Are you a parent or guardian of a child under 13 who wants to volunteer? If so, you may have received an email asking for your signature on a consent form. Wondering what this form is for or how to complete it? Let’s break it down.
To encourage volunteering for all ages, we require a signed parent or guardian consent form for anyone under 13. This form allows your child to create an account and participate in volunteer opportunities, ensuring that everything is done safely and responsibly.
It’s also how we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA protects kids’ personal information online, preventing websites from collecting, using, or sharing their data without proper consent. By signing, you help us safeguard your child’s privacy while giving them the chance to make a difference in their community.
How it Works
If a volunteer is asked to provide their date of birth during account registration and enter a birthdate that indicates they're under 13, then the Parental Consent process begins:
Step 1: Create an account and enter your birthdate:
Step 2: The system requests a parent or guardian's email address based on the birthdate entered:
Step 3: The volunteer can use the site without limitation while the Parental Consent is still pending.
Their account is deleted after 30 if the Parental Consent isn't signed and returned before then.
Important Timelines and Notifications
Please sign the parent or guardian consent within 30 days of the request.
If | Then |
If the consent form isn't signed and returned within 15 days | A reminder email is sent with a link to the form |
If the consent form isn't signed and returned within 29 days | Another notice is sent to let you know that the account will be deleted within 24 hours |
If the consent form isn't signed and returned within 30 days | The account and all of the user's information is deleted from the site |
Updating a Parent or Guardian Email
Want to check if the parent or guardian's email address is correct? You can update the email address if necessary!
Go to your Edit Profile area.
Click the Click Here in the banner that says "Account is still pending for Parental Consent. To update and resent parent email click here."
Check the email and make any corrections as necessary, then click Send Email when you're ready.
