Volunteer Program Guidelines

Our Mission:

MDC transports area residents and guests to a space where they can connect with the Iron Range's storied past while creating lasting memories that honor the region's unique human and natural history.

Our Vision:

We will be a museum that sparks individual curiosity and inspires our community through experiencing the past to shape a better future.

Purpose: 

Volunteers provide an important resource for Minnesota Discovery Center (“MDC”) in carrying out its charitable, scientific, and educational mission. The purpose of this program is to enable MDC to effectively and responsibly engage its volunteers, reduce possible risks, and otherwise serve the best interests of MDC and the community as a whole.

Definition:

An MDC volunteer is a person who freely performs assigned and authorized duties for and directly related to the business of MDC without compensation. To qualify as an MDC volunteer, an individual must be willing and able to provide services according to the terms of these guidelines.

General Rules for Volunteers:

MDC Volunteer Status and Responsibilities MDC volunteers must abide by all MDC personnel policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to ethical behavior, safety, confidentiality, harassment, discrimination, computer use, and drug and alcohol use. MDC volunteers are not eligible for wages or benefits as a result of their volunteer service. Volunteers are encouraged to work within designated department boundaries and adhere to the position in which they are assigned. Volunteers will remain active assuming they are punctual, respectful of MDC guests and staff, and adhere to MDC policies and procedures.

Who May Volunteer:

Anyone, including retirees, students, alumni and others, may provide volunteer services for MDC, provided the requirements of these guidelines are met.

The following restrictions apply to all volunteers:
•Individuals under the age of 18 may serve as MDC volunteers if accompanied by a registered adult volunteer
•Current employees may not serve as volunteers at MDC in any capacity in which they are employed, or which is essentially similar to or related to their regular work
•A current employee may only volunteer for special events
•Volunteers cannot provide a service or perform duties that would replace that of an actual employee

MDC volunteers are also prohibited from performing the following activities at MDC:
•Operating heavy equipment owned or used by MDC, including MDC vehicles
•Working with controlled substances, hazardous materials/equipment or stored energy (e.g. steam, electricity, hydraulics)
•Working with large sums of money
•Doing any activity considered inappropriate for any MDC employee
•Entering or intending to enter into any contract, or otherwise creating or intending to create any kind of binding obligation, on behalf of MDC

An MDC volunteer’s service may be discontinued at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without prior notice.