Hagood Mill Historic Site
Volunteer Policies
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We strive to create an environment where our volunteers feel warm, welcome, and appreciated! Get in touch with us anytime!
Definition of a Volunteer
A ‘volunteer’ is anyone who without compensation, or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the Hagood Mill. A ‘volunteer’ must be officially accepted and enrolled by the Hagood Mill prior to the performance of the task. Unless specifically stated, volunteers shall not be considered as ‘employees’ of the Hagood Mill.
The Hagood Mill also accepts as volunteers those participating in student community service activities, student intern projects, alternative sentencing or diversion programs, corporate volunteer programs, and other volunteer referral programs.
In each of these cases, however, a special agreement must be in effect with the organization, school, or program from whom the special case volunteers originate and must identify responsibility for management and care of the volunteers.
Volunteers are asked to keep a log of their volunteer duties and submit their working hours at the end of each month.
If a volunteer is unable to fulfill a specific commitment with the Hagood Mill, please notify staff as soon as possible.
Volunteers should help maintain the natural beauty of the Hagood Mill Site. Please remember we are a Nature Preserve as well as a National Registered Historic Site. The flora and fauna in and around this site are important for our planet. Please pick up litter when noted, report full trash cans or bathrooms that need attention when noticed, and please report anything you feel might need special attention.
Volunteers should familiarize themselves with basic mill site information such as basic history, hours of operation, directions to the site, etc. The FAQs at the end of this document will be handy to have and if one wants to dig deeper the staff recommends the book “Hagood Mill Historic Site: A History of a Place and Its People” available for purchase in the Mill Mercantile.
Volunteer Perks
On second and third Saturdays, volunteers that work a minimum of 4 hours will receive a complimentary lunch.
Volunteers that work an average of 8 hours a month will be eligible to receive a deep discount on venue rentals. They will pay 35% of the standard rates. Volunteers MUST keep a monthly log of their hours and be with the organization for a minimum of 6 months to receive this discount.
Representation of Hagood Mill
Volunteers should present a clean, neat image to the public and realize that they represent the Hagood Mill to the public eye just as much as paid staff. Please be helpful and enthusiastic with Hagood Mill patrons- you may be the last thing someone remembers about their Hagood Mill experience.
One should seek prior confirmation before releasing information that might significantly affect or obligate the Hagood Mill, its staff, or its volunteers. These actions may include, but are not limited to, public statements to the press, releasing statements or recaps of events, coalition or lobbying efforts with other organizations, or any agreements involving contractual or other financial obligations.
Confidentiality
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a single staff member, board member, volunteer, etc. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in corrective action or termination of the volunteer’s relationship with the Hagood Mill.
Reimbursement for Expenses
Volunteers will be eligible for reimbursement for purchased items that were pre-approved by the Site Director or Assistant Director. An original receipt should be turned in to the volunteer’s supervisor, who will in turn submit the receipt with a check request to the bookkeeper. Separate guidelines are available for folklife demonstrators.
Access to Hagood Mill Property and Materials
Volunteers shall have access to Hagood Mill property and materials which may be necessary to fulfill their duties. Volunteers shall receive training in the operation of any specialized equipment which may be needed to fulfill their duties. Property and materials shall be utilized only when directly required for Hagood Mill purposes.
Insurance and Safety
Liability and accident insurance is provided for all volunteers engaged in Hagood Mill business while on site. Any accident or injury should be reported immediately. If you notice a safety hazard please report it to your supervising staff right away. Fire extinguishers are located in every structure and first aid kits can be found in the Mill and Visitor’s Center. There is also an eye-wash station in the kitchen of the Visitor’s Center.
Criminal Background Checks
As appropriate for the protection of visitors and guests, volunteers in certain assignments may be asked to submit to a background criminal check. Volunteers who do not agree to the background check may be refused the assignment.
Lines of Communication
Volunteers will be provided with the necessary information pertinent to the performance of their work assignments. Lines of communication should operate in both directions and should exist both formally and informally.
Volunteer Concerns
In the event that a volunteer has a question or concern about their duties or assigned task, they should report to the Volunteer Coordinator. If concerns should directly involve staff or other volunteers they should report to the Site Director. In the event that your concerns have not been addressed by the Site Director, then the volunteer should contact the Chair of the Hagood Mill Foundation Board.
Volunteer Dismissal
Volunteers who do not adhere to the rules and procedures of the Hagood Mill, or who fail to satisfactorily perform their volunteer assignment will be subject to dismissal. Prior to the dismissal of a volunteer, staff should seek the consultation and assistance of the Chair of the Hagood Mill Foundation Board. Volunteers shall not be officially dismissed without the opportunity to discuss the matter with supervisory staff.
Termination of Service
The volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to sever the volunteer’s relationship with the Hagood Mill. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible in writing to the volunteer’s supervisor.
Volunteer F.A.Q.
Hagood Mill Historic Site is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and study of SC Upcountry life and culture.
A portion of the general operating costs are funded by Pickens County. Additional financial support is provided by donations, grants, sales in the Mill Mercantile, and monies generated from public events, site rentals, tours, and workshops.
The buildings of the Hagood Mill Historic Site are open to the public Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm and Sundays, 1-4 pm. Visitors can be on the grounds anytime during daylight hours.
The current mill was built on this site in 1845 by James Hagood and donated to Pickens County in 1971, along with the 1918 barn and 11 acres. All other buildings were relocated or added to the site since 1997 when the monthly operation of the mill began in conjunction with the Third Saturday Folklife Festivals.
Hagood Mill is owned by the County of Pickens, SC. It is managed and operated by the non-profit organization 501(c)3 Hagood Mill Foundation.
50+ acres.
Yes, please refer questions to Hagood Mill staff or visit www.hagoodmillhistoricsite.com
1792- Historical research has revealed that the earliest grist mill constructed on the property dates back to 1792.
1825- The Hagood family purchased the site in 1825.
1845- The Hagood family built the current mill in 1845.
