These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website located at alliance4orphans.org, any affiliated webpages, and any event registration pages, virtual event pages, and related services operated by or on behalf of South Texas Alliance for Orphans (“Alliance,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), including pages hosted through Zoho Backstage for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.

By accessing or using our website, registering for an event, attending an event, submitting information to us, downloading resources, or participating in any Alliance-hosted online platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or register for or attend our events.

1. Who We Are

South Texas Alliance for Orphans exists to mobilize churches, businesses, and individuals and families to respond to the foster care crisis through education, connection, resources, and events.

For purposes of these Terms, “Services” includes our website, content, downloadable materials, newsletters, registration pages, livestreams, Zoom sessions, webinars, retreats, and related communications.

2. Eligibility

You may use the Services only if you can form a binding agreement with us and comply with these Terms and all applicable laws.

If you register for or attend an event, you represent that:

• the information you provide is accurate and complete;
• you are at least 18 years old, or you are participating with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian where permitted; and
• you are authorized to agree to these Terms for yourself and, if applicable, on behalf of any minor or additional attendee you register.

Certain events may be limited to adults only, including certain retreats or overnight experiences. We reserve the right to impose age, capacity, eligibility, or attendance restrictions for any event.

3. Changes to the Services or These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version becomes effective when posted, unless stated otherwise. Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted means you accept the revised Terms.

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services or any event, program, speaker lineup, session, venue, platform, timing, or offering at any time, with or without notice.

4. Privacy

Your use of the Services is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and share information. If there is a conflict between these Terms and the Privacy Policy regarding data practices, the Privacy Policy will govern for that issue.

5. Website Content and Informational Purpose

The content on our website and at our events is provided for general informational, educational, spiritual, and organizational purposes only. It is not legal, medical, mental health, therapeutic, financial, or professional advice, and it should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with qualified professionals.

We strive for accuracy, but we do not guarantee that any content is complete, accurate, current, or error-free.

6. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all content and materials made available through the Services, including text, graphics, logos, videos, audio, downloads, designs, layouts, compilations, and other materials, are owned by or licensed to Alliance and are protected by intellectual property laws.

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Services for personal, non-commercial use in support of your engagement with Alliance.

You may not, without our prior written permission:

• reproduce, republish, distribute, publicly display, sell, license, or exploit our content for commercial purposes;

   

• modify, create derivative works from, scrape, frame, mirror, or reverse engineer any part of the Services;

   

• remove copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices; or

   

• use our name, marks, branding, or content in a way that implies endorsement, partnership, or affiliation.

   

You may share links to our public webpages and reference our organization in a truthful, non-misleading way.

7. User Submissions

If you submit information, comments, testimonials, feedback, photos, recordings, questions, survey responses, application materials, or other content to us through the Services or at an event (“Submissions”), you represent that:

• you own or have the rights necessary to submit that content;

   

• your Submission does not violate any law or third-party rights; and

   

• your Submission is not false, misleading, defamatory, harassing, obscene, or otherwise unlawful.

   

By providing Submissions, you grant Alliance a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable license to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, display, distribute, and otherwise use the Submissions for our nonprofit, educational, promotional, editorial, fundraising, operational, and archival purposes, unless we separately agree otherwise in writing.

We are not obligated to use any Submission and may remove or decline content at our discretion.

8. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• use the Services in violation of any law or regulation;

   

• interfere with the operation, security, or integrity of the Services;

   

• attempt unauthorized access to any system, account, or data;

   

• upload malicious code, spam, or harmful content;

   

• impersonate another person or misrepresent your affiliation;

   

• harvest or collect user information without authorization;

   

• use the Services to harass, threaten, discriminate against, or abuse others; or

   

• disrupt any event, meeting, webinar, Zoom session, discussion channel, or community interaction.

   

We may suspend or terminate access to the Services or remove any participant from an event for violating these Terms or for conduct we believe is harmful, disruptive, unsafe, unlawful, or inconsistent with our mission.

9. Event Registration and Participation

9.1 Registration

When you register for an event, you agree to provide current, complete, and accurate information. Registration is subject to availability and may be denied, limited, or canceled at our discretion.

9.2 Event Changes

We may change event dates, times, speakers, venues, formats, agendas, virtual platforms, access instructions, or participation requirements at any time. We are not responsible for losses arising from such changes, including travel or lodging costs, except as required by law or as expressly stated in event-specific terms.

9.3 Free Events and Donation-Based Events

Most Alliance events are offered at no charge. Some retreats, adult-only overnight experiences, or special events may request or require a donation or other payment to participate. Any event-specific payment terms, deadlines, refund terms, or cancellation terms presented at registration will control for that event.

Unless event-specific terms state otherwise, payments and donations connected to retreats, overnight experiences, or other special events are generally nonrefundable. However, Alliance may, in its sole discretion, consider exceptional circumstances and work with participants on a case-by-case basis.

9.4 Admission and Removal

We reserve the right to deny admission, revoke registration, remove attendees, or restrict participation without refund or liability where permitted, including for safety, conduct, capacity, eligibility, or operational reasons.

9.5 Travel, Lodging, and Personal Responsibility

Unless expressly stated otherwise, attendees are solely responsible for their own transportation, lodging, childcare, meals, technology, internet access, and other costs associated with participation.

10. Virtual Events, Zoom Meetings, and Hybrid Participation

For virtual and hybrid events, you are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the devices, software, internet connectivity, and environment needed to participate.

We do not guarantee uninterrupted access to virtual events or compatibility with your systems. Access may be affected by internet outages, platform outages, device issues, user error, security restrictions, or other causes beyond our control.

