Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and The Change Lab, a nonprofit organization operated through our fiscal sponsor Impact Hub Houston, located in Houston, Texas, USA.

By accessing, browsing, or using this website (the "Site"), attending our programs, or participating in our services, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms, as well as all applicable laws and regulations. Your use of the Site constitutes your acceptance of these Terms.

2. Our Mission & Community Purpose

The Change Lab exists to bridge divides and build community across differences. Everything we create—our content, tools, programs, and resources—is designed exclusively for the purpose of:

• Building authentic human connection across political, cultural, and social divides
• Fostering dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among diverse community members
• Strengthening local communities through shared work and civic engagement
• Creating spaces where people can belong without requiring agreement
• Supporting community-building initiatives rooted in our values

3. Permitted Use

You may use this Site and our content ONLY for community-building purposes that align with our mission and values. Specifically, permitted uses include:

• Learning about and participating in our programs, events, and initiatives
• Engaging in dialogue and connection-building activities
• Accessing resources designed to strengthen community bonds
• Sharing content with proper attribution for educational and community-building purposes
• Participating in discussions that foster understanding across differences
• Using our tools and frameworks to facilitate local community conversations

4. Prohibited Uses

The following uses are strictly prohibited and constitute a material breach of these Terms:

4.1 Divisive and Harmful Activities

• Using our content, tools, or platform to promote hate, discrimination, bigotry, or violence against any person or group
• Engaging in harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any kind
• Spreading disinformation, conspiracy theories, or deliberately false information
• Promoting extremism, radicalization, or violent ideologies
• Advocating for the exclusion or marginalization of any community members
• Using our platform to dehumanize, demonize, or attack others based on their identity, beliefs, or background

4.2 Commercial Misuse

• Using our content for commercial purposes without explicit written permission
• Selling, licensing, or monetizing our materials, tools, or resources
• Incorporating our content into commercial products or services
• Using our name, logo, or brand for commercial advantage

4.3 Misrepresentation

• Misrepresenting your affiliation with The Change Lab
• Taking our content out of context in ways that contradict our mission
• Using our materials to support causes or positions contrary to our values
• Falsely suggesting The Change Lab endorsement of products, services, or viewpoints

4.4 Technical Violations

• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or related systems
• Using automated tools (bots, scrapers, etc.) without explicit written permission
• Introducing viruses, malware, or any harmful code
• Interfering with or disrupting the Site's functionality or security
• Reverse engineering, decompiling, or attempting to extract source code

4.5 Legal Violations

• Using the Site for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws
• Violating any person's intellectual property, privacy, or other legal rights
• Attempting to deceive, defraud, or manipulate others through the Site

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Ownership

All content on this Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, videos, audio, software, frameworks, methodologies, and other materials (collectively, "Content"), is the exclusive property of The Change Lab or our licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

5.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Site and Content solely for personal, non-commercial, community-building purposes consistent with our mission. This license does not include the right to:

• Modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any Content without prior written consent
• Remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices from Content
• Use Content in any manner that suggests an association with or endorsement by The Change Lab of unrelated products, services, or causes

5.3 Community Use Exception

You may share our Content with proper attribution for non-commercial community-building purposes that align with our mission, provided that:

• You clearly attribute the content to The Change Lab
• You include a link back to our website when sharing online
• You do not modify the content in ways that misrepresent our message or values
• You use the content only to foster connection, dialogue, and community-building

5.4 Trademarks

The Change Lab name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of The Change Lab or our affiliates. You may not use such marks without our prior written permission. All other names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans on this Site are the trademarks of their respective owners.

6. User-Generated Content

6.1 Your Content

If you submit, post, or share any content on the Site or through our services ("User Content"), you represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to such User Content
• Your User Content does not violate any third-party rights
• Your User Content complies with these Terms and applicable laws
• Your User Content aligns with our mission of building community and fostering connection

6.2 License to User Content

By submitting User Content, you grant The Change Lab a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such User Content solely for purposes consistent with our mission of community-building and our organizational operations.

6.3 Content Standards

All User Content must:

• Foster connection, understanding, and respect across differences
• Contribute positively to community dialogue and bridge-building
• Be free from hate speech, harassment, discrimination, or content that dehumanizes others
• Not contain false, misleading, or defamatory information
• Not violate any person's privacy, intellectual property, or other rights

6.4 Monitoring and Removal

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to monitor, edit, or remove any User Content that we determine, in our sole discretion, violates these Terms, harms our mission, or is otherwise objectionable. We may remove User Content without notice.

7. Code of Conduct

When participating in The Change Lab's programs, events, or online spaces, you agree to:

• Show Respect: Treat all community members with dignity, even when you disagree
• Listen Actively: Seek to understand before being understood
• Speak Your Truth: Share your authentic experience while making space for others to do the same
• Stay Curious: Approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment
• Own Your Impact: Acknowledge when your words or actions cause harm, even if unintended
• Honor Boundaries: Respect others' comfort levels and emotional boundaries
• Support Community: Contribute to an environment where everyone can belong and participate fully

8. Privacy

Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by The Change Lab. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that The Change Lab shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods, or services available on or through any such websites or services.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 "AS IS" Basis

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT, SERVICES, AND PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

10.2 No Guarantee

The Change Lab does not warrant that:

• The Site will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• The results obtained from using the Site will be accurate or reliable
• Any errors in the Site will be corrected
• The Site or servers are free of viruses or harmful components

10.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE CHANGE LAB, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND FISCAL SPONSOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• Your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Site
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Site
• Any content obtained from the Site
• Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CHANGE LAB'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR CAUSES OF ACTION EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

10.4 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages. Accordingly, some of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such jurisdictions, our liability will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Change Lab, Impact Hub Houston, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your use or misuse of the Site
• Your User Content
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Site immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Site will immediately cease.

All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive termination, including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Informal Resolution

In keeping with our values of connection and dialogue, we encourage you to contact us first to resolve any disputes informally. Most concerns can be resolved quickly and amicably through direct communication.

13.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

13.3 Jurisdiction and Venue

Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms will be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Harris County, Texas, and you hereby irrevocably consent to personal jurisdiction and venue therein.

13.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect by:

• Posting a notice on the Site
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of these Terms
• Sending email notification to registered users (when applicable)

Your continued use of the Site after any changes indicates your acceptance of the new Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Site.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal, and enforceable.

16. Waiver

No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. The Change Lab's failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published by us on the Site, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Change Lab concerning the Site and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, and understandings, whether electronic, oral, or written, between you and The Change Lab.

18. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent. Any attempt by you to assign or transfer these Terms without such consent will be null and void. We may freely assign or transfer these Terms. Subject to the foregoing, these Terms will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors, and permitted assigns.

19. Accessibility

We are committed to making our Site accessible to all users. If you experience any difficulty accessing any part of this Site, please contact us, and we will work with you to provide the information or service you seek through an alternate communication method that is accessible for you.

20. Force Majeure

The Change Lab shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations under these Terms where such failure results from any cause beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to mechanical, electronic, or communications failure or degradation, natural disasters, pandemic, civil unrest, or governmental actions.

21. Reporting Violations

If you become aware of any violation of these Terms or misuse of our Site or Content, please report it immediately to hello@changelab.net. We take violations seriously and will investigate all reports.

22. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:

23. Acknowledgment

BY USING THIS SITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS OF USE, UNDERSTAND THEM, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THIS SITE.