§ 1210.3-5 - Preparation for appeal.

(a) Entitlement to Representation. A Volunteer may be accompanied, represented and advised by a representative of the Volunteer's own choice at any stage of the appeal. A person chosen by the Volunteer must be willing to act as representative and not be disqualified because of conflict of position.

(b) Time for Preparation and Presentation. (1) A Volunteer's representative, if a Volunteer or an employee of ACTION, must be given a reasonable amount of time off from assignment to present the appeal.

(2) ACTION will not pay travel expenses or per diem travel allowances for either a Volunteer or the Volunteer's representative in connection with the preparation of the appeal, except to attend the hearing as provided in §1210.3-7(c)(5).

(c) Access to Agency Records. (1) A Volunteer is entitled to review any material in his or her official Volunteer folder and any relevant Agency documents to the extent permitted by the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act, (5 U.S.C. 552a; 5 U.S.C. 552). Examples of documents which may be withheld from Volunteers include references obtained under a pledge of confidentiality, official Volunteer folders of other Volunteers and privileged intra-Agency memoranda.

(2) A Volunteer may review relevant documents in the possession of a sponsor to the same extent ACTION would be entitled to review them.