Volunteers' Rules and Regulations

📋 SPCC Volunteer Program

Volunteers' Rules and Regulations

Professional guidelines for ethical and effective volunteer service at the IUS Students' Psychological Counseling Center

🎯

Program Overview

These Rules and Regulations define the duties, limits of authority, confidentiality obligations, and professional conduct expected of volunteers serving at the SPCC. Volunteers support the Center's operations and student access to services in a safe, ethical, and professional manner.

🎯 Purpose

📋 Scope of Volunteer Responsibilities

Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the SPCC Manager, volunteers perform non-clinical administrative support, including:

Presence at the Center during assigned hours; welcoming and directing visitors.
Providing general information about SPCC services (e.g., how to book, working hours).
Distributing, collecting, reviewing for completeness, and securely storing request/intake forms.
Maintaining a quiet, welcoming waiting area and supporting workshop/event logistics.

🚫 Prohibited Activities (Clinical & Representational)

⚠️ Volunteers must NOT engage in the following activities:

Provide psychological advice, counseling, diagnosis, assessment, or interpretation.
Discuss personal/sensitive matters beyond basic intake steps.
Access confidential records except as explicitly assigned for administrative tasks.
Present themselves as counselors/qualified professionals or solicit clients.
Disclose any case information or identities.

✍️ Authorization & Supervision

ℹ️ Written Authorization Required

No volunteer may undertake psychotherapy, counseling, testing, interpretation, treatment planning, or crisis intervention without prior written authorization from the SPCC Manager and direct supervision by an assigned clinician.

Any upgrade of tasks must be documented in writing.

💼 Conduct & Professionalism

Volunteers shall:

Treat all visitors with respect, empathy, and neutral, non-judgmental attitude.
Be punctual; notify supervisor of delays/absences in advance.
Follow SPCC staff instructions; refrain from personal device use during duty.
Maintain appropriate, professional appearance.

🔒 Confidentiality

🔐 All volunteers are bound by the Confidentiality Agreement

Key points:

Do not disclose any non-public information about students or SPCC operations.
Use information only for assigned duties; secure all forms and records.
Breach may result in immediate termination and further action. (See the full Agreement for details.)

🗄️ Data Protection & Records

Store filled forms only in designated confidential locations/systems.
Do not copy, photograph, or transmit records through personal devices/apps.
Comply with SPCC instructions on retention, return, and destruction of records.

🚨 Risk Disclosure & Escalation

⚠️ Critical Protocol

If a student shares risk (self-harm, harm to others, abuse/neglect), the volunteer must immediately alert the supervising clinician and/or SPCC Manager. Volunteers must not attempt independent intervention.

📅 Attendance & Scheduling

Attend all assigned shifts; record attendance as instructed.
Arrange replacements only with prior approval; repeated unexcused absences may lead to termination.

🎓 Training & Briefing

Complete required orientation/training before starting duties.
Follow updates to procedures, forms, and communication scripts issued by SPCC staff.

⛔ Termination

Failure to follow these Rules, breaches of confidentiality, or unprofessional conduct may result in immediate termination of volunteer engagement.

🎖️ Certification (Attendance/Service Certificate)

✅ Certificate Requirements

Volunteers who complete their approved service in good standing shall receive an Attendance/Service Certificate upon verification of:

Regular and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts;
Completion of assigned service hours and tasks;
Adherence to ethical, confidentiality, and data-protection rules;
Timely submission of required documentation (attendance log, supervisor sign-off);
Final performance evaluation of "satisfactory" or above by the supervising professor.

📝 Certificate Details

Certificates are issued by the SPCC Manager; the Center may withhold or revoke certificates in cases of non-compliance, misconduct, or falsified records. Certificates attest to service; they do not grant academic credit or professional licensure.