Volunteers

They are your neighbors. Eligible riders are Ridgefield senior citizens (60 years or over) or Ridgefield residents who have a mobility disability. Riders must be self-sufficient, having limited need for assistance, or accompanied by an aide. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. All riders must complete and sign a Riders Agreement before the first ride is scheduled. The agreement includes emergency contact information.

The first thing is to complete a Rides For Ridgefield volunteer application form, provide a reference and meet with the Rides Mobility Management Center Manager. All Rides volunteers are required to authorize a background check, review our Code of Ethics Policy and sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Rides volunteer drivers are also required to complete registration forms for themselves and their vehicle(s), authorize a Motor Vehicle Record check, provide copies of: a valid driver’s license, a valid vehicle registration. a current insurance certificate, a copy of a current passed DMV emissions inspection (if applicable). Committed volunteers will then be trained for their volunteer driver role.

In addition to an orientation to Rides For Ridgefield, volunteer drivers are trained in driver safety*, safe rider transfers, accident / breakdown / emergency procedures, and basic vehicle maintenance awareness. They receive periodic refresher training.

*Volunteer Drivers are required to take a safe driving course such as the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course or the AARP Safe Driving Course, which are available in classroom and online settings. You may be eligible to receive an insurance discount upon completing the course; consult your insurance agent for details. Volunteer Drivers may waive the safe driving course if their MVR report shows 0 points.

All other training is provided by Rides For Ridgefield.

Rides For Ridgefield riders are Ridgefield senior and mobility disabled residents. A careful volunteer review and training process ensures that drivers and vehicles are appropriate to provide rides for the rider population. Everyone is checked, even people we already know. You are volunteering in an organization that cares deeply about the people it serves.

All Rides For Ridgefield volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of six months of service to the organization. In addition, Rides For Ridgefield volunteer drivers are asked to provide at least one ride each month. More importantly, once they have agreed to a ride, drivers commit to making every effort to fulfill that commitment as riders are depending on them to complete the ride.

You do. Rides For Ridgefield volunteer drivers indicate on their registration form when they are generally available and if they have any accommodation or geographic limitations. When a ride request is received, the request is posted in our web-based secure software. Drivers can check the on-line list of ride requests at their convenience and decide which ride(s), if any, they are available for and willing to provide. There is never an obligation to accept any ride that the driver is not comfortable providing.

The liability of volunteers as they do their work has become a concern in recent years. While accidents do happen, the reality is that very few volunteers have ever been sued. The Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides (with some exceptions) that an individual who harms another by conduct engaged in as a volunteer for a nonprofit organization is not liable for the harm inflicted. The immunity provided by the Act does not extend to certain conduct, such as willful criminal or reckless misconduct, or gross negligence or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the person harmed, or negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle or acts committed under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

All Rides For Ridgefield volunteer drivers are required to have insurance that meets the State of CT required liability coverage on personal automobile(s) used in the volunteer driver program. As a benefit to our volunteers, we offer additional insurance, at no cost to the volunteers, through CIMA’s Volunteer Insurance Service. The Excess Automobile Liability Insurance policy provides protection for a personal injury or a property damage liability claim arising out of the performance of the registered volunteer’s duties. This coverage is in excess of and non-contributing with any other valid or collectible insurance the volunteer may have.

There are no fees or costs to riders. Our non-profit organization is run primarily by volunteers. We have only one part-time employee, the Mobility Management Center Manager. Rides For Ridgefield is supported by grants, donations and fundraising events. The Town of Ridgefield, in support of this service for the community, provides office space, equipment and utilities. Our volunteers generously offer their time and services to their community neighbors.

Although there are a number of transportation options for Ridgefield senior citizens and Ridgefield residents who have a mobility disability, there are many ride needs that are not met. Other than rides to religious services that may be provided by the interfaith community and a few fee-based car services, there are no transportation services available on weekends or in the evening (e.g., to attend town meetings or the symphony, for education or employment, library programs, Parks and Recreation activities, hair appointments, movies or Playhouse events). Nor are there services available for transportation to medical appointments beyond the Ridgefield-Danbury area; or for most non-medical outings to areas beyond Ridgefield.