1. Introduction, Acceptance of Terms, and Governing Agreement

1.1. Scope and Purpose of this Agreement

Welcome to the official digital and operational governance agreement of the Creative Connections Arts Academy Parent Teacher Organization (CCAA PTO), a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting creativity, fostering community, and empowering the students of the Creative Connections Arts Academy (CCAA) located at 7201 Arutas Dr North Highlands, CA 95660. This comprehensive Terms and Conditions of Use and Participation (the “Agreement” or “T&C”) establishes the legally binding rules, regulations, responsibilities, and liabilities that govern all forms of interaction between you (referred to herein as “User,” “Participant,” “Volunteer,” “Donor,” or “You”) and the CCAA PTO (referred to herein as “PTO,” “We,” “Us,” or “Our”). This Agreement is designed to ensure a safe, respectful, and legally sound environment for all activities that support the CCAA mission, encompassing use of our digital platforms, participation in our fundraising efforts, and engagement in our volunteer-driven initiatives. By setting clear expectations for conduct and defining the scope of our relationship, we aim to maintain the integrity and professionalism required of a successful educational support non-profit. This document operates in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which details our data collection and protection practices, and all Users are strongly advised to review both documents concurrently to fully understand their rights and obligations.

1.2. Acceptance of Terms

Your access to and use of the PTO’s services, digital platforms (including our website, social media pages, and online portals), and participation in any PTO-sponsored activity (including but not limited to attending meetings, purchasing event tickets, making a donation, or signing up as a volunteer) constitutes your unqualified acceptance of, and agreement to be bound by, these Terms and Conditions in their entirety, without modification or reservation. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately cease all use of our platforms, refrain from participating in any PTO activity, and avoid accessing any resources provided by the PTO. For individuals accessing our services on behalf of a minor student, acceptance of these Terms constitutes a binding agreement on behalf of both the adult guardian and the minor student, confirming that you have the legal authority to enter into this agreement. Continued engagement with the CCAA PTO after any revision or amendment to this T&C is deemed to be renewed acceptance of the modified Terms.

1.3. Modifications to the Agreement

The PTO reserves the sole and exclusive right to amend, revise, update, or replace any part of this Agreement at any time, without prior individual notice, by posting the updated T&C on our official website. Any changes will become effective immediately upon posting. It is the User’s sole responsibility to check this page periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to the website and PTO services following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes. We commit to clearly indicating the “Effective Date” at the beginning of the Policy to help Users identify when the last substantial revision occurred. We may, at our discretion, provide additional notification of material changes via email or prominent website banners, but the posting of the updated document remains the definitive notification mechanism.

2. Scope of Services and User Eligibility

2.1. Description of PTO Services

The CCAA PTO primarily offers services aimed at facilitating support for the Creative Connections Arts Academy. These services are provided on a non-commercial, non-profit basis and include, but are not limited to: (a) Information Dissemination: Providing updates, news, and event details via the website, e-newsletters, and social media; (b) Fundraising Coordination: Facilitating online and physical donation processing, managing fundraising campaigns (e.g., galas, silent auctions, product sales), and issuing tax receipts; (c) Volunteer Mobilization: Offering sign-up portals and logistical coordination for volunteer shifts, committee work, and classroom support; and (d) Event Execution: Organizing, promoting, and managing community and enrichment events (e.g., performances, master classes, Family Art Nights). These services are intended exclusively to benefit the students and faculty of CCAA.

2.2. Eligibility and Authority

To utilize the digital services and participate in the activities of the CCAA PTO, you must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, or the legally recognized guardian of a student enrolled at the Creative Connections Arts Academy. By agreeing to these Terms, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement or possess the legal authority to bind the minor student to these Terms. If you are accessing the services on behalf of a corporate entity or another non-profit organization (e.g., a corporate sponsor or partner foundation), you warrant that you have the full legal authority to commit that entity to these Terms. The PTO reserves the right to terminate access to any User who, based on verifiable evidence, fails to meet these eligibility requirements or misrepresents their legal capacity or affiliation.

3. User Obligations and Conduct

3.1. Rules of Digital Conduct

Users agree to use the PTO’s website and communication channels solely for lawful, non-commercial purposes consistent with the mission of the CCAA PTO. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to: (a) Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the PTO’s private databases, financial systems, or volunteer management portals; (b) Posting or transmitting any content that is abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, fraudulent, or otherwise objectionable; (c) Utilizing the PTO’s contact lists or community forums to solicit commercial activities, external political advocacy, or any purpose unrelated to CCAA and the PTO mission; (d) Uploading or distributing viruses, corrupted files, or any other destructive or contaminating software; and (e) Impersonating any person or entity, including, but not limited to, a CCAA faculty member, PTO officer, or another parent. Any violation of these digital conduct rules may result in immediate suspension of access and, if warranted, notification to the relevant legal authorities.

