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REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT & WAIVER

PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to set forth the terms under which you agree to
serve as a volunteer at the 2026 World of Coffee in San Diego, California.
TERMS & CONDITIONS

I understand and agree that:

1. There is no guarantee that SCA can provide me with the minimum number of
volunteer shifts required to earn a complimentary 3-Day Volunteer Badge (SCA Members, 3 shifts, non-members 4 shifts). There are
a limited number of volunteer shifts and these shifts are filled on a first come basis
until all shifts are filled.
2. In order to receive credit for the shifts worked, I am required to check in at the
Volunteer Lounge prior to my first shift AND sign in & out for each individual shift on
the day of the shift.
3. When I select a volunteer shift I am committing to work the entire time period
indicated for the shift. Volunteer hours for a shift cannot be divided between two or
more volunteers.
4. The minimum number of volunteer shifts is as follows: 3 shifts for SCA members and 4 shifts for non SCA members.
5. Volunteers who meet the minimum number of shifts required will earn a 3-Day
Volunteer Badge which includes access to the Exhibit Hall during attendee hours, the
Competitions and Lectures. These shifts will not apply to any other Badge, ticketed
events or paid Workshops.
6. Volunteer credit (a) has no cash value, (b) is not transferable to another person,
and (c) can only be applied to one Volunteer Badge at the 2026 World of Coffee in San Diego, California

7. If I miss a shift during the World of Coffee, I will contact volunteers@sca.coffee to
schedule a replacement shift. There is no guarantee that another shift will be
available to make up the missed shift(s). My entry badge is revoked if I do not meet
the required minimum of 3 volunteer shifts.

8. Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to fulfil your shifts, please cancel your shifts in your volunteer profile and notify us by mail at
volunteers@sca.coffee by April 1 2026.

SCA RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

Thank you for taking part in this event hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association.
We hope your experience will be enjoyable, educational, and enable you to network
and grow with fellow members. In order to provide you with the best possible
experience, we have prepared this Release of Liability, Indemnity, and Code of
Conduct (“Release”). Please read this document in full and confirm that you
understand the document by placing your signature where indicated. In
consideration of being permitted to attend and participate in this event, as a
participant, volunteer, competitor, judge or host, the undersigned certifies to and
agrees with SCA as follows:

AGE, WAIVER & RELEASE

AGE. I am at least 18 years of age.

EQUIPMENT AND DANGER
I understand that coffee roasting, coffee brewing and
other equipment may be operated at the event and that such equipment may cause
injury to myself or others. If I operate such equipment at the event, I certify that (a) I
am experienced and knowledgeable in the safe operation of all such equipment; and
(b) I will, at all times operate the equipment and conduct myself with due care and
with consideration for the safety of others.

RELEASE AND INDEMNITY.
By participating in the event and executing this
Release, I release SCA and its officers, directors, employees, members and agents
(the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability for any injury, loss, or damage
arising out of or in connection with my participation in the event (other than the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of the Released Parties).
I further agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from and
against any liability for any injury, loss, damage, cost or expense arising out of or in
connection with my negligence or misconduct at or in connection with the event.

REPRODUCTION OF IMAGES. DVD/CD/Video Tape Recording, Photography,
Printed Material.
I do hereby agree to allow SCA and its affiliates, vendors and the
media to use the reproduction of my likeness, work product(s), and/or presentations
for distribution in both printed and digital matter. I understand that SCA has the right
to make copies of such materials to make available for sale and to retain the
proceeds from the sale of such. I also understand that I will not be compensated and
that I may not be notified of each use.

GOVERNING LAW; ARBITRATION.
This Release will be governed by, and its
provisions enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without
regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. In the event a material dispute arises
under this Release, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration and resolved by a
single arbitrator (who is a lawyer) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association. All such arbitration shall be
confidential and shall take place at an office of the American Arbitration Association
located in Orange County, California. Each party is entitled to depose one fact
witness and any expert witness retained by the other party and to conduct such other
discovery as the arbitrator deems appropriate. The arbitrator has no authority to
award punitive or exemplary damages. The award or decision rendered by the
arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive and judgment may be entered upon
such award by any court. If the preceding provisions of this paragraph are
unenforceable under the applicable law of the event venue (“Venue”), then this
Release will be governed by, and its provisions enforced in accordance with, the
laws of the location of the Venue, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws,
and in the event a material dispute arises under this Release, such dispute shall be
submitted to arbitration and resolved by a single arbitrator under the arbitration rules
of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) at an ICC tribunal in the national
capital of the Venue, with the same restrictions on discovery and punitive or
exemplary damages as provided above.

SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Release or its application shall be invalid or
unenforceable, that provision shall be reformed so as to preserve the parties' intent
to the greatest extent possible, failing which, such provision shall be severed from
this Agreement, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and
effect.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Release constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding between the undersigned and SCA with respect to its subject matter
and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications between the parties.
MODIFICATION. This Release may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated
only by an instrument in writing, signed by the participant and SCA.
COMPETITORS. If I am a competitor, I have read, understand and will comply with
all of the published rules of my competitive event.

CLASS INSTRUCTORS
If I am a class instructor, I understand that I am required to
teach the class based on the SCA curriculum and standards. I understand and
acknowledge that the primary intent of my volunteer responsibility is educational, and
I agree not to promote my company's products or services in any volunteer position I
hold. If I am a lead instructor, station instructor, peer observer, or shadow, I also
understand that I am required to participate in the Online Rehearsal for each of the
different classes I will be instructing, observing or shadowing.

