Terms of use

Rotary International Website Terms of Use

These Terms of Use (“Terms of Use”) apply to the Rotary International website located at , and any other websites under the control of Rotary International (“RI”), its Foundation, The Rotary Foundation, and its affiliates, as well as RI mobile sites, platforms, applications (including mobile applications), downloads, Site Content and interactive features (collectively “the Site”). The Site is owned by Rotary International (“RI,” “us,” “we”). Access to and use of the Site is subject to these Terms of Use and all applicable laws. These Terms of Use govern your use and posting on RI’s social media channels.

By accessing, using, or browsing, registering for or posting any content on the Site, you (“you,” “User,” or “Users”) accept and agree to these Terms of Use and all terms and agreements that are incorporated herein by reference, including terms that govern certain features, software, platforms or products accessible through the Site. If these Terms of Use are not acceptable to you, do not use or access this Site. You must be 16 years of age or older to use this Site.

RI may change, add, modify or remove portions of these Terms of Use at any time and the new or updated Terms of Use will become effective immediately upon posting. It is your responsibility to review these Terms of Use prior to each use of the Site. By using this Site, you agree to any changes in the Terms of Use and the terms and agreements that are incorporated herein by reference. If there is a conflict between these Terms of Use and any other terms, the other terms shall control with respect to the specific obligations and terms governing the use of that portion of the Site.

RI may change, suspend, interrupt, terminate operation or access to, or discontinue the Site or any portion of the Site at any time, without notice. RI may also impose limits on the Site or restrict your access to the Site or parts thereof without notice or liability.

Privacy Policy

RI is committed to protecting your privacy.  applies to use of this Site, and its terms are incorporated into these Terms of Use by reference.

Any personal data (for example, your name, address, telephone number or e-mail address) you transmit to the Site will be used by RI in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Accounts

You may be required to set up an account to use the Site or portions thereof. If you are required to set up an account, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information about yourself as required, maintain and update such information, and be fully responsible for use of your account and any actions or activities that take place using your account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the information associated with your account, including any passwords. You agree to notify RI immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or password.

Any violation of these Terms of Use or your fraudulent, abusive or otherwise illegal activity on this Site may be grounds for termination of your account or access to this Site. RI reserves the right to terminate accounts in its sole discretion.

Copyright and Site Content

The content posted or available on this Site, including, but not limited to, information, text, articles, graphics, public service announcements/campaigns, illustrations, images, data, videos, recordings, software, platforms, interactive features, applications, trademarks, logos, code, promotions and other website content (collectively “Site Content”), is owned and/or controlled by Rotary International or The Rotary Foundation, or RI’s licensors or used herein with permission and is legally protected, without limitation, under copyright, trademark, and other laws relating to the protection of intellectual property, in the United States and internationally. RI is, also, the owner of the compilation of the Site Content, the design and look and feel of the Site.

Trademarks

Many of the names, titles, trademarks, service marks, slogans, taglines and logos (collectively “trademarks”) that appear on the Site are registered or common law (unregistered) trademarks of RI or third parties. You may not use RI’s trademarks or any other trademarks on the Site without prior written permission. Nothing on the Site or in these Terms of Use shall be construed as granting any license to use any RI trademarks.

If you would like to sell or give-away merchandise, with any of Rotary International’s trademarks, please contact . To learn more about licensing or find a list of officially licensed vendors selling merchandise with Rotary International’s trademarks, please visit .

Use and Access

RI permits Users and clubs to download or print a single copy of certain Site Content owned by RI for non-commercial, educational use only, provided you a) do not remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice contained in the Site Content, b) use the Site Content as is without any alteration or modification, and c) maintain moral and ethical standards in using the Site Content.

Non-educational uses and use on a website, in social media, in a publication, print or electronic, or in other media requires the prior written permission of RI; please contact  to request permission to use Site Content for such purposes.

Linking Policy

RI welcomes clubs and other Users to link to this Site. Links may resolve to the home page, www.rotary.org, but direct linking to individual files (i.e., images, multimedia files, etc.) is not permitted. You shall not use Rotary International’s logos or trademarks to link to this Site. Links to this Site should not assert or imply an endorsement by or affiliation with RI.

Third-party Websites and Content

This Site may contain links to third-party websites, including social networking websites, and third-party content. Third-party links and content are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only, and does not indicate RI’s endorsement, sponsorship of, or affiliation with the third party or its content, including any advertisements that may be posted. RI has no control over, makes no representations or warranties about and accepts no responsibility directly or indirectly for the security, legality, quality, availability, reliability accuracy or content of any third-party links or content. You should review any terms and policies of any third-party site.

Interactive Features and User Content

This Site includes interactive features in which you can post messages, comments, materials, photos, videos, audio, personal information, updates, opportunities, recommendations, etc. (collectively, “interactive features”). By posting or submitting messages, comments, materials, photographs, images, video, audio, personal information, updates, opportunities, recommendations or other content or media (“User Content”) on this Site and/or any interactive features, be aware that your User Content may be seen and used by others. You may be required to login through the Site or a third-party website to use the interactive features.

