Venturer Manager Agreement

2. No alcohol

Raleigh International Alcohol Policy 

Our no-alcohol policy provides a safe, nurturing, and productive environment for young adults to make a positive impact, learn valuable life skills, and create lasting memories during their time with us. Other reasons and benefits:

1. Health and Safety: Avoiding alcohol minimizes the risk of accidents, injuries, and health issues associated with excessive drinking. Venturers can focus on their well-being and stay physically and mentally healthy throughout Expedition. Some of our volunteers are also age 17.
2. Clearer Decision-Making: Without alcohol, venturers can make clear and informed decisions, ensuring that their actions contribute positively to the project’s goals and communities.
3. Stronger Connections: Without the distraction of alcohol, venturers can form deeper and more meaningful connections with fellow venturers and the local community. This can lead to lasting friendships and a stronger sense of camaraderie.
4. Enhanced Learning: Venturers can fully engage in learning experiences and cultural exchange without the impairment that alcohol can bring. This can lead to a richer understanding of local customs, languages, and global issues.
5. Improved Productivity: Increased energy and focus, allowing venturers to be more productive and effective in their work. This benefits both the project they’re working on and their personal development.
6. Positive Role Modelling: Young venturers become positive role models for their peers and the communities they work in. They demonstrate that one can have fun and make a difference without relying on alcohol.
7. Conflict Resolution: No-alcohol can lead to better conflict resolution skills as venturers learn to address issues and disagreements in a clear and constructive manner, helping to maintain a harmonious environment.
8. Personal Growth: The absence of alcohol can provide an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Young venturers can gain a better understanding of themselves and their values during their experience.
9. Safety for Vulnerable Populations: On some projects, venturers may work with vulnerable populations such as children or individuals facing health challenges. An alcohol-free environment ensures their safety and well-being.
10. Focus on the Mission: An alcohol-free environment keeps the focus on the primary mission of the Expedition, whether it’s environmental conservation, humanitarian aid, education, or community development, leading to more meaningful and impactful outcomes.
11. Ethical Responsibility: Participating in a programme that avoids alcohol aligns with ethical considerations in some cultures and communities. It shows respect for local customs and values.
12. No hangxiety! Removing heightened levels of anxiety post alcohol.

3. No illegal activities, including drug taking

In some of the countries we operate, the buying, selling, or taking of drugs, including marijuana, is punishable by severe penalties. Participation in any illegal activity, including, but not limited to, consumption or procurement of illegal substances, is not tolerated and can result in the involvement of local authorities and/or immediate removal from the programme.

We will follow the local policy in all cases.

Smoking policy

While we allow smoking, we do not encourage it due to its negative impact on health, the environment, and the well-being of our community. We will adhere to all local laws and regulations regarding smoking in the countries where we operate. Venturers are expected to comply with these rules at all times.

1. Designated Smoking Areas:
   Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas. These areas are clearly marked and are designed to minimize exposure to non-smokers and protect the environment. On some project sites there may be a strict no smoking or vaping rule due to National regulations.
2. Availability of Cigarettes: Due to the remote nature of some of our project sites, cigarettes may not always be available for purchase. Venturers & VMs should plan accordingly if they choose to smoke.
3. Respect and Responsibility: We ask all venturers who choose to smoke to do so responsibly, respecting the designated areas and their peers. Please dispose of cigarette waste properly to maintain a clean and safe environment for everyone.

4. No acts of violence (including bullying)

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all venturers, where teams work together and learn to respect and trust each other. Acts of violence, including bullying, harassment, intimidation, or any behaviour that threatens the physical or emotional safety of others, will not be tolerated.

1. Anti-Bullying:
   Bullying, in any form, is unacceptable. This includes repeated, unwelcome behaviour that is intended to intimidate, degrade, or humiliate an individual or group. Bullying can take many forms, including but not limited to verbal abuse, spreading malicious rumours, social exclusion, cyberbullying, and misuse of power or authority.
2. Reporting and Response: Venturers are encouraged to report any incidents of violence or bullying to their VM or directly to Raleigh Staff. All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly and confidentially. Retaliation against anyone who reports such incidents is strictly prohibited.

5. Don’t put others at risk

Your behaviour during the programme must not prejudice the safety and wellbeing of any member of the group, or the progress of projects.

Raleigh has a strict set of Health & Safety Guidelines that inform every activity we do and everyone participating in a Raleigh programme is expected to adhere to these guidelines. At its worst, illness or injury resulting from ignoring health and safety guidelines could result in legal claims of negligence against individuals.

