Our Policies
Here at Dreamscape Foundation, we care about protecting our volunteers, your donations, and the people we set out to assist in our efforts to make life better for individuals with disabilities.
Below you will find the key policy statements of the Dreamscape Foundation (“DREAMSCAPE”) which outline our responsibility and approach for volunteering, donations, conflict of interest, and nondiscrimination.
Each key policy has a designated Board director who is responsible for ensuring its implementation, maintenance, and any necessary improvements throughout our organization’s lifespan and growth.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding our policies, please contact us.
Conflict of Interest Mitigation Policy
DREAMSCAPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing an environment that is free from conflicts of interest to ensure that we operate in a compliant manner.
The Chairman has issued the following policy stating the DREAMSCAPE’s views on this matter:
It is the policy of DREAMSCAPE to:
- Make it a regular practice to take time at a board meeting at least once a year to discuss the types of hypothetical situations that could result in a conflict of interest, and then discuss how the board would manage that potential conflict, including role-playing, so that when a real conflict arises the board will be ready to handle it efficiently.
- Minutes of board meetings should reflect when a board member discloses that s/he has a conflict of interest and how the conflict was managed, such as a discussion on the matter among “disinterested” board members without the “interested” board member in the room, and a vote that was taken but that the “interested” board member abstained (board members with a conflict are “interested” – board members without a conflict are “disinterested”).
- Circulate a questionnaire each year to find out whether any board member (or staff member) has a conflict of interest. Typically, the questionnaire asks board and staff members to disclose existing conflicts and reminds them to disclose any that may crop up in the future.
Nondiscrimination Policy
DREAMSCAPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination in employment and opportunity because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or age.
The Chairman has issued the following policy stating the DREAMSCAPE’s views on this matter:
It is the policy of DREAMSCAPE to:
- Strictly follow personnel procedures that will ensure equal opportunity for all people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran or draft status
- Make reasonable accommodations wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense
- Achieve understanding and acceptance of DREAMSCAPE’s policy on Equal Employment Opportunity by all employees and by the communities in which the company operates
- Thoroughly investigate instances of alleged discrimination and take corrective action, if warranted
- Be continually alert to identify and correct any practices by individuals that are at variance with the intent of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Donation Policy
DREAMSCAPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that all donations received by the foundation are used in alignment with the goals and mission of the organization and that donor information is protected.
The Chairman has issued the following policy stating the DREAMSCAPE’s views on this matter:
It is the policy of DREAMSCAPE to:
- Ensure that all funds are solicited in a respectful manner and that any specific requests regarding the use of donated funds are honored given that these requests are aligned with the mission of DREAMSCAPE
- Require that the board regularly review the accounting and disbursement of donated funds, including that all funds have been correctly documented, that any donor-related restrictions or requests (such as a request to remain anonymous) have been honored to the extent capable, and that all donations have been utilized in the manner implied by any solicitation efforts and in alignment with the mission and goals of DREAMSCAPE
- Ensure that any information supplied by donors is used solely to fulfill their donation. Donors who supply DREAMSCAPE with their contact information may be contacted periodically for solicitation purposes and/or with information regarding upcoming events
Volunteer Policy
DREAMSCAPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that volunteers and their role within the organization are guided by policy and practices that ensure that volunteer activities meaningfully contribute to the organization’s goals and objectives. The volunteer policy applies to all volunteers in all program departments.
The Chairman has issued the following policy stating the DREAMSCAPE’s views on this matter:
It is the policy of DREAMSCAPE to:
- Utilization of Volunteers: The achievement of the goals of DREAMSCAPE are best met through the active participation of volunteers. The agency accepts and encourages volunteers for all programs and activities. All agency staff are encouraged to develop meaningful ideas and strategies for the productive use of volunteers and their skills
- Volunteer Management: The volunteer manager (or staff person assigned with the role of volunteer management) shall serve as the central point of contact for all volunteer activities, including but not limited to the following: directing staff to ensure the role of volunteers is understood; recruiting volunteers from the community; educating and onboarding volunteers with regard to the mission, policy, procedures, and role-specific responsibilities; linking volunteers to appropriate tasks and projects for their skill-set; monitoring the activities of volunteers
- Definition of Volunteer: A volunteer is any individual who performs a task to the benefit of DREAMSCAPE with no expectation or offer of compensation. A volunteer must be formally accepted by the agency prior to the completion of DREAMSCAPE sanctioned volunteer activities. A volunteer may provide service at any level of the organization in any capacity, given that their assignment is within their skill-set and that their assignment does not displace the role of a paid employee of DREAMSCAPE
- Special Case Volunteers: DREAMSCAPE also accepts as volunteers those participating in student community service activities, intern projects, corporate volunteer programs, and other volunteer referral programs
- Clients and Relatives of Clients as Volunteers: The agency does accept clients and relatives of clients as volunteers, where such service does not constitute an obstruction to or conflict with a provision of services to the client or to others. Relatives of clients, will not be placed in a position of direct service or relationship to members of their family who are receiving services
- Service at the Discretion of DREAMSCAPE: The agency accepts the service of all volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the agency. Volunteers agree that the agency may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the agency. The volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to sever the volunteer’s relationship with the agency
- Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities: Volunteers are viewed as a valuable resource to this agency, its staff, and its clients. Volunteers shall be extended the right to be given meaningful assignments, the right to be treated as equal co-workers, the right to effective supervision, the right to full involvement and participation, and the right to recognition for work done. In return, volunteers shall agree to actively perform their duties to the best of their abilities and to remain loyal to the goals and policies of DREAMSCAPE