RI welcomes your feedback, but please do not submit any unsolicited ideas, original creative works or confidential or propriety information (collectively “ideas”) in any form on the Site. If you do submit ideas, the following terms shall apply to your submissions: 1) RI is not under any obligation of confidentiality, express or implied; 2) RI may have similar ideas already under consideration or in development; and 3) RI may use or exploit your ideas without any compensation or reimbursement to you.

The information and opinions expressed in the interactive features are not those of RI or its foundation, affiliates or subsidiaries. RI is not responsible for any misuse or misappropriation of your User Content or ideas. You are entirely responsible for your User Content and use the interactive features at your own risk. RI is not responsible for and assumes not liability for User Content or from any failure or delay in removing any User Content.

Your use of the interactive features and posting of User Content is subject to the following terms:

  • You are solely responsible for the content you post or submit and use the interactive features at your own risk;
  • You will only post content that you own or created or for which you have received permission or a license to post from the owner. You shall not post any content that infringes the copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights of others;
  • You will not post photographs, images or videos of other people without their explicit consent and will never post images of children/minors to the Site without explicit permission from the parent or legal guardian;
  • You will not post any content that is off-topic, political or illegal, contains personal attacks or obscene language or is abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, defamatory, false, pornographic or interferes with another individual’s use of this Site;
  • You will not post any content that contains the contact information or private information of any other individual;
  • You will not collect contact information of other Site Users or individuals referenced in Site Content or User Content for any purpose whatsoever, including, but not limited to, sending unsolicited e-mails or other unsolicited communications;
  • You understand that RI has the right but not obligation to monitor any of the interactive features or monitor, edit or remove any User Content and reserves the right to delete, remove, modify, refuse or block content without notice or your permission for any reason;
  • You will not include advertising or marketing in User Content;
  • You will not post content that contains viruses, harmful files, malicious scripts, or files, materials, or code intended to harm, damage, create an adverse impact on or interfere with the Site or RI’s networks, platforms, servers or databases; and
  • RI assumes no responsibility or liability for User Content or for any loss, damage, misappropriation, infringement, error, defamation, libel, omission, obscenity, danger or inaccuracy in any content that exists on the Site, or from any failure or delay in removing any content.

Any use of the interactive features in violation of the foregoing violates these Terms of Use and may result, among other actions, in termination or suspension of your account.

Licenses and Representations and Warranties

You represent and warrant that you own the User Content you post on this Site. By posting any content or User Content to this Site, you automatically grant RI a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, nonexclusive, and sublicensable license to use, copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, adapt (including without limitation the rights to adapt to streaming, downloading, broadcast, mobile, digital, thumbnail, scanning or other technologies), publish, reformat, display, perform, broadcast, transmit, exhibit, translate, host, cache, index, encode, hashtag, archive, create derivative works from, and license your content or User Content, including any of your content posted on RI’s social media channels, for educational, promotional and other purposes without credit or other obligations to you.

You authorize RI to use your name, likeness, and any other personal or biographical data or information in connection with your User Content.

By accessing or using the Site and its interactive features and/or posting User Content you represent and warrant that: 1) your postings will be consistent with these Terms of Use and do not violate these Terms of Use; 2) you own all of the rights to User Content that you post or otherwise have permission or all necessary rights to post such User Content; 3) your User Content does not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including, but not limited to, copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other personal or proprietary rights; 4) your User Content will not cause injury to any person or entity and does not contain defamatory or otherwise unlawful material; and 5) you will only post images, videos or recordings of individuals with the explicit written consent of the subject (or the parent or legal guardian of a subject under 18 years of age or who lacks legal capacity).

Electronic Communications

This Site and some of the interactive features and Site Content available on this Site may be available via a mobile phone, including, but without limitation, the ability to browse Site and upload or download content to or from the Site via your mobile phone or to use your mobile phone to make donations to The Rotary Foundation (“Mobile Services”). You acknowledge that you are responsible for all charges and necessary permissions related to these Mobile Services and accessing the Site through your mobile access provider. When you use this Site or send emails, text messages or other communications from your desktop or mobile device to RI, you are communicating with RI electronically; and you consent to receive communications from RI electronically, such as emails, texts, mobile push notices or through the interactive feature in response to your communication.

Contests and Promotions

RI may conduct promotions on or through the Site, including, without limitation, contests and promotions (collectively “Promotions”). Promotions may have additional terms and rules that will be posted on the Site or otherwise made available to you and will be deemed incorporated into and form part of these Terms of Use. You agree to abide by such terms and rules, including representing that you are of a sufficient legal age to participate in any Promotions.

