Humane Borders Driver and Passenger Protocols

Note to Prospective Volunteers: You can access and print out our volunteer protocol agreement from below. Once you've filled out the form and signed it, please scan and email to Rebecca Fowler at info@humaneborders.org

We deeply appreciate and value Humane Borders’ volunteers.  Individuals who drive and ride in Humane Border vehicles to deliver water are often the “face” of Humane Borders, interacting with a variety of public and private individuals and sometimes media representatives.  Given the sensitivity of the issue which we are addressing and the need for uniform protocols for drivers and passengers, we ask each volunteer driver and passenger to agree to the following:

1) VOLUNTEERS COMMIT TO THE MISSION OF HUMANE BORDERS

By volunteering for Humane Borders, you affirm that you are in agreement with our mission:

Our primary mission is to save desperate people from a horrible death by dehydration and exposure and to create a just and humane environment in the borderlands.

While we always welcome constructive suggestions on how to better fulfill our mission, we ask that opinions contrary to our mission and operations be shared in a constructive conversation with Administrator Rebecca Fowler and/or Operations Manager Joel Smith.

2) VOLUNTEERS COMMIT TO FOLLOWING ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND PERMIT CONDITIONS IN THE DELIVERY OF WATER

In no instance should volunteers encourage or sanction evading applicable laws in carrying out these activities. Doing so puts our mission at risk. Owners and managers of property on which we have our stations are highly appreciated and their management direction should be followed.  Permits, listing applicable conditions for use of government land for our stations, are in the notebook in each truck.  If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed at our water stations or while travelling to and from them, please contact Operations Manager Joel Smith at      joel@humaneborders.org

3) NO DRUGS, NO FIREARMS/WEAPONS OF ANY KIND. NO PROHIBITED ITEMS PERMITTED IN HUMANE BORDERS VEHICLES.

It should be obvious that our volunteers should be law-abiding. Drivers and passengers must not use or possess illegal drugs, must not carry firearms or weapons of any kind, and must not carry on their person anything else that might compromise our work. Note that there are particular restrictions regarding what can and cannot be carried into Mexico and back into the United States for material that is normally permissible (for example, prescription drugs, fruit, plants).

4) VOLUNTEERS TREAT STAFF, OTHER VOLUNTEERS, AND ALL PERSONS ENCOUNTERED DURING WATER RUNS WITH RESPECT AND CIVILITY. 

Our work can sometimes be stressful but is always done in the spirit of recognizing our shared humanity.  Constructive criticism is always welcome but not destructive gossip.

5) NO SMOKING OR VAPING IN HUMANE BORDERS’ VEHICLES

If you wish to smoke, please do so during stops, being careful to make sure that your cigarette is out and disposing of the butt. Depending on the time of year and whether fire restriction conditions are present, we may ask you not to smoke.

6) VOLUNTEERS AGREE TO FOLLOW THE SCHEDULING AND OPERATIONAL DIRECTION AS RELAYED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.

No one may cross another person’s name off the driver and passenger schedule except in coordination with the Administrator. These steps avoid confusion and duplication or omission of efforts.

7) PERSONS WITH ALLERGIES AGREE TO COME PREPARED, I.E. BRING EPIPENS AND NECESSARY MEDICATIONS.

Arizona is native to more than 40 species of bees. We haven’t had a volunteer stung by a bee yet, but on rare occasions, we do find bees hovering around our water stations. If you are allergic to bees, make sure you bring your epi-pen and the appropriate medications. If you have a peanut allergy, there’s a chance that you could be in a closed vehicle with another volunteer eating peanuts, and should be aware of that possibility.

8) VOLUNTEERS REPORT POTENTIAL MEDIA CONTACTS ASAP TO ADMINISTRATOR Rebecca Fowler at info@humaneborders.org (or call 520 398-5053)

This is by no means a ban on volunteer contact with media, but rather a necessary step to ensure accurate reporting in coordination with media.

9) VOLUNTEERS AGREE TO CONTACT THEIR DRIVER IN THE EVENT THAT THEY SHOULD NEED TO CANCEL THEIR TRIP ON SHORT NOTICE, I.E., THE MORNING OF THE TRIP OR THE NIGHT BEFORE.

Your driver’s contact information is provided on your trip information sheet, sent after you complete and return this agreement.

10) FYI: During Monsoon months and other times of the year, Tucson and the surrounding area often receive considerable amounts of rain. These unforeseen events may necessitate canceling water runs when desert dirt roads turn to bog and become impossible to navigate. In the event that trips are canceled due to rainy conditions, Operations Manager Joel Smith will notify you via text the night before or the morning of the trip.

Reminder: For all trips, it's a good idea to dress in layers -- especially for longer trips -- and wear sun protective clothing that might include light pants, light long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes. Please no shorts, yoga pants, or sandals for safety precautions. Make sure you’re hydrated for the trip by drinking plenty of water the day before you go out and have plenty of water on hand.

Humane Borders Driver Protocol

1) GENERAL PROTOCOL FOR ALL DRIVERS

All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and file a copy of it with Humane Borders. If you regularly take trips out into the desert, please remember to give us a new copy if your license is renewed.

All drivers must have the physical and emotional well-being to be able to handle the vehicle safely. Drivers must refrain from using alcoholic beverages, or any prescription or over-the-counter drugs or substances that have the potential of causing drowsiness, both during and beginning eight hours prior to water runs.

2) PROTOCOL FOR VISITING DRIVERS FOLLOWING HB TRUCKS IN THEIR OWN HIGH-CLEARANCE VEHICLES

In the interest of better ensuring the overall safety of the volunteer driver and all persons on the water run, ALL DRIVERS AGREE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION of how they should drive, follow, and park their vehicles AS PROVIDED BY HUMANE BORDERS LEADERS FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE WATER RUN. This observance of the protocol should be followed from the time that the trip departs from Humane Borders headquarters to the time that the trip returns. One important note: Please pay special heed to your HB leader’s instructions of where to park your car while out in the desert.

 

TOP