We may mute, remove, or restrict chat, screen sharing, video, display names, or other participant features to protect safety, privacy, event flow, or compliance.

Some virtual events, Zoom meetings, webinars, breakout sessions, or hybrid sessions may be recorded. By participating in those sessions, you consent to such recording and use as described in these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

11. Code of Conduct

We want all participants to experience Alliance events in a respectful and safe environment. By attending an event or using the Services, you agree to act respectfully toward staff, volunteers, speakers, hosts, sponsors, churches, families, and other participants.

Prohibited conduct includes harassment, intimidation, threats, discrimination, hate speech, stalking, unwanted solicitation, disruptive behavior, sexually explicit conduct, abusive language, invasion of privacy, and conduct that compromises the safety or dignity of others.

We may investigate concerns and take any action we deem appropriate, including warnings, removal from an event, suspension from future participation, or contacting venue security, law enforcement, or child-protection authorities where warranted.

12. Minors

Some Alliance events may allow attendance by minors. A parent or legal guardian must register for or authorize the minor’s participation where required by Alliance.

A parent or legal guardian is responsible for the conduct, supervision, safety, and participation of any minor attending an event unless Alliance expressly states otherwise in writing.

Alliance may require additional permissions, waivers, emergency contact information, or special rules for events involving minors. For events designated as adults only, minors are not permitted unless expressly authorized in writing.

13. Health, Safety, and Assumption of Risk

Participation in in-person events carries inherent risks, including risks associated with travel, crowds, venue conditions, food, physical activity, communicable illness exposure, and the actions of other attendees.

By attending an in-person event, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with attendance to the fullest extent permitted by law and agree to take reasonable precautions for your own health and safety.

You should not attend an event if doing so would pose a risk to yourself or others.

Alliance is not a medical provider and does not provide medical, mental health, or emergency services unless explicitly stated for a specific event.

14. Retreats, Overnight Events, and Adult-Only Experiences

Certain events, especially retreats and overnight experiences, may be subject to additional eligibility requirements, policies, rooming terms, behavior expectations, transportation rules, emergency contact requirements, and assumption-of-risk or release forms.

For those events, any event-specific terms, releases, waivers, policies, or registration conditions presented during signup are incorporated into these Terms and will control in the event of a conflict.

If an event is described as adult-only, registration and participation are limited to adults meeting the stated eligibility requirements.

15. Photography, Video, Recording, and Media Release

By attending an Alliance event, entering an event venue, participating in a Zoom session, or joining a livestream or recorded meeting, you acknowledge that your name, likeness, image, voice, chat contributions, questions, or participation may be photographed, filmed, recorded, captured, or otherwise used.

Except where prohibited by law or where we expressly agree otherwise in writing, you grant Alliance permission to use and publish such recordings and materials, in whole or in part, for nonprofit, educational, promotional, editorial, fundraising, archival, and related purposes, in any media now known or later developed, without additional notice, inspection, approval, or compensation.

If a minor participates in an event, the parent or legal guardian registering or authorizing participation grants permission for the minor’s image, likeness, voice, or participation to be included in photographs or recordings, unless Alliance offers and agrees to a different written arrangement for that event.

If you do not wish to appear in promotional media, you should notify us in advance and follow any event instructions regarding camera-off zones, badge indicators, seating areas, virtual display names, or participation settings. We cannot guarantee that incidental capture will never occur in public or group settings.

You may not record, photograph, livestream, screenshot, or redistribute event content, participant information, or event communications without permission, except for casual personal use that does not violate privacy, confidentiality, or speaker restrictions.

16. Third-Party Platforms and Services

Our Services may link to or integrate with third-party platforms, including Zoho Backstage, Zoom, social media platforms, podcast platforms, email providers, analytics providers, donation processors, maps, downloadable resource tools, or other third-party services.

We do not control and are not responsible for the availability, content, security, policies, or practices of third-party platforms. Your use of those third-party services is governed by their own terms and policies.

17. Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICES, EVENTS, CONTENT, AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ALLIANCE DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION, AND DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES OR EVENTS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

18. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALLIANCE AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, VOLUNTEERS, SPEAKERS, HOSTS, PARTNERS, SPONSORS, AGENTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF DATA, GOODWILL, REVENUE, OPPORTUNITY, TRAVEL COSTS, LODGING COSTS, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICES, ANY EVENT, ANY REGISTRATION, OR THESE TERMS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES OR ANY EVENT WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO ALLIANCE FOR THE APPLICABLE EVENT OR SERVICE IN THE THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US $100).

NOTHING IN THESE TERMS LIMITS LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

19. Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Alliance and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, speakers, hosts, agents, and representatives from and against any claims, demands, liabilities, damages, judgments, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to:

• your use of the Services;

   

• your attendance at or participation in an event;

   

• your violation of these Terms;

   

• your violation of any law or third-party rights; or

   

• any Submission or content you provide.

   

20. Termination

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to any part of the Services or any event at any time, with or without notice, if we believe you violated these Terms, created risk, or engaged in unlawful, unsafe, abusive, or disruptive conduct.

Sections that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, dispute provisions, and any accrued rights or obligations.

21. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Services, or any event shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Bexar County, Texas, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

22. No Waiver; Severability

If we do not enforce a provision of these Terms, that does not waive our right to do so later. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

23. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any event-specific registration terms, waivers, releases, policies, or guidelines incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Alliance regarding the Services and supersede prior understandings relating to the same subject matter.

24. Contact Information

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

South Texas Alliance for Orphans
5804 Babcock Rd #172
San Antonio, TX 78240
info@alliance4orphans.org