6. No inappropriate relationships during programmes

To maintain professionalism, respect, and a positive team dynamic during Expeditions, inappropriate relationships between team members are not advised. This policy is designed to prevent conflicts of interest, favouritism, and any behaviour that could compromise the safety, morale, or effectiveness of the team.

Relationships should not interfere with your Expedition responsibilities, decision-making, or the overall Expedition environment. Team members should be mindful of their interactions and ensure that their behaviour does not create discomfort or tension among the team or community.

Venturer – VM – Staff Relationships: There is a requirement of oversight and guidance from Venturer Managers to Venturers as role models and mentors; as a result, no intimate relationships between Venturer Managers/Staff and venturers (regardless of age) are allowed during the programme. Nor are intimate relationships between Venturer Managers/ Staff/Venturers and community members, project partners and service providers.

Whether or not it is illegal in the country you volunteer, purchasing or coercing sexual acts is prohibited.

7. Respect local traditions and customs

All venturers should seek to be discreet and sensitive in how we operate and show respect for the way of life of those who accept us into their country and communities. We have much to learn from each other’s cultures and, as an ambassador for your country, it is important to understand local traditions and behaviours and be sensitive to them at all times.

8. Take only photographs, leave only footprints

The potential impact of a project group, both environmentally and socially, is very high. It is important to minimise any detrimental effect we might have on the environment by respecting and protecting the environment for its own sake and future inhabitants and visitors.

Raleigh reserves the right to use any photographic material or video you send to any staff member during or after the programme’s course on our website or other marketing materials. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the permission of any person featured in a photograph or video sent to us.

You will be asked to sign a social media consent for if taking part in a case study or social medial video.

9. Safeguarding and Welfare

Raleigh is committed to working inclusively to overcome discrimination and social exclusion, bringing people together from different backgrounds to promote and celebrate diversity.

All venturers who participate in projects organised by Raleigh or who are influenced by our work should do so without fear of physical, sexual or emotional harm or neglect. Some venturers on Raleigh programmes are under 18 years of age, and there are frequently children in the local community with whom Raleigh venturers interact with. Raleigh recognises that vulnerability is a complex concept and that anybody of any age could also be in a position where they are vulnerable, particularly in an unfamiliar environment.

Venturers should always show respect and understanding for people’s rights and their safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of Raleigh and helps protect themselves and others from harm.

We have a detailed and proactive Safeguarding Policy and all venturers on a Raleigh programme are expected to abide by this policy, which includes the requirement to act in a way which protects themselves from potential allegation and always confidentially report any Safeguarding concerns to a member of Raleigh staff.

10. Equal Opportunities

Raleigh strives to conduct all its activities with an equal opportunities framework and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all young people with whom we work regardless of gender, age, stage of development, disability, sexual orientation, religion, culture, or ethnicity. As a participant, you are also expected to recognise and act in a way which is proactive towards an equal opportunities approach which never discriminates.

Communication Technology & Phone Policy

We expect all Venturer Managers to act with integrity to follow this policy. Incidents of covert cell phone usage will be viewed as a breach of the code of conduct.

Part of our mission at Raleigh International is to empower young adults to become proactive global citizens who can confidently navigate the challenges of the world. Allowing venturers to disconnect from their phones while on project aligns with this goal by encouraging volunteers to take responsibility for their actions and choices.

We understand the natural instinct of parents and guardians to be in constant communication with their young volunteers. However, we see this period of detachment as an essential part of the learning experience. It encourages our venturers to make independent decisions, build resilience, and develop the skills needed to face uncertainty with confidence.

We want our venturers to discover the power of self-reliance and embrace their capabilities. This newfound sense of responsibility and independence will be invaluable in shaping their future endeavours and fostering a deeper understanding of their own capabilities.

• We recommend Venturers bring cameras but the VMs can take photo memories and we also aim to have a content creator or photographer on each Expedition.

This does not mean there will be no ability to communicate with home. Our staff team will facilitate venturers access to signal or wifi during changeover to ensure they can keep in touch.

As a VM you will be allowed to bring your phone with you – we trust that you will respect this policy and use your phone minimally, however we recognise you may need to keep in touch with home or work at various points.

However, we encourage you to consider your reasoning for joining a Raleigh Expedition and embrace the disconnect ethos by following this policy yourself also.

In addition to these fundamental principles, by signing the venturer agreement, you agree to: