Step Up to the Plate Volunteer Requirements and Guidelines 

What are the requirements to volunteer?

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must participate in a volunteer information and screening phone call.
Given the current public health environment, there is inherent risk in any volunteer initiatives. As such, you must complete and sign a volunteer release and waiver prior to participating.
You must follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Toronto Public Health at all times.

You CANNOT volunteer if any of the following apply:

You have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 and you are required to be in isolation;
You have been tested for COVID-19 and you await the results;
You have been advised by a health authority to self-isolate;
Within the last 14 days, you have experienced a symptom of COVID-19 * or have felt unwell;
Within the last 14 days, you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19;
Within the last 14 days, you have had close contact with someone experiencing a symptom of COVID-19 or who felt unwell;

or

You have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

 * Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose, fever, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, fatigue, confusion and loss of taste and/or smell, among others.

   We recommend that anyone who is interested in volunteering complete a COVID-19 self-assessment to determine if isolation or testing is required.  To access public health authorities’ self-assessment tool, please visit: https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en.

Volunteer Guidelines

All volunteers are expected to follow these guidelines:

Any volunteer who is sick, or has been exposed to someone who is sick, MUST STAY HOME.
Volunteers will be required to complete a COVID-19 pre-screening interview upon arrival at the stadium.
Volunteers should, at all times, follow the directions of staff and organizers and conduct themselves in accordance with the standards of conduct required by the organizers, including:
Keeping a distance of at least 2 metres (6.6 feet) between yourself and others.
Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand.
Disposing of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and washing your hands afterwards.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Arriving on time and leaving promptly when scheduled or when their shift is complete.
Volunteers will be asked to dress according to a preassigned team colour. No sandals/open-toed shoes or headphones should be worn in the stadium. Running shoes, hiking boots or steel-toed shoes are recommended. Note: Rogers Centre is air conditioned and staff are encouraged to wear layers.
Usage of cell phones is allowed only during break times.  Phones are expected to be away during packing time.
Bags larger than 4” x 8” are not permitted; lockers will not be available.
Obeying all safety and security rules required by the organizer. 
Informing the Volunteer Coordinator in advance if you are unable to attend.
Volunteers may be asked to leave the stadium if they are not in compliance with any points listed above. 

2020 “FROM HOME PLATE TO YOUR PLATE” PROGRAM
VOLUNTEER RELEASE, INDEMNITY AND LICENCE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”)
 

The 2020 “From Home Plate to Your Plate” Program (the “Program”) is a volunteer program organized by the Jays Care Foundation (“JCF”) together with FOOD BANKS CANADA / BANQUES ALIMENTAIRES CANADA (“Food Banks”) in order to prepare and deliver food hampers of non-perishable food items to families experiencing food insecurities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that I am not required to participate in or to assist with the program in any way and that I have decided of my own volition that I wish to do so. 

In consideration of being permitted by JCF and Food Banks to participate as a volunteer in the Program, I hereby acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

I will be volunteering to assist with certain activities associated with the Program, including, but not limited to, attending the Rogers Centre and assisting with sorting and packing nonperishable and other food items into food hampers. I understand that I am volunteering to participate in the Program, and that my participation is in my personal capacity and not as an employee of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership (owner of the Toronto Blue Jays) (collectively, “Blue Jays”), Rogers Sports Holdings Inc., Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership, JCF, or Rogers Communications Inc. (“RCI”), or their respective affiliates, as applicable, nor as a condition or extension of my employment with the Blue Jays, Rogers Sports Holdings Inc., Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership, JCF or RCI, or their respective affiliates, as applicable. I will not, either now or in the future, be entitled to any financial remuneration, salary, wage payment or any other employment-related right or benefit whatsoever in connection with my participation in the Program.

There are risks associated with participating in the Program, including, without limitation, the risk of death, serious injury or serious illness to myself and others and/or loss of or damage to the property of myself and/or others.   By way of illustration and not limitation, by participating in the Program there is an increased risk that I may contract or otherwise be exposed to the coronavirus commonly known as COVID-19 (“Covid-19”), which, if contracted and/or spread by me, may lead to the serious illness or death of myself and/or others.  I understand that the risk of contracting or otherwise being exposed to COVID-19 by participating in the Program may result from the actions, omissions or negligence of myself and/or others, including, but not limited to, other volunteers in the Program and the Releasees (as defined below). I expressly assume all such risks and dangers, whether presently known or unknown.

