TeamworkNation Inc. – Terms of Service (TOS)

1. Who we are: Scope

TeamworkNation provides after‑school enrichment, mentoring programs, educational content, and related online Services, including teamworknation.org and app.teamworknation.org, and any other sites, apps, or tools we expressly link to these Terms.

Certain Services may be provided to or through organizations (e.g., schools, districts, non‑profits, companies). When your use is sponsored or managed by an organization, that organization may control certain account settings and access to information, as further described in our Privacy Policy and any separate contract with that organization.

These Terms incorporate by reference:

• Privacy Policy
• Mentor/Intern Code of Conduct
• DMCA Policy
• any program‑specific rules or participation guidelines we post within the Services, and
• any signed order forms, statements of work, or data processing addenda with an organization customer.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

2.1 Age

The Services are intended only for users 13 years of age or older. We do not knowingly permit users under 13 to register for or use the Services in any capacity. If we learn that a user under 13 has created an account or provided personal information, we will delete that account and associated information.

2.2 High-school mentors/interns (13–17)

Mentor accounts are available to individuals age 13+. Some programs may require parent/guardian acknowledgment for minors. Mentors must complete required onboarding/training and accept the Mentor/Intern Code of Conduct.

2.3 Organizations

If you register or access the Services on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization and that all information you provide is accurate. The organization is responsible for:

• (i) obtaining any needed consents for student/child data;
• (ii) configuring and supervising mentor and participant access; and
• (iii) ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

2.4 Account Registration and Privacy

To use certain features of the Services, you must create an account and provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. By registering for an account, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy. This includes the use of cookies and authentication technologies necessary to maintain your login session.

2.5 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials (including passwords, authentication tokens, and any single sign-on or third-party login details) and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Keep your login information secure and not share it with others;
• Promptly notify TeamworkNation of any actual or suspected unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security; and
• Ensure that you log out of your account at the end of each session.

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with these obligations. We may suspend or terminate access to your account if we suspect unauthorized activity or security risks.

3. Acceptable Use

You agree not to, and not to enable or permit others to:

• violate any law or rights of others;
• upload, post, transmit, or store content that is unlawful, harmful, harassing, hateful, discriminatory, pornographic, exploitative, or otherwise inappropriate for youth;
• engage in bullying, doxxing, impersonation, or fraud;
• attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Services or breach security or authentication measures;
• access or use the Services to build a competing product or service;
• reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to derive source code except as permitted by law;
• bypass rate limits or abuse APIs;
• collect or harvest personal information except as permitted under these Terms and the Privacy Policy;
• use the Services for advertising targeted at minors, for political campaigning to minors, or for any unlawful surveillance;
• upload malware or content that could damage or interfere with the Services.

Additional program‑specific restrictions may apply for school‑managed deployments (see Section 10).

4. Mentor/Intern Code of Conduct

4.1 Applicability

If you participate as a mentor or intern, you must comply with the Mentor/Intern Code of Conduct, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. The Code of Conduct may be updated from time to time; continued participation as a mentor or intern constitutes agreement to the updated version.

4.2 Enforcement

Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in suspension, termination of access, or other actions as described in the Code and these Terms.

5. Privacy and Data Usage

5.1 Privacy Policy

TeamworkNation's Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, retain, disclose, and safeguard personal information. By using the Services, you agree to the practices described in our Privacy Policy.

5.2 Your Responsibilities

When you provide information to us (for example, account details, reviews, or curriculum contributions), you represent that you have all necessary rights and consents to share that information. You must not upload or submit sensitive or regulated data (such as health information, financial account numbers, school records, or precise location data) unless we have expressly agreed in writing.

5.3 Third-Party Services

Our Services may rely on third-party providers such as Auth0 (authentication), Google/YouTube (media hosting), Stripe (payments), and similar services. By using the Services, you authorize TeamworkNation to exchange limited personal information with these providers as necessary to operate the Services.

5.4 Retention and Removal

We retain personal information only as long as described in our Privacy Policy. We may review, remove, or restrict content you submit if we believe it is unsafe, unlawful, or outside the scope of the Services.

6. User Content: Licenses

6.1 Your content

You retain ownership of your content. By submitting, posting, or sharing content on or through the Services, you grant TeamworkNation a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to host, store, reproduce, modify (solely for formatting/display), transmit, and display such content for the limited purpose of operating, improving, and providing the Services to you and to your organization if applicable.

6.2 Feedback

If you provide suggestions, ideas, or feedback, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty‑free license to use them without restriction.

6.3 Prohibited content

You are responsible for your content and must ensure you have all rights necessary to share it. Do not post third‑party personal data without permission, or any material that violates law or others' rights.

6.4 DMCA

If you believe content infringes your copyright, please refer to our Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") Policy.