3.2. Volunteer and Event Participation Standards

When participating in any official capacity, whether as a volunteer, event organizer, committee member, or event attendee, all Users agree to abide by the following standards of conduct: (a) Respect: Treat all students, CCAA faculty, staff, other parents, and community members with dignity, respect, and professionalism at all times; (b) Safety and Security: Strictly adhere to all safety, security, and confidentiality protocols established by the CCAA Academy and the PTO, particularly regarding interactions with students and access to sensitive areas of the campus; (c) Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information encountered during PTO activities, including student details, faculty personnel matters, or proprietary financial strategies; (d) Mission Alignment: Ensure that all actions taken while representing the PTO are directly aligned with and supportive of the official PTO mission statement; and (e) No Harassment: Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or national origin. The PTO reserves the right to immediately revoke volunteer status and prohibit attendance at future events for any User who violates these critical standards.

4. Financial Terms, Donations, and Fundraising Events

4.1. General Donation Policy and Irrevocability

All donations, contributions, and financial gifts made to the CCAA PTO are considered voluntary, non-refundable, and irrevocable. By submitting a donation, the Donor acknowledges that the funds are given without expectation of return and are intended to support the general mission and specific programmatic needs of the PTO, as outlined in our fundraising materials and annual budget. The PTO is a registered non-profit organization, and while we will issue a tax-deductible receipt for all qualifying contributions, the Donor acknowledges that the PTO makes no warranty or representation regarding the ultimate tax deductibility of the donation, which is subject to the Donor’s individual tax status and interpretation of tax law. Donors are solely responsible for consulting their own tax professional regarding the tax treatment of their gift.

4.2. Event Ticket Purchases and Refund Policy

The purchase of tickets, tables, or sponsorships for PTO-organized fundraising events (e.g., Annual Gala, Spring Arts Festival, auction items) constitutes a commitment to attend and contribute to the specific fundraising goal of that event. Because these funds are immediately allocated for event costs (catering, venue, entertainment, security, etc.) and programmatic budgeting, tickets and sponsorships are generally non-refundable. Specific refund policies for a major event will be clearly posted on the event’s dedicated registration page, but typically, refunds will only be considered under the most extreme circumstances, such as event cancellation due to force majeure, and will be processed at the sole discretion of the PTO Executive Board. In the event of a documented, verifiable financial error or duplicate charge resulting from technical malfunction, the Donor should contact the PTO Treasurer at the dedicated financial inquiry email provided in the Contact Us page within fourteen (14) days of the transaction for review and potential remediation.

4.3. Use of Donation Proceeds

The PTO commits to utilizing all funds raised in a manner consistent with its mission and the approved annual budget, which is transparently shared with the community. While donations may be solicited for specific programs (e.g., “The New Digital Media Lab Fund”), the Donor acknowledges that all contributions ultimately become the general property of the CCAA PTO. The PTO Executive Board retains the final discretion to reallocate funds in the event that the designated program goal is met, becomes obsolete, or if emergency operational needs arise, ensuring that funds are always deployed where they will provide the maximum benefit to the CCAA student body, in alignment with the organization’s fiduciary duties.

5. Intellectual Property and User Content

5.1. PTO Ownership of Content

All content, logos, designs, text, graphics, organization names, trademarks, service marks (including “CCAA PTO” and its derivatives), educational materials, event photography, videos, and underlying digital code and databases featured on the PTO website, social media, and in its official communications are the exclusive property of the Creative Connections Arts Academy Parent Teacher Organization or are used with permission from the Creative Connections Arts Academy. This proprietary material is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of the United States and international conventions. Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and view this material solely for personal, non-commercial use relating to participation in or support of the PTO mission. Any reproduction, distribution, modification, republication, or commercial exploitation of PTO content without the express written permission of the PTO Executive Board is strictly prohibited and constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

5.2. User-Submitted Content and License Grant

By submitting any content, including photographs, testimonials, written feedback, or creative works (collectively, “User Content”) to the PTO, whether through online forms, email, or social media interaction, you grant the CCAA PTO a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and fully sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such User Content in any media. This includes, without limitation, the right to use submitted event photos in fundraising brochures, the PTO website, and annual reports. You warrant that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the User Content you post, that the content is accurate, and that use of the content does not violate this Policy and will not cause injury to any person or entity. Crucially, when submitting photographs of children, you warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of any minor identifiable in the image, or you have secured the express, written consent of that minor’s legal guardian, and that you grant the PTO the right to use that photograph in accordance with this license.

