Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability — Adopt-a-Beach

This VOLUNTEER RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY (this “Release“) is executed for myself in favor of Alliance for the Great Lakes, an Illinois not for profit corporation (“AGL”),and AGL’s directors, officers, employees, agents, volunteers, including the respective Adopt-a-Beach Team Leader, and their respective successors and assigns, as well as park districts, beach authorities and their representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”), as of the date of signature on my Registration Form and is valid for one year following that date. 

I desire to volunteer for AGL’s Adopt-a-Beach event, which I understand may include, but is not limited to cleaning-up of local beaches along the Great Lakes by picking up litter and collecting data on the litter collected (the “Activities”). I understand that as a volunteer I am not an employee and that I will not receive any form of compensation or employee benefits for my services.  

In exchange for being allowed to participate in the Activities as a volunteer and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I acknowledge, I hereby freely, voluntarily, and without duress execute this Release and agree to the following terms: 

Assumption of Risk and Waiver and Liability Release

In signing this Release for myself and/or any other minor on my Registration Form, I acknowledge that I/we am/are voluntarily participating in the Activities and understand that participation in the Adopt-a-Beach event, as in any cleanup event, may involve foreseen and unforeseen hazards and risks. I agree to accept and assume all risk and danger incidental to the Adopt-a-Beach event occurring prior to, during, or subsequent to the actual cleanup event including but not limited to the following risks and hazards (the “Risks and Hazards”): the risk of physical injury, mental injury, emotional distress, trauma, death, contact with other participants, equipment failure, inadequate safety equipment, the effect of weather including extreme temperature or conditions, traffic, contact with motor vehicles of all types and descriptions, contract with the general public, contact with trash of unknown origin, conditions of the shoreline, and proximity to or contact with the water. I further accept any risks associated with the Team Leader and understand that the Team Leader completed an online training module to be a Team Leader for the Adopt-a-Beach event, but that training module does NOT include first aid, CPR, or sexual harassment training, moreover, I understand that AGL has not completed a background check for the Team Leader.   

I fully and forever release and discharge the Released Parties from, and expressly waive, any and all specific notice of the existence of the Risks and Hazards and any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which may arise from participation in the Activities. I agree not to make or bring any such claim or demand against the Released Parties, and fully and forever release and discharge the Released Parties from liability under such claims or demands, including for any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, property damage or property loss that may result from my participation, whether caused by negligence of any Released Party or otherwise. 

In consideration of being allowed to participate, I agree to release, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Released Parties, jointly and severely, from any and all liability, losses, damages, judgments, or expenses, including attorney’s fee that may incur or sustain as a result of my negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct in connection with my participation in the Activities, arising out of any third-party claim. 

Insurance

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES DO NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR OR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICAL, HEALTH, OR DISABILITY INSURANCE OF ANY NATURE IN THE EVENT OF MY INJURY, ILLNESS, OR DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF MY PROPERTY.

I give consent and authority to the Released Parties to obtain medical treatment on my behalf if I am injured or require medical attention during my participation in the Activities. I understand and agree that I am solely responsible for all costs related to such medical treatment and/or medical transportation. I hereby release, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claim whatsoever in connection with such treatment or other medical services.  I understand that each Volunteer is expected and encouraged to arrive with medical or health insurance in effect. I hereby release and forever discharge the Released Parties from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first aid, treatment, or service rendered in connection with my/our participation in the Activities.

Photo and Name Use Waiver

As indicated on my Registration Form, I understand and agree that during the Adopt-a-Beach event, I may be photographed/or videotaped by AGL or other volunteers for any AGL-related purpose and hereby grant and convey to AGL all right, title, and interest, including but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits, in any and all such photographs or recordings. I consent and give permission to the AGL to use my or my minor’s name, image, likeness and voice in perpetuity, in any medium or format, for any publicity, internal and/or promotional use without further compensation or permission.

Other

I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by federal and state law, and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. I also expressly agree that this Release represents the full understanding between AGL and me and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, between us, with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any term or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, that term or provision shall be deemed modified so as to be valid and enforceable to the full extent permitted. The invalidity of any such term or provision shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions. This Release is binding on and inures to the benefit of the AGL, the Released Parties and me and our respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. Section headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, modify, expand, or limit any of the terms of this Release.