7. Intellectual Property: Ownership

TeamSparks!™ Curriculum and Materials

The TeamSparks! Challenges and related curriculum are original works created and owned by TeamworkNation Inc. These Challenges are interdisciplinary, drawing inspiration from multiple domains (STEM, performing arts and writing, civic engagement, business simulations) but are not direct copies of other team-based competitions. Rather than replicating existing competitions, TeamSparks! offers an innovative blend of disciplines designed to foster collaboration, imagination, and real-world application.

A signature feature of every TeamSparks! Challenge is the inclusion of a "Spark" or twist—an unexpected rule, constraint, or condition introduced during the activity that forces teams to adapt and think creatively. For example, in a bridge-building challenge, teams may be required to negotiate and trade all materials with another group partway through, or in a tower-building challenge, participants may discover midway that they can only continue using one hand. These Sparks are core to TeamworkNation's challenge design and distinguish the curriculum from other programs.

TeamworkNation's proprietary materials include, but are not limited to:

• The TeamSparks Challenge formats, Sparks/twists, themes, and scoring elements (e.g., additive idea generation, time management, conflict resolution/active listening, adaptability/resourcefulness, and structured team roles).
• Defined team roles such as Presentation Lead, Build Lead, Writer, Strategist, Coordinator, and Resource Lead.
• TeamSparks role cards and curriculum designed for high-school mentors to distribute to elementary/middle-school teams.
• Lesson plans, training materials, and guidance content, including YouTube video tutorials, slide decks, podcasts, and other multimedia content developed by TeamworkNation.
• Any additional instructional resources developed under the TeamworkNation brand, including team development frameworks, feedback strategies, and challenge rules.

All curriculum, lesson plans, videos, podcasts, and related media (including written, visual, or digital materials) are the intellectual property of TeamworkNation and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or adapted without prior written permission.

AI-Assisted and Volunteer Contributions

Some TeamSparks! curriculum and challenges are developed using AI-assisted processes and with input from high-school interns or other volunteers. While we may incorporate contributions from interns, mentors, or AI tools, the base structure, format, and final selection of challenges originate with TeamworkNation.

Any contributions made by volunteers or interns to the Services become the property of TeamworkNation. Participation or acknowledgment (such as listing names on our website or in curriculum materials) does not confer ownership or compensation, unless separately agreed to in writing.

Multimedia Content and Platform Hosting

TeamworkNation may make available videos, podcasts, slide decks, and other multimedia content through third-party platforms (including YouTube for Nonprofits) and embed such content on our websites. Unless otherwise indicated in writing:

• Such content is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
• You may view or stream the content for your personal, non-commercial use, but you may not download, copy, redistribute, modify, or create derivative works of the content without prior written permission.
• The fact that content is hosted on a public platform (e.g., YouTube) does not waive TeamworkNation's intellectual property rights.

Protection of Rights

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect users, interns, and mentors to do the same. Unauthorized use of TeamworkNation's curriculum, challenges, or multimedia materials may constitute copyright infringement and will be pursued to the fullest extent permitted by law.

8. Payments

8.1 Purchases and Invoices

Certain features of the Services, including access to the TeamSparks! Curriculum, require payment. Payments are processed through third-party providers such as Stripe, and you agree to comply with their terms and privacy policies. TeamworkNation does not collect or store full payment card numbers. Invoices may be delivered electronically and will state the amount due and the payment deadline. We may also accept payment by check or other offline methods if approved in writing.

8.2 Late Payments

Payments are due on or before the date stated on the invoice. If payment is not received by the due date, TeamworkNation may suspend or terminate access to the Services until the balance is paid. You are responsible for any fees resulting from failed or returned payments (including returned checks or card chargebacks). We may charge interest on overdue balances at the maximum rate allowed by law.

8.3 Refunds

Except as required by law or expressly stated by TeamworkNation in writing, payments for curriculum or services are non-refundable. If you believe a payment was made in error, contact billing@teamworknation.org within 30 days of the transaction.

8.4 Taxes

You are responsible for any sales, use, VAT, or other taxes, duties, or levies associated with your purchases, except for taxes based on TeamworkNation's income.

8.5 California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) with respect to personal information collected in connection with payments or donations. Please see our Privacy Policy for details on these rights and how to exercise them.

9. Donations

9.1 Voluntary Contributions

TeamworkNation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation, may accept charitable contributions through the Services (including one-time or recurring donations processed by Stripe). Donations support our educational programs and operations and may be tax-deductible in the United States.

9.2 Non-Refundable

All donations are final and non-refundable, except in cases of duplicate transaction or other clear processing error.

9.3 Donation Receipts and Tax Responsibility

TeamworkNation will provide donors with a receipt acknowledging contributions, as required by applicable law. You are solely responsible for determining the tax treatment of your donation, and we recommend consulting your tax advisor regarding deductibility.

10. Schools & Educational Use (SOPIPA/FERPA/PPRA)

10.1 Role as Service Provider / K–12 Operator

When the Services are used by or for K–12 institutions, TeamworkNation acts as a service provider/K–12 operator. We do not: (a) use student data for targeted advertising; (b) create profiles of students beyond authorized educational purposes; or (c) sell student data.

