1. Engage in any behavior that may be harmful to the health and safety of the volunteer or others, nor will the volunteer engage in any behavior that may be detrimental to the program;
2. Use or possess any drugs which are illegal under the laws of the United States or the host country;
3. Consume any alcoholic beverage;
4. Leave his/her assigned work area without prior permission from a member of the AMIGOS Project staff;
5. Engage in amorous conduct;
6. Operate any motorized vehicle or ride on a motorcycle;
7. Handle firearms; or
8. Use tobacco products.

An infraction or disregard for the Standards of Personal Conduct and Community Behavior may result in the volunteer's immediate dismissal from the Training Program or the volunteer's removal from the Latin America Service Program and return to the United States, country of origin, and/or home residence at the expense of the volunteer and his/her family.

If it is suspected that a volunteer has violated the Standards of Personal Conduct and Community Behavior, the AMIGOS Project Staff may discuss and document the alleged violation with the volunteer. When the AMIGOS Project Staff writes a formal incident report, the volunteer may add personal comments to the report and request a copy of the incident report. The formal incident report is signed by the AMIGOS Project Staff and the volunteer and is filed with the International Office.

The decision to send a volunteer home is made by the Executive Director of AMIGOS, or his/her designee, after consulting with the AMIGOS Project Staff and reviewing the formal incident report and the volunteer’s personal comments. Any volunteer involved in a rule violation may appeal the decision in writing to the AMIGOS Executive Director, whose decision shall be final and non-appealable.

When the decision is made to return a volunteer from the field, the appropriate travel arrangements are made and a member of the Project Staff escorts the volunteer to the departure airport in Latin America. The volunteer may be met by a member of the AMIGOS International Office Staff or a designated representative for consultation and debriefing before returning home.

A volunteer's violation of the Standards and subsequent early departure will:

• harm the image of the AMIGOS program at home and abroad, particularly in the volunteer's assigned community;
• disturb the normal operations of the volunteer's work team;
• cost time and attention for the Project Staff and the International Office staff.

More tangible expenses are those such as increased travel cost due to the volunteer's early departure, food and lodging for the departing volunteer and his/her escort, penalty charges associated with the cancellation of the volunteer's original return plane ticket, and certain administrative expenses associated with effecting the premature return of the volunteer to the United States.

Any volunteer who is dismissed from AMIGOS due to a violation of any Standard of Personal Conduct and Community Behavior will be solely responsible for all costs associated with an early departure, which includes changes in airfare, as well as any additional lodging and administrative expenses.

Last Updated
10/26/08