Best Buddies Event Agreement

To participate in a Best Buddies program event, all attendees must agree to the terms set forth in the Attendee Code of Conduct, Medical Release, and General Release as laid out below.

Attendee Code of Conduct

As a Best Buddies event attendee:

• I will be respectful, truthful, and inclusive in my interactions with others.
• I will recognize and celebrate the diversity of character and abilities of all people.
• I will conduct myself ethically, obey all laws, and act in good faith at all times.
• I will abide by the rules, directives, and guidelines set forth by Best Buddies International.
• I will respect the decisions and requests made by Best Buddies staff members and chapter leadership.
• I will NOT harass, threaten, embarrass, or insult others.
• I will NOT say or do anything that is harmful, abusive, racially or ethnically offensive, vulgar, sexually explicit, or objectionable.
• I will NOT make inappropriate or unwanted physical, verbal, or sexual advances.

Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19

On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Should you choose to participate in in-person activities, Best Buddies cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, contact between individuals could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. 

I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by participating in in-person activities and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, Best Buddies employees, volunteers, and members and their families. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or incur in connection with my participation in Best Buddies program events. The decision to re-engage in in-person meetings is my decision, not the decision of Best Buddies.

Medical Release

I, the undersigned, hereby authorize Best Buddies International, Inc., a District of Columbia Corporation, and its agents or assigns (“Best Buddies”) to secure any medical care that should become necessary during the period that correspond to the Best Buddies program event (hereinafter, ‘Event’).

I understand that Best Buddies will only seek any such necessary medical care on the participant’s behalf from duly licensed medical practitioners and hereby agree that Best Buddies shall be indemnified and held harmless from any injuries, harm, damages, or expenses resulting from such action.

I accept responsibility for any necessary expense incurred in the medical treatment of the participant that is not covered by participant’s medical insurance.

General Release

Please accept my entry into the Best Buddies program event (hereinafter, ‘Event’). My acceptance as noted below will confirm that I am 18 years or older, or have the consent of my parent/guardian to participate in this event, and have read and understand the following. I assume all responsibility for injuries and damages to me and my property that may result as an active participant in this Event.

As a condition of my entry, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, release, exempt and discharge and agree not to commence any lawsuit against Best Buddies International, Inc., Event subcontractors, Event sponsors, Event staff, Event volunteers, Event committee members, and cities/towns/municipalities through which the Event passes and properties on which Event festivities will take place from all claims, damages and courses of action, present or future, whether they result from, arise out of or are incident to my participation in the Event.

Last updated: 8/17/2021