A. Request for Services

1. Clients should give a three-day or more notice to Golden Rule Love INC for any    

        requests. All requests will be filled depending on volunteer availability. 

   2. Clients and volunteers must be reminded that all service requests must  

       come through the Golden Rule Love INC office. Clients are not to contact any Love INC field volunteers directly for services without the prior knowledge & approval of the Love INC office.

   3. Volunteers are reminded to report hours served on each request within a few 

        days of the service so that the office volunteers can record it accordingly.  

   4. When transporting clients, we try to match volunteers male to male or female to 

        female if possible and check with the client’s church affiliation first for volunteers.

   5. All clients should remember that requests are filled upon the availability of the 

       volunteers and their skill set. If the requests cannot be filled; we do our best to help by referrals to other organizations.

 

B. Transporting - Driving Clients to Appointments and Errands 

   1.  Love INC will only transport clients capable of entering/exiting the vehicles without physical               

       assistance from a Love INC volunteer. We cannot lift a client or stand and pivot a client into or out of a 

      vehicle. We can offer light hand touch only to assist the client. Updates on a client’s physical condition

        should be checked on every three to six months, depending on the frequency of requests.

   2. Love INC will not transport clients in wheelchairs or clients who need their wheelchairs taken with them 

       to their appointments. The volunteer will not fold or pick up a wheelchair in/out of their vehicle nor will

       they lift to assist a client into/out of their chair. 

   3. We are able to transport clients with walkers/ canes, provided they can enter/exit the vehicle without

       assistance. Volunteers can help with putting walkers in and out of the vehicle. The volunteer’s type of

       vehicle should be appropriate for transporting clients in this situation.

   4. We cannot transport minor children (under the age of 18) to appointments alone without the

       parent/guardian present in the vehicle. The parent /guardian will supply any car seat or booster seat as

       necessary.

   5. Volunteers do not have to stay/wait in the Doctor’s office during a visit. They may run errands and return

       as long as time details are well communicated to the client. Volunteers of Golden Rule are not 

       responsible for any personal or medical information of the client.

   6. We do not transport clients to medical appointments where the client will be under light anesthesia or

        sedation upon discharge. (i.e. colonoscopy, tooth extraction, etc.)

   7.  Client’s service area should be within a 25-mile radius of the client’s/volunteer’s location if possible.

   8.  Establish with a client if there is a need for any additional errands or stops before scheduling a volunteer.

   9.  Use judgment for excessive requests from the same client within a four-week period by prioritizing all

        requests received.  We do our best to fill each request but with no guarantee depending on volunteer

        availability. 

   10. If the client has a caseworker, speak with that person before filling request unless otherwise noted in

         client’s file.

   11. If the field volunteer needs to cancel a commitment for a client and it is on short notice, they need to 

        contact that client first and then the office. If there is enough advanced notice, the office volunteer will

        attempt to find a replacement for the need.

 

C. Transporting Clients Living at Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing Facility Reimbursed by Medicare

1. It is not the policy of Love INC to transport residents of assisted living or skilled nursing facilities* as the organization is typically reimbursed by Medicare to provide transportation services. (*Elmcroft or other similar facilities)

2. Speak with the client’s caseworker or facility before filling any requests to ask if they are reimbursed for transportation needs or quality life needs.

 

D.  Moving Assistance Policy

   1. The office volunteer will record the request for moving assistance and inform the client that Love INC 

      will send a volunteer to assess the job, and after that we will get back to the client with a response (per

      below guidelines) 

   2.  Light moves only- volunteers accessing will use their judgment

         -  No heavy furniture or appliances

         -  Pick-up truck-sized loads only (or trailer if volunteer owns one)

         - Lightboxes, household items, clothes, etc.

   3. No driving rental trucks or U-haul trailers. 

   4.  Field volunteers contacted for moves will first assess the job in person, then report back to the office

        volunteer to proceed if approved. The office volunteer will then notify the client accordingly.

   5. In cases where the request is for larger moves, check in the referral file to find help: VISTA, Suncom, Church

        groups etc…

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E.  Yard Work Requests

    1. The office volunteer will record the request for yard work and inform the client 

        that Love INC will attempt to send a volunteer to assess the extent of the job. We  

        will then get back to them with a response. (same intent as in the moving 

        assistance policy & larger projects referred out) 

   2. The client is responsible for disposing of any refuse or debris from yard work; as 

        well as supplying trash bags or other items needed for disposal.

   3. Use of rakes or other tools needed for yard work is up to the discretion of the    

        volunteer; if they prefer to use their own rather than the client’s.

   4. Golden Rule Love INC does not accept requests to mow grass. Weed trimming is    

        up to the discretion and/or availability of the volunteer.

   5. If the client is renting a property, the request must be cleared by the landlord before 

       proceeding.  This is for liability reasons.

 

F. Small Home Repairs

   1. The Field Volunteer will be contacted to assess the project to determine if it can be completed by 

       volunteers or if it needs a professional. 

   2. Repairs considered by Golden Rule Love INC include:

         - light mechanical fixes

         - small plumbing/electrical/carpentry issues

         - cleaning rain gutters/fixing spouting

         - ramp building

   3. Light housekeeping or laundry will be considered if needed temporarily but not for an extended or 

        continual period.

   4. Decluttering and organization (with two or more volunteers). 

   

G. Technical Tutoring

   1.  Volunteers will help set up Smart TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones         

       or other electronic devices to connect with the provided internet service and pair     

       devices.

   2. Volunteers can help with setting up email and tutoring with other electronic    

       applications including Skype, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, online grocery  shopping, or electronic       

       banking/bill paying.
 

 H. Office Visitor Policy

    1. Any client or visitor is to contact the office for an appointment should they wish to visit to schedule a   

       time that is convenient for the office staff so that more than one person is present.

   2. If there is an unexpected visitor, the church secretary will contact the office and the office staff will greet 

       the visitor at the entrance door (downstairs).

 

 I. Office Closings 

   1.  Love INC’s office will close due to inclement weather when the Warrior Run and/or the Milton School 

       Districts announce their school will be closed or delayed due to a weather event. We will expect that

      the office volunteer schedule adheres to any announced school delays and use their judgment     

       accordingly as to when it may be safe to report to the office. All volunteers in the field should consider

       safety first when transporting. If they cannot complete the transport; the field volunteer should notify

       the client of the situation.

   2. If a volunteer cannot fulfill their commitment to come into the office or cannot stay the 3-hour period (on

      short notice), the office administrator (Julie) should be notified. Otherwise, the volunteer should try to find

      a replacement for that time and mark the office schedule calendar accordingly. 

   3. Office Volunteers should record their hours in the blue log book each time they volunteer in the office.

      These hours are reported to the National Love INC.

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