5.3. Protection of Student Likeness

The CCAA PTO recognizes the sensitive nature of using student photographs or likenesses. While we require a broad media release on our volunteer forms (covered by the license grant in 5.2), we strive to adhere to any individual written opt-out requests filed with the CCAA Academy regarding media consent. The PTO will not knowingly publish photographs of students whose parents have explicitly opted out of media releases, provided that the PTO has been formally notified of that opt-out status by the Academy administration. However, Users agree that the PTO cannot control or be held liable for incidental capture of images in public areas or the unauthorized use of images by third parties (including other parents) who download content from the PTO’s public channels.

6. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

6.1. Disclaimer of Warranties

The services, content, and materials provided by the CCAA PTO, including the website and all volunteer coordination, are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or accuracy of information. We do not warrant that the website or any associated services will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components. We make no warranty regarding the safety, conduct, or competence of any individual volunteer or the success of any specific fundraising effort. You expressly agree that your use of the website and participation in all PTO activities is at your sole risk.

6.2. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall the CCAA PTO, its Executive Board members, officers, volunteers, agents, or affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of profits, data, goodwill, or volunteer hours) arising out of or in connection with (a) your use or inability to use the services or website; (b) any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in the content provided; (c) any conduct or content of any third party on the services (including other Users or volunteers); (d) any personal injury, property damage, or loss sustained in connection with any PTO-sponsored event or activity; or (e) unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content, even if the PTO has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The total liability of the PTO to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the services is limited to the amount of actual direct damages incurred by you, not to exceed the greater of (i) One Hundred United States Dollars ($100.00) or (ii) the amount of money you have donated to the PTO in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

6.3. Third-Party Links and Resources

The PTO website and communications may contain links to third-party websites or resources, such as external payment processors, volunteer sign-up platforms, or articles about arts education. We provide these links solely for your convenience and as a public service. You acknowledge and agree that the PTO is not responsible or liable for the availability, accuracy, or content of such external sites or resources. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the PTO of the site or any association with its operators. Accessing any linked third-party website is done at your own risk, and you should review that site’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.

7. Indemnification and Hold Harmless

User Agreement to Indemnify the PTO

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Creative Connections Arts Academy Parent Teacher Organization, its officers, directors, volunteers, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in any way connected with: (a) your breach of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement; (b) your violation of any term of this Agreement, including the rules of conduct; (c) your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any intellectual property right, privacy right, or property right; (d) your use of the PTO’s services or participation in any PTO-sponsored event, especially involving physical activities or the handling of funds; or (e) any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party. This obligation to indemnify and hold harmless will survive the termination of this Agreement and your cessation of all involvement with the CCAA PTO.

8. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

8.1. Governing Law

This Agreement and the resolution of any dispute related to this Agreement or the services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of law principles. By agreeing to these Terms, you irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the county encompassing North Highlands, California, for the purpose of litigating any such dispute, subject to the mandatory mediation and arbitration provisions below.

8.2. Mandatory Dispute Resolution Protocol

In the event of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through mandatory, non-binding mediation in North Highlands, California, with a mutually agreed-upon mediator. If the dispute is not resolved within sixty (60) days of commencing mediation, the parties agree to resolve the remaining dispute through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitration hearing shall take place in North Highlands, California, and the arbitration award shall be final and binding. This mandatory dispute resolution protocol is intended to provide a cost-effective and efficient means of resolving disagreements, reserving court litigation only for the enforcement of an arbitration award or for injunctive relief to protect intellectual property rights.

9. Termination and General Provisions

9.1. Termination of Access

The CCAA PTO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or terminate your access to any or all of the services, resources, and platforms provided by the PTO, including membership status and volunteer eligibility, at any time, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, a breach of these Terms, non-compliance with school policies, or conduct deemed disruptive to the educational environment or the PTO mission. 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.

9.2. Entire Agreement and Severability

This document constitutes the entire agreement between you and the CCAA PTO regarding the use of the services and participation in all PTO activities, superseding all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral, or written, between you and the PTO. If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the parties agree that the remaining provisions of these Terms shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision.

9.3. Contact Information for Legal Notices

All formal legal notices or communications regarding these Terms and Conditions must be sent to the PTO at the following address. General inquiries and non-legal communications should use the email provided in the Contact Us and Privacy Policy pages.

Legal Notices Contact: CCAA PTO Executive Board 7201 Arutas Dr North Highlands, CA 95660 Attention: PTO President, Legal Counsel