VOLUNTEER CHECKLIST
The following provides an overview of your pre-trip responsibilities. Please take a moment to review the information and be sure that you understand and can comply with all requirements. You may want to save or print this page as a reminder for future deadlines.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Before Applying: Read ALL of the information on the Volunteer Requirements page of this website and be sure that you understand what will be required BEFORE applying for any trips.
2. Select Trips: Review the Clinic Schedule and select the trips you would like to participate in and the VIEW DETAILS section for each clinic to be sure that you can meet any trip-specific requirements. Indicate on your application the order of priority for the trips selected. Note that students will generally be accepted to no more than 2 week-long clinics per year. Please apply only for clinics you know that you can commit to if accepted.
3. Application: Submit a Volunteer Application online.
4. Acknowledgement: You will receive an auto-generated email acknowledgement of your application within 24 hours of its receipt. This message will originate from an ‘@airtable.com’ email address. Please add this domain to your email contacts to help ensure messages will be received.
5. Notification: You will be notified by email (generally within 4 weeks of applying) as to the status of your application via one of three potential application status emails 1) Roster Offer: conditional acceptance to a trip pending clearance of background check 2) Waitlist Offer: offer of a position on the waitlist to a specific trip, or 3) Not accepted at this time. Due to limits on the number of roster and waitlist positions, we are unable to accept all of qualified applicants.
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VOLUNTEER ACCEPTANCE AND TRIP PREPARATION
Initial trip acceptances are conditional and must be confirmed.
You must complete the following steps to accept the position
and confirm your participation.
Acceptance Confirmation
1. HSUS Volunteer 'Hub' Account: Volunteers who receive a conditional acceptance to participate will receive a link to register a volunteer profile in the HSUS Volunteer Hub. This will need to be completed before a background check and acceptance confirmation can be processed. By submitting a Hub profile you are confirming acceptance of all Volunteer Requirements and the RAVS Volunteer Agreement and Social Media Policy.
2. Background Check: Initial acceptance to participate in a scheduled clinic is conditional upon completion of a basic Background Check. After you receive a conditional acceptance notification you will have one week to submit a request for a background check.
3. Confirmation: Once the background check is complete, you will receive a final, official acceptance announcement which serves as confirmation of your trip assignment. Once you receive this acceptance, the position is being held for you. We are counting on you to attend and expect that you will fulfill your commitment to the team.
4. Submit Travel Plans(all volunteers)
5. Study online Training Materials(all volunteers)
6. Submit online Training Evaluation (all volunteers)
7. Review and prepare for Skills Assessment (veterinary students only)
8. Obtain necessary supplies/equipment (see What to Bring)
9. Make final travel arrangements: For those who opt in, a team list with email contact information will be shared among team members participating in the same trip. Please reach out to others on your team to carpool, share travel expenses, etc.
Communication: Once you have confirmed your participation you will receive periodic email communications from RAVS staff. You must maintain email contact with us. If you are traveling it is up to you to check your email regularly and watch this website for trip updates and new information. If your phone number or email address change please update your information with us as soon as possible.