HOSTS
By participating as a host for the event, I release the SCA and its officers,
directors, employees, members and agents. Host further agrees to indemnify and
hold the Released Parties harmless from and against any liability for any injury, loss,
damage, cost or expense arising out of, or in connection with the Host’s negligence
or misconduct at or in connection with the event.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS FOR TRAVEL.

When SCA arranges for
transportation, accommodations, or participation in the event, once a reservation is
made and payment is tendered for the reservation, should the trip participant elect to
subsequently cancel their participation, regardless of the amount of notice given, no
refund will be given, except at the discretion of the SCA or according to advertised
refund policies. SCA reserves the right to cancel any event at any time before travel
departure; in such case all payments received will be refunded. In any event of
cancellation, whether by the participant or SCA, SCA is not responsible for costs or
losses associated with the purchase of non-refundable, advance purchase airline
tickets.

CHANGES IN SCHEDULE.
If I am a volunteer, I understand that the published
volunteer schedule contains the intended events and corresponding shifts. SCA
assumes no responsibility for cancellation or delay of any event/shift and expressly
reserves the right to cancel, advance, postpone, reschedule or substitute any
scheduled event/shift without prior notice.

SCA EVENT POLICIES

•SCA is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property, or for injuries
sustained during the course of the event.
•No firearms or other weapons are ever allowed inside of SCA events.
•Illegal drugs are never allowed inside of SCA events.
•Alcohol may be served or be otherwise available at SCA events; but
disorderly conduct is never allowed.
•Attendees doing wilful damage to SCA event property will be required to
financially reimburse SCA or the venue.
•We reserve the right to remove you from the event if you violate this Code of
Conduct.
•If you are taking photographs and videos of attendees, please respect those
that do not wish to be photographed or recorded by asking permission to take
pictures and post on social media.

CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION
I acknowledge that if I violate any of the conduct
rules and policies in this Release during the event, I may be removed from the event
for a specific amount of time or the duration of the event and may also be barred
from future events. If I break the law, I will be subject to reporting to the proper law
enforcement authorities.

SCA CODE OF CONDUCT
The culture of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is based on honesty, mutual
respect, support and encouragement. As a member, volunteer, staff or participant in
an activity of membership, Chapters, National Bodies, Guilds, events, online
communities, webinars, social media, or other activities; I agree to uphold this Code
of Conduct.
I understand that for our Community of Communities to thrive, we must live our Core
Values throughout all levels of the Association. More specifically, I understand that
SCA’s Code of Conduct prohibits harassment, discrimination and unethical behavior
(incidents) and I am committed to upholding these Values and Code.
In abiding by the Code of Conduct, I agree to use good judgment in all situations,
demonstrate respect to myself and others, practice professionalism and to take
ownership for my actions and behaviors and understand the consequences that may
result.
In the event that I am involved in or witness an incident that is in violation of the
Code of Conduct, that I am encouraged to report the incident. I am aware that the
SCA cannot address an incident if not made aware and are here to support, should
the need arise.
If the SCA, in its reasonable judgment, believes I have violated the Code of Conduct,
Core Values, committed a legal offense or exposed the SCA to liability, or damage to
its reputation, the SCA reserves the right to remove me from SCA activities or to bar
my future participation within the SCA, membership and other volunteer positions or
activities.

REPORTING

Reports of a Code of Conduct violation will be reviewed by SCA in accordance with
each element of the Code of Conduct and SCA’s Core Values. Any person who
believes that they have witnessed or experienced behavior or actions that is in direct
violation of the Code of Conduct are encouraged to promptly report the incident to
the SCA. The SCA cannot address anything that we are not made aware of.
Every effort will be made to preserve the confidentiality of those involved. This may
not be possible through the course of actions necessary to research or resolve the
incident. In no circumstances, will any person, who in good faith reports an incident
of threats, intimidation or violence, or assists in its investigation, be subject to any
form of retribution, retaliation or reprisal by SCA.

WHEN TO REPORT

The SCA should be notified of a Code of Conduct violation (incident) that took place
at an SCA affiliated event, gathering, or workshop either online or in person; and
●The incident was committed by, or to: members, volunteers, attendees, staff; or
●To a reasonable person, the incident is thought to be unethical, inappropriate or
there is reason to believe that there is risk of further harm to others
If, at any time, the safety of yourself or others is in jeopardy, contact on-site SCA staff
or the local authorities.
HOW TO REPORT
You may report an incident by either:
●By completing the online Incident Reporting Form which can be done anonymously;
or
●On-site to an SCA staff member

REVIEW
Following the notification of an incident, the report will be reviewed.
Communications, investigations, and discussions shall be confidential where
possible.

COMMUNICATION
Consistent with the values of SCA, any response or determination to a reported
incident will focus on understanding what harms may have been done and why, who
has been affected, and how the situation can be repaired or rectified. Where
possible, and with the agreement of all involved parties, restorative practices may be
implemented.
Regardless of whether the incident violates an actual or perceived policy or has
actual malicious intent, SCA will take every effort to respond to the report in a timely
and considerate manner. All parties involved will be treated with respect and a
willingness to hear from all parties involved
The incident reporting process remains within the dominion of the SCA and is not a
legally binding ruling.
By signing below, I confirm that I have read and understand the SCA Release of
Liability and Indemnity and the SCA Code of Conduct and guarantee that I will abide
by the rules of the event.

Check here to show you accept the terms stated above for yourself.
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