10.2 FERPA Compliance

Where FERPA applies, TeamworkNation functions as a "school official" with a legitimate educational interest, under the direct control of the educational institution. We process student data only for authorized educational purposes, and we will delete or return such data upon a verified school request, consistent with law and our agreements.

10.3 SOPIPA and State Student Privacy Laws

We comply with SOPIPA and similar U.S. state student privacy laws, including maintaining reasonable security procedures and restricting secondary uses of student information.

10.4 PPRA (Surveys)

If we administer surveys that fall within PPRA, we will provide notice to the institution and obtain any required parental or student consents before collecting covered information.

10.5 Responsibilities of Schools/Districts

Schools and districts using the Services are responsible for:

• Obtaining any legally required parental/guardian consents before providing student information;
• Configuring and supervising student and mentor access; and
• Ensuring compliance with their own policies and applicable law.

11. School vs. Personal Account Access

Where the Services are provided through a school, district, or education foundation, access will generally occur via school-issued accounts and single sign-on (SSO). In such cases, TeamworkNation acts as a service provider under FERPA and processes student/mentor information only under the school's direction.

If you access the Services using a personal account (e.g., a personal Gmail), you represent that you are age 13 or older, that you are participating with school or parental authorization, and that you understand your use is governed by TeamworkNation's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, rather than by your school's internal policies.

Schools and organizations remain responsible for obtaining necessary parental consents, configuring access, and supervising use of the Services by students and mentors.

12. Safety and Enforcement

We may suspend or terminate accounts, remove content, and take other action if we believe a user has violated these Terms, the Code of Conduct, the Privacy Policy, or applicable law, or if necessary to protect users or the Services. We may report suspected illegal activity to law enforcement and cooperate with investigations.

13. AI and Beta Features

We may offer AI‑enabled or beta features. Such features are provided AS IS and may generate content that is incorrect, incomplete, or inappropriate; you are responsible for verifying results and for your use of outputs. Do not rely on AI outputs for legal, medical, safety, or other high‑risk decisions. We may limit, change, or discontinue beta features at any time.

Unless otherwise stated in the Privacy Policy or a separate agreement, we do not use your private content to train foundation models; we may process content to operate and improve the specific features you use (e.g., to provide and secure the feature), consistent with the Privacy Policy.

14. Security

We implement reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information and the Services. However, no method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

15. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TEAMWORKNATION AND ITS LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR‑FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

16. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL TEAMWORKNATION, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) $100 OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US FOR THE SERVICES IN THE 6 MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

17. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TeamworkNation and our affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (i) your content; (ii) your violation of these Terms or the Code of Conduct; (iii) your violation of law or third‑party rights; or (iv) any misuse of the Services.

18. Governing Law: Dispute Resolution

18.1 Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

18.2 Informal resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to try to resolve the dispute informally by contacting us at legal@teamworknation.org. If we cannot resolve it within 30 days, either party may proceed as described below.

18.3 Arbitration & Class-Action Waiver

Except for (i) claims that qualify for small-claims court; (ii) requests for public injunctive relief; and (iii) claims involving personal injury, abuse, harassment, or claims brought by or on behalf of individuals under 18 years old (which may be brought in court), any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be conducted by one arbitrator, seated in Contra Costa County, California, with remote/video hearings permitted where appropriate. YOU AND TEAMWORKNATION AGREE TO ARBITRATE ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT AS A CLASS OR COLLECTIVE ACTION, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Fees will be allocated as required by the AAA Consumer Rules (you pay any consumer filing fee; we pay the remainder of AAA fees as required). You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by emailing legal@teamworknation.org with your name and a statement that you opt out of arbitration. Nothing in this Section limits your ability to report concerns to law enforcement or regulators.

19. International Use

The Services are operated from the United States and are intended primarily for U.S. users. We do not currently market or direct the Services to individuals outside the United States. If you access the Services from outside the U.S., you do so at your own risk and are responsible for complying with local laws. If we later expand internationally, we may update these Terms and our Privacy Policy in advance to reflect region-specific legal requirements.

20. Changes to the Services or Terms

We may modify or discontinue the Services at any time. We may update these Terms from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide notice (e.g., by posting the updated Terms and updating the "Last updated" date, or by email/Service notice). Changes apply prospectively. If you continue using the Services after changes take effect, you accept the new Terms.

21. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access (and/or any organization's access) immediately for any violation of these Terms, the Code of Conduct, the Privacy Policy, or for risk to users or the Services. Upon termination, the rights granted to you under these Terms will end. Sections that by their nature should survive will survive (including Sections 6–8 and 12–21).

22. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement. These Terms (including documents incorporated by reference) constitute the entire agreement between you and TeamworkNation regarding the Services.

Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder will remain in effect.

Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our consent. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

No waiver. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.

Force Majeure. We are not liable for any delay or failure due to causes beyond our reasonable control.

Notices. We may provide notices via the Services, email, or your account. You may provide legal notices to legal@teamworknation.org.

23. Contact

Questions about these Terms?