Terms of Use

Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using this website. By accessing or using we-connect-the-dots.org (the "Site"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and all policies referenced within them, including our Privacy Policy and SMS Opt-In Terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

WCTD may update these Terms from time to time without prior notice. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

2. Eligibility and Children Under 13

The Site is not directed to children under 13 years of age. Children under 13 may not submit personal information through the Site without verifiable consent from a parent or legal guardian, as required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

For participants between ages 13 and 17, a parent or legal guardian must review and accept these Terms on the participant's behalf before enrollment in any WCTD program. For full details on how we handle information from minors, see our Privacy Policy.

3. Proprietary Rights and Copyrights

All materials on this Site — including layout, text, graphics, photographs, videos, logos, icons, and the selection and arrangement thereof (collectively, "Content") — are the property of WCTD, its affiliates, service providers, or licensors, and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may view, download, and print Content for personal, non-commercial, educational use, provided that you do not:

• Modify, remove, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notice
• Reproduce, republish, distribute, transmit, sell, or commercially exploit the Content in any form
• Use the Content in a manner competitive with or derogatory to WCTD
• Systematically extract, harvest, or scrape data from the Site, including user or participant information
• Create derivative works from the Content without our prior written permission

All WCTD trademarks, service marks, logos, and trade dress — including the "We Connect The Dots" name, the WCTD mark, the "Five Dots" graphic, and program names such as UpSkill, Hack-A-Thon, Community Ambassador Program, Pieces of Possibility, and AmplifiCore — are owned by WCTD and may not be used without our prior written consent. Other trademarks and logos displayed on the Site are the property of their respective owners.

4. User Conduct

When using the Site, you agree not to:

• Disrupt, interfere with, or compromise the security of the Site or any systems, networks, or services connected to it
• Interfere with any other user's access to or enjoyment of the Site
• Upload, post, or transmit viruses, malware, or any other harmful, disruptive, or destructive code or files
• Use or attempt to use another person's account without authorization, or impersonate any person or entity
• Create or use a false identity on the Site
• Send spam, chain messages, unsolicited bulk communications, or any commercial solicitations through the Site
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas of the Site
• Use the Site for any purpose that is unlawful, harassing, fraudulent, or violates the rights of WCTD, participants, partners, or any third party

You are solely responsible for activities conducted under your use of the Site, and you agree to comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations.

5. User-Submitted Content

The Site may include areas where you can submit content — such as applications, forms, project submissions, comments, testimonials, or other communications ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that:

• You have the right to submit the content and it does not infringe any third party's intellectual property, privacy, or other rights
• The content is not unlawful, obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
• You are not impersonating anyone or misrepresenting the source of the content
• The content does not contain malicious code

By submitting User Content, you grant WCTD a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, and display the content for purposes related to our nonprofit mission, including promotion of programs, student showcases, grant reporting, and educational materials. Participants retain ownership of their original creative work.

For student work produced in WCTD programs, we obtain separate consent and media releases from participants (or their parents/guardians for minors). Participants may revoke consent to feature their work at any time by contacting us.

WCTD reserves the right, but has no obligation, to review, edit, or remove any User Content we deem objectionable or in violation of these Terms.

6. Links to Third-Party Websites

The Site may contain links to external websites operated by partners, sponsors, funders, or other third parties ("Third-Party Sites"). These links are provided for convenience only and do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by WCTD. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or availability of Third-Party Sites. Your use of any linked site is at your own risk and subject to that site's terms and privacy policies.

7. Disclaimers

8. Limitation of Liability

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless WCTD, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and volunteers from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another party.

10. International Use

The Site is operated from the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local laws. WCTD makes no representation that the Site is appropriate or available for use in any particular jurisdiction.

You agree to comply with all applicable export control laws, including U.S. export restrictions, that may apply to your use of the Site.

11. Governing Law and Language

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

These Terms are provided in English. All communications, contracts, and transactions with WCTD shall be conducted in English, and there is no obligation to translate the Site or these Terms into any other language.

12. Enforceability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, that provision shall be severed from the remaining Terms, which will continue in full force and effect. Any claim arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site must be filed within one year after the claim arose, or it will be permanently barred.

13. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and SMS Opt-In Terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and WCTD regarding your use of the Site, and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.