Terms & Conditions for World Affairs Council of Houston
These are the terms and conditions of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston (“we,” “our,” “us”) governing your participation in any World Affairs Council of Greater Houston owned and operated in-person, hybrid and/or virtual event, meeting, show, seminar, workshop, discussion, student program, forum, conference, symposium, gala, (“the event”). By accessing or using our website, www.wachouston.org (“the site”), and/or by participating in our events, you (“participant’, “corporation”, “organization”, “parent/guardian of the student participant/minor”, “teacher of the student participant/minor”, “school of student participant/minor” ) agree to the following Terms and Conditions. Please review these terms carefully.
1. Use of Website
By accessing or using this website, you agree to:
Use the site for lawful purposes only and refrain from using it in any manner that could harm, disable, or impair its functionality.
Refrain from any unauthorized use, copying, or distribution of the site’s content, which includes text, images, graphics, and videos, unless expressly permitted.
Comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws when using the site.
2. Membership Terms
2.1 Eligibility
By becoming a member, you agree to abide by the rules and guidelines of the World Affairs Council of Houston. Restrictions apply to certain membership levels. The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston reserves the right to confirm your eligibility for these membership levels.
2.2 Membership Fees and Renewal
Membership fees are paid annually and can be processed securely online. Memberships renew automatically unless canceled at least 1 week prior to the renewal date. We will notify you ahead of the renewal date. Membership benefits may vary based on the level of membership, and these benefits are subject to change.
2.3 Membership Cancellation
You may cancel your membership at any time in your member portal or by contacting us at membership@wachouston.org . Membership fees are non-refundable once paid unless a special circumstance arises, which will be considered at our discretion.
3. Donations
3.1 How Donations Are Used
All donations made to the World Affairs Council of Houston are used to support our mission of making global education accessible to Houstonians. We strive to be transparent about how funds are allocated, and we encourage you to review our financial reports.
3.2 Donation Refund Policy
If you have made a donation by mistake, please contact us within 3 days at info@wachouston.org . Refunds are issued at our discretion, but we will make every effort to resolve issues fairly.
4. Event Participation
4.1 Registration and Attendance
By registering for an event, you agree to provide accurate information and to adhere to the rules of the event, and these terms. Additionally, the safety of members, guests and staff of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston is of highest priority. By voluntarily choosing to participate in the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston activities, members and guests explicitly assume any and all risks of attendance and hold harmless the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston from all claims. Questions about measures taken to deliver a safe event should be directed to the Council’s management.
4.2 Refund Policy
If you cancel your participation at a paid event, a refund will be issued to you only in the case that your cancellation is made two business days in advance of the event. If your cancellation occurs within two business days of the event, regardless of the circumstance that the cancellation is made, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston is not obligated to refund all or a portion of your registration fee.
4.3 Use of Likeness
By way of participation in World Affairs Council of Greater Houston activities, members and guests implicitly grant permission and hold harmless the World Affairs Council to use their likeness and those of guests in photographs, reports, or publications, and any and all other media, freely and without compensation. If you do not consent to the “Use of Likeness” clause, you must contact World Affairs Council of Greater Houston with explicit written notice a minimum of three business days in advance of the event.
4.4 Behavioral Expectations
Participants in our events are expected to engage respectfully with others. Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the event and/or exclusion from future events. World Affairs of Greater Houston reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deny participation to anyone who engages in or is reputed to engage in unethical practices.
4.5 Event Communications
Once you have completed your registration, you will receive your registration confirmation by email. Please ensure that your valid email is entered correctly on the registration form. Be sure to check your junk email box too in case any of your event email(s) are caught by spam filters. You will be added to the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston’s email distribution for notification of the event and future events. If you would like to opt out of any of these benefits, a link is provided in each email to do so or if you prefer to contact us at marketing@wachouston.org
4.6 Testimonials & Feedback
By submitting your comments, testimonial and/ or feedback, you hereby grant the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston a perpetual, royalty-free license to use, copy, modify and prepare derivatives works based on such comments.
Any testimonials or endorsements that have been paid for or received in exchanged of a service will be disclosed.
4.7 Event Cancellation
If the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston is prevented from carrying out its obligations due to any cause beyond its control, and such event cannot conducted because of a issue with the hosting platform or due to acts of God, strikes, labor disputes, government requisitions, restrictions or war or apparent act of war, terrorism, disaster, civil disorder, epidemic or pandemic, curtailment or restriction on transportation facilities, or any other comparable calamity, casualty or conditions, the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston shall have the right to immediately terminate the event without liability and shall be relieved of its obligations to participants. If the affected event is canceled, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston reserves the right to reschedule the affected event where possible and your registration fee will be applied to the rescheduled event.