I am at least 18 years of age or older and I am in proper physical condition to participate in the Program. If I am or become aware of any injury, illness, or condition that could be worsened, aggravated and/or exacerbated by my participation in the Program and any particular activity/ies of the Program, or which may potentially jeopardize the health and safety of individuals participating or receiving the benefit of the Program, I will refrain from participating in such activity/ies and/or the Program. For certainty, if I experience any symptoms of COVID-19 OR IF I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19, I will immediately cease further participation in the Program and, subject to any applicable legal limitations, notify program organizers.

I, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”) HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE JCF, Food Banks, Blue Jays, Rogers Sports Holdings Inc., Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership, RCI, their respective affiliates and successors and each of their respective assigns, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and representatives, other participants, sponsors and advertisers (collectively, the “Releasees”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss of or damage to person or property occurring while participating in the Program or in any way related to the Program or to the Releasees, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE;

The Releasors will not make any claim or take any actions or proceedings of any type in respect of any matter referred to in this Agreement against any of the Releasees or against any other person, corporation, firm or government authority who or which might claim contribution, indemnity or relief from or over the Releasees. If, despite this Agreement, I or anyone else on my behalf, makes a claim or takes any actions or proceedings of any type against any of the Releasees or against any other person, corporation, firm or government authority who or which might claim contribution, indemnity or relief from or over the Releasees, I will fully indemnify and save harmless each of the Releasees in respect of any losses, damages, liabilities and costs (including legal fees) incurred in respect of such claims, actions and/or proceedings; and
I will abide by all laws, regulations, rules, by-laws, orders, policies and guidelines of all applicable governmental entities, in respect of COVID-19 and otherwise, including, but not limited to, all social distancing guidelines, essential travel restrictions and sanitary guidelines. If the federal, provincial or municipal government prohibits any travel or activities outside of my home, including any of the activities comprising the Program, I will immediately cease further participation in the Program. I further acknowledge and agree to abide by and follow all rules, guidelines, policies, directions and instructions given by JCF and other Program coordinators relating to the Program, as may be established and amended from time to time, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the use of personal protective equipment. I acknowledge that abiding by the foregoing guidelines and taking all required preventative measures does not guarantee that I will not contract or otherwise be exposed to COVID-19, despite any efforts I may take to mitigate such dangers.

For valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, I hereby irrevocably grant JCF, Food Banks, Blue Jays, Rogers Sports Holdings Inc., Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership, RCI, their affiliates, and their respective agents, employees, assignees and licensees (the “Authorized Parties”) the right, license and permission to record, photograph and/or otherwise document my attendance at and/or participation in the Program (as well as my attendance at and/or participation in any in any matters ancillary thereto) by any available means and I acknowledge and agree that I hold no rights in or to any such recordings, photographs or documentation (the “Footage”). I acknowledge and agree that Blue Jays will be the first and exclusive owner of the copyright in any and all Footage and I hereby waive any and all claims to any right, title or interest therein or thereto. I further hereby irrevocably authorize the Authorized Parties to reproduce, display, publish, broadcast, distribute, transmit, exhibit, alter without restriction and otherwise use my name, voice, image, testimonial, likeness and any and all Footage (collectively, the “Materials”) throughout the world and in perpetuity, in all manner and media, whether now known or hereafter devised, including, without limitation, all forms of print and digital media, for advertising, trade, commerce and any other lawful purposes. I hereby waive all rights of inspection or approval regarding any use of the Materials. I hereby release and discharge the Authorized Parties from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the Materials, including, without limitation, any and all claims for invasion of privacy, right of publicity or defamation.  I warrant and represent that I have the authority to grant the foregoing rights and shall fully indemnify and hold harmless the Authorized Parties in relation thereto.

This Agreement is intended to be fully severable, and if any portion of this Agreement is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance the Agreement shall continue in full legal force and effect. That shall include modifying the Agreement to allow the remainder of claims to be waived, released, and indemnified against in the event that the inclusion of any particular type of claim is found to be invalid or contrary to public policy. This Agreement is to be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the Province of Ontario.

I am the parent/legal guardian of THE PARTICIPANT NAMED BELOW (the “Minor”) and as such, I sign the release, indemnity and licence on his/her behalf with full understanding of its contents, and declaring that I have given this release, indemnity and licence of my own free will and, that this release, indemnity and licence binds the Releasors.  If, despite this release, indemnity and licence, I, the Minor or anyone else on the Minor’s behalf, makes a claim or takes any actions or proceedings of any type against any of the Releasees or against any other person, corporation, firm or government authority who or which might claim contribution, indemnity or relief from or over the Releasees, I will fully indemnify and save harmless each of the Releasees in respect of any losses, damages, liabilities and costs (including legal fees) incurred in respect of such claims, actions and/or proceedings.