Volunteer agreement

The purpose of the agreement is to be clear without being binding — which is a genuinely difficult drafting problem.

Avoid language of obligation: no requirement to attend, no promise of work, no payment beyond reimbursement of actual expenses, and no disciplinary procedure. Use “we hope” and “you may” rather than “you must” and “we will”.

The risk is not theoretical: tribunals look at the substance of the arrangement. See volunteer, worker, and writing a volunteer agreement.