5. Intellectual Property
All content on this website, including text, images, graphics, and videos, is owned by the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston unless otherwise indicated. You may not use, copy, distribute, or modify this content without our written permission. Such materials are provided for general informational purposes only. You may only use such materials for the purpose of learning about and/or using World Affairs Council of Greater Houston services or products. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute the text, graphics, downloads, tools, or any other content on the site for any other purpose. Participants may not record or broadcast audio or video of sessions at World Affairs Council of Greater Houston’s events.
6. Privacy and Data Use
We value your privacy and handle your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Any personal information you provide will be used solely for purposes related to our mission and activities, including event registrations, membership management, and communications.
7. Limitation of Liability
The World Affairs Council of Houston is not liable for any damages resulting from your use of our website, attendance at events, or participation in any of our services. We provide the website and its content “as is” and make no warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness.
8. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any disputes related to these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Houston, Texas.
9. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the site or participation in our programs constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
Privacy Policy for World Affairs Council of Houston
The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston (“we,” “our,” “us”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our website, make a payment, donation, or participate in any of our programs. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information from you:
Personal Information
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Contact details (e.g., name, email address, phone number)
- Payment details when making donations or purchases through our website
- Information provided during membership sign-ups, event registrations, or subscriptions to our newsletter
Non-Personal Information
We collect non-personal data, such as browsing behavior and device information, to enhance your experience and improve our services.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
- To process donations, payments, and recurring contributions
- To communicate updates about upcoming programs, events, and membership-related activities
- To enhance your user experience and improve our website and services
- To comply with legal obligations and ensure the security of our operations
3. Payment Processing
We use secure third-party payment processors to handle all financial transactions, ensuring compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). We do not store your payment card information on our servers.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell or rent your personal information. However, we may share your data in the following cases:
- Third-Party Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted vendors, such as payment processors or IT service providers, to facilitate our operations.
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes.
5. Data Security
We use industry-standard security measures, including encryption (SSL) and regular security audits, to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies to personalize your experience and analyze usage. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings, though this may affect your use of certain features on our website.
7. Your Rights
You may have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Correct or update your information
- Request deletion of your data where applicable
- Withdraw consent for the use of your data
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@wachouston.org
8. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware of such collection, we will promptly delete the data.
9. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as social media or event partners. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of our services will indicate your acceptance of those changes.
11. SMS Policy
By providing your mobile phone number to the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, you consent to receive SMS text messages from us. These messages may include, but are not limited to:
- Event reminders and updates
- Member communications
- Donor alerts and acknowledgments
- Important news and organizational updates
Message Frequency
Message frequency will vary depending on your level of engagement with World Affairs Council of Greater Houston events, membership activities, and donation history. On average, you can expect no more than 4–6 messages per month.
Data & Privacy
We value your privacy. Your mobile number will never be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Mobile numbers collected are used exclusively for the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston communications as described above.
Cost Disclosure
Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile plan and carrier. Please contact your wireless provider for details regarding your specific plan.
Opt-Out
You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying “STOP” to any message you receive from us. After opting out, you may continue to receive important non-SMS communications by email or other methods.
Message and Data Rates May Apply
Standard message and data rates may apply to any SMS messages sent or received. These charges are determined by your mobile carrier and are your responsibility. The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston does not charge a separate fee for SMS communications. If you have questions about your text or data plan, please contact your wireless provider.
12. Contact Us
For any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the Terms and Conditions, please contact us at:
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston
1235 North Loop West, Suite 1025
Houston, TX 77008
Phone: (713) 522-7811
Email: info@wachouston.org
Last Updated: November 18th, 2024
Community and Social Media Guidelines
The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston welcomes you to engage on our social media accounts for healthy and thoughtful conversations about world affairs.
We strive to create a space where open dialogue and global learning thrive. To ensure that our social media platforms align with our values of respect, inclusivity, and understanding, we’ve outlined guidelines for participation. By engaging with us, you agree to follow these guidelines and share in the mission of promoting civil discourse. We ask that you treat others with the same respect that you expect to receive.
We reserve the right to remove comments or block users who do not comply with our guidelines, which include the following:
No Hate Speech or Bullying:
We are committed to creating a safe space for all. Any forms of harassment, bullying, or degrading remarks based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or personal characteristics will not be tolerated.
Maintain Courtesy and Respect:
We encourage healthy debate, but all participants should show kindness and mutual respect. Please engage thoughtfully without attacking or disparaging others.
Respect Privacy:
Trust is crucial in our online community. Be mindful of posting sensitive information and ensure you have permission before sharing personal details or likenesses of others.
Respect Intellectual Property:
Please only post content for which you own or have the right to share. This includes material protected by copyright, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights.
Stay Relevant and On-Topic:
We welcome feedback and comments that are relevant to the topics and discussions initiated by the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston.
No Spam or Unrelated Promotions:
Self-promotion, political campaigning, and unrelated links detract from the purpose of our community. Please refrain from posting such content.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in creating a respectful and insightful space for dialogue on global issues. Thank you for being part of our community and contributing to the mission of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston!