer was properly licensed, certified, or authorized to undertake the activities in question;

            C.        The harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual(s) harmed; and

            D.        The harm was not caused by a volunteer operating a vehicle that requires an operator’s license or insurance.

 

2.  The VPA prohibits the recovery of punitive damages unless the injured person proves by “clear and convincing evidence” that the volunteer caused the harm by an act constituting willful or criminal misconduct or by conscious, flagrant indifference to the person’s safety or rights.  This “clear and convincing” standard raises the burden of proof, making it more difficult to recover punitive damages from a volunteer.

 

3.  A volunteer’s liability for noneconomic damages will be limited to the proportion of harm for which that volunteer is found liable.

 

4.  The VPA limits the liability of volunteers, but not the liability of the organizations that they serve.

 

5.  The limitation on liability for volunteers does not extend to:

            A.  Crimes of violence or international terrorism for which the volunteer has been convicted by a court;

            B.  Hate crimes;

            C.  Sexual offenses;

            D.  Misconduct that violates State or Federal civil rights laws; or

            E.  Misconduct while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

 

Details of the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 can be found along with the AYSO Volunteer Position Job Descriptions at:

http://www.soccer.org/programs/safehaven/jobdesc.html