Transactions and e-Commerce

Additional terms and conditions may apply to purchases of goods or services and donations and those terms and conditions are incorporated into these Terms of Use. The inclusion of any products or services on this Site does not imply or warrant that such products or services will be available. If you wish to purchase a product or service made available through the Site or make a donation, you acknowledge and agree that RI or The Rotary Foundation may provide such information to third parties for purposes of facilitating the completion of the transaction initiated by you. You represent and warrant that you have the legal right to use any credit card(s) or other payment method(s) utilized in connection with your transaction. RI shall not be responsible or liable for any third-party payment processing.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitations of Liability

RI DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR PROVIDE SPECIFIC RESULTS. RI DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE SITE OR THE SERVICES PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE OR THAT YOU WILL HAVE CONTINUOUS, UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE ACCESS TO THE SITE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED OR THAT THE SITE WILL BE AVAILABLE OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

USE OF THIS SITE AND ANY LINKED SITES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT, INFORMATION, PRODUCTS (INCLUDING SOFTWARE), MATERIALS AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU ON THIS SITE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. RI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THE SITE OR THAT THE CONTENT, INFORMATION, PRODUCTS, MATERIALS OR SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR MADE AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THIS SITE, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING. TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, RI HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, ACCURACY, AND NONINFRINGEMENT.

TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, RI SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, DATA USE, BUSINESS, REVENUE, INCOME, CONTRIBUTIONS, PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR THE LIKE, GOODWILL OR REPUTATION, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY LAW, OR OTHERWISE.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT RI IS NOT LIABLE FOR THE DEFAMATORY, OFFENSIVE OR ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF OTHER USERS OR THIRD-PARTIES AND THAT THE RISK OF INJURY FROM THE FOREGOING AND YOUR USE OF THE SITE RESTS ENTIRELY WITH YOU.

Disputes

Your sole and exclusive remedy for any claims or any dispute with RI is to discontinue using the Site. Some jurisdictions may not allow limitations on liability, and in such case, any dispute or claim relating in any way to your use of the Site, or to any products or services sold to you or donations you made through the Site, will be governed under the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions and resolved by the state courts sitting in Cook County, Illinois, or the federal courts in the Northern District of Illinois, which will have exclusive jurisdiction. Any claims under these Terms of Use must be brought within one (1) year after the cause or action arises, or such claim or cause of action is barred unless not permitted by law.

Indemnification

As a condition of your use of this Site and its interactive features and posting User Content, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless RI and The Rotary Foundation, including their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, contractors, and representatives (“Rotary Indemnitees”) from and against all claims (including claims of trademark, and copyright infringement, defamation and violation of privacy or publicity rights), demands, actions, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses), awards, fines, and judgments asserted against or recovered from Rotary Indemnitees due to, arising out of or in connection with your use of the Site and any User Content you post or your breach of these Terms of Use and those terms incorporated herein or your representations and warranties.

International Users

This Site is controlled, operated, and administered by RI from its headquarters within the United States. You may not use this Site or export the Site Content in violation of U.S. export laws and regulations. If you access this Site from a location outside the United States, you are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, and may only use the Site according to the minimum age requirements set forth by your applicable law. Although the Site is accessible worldwide, RI makes no claim that the Site and the Site Content may be accessed, used, or downloaded outside the United States or are appropriate for use or legal outside the United States. If the Site and Site Content are available outside the United States, your access and use of, posting to, participation in any promotion on and any donation or payment on the Site is at your own risk.

Copyright and Trademark Complaints

RI respects the intellectual property rights of others and will take action against infringers, including terminating their accounts. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other applicable laws, RI has adopted a policy of responding to claims that User Content or Site Content infringe intellectual property rights.

If you wish to file a complaint about intellectual property infringement, or file a counter-notice, please submit your complaint to .

Written claims concerning copyright infringement must include:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest;
  • A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed;
  • A description of the location of the infringing material on the Site;
  • Your full legal name, address, telephone and email address; and
  • A declaration that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law; and that you declare under penalty of perjury that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf.

General

These Terms of Use contain the complete agreement between you and RI with respect to your use of this Site, the features available on third party websites and RI’s social media channels, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, with respect to the Site, unless otherwise stated in any other terms or agreements incorporated herein. You will not transfer, sublicense, or assign, any of your rights or obligations under these Terms of Use to anyone else without our consent. Any failure or delay of RI to enforce or exercise any term or its rights under these Terms of Use shall not be construed as a waiver of those rights or provisions or a breach of these Terms of Use by RI. A waiver by RI of any terms of the Terms of Use in any one instance shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any terms in the future. If any term of these Terms of Use shall be held invalid, unenforceable or illegal, the remaining terms of the Terms of Use will remain valid, legal and enforceable. Any amendment to or waiver of these Terms of Use must be made in writing and signed by RI. We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you.

In the event of termination of your use of this Site for any reason, you agree that the following provisions of these Terms of Use will survive: limitations on your use of Site Content, copyright complaints, the license(s) you have granted to RI, warranties, disclaimers, indemnification, and limitation of liability. If RI does take legal action against you as a result of your violation of these Terms of Use, RI will be entitled to recover from you all reasonable fees and costs of such action, in addition to any other relief RI may have at law or in equity.

If any questions arise about the meaning or interpretation of this policy, the English-language version of this policy is the official text.