Volunteer Opportunities

Smith clubs and groups are automatically covered by the college’s general liability policy; however, organizations may be asked by a vendor (such as a hotel) to provide evidence of insurance to comply with a specific contract. In this case, a certificate of insurance can be issued on the organization’s behalf. These requests may be sent to alumclub@smith.edu.

Please supply the following: organization name, contact person, description of event, date, time and location.

Smith College’s Liability Policy

Smith College’s general liability policy covers each Smith organization for amounts it may be legally obligated to pay as compensation to an injured party for bodily injury, personal injury, property damage or advertising injury.

There is no coverage for taxes, fines, civil or criminal penalties, cost of compliance for non-monetary awards or any other uninsurable matter.

An individual alum is covered under the college’s general liability policy “while acting within the scope of her duties or while acting at the direction of or performing services for or on behalf of that Included Entity (Smith College).”

There is no territorial restriction in this policy and coverage is worldwide. There is also no exclusion of coverage for a claim brought because of an accident resulting from alcohol being served at an event. The AASC does, however, have clear guidelines around the service of alcohol at a club event.

Accidents & Claims

Any demand in writing is considered a claim by our underwriters (it does not have to be a suit). Any claim, regardless of cause of loss, should be immediately telephoned and sent to the Five College Risk Management Office (see address below) and to the AASC. A copy of the claim should also be sent to the treasurer or CFO of the college.

Auto Accidents

The college has extended its auto policies so that organizations have non-owned auto coverage. This provides coverage over members’ personal auto policies.

Additional Coverage or Claims

Smith clubs with specific questions regarding policy exclusions or claims, please contact:

Ruth Rauluk
Director of Risk Management
Five Colleges, Incorporated
rrauluk@fivecolleges.edu

Statement of Liquor Liability

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (PL 101-226) requires that all institutions of higher education adopt and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by members of the Smith community as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program.

Although the general risk insurance coverage provided through the college’s policies to class, club and affinity group events includes host liquor liability coverage, please note that criminal malfeasance is not covered—serving liquors to minors (under age 21 in Massachusetts) is a criminal offense.

On-Campus Service

College Dining Services holds the liquor license for Smith College. Under Massachusetts State Liquor Laws, Dining Services is the only entity on campus that is licensed to sell alcohol. Alcohol may only be provided as part of an event involving Dining Services. Under no circumstances may a group planning a function provide their own liquor. Dining Services is required to provide servers that are trained in serving liquor and are familiar with Massachusetts Liquor Regulations.

Off-Campus Service

Organizations serving alcohol at an event must be in compliance with all state regulations concerning the service and consumption of liquor. When working with caterers, ensure that they are properly licensed to serve alcohol.

General Statement on Serving Liquor

The liability in Massachusetts for a person or organization serving alcohol to someone who is intoxicated and has an accident, injuring themselves or others, is enormous. In Massachusetts, the place/institution/person who last served liquor to that individual is liable. On campus, Dining Services personnel refuse to serve alcohol to anyone they deem intoxicated. Please be aware of the liquor laws in your community when serving alcohol at an event. Be careful in all situations where alcohol is present.

The Volunteer Partnership Agreement affirms and upholds the work we do together as partners for Smith, serving as a resource for all Alumnae Relations and Development volunteers. We encourage every current Alumnae Relations and Development volunteer to become familiar with its content; each new fiscal year volunteer liaisons will share the Agreement with anyone who is new to their volunteer role.

Volunteer Partnership Agreement

Thank you for being a Smith College volunteer. We appreciate your leadership and passion for Smith. Smith College alums, students, faculty, staff, and friends benefit greatly from your contributions.

Volunteers of Smith College play an important role in advancing the mission and core values of the institution. The Volunteer Partnership Agreement upholds those core values with best practices that support an inclusive and welcoming space for all of us. The expectations below are essential to the success and safety of all engagement activities and apply to all volunteers. 

As an Alumnae Relations and Development volunteer I will:

• seek opportunities to engage and connect alums with the college and with one another, such as sharing information about news and events.
• maintain current information in The Smith College Network directory and encourage others to do so as well.
• know the expectations of my role(s) and serve as a responsible ambassador of the college when fulfilling the duties of my role(s) by adhering to this Volunteer Partnership Agreement. 
• communicate with care and respect in email, print, social media, and in person to all members of the Smith community, including students, faculty, staff, alums, parents, and friends of the college. 
• engage responsibly with the media. If approached by any media outlet, I will refer the outlet to Smith’s Office of College Relations. I will preface any conversation I do have with the fact that I am not a Smith employee or official representative.  
• handle confidential information with respect for constituents’ rights to, and expectations of, privacy. For guidance, please see the Alumnae Relations and Development Policy on Confidentiality and Constituent Information and the use of personal data, shared with you by your Alumnae Relations and Development Office volunteer liaison. 
• respect the diversity of Smith and help all feel welcome and included by being inclusive and considering issues of diversity (e.g. ability, age, class, ethnicity, gender identity, geography, race, religion, sexual orientation) in all facets of your volunteer work. 
• practice mutual respect and appreciation of differences by abiding by Smith College’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
• show that Smith is a philanthropic priority by making an annual donation of any size to an area of the college of your choosing.Your annual gift provides critical support to programs that keep Smith a top pick for the most diverse and talented students and demonstrates your confidence in Smith’s mission to your fellow alums. 
• seek support from the Alumnae Relations and Development Office as soon as possible if you find yourself in situations or conversations beyond the limits of your knowledge or experience, outside the scope of your volunteer role, or unresolveable through your club board or leadership team practices.

Smith College is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the alum community. Some resources on these topics include: 

Gender Identity & Expression

We Need to Retire the term “Microaggressions”

The Israel and Palestine Conflict and Combating Related Discrimination on Campus

Casually Ableist Language 

Perspective: Intersectionality 

Guide to Allyship 

The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention 

A Guide to Gender Identity Terms