STIEI - Terms of use

Effective date: 1 October 2025
Entity: South Texas Insurance Education Initiative (“STIEI,” “we,” “our,” or “us”)
Contact: hola@stiei.org • (956) 370-5052 • Service area: Hidalgo • Cameron • Starr • Willacy, Texas

1) Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of STIEI’s website, materials, and services, including our free workshops, registrations, and any related communications (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Services. Translation note: We offer English and Spanish content. Translations are for convenience; the English version controls if there is a conflict.

2) Who We Are (Education‑Only)

STIEI is a community education initiative providing free, bilingual insurance education to employers, schools, nonprofits, and public entities in South Texas. We do not sell insurance during workshops and do not provide legal, tax, or investment advice. Any one‑on‑one conversations about products occur only if a participant requests it after the session and are conducted by a licensed professional outside the workshop.

3) No Professional Advice; No Client Relationship

All information we provide—on the site, in handouts, or in workshops—is general educational information. It is not legal, tax, investment, or individualized insurance advice. No professional‑client relationship is formed by attending a workshop, viewing our materials, or contacting us.
  • For legal/tax/investment questions, consult an attorney, CPA, or licensed advisor.
  • For individualized insurance recommendations, consult a licensed agent/broker who can evaluate your specific needs.
4) Presenter Network & Third‑Party Services

STIEI coordinates a network of independent, licensed presenters (agencies/producers). These presenters are not employees or agents of STIEI. If you request a one‑on‑one meeting, that relationship (including any discussions of products or services) is solely between you and the presenter. STIEI does not endorse or warrant any third‑party products, services, or outcomes and is not a party to any contract you may enter.

5) Host Organizations (Employers, Schools, Nonprofits, Public Entities)

If you host a workshop (“Host”):
  • No‑Sales Rule: Sessions are education‑only. No quotes, applications, or sales activity during workshops.
  • Privacy: STIEI will report only aggregate attendance and anonymized Q&A themes. Participant lists remain with the Host.
  • Logistics: Host provides the room/virtual link, basic A/V, and distributes invitations/reminders.
  • Cancellations: Please give at least 5 business days’ notice if you must reschedule. Safety/weather exceptions apply.
  • Recording: If a session is recorded, Host is responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions and complying with applicable law and policy.
6) Attendees (Employees, Students, Community Members)

  • Voluntary Participation: Your attendance is voluntary. You may leave at any time.
  • No Lead Capture: We do not collect personal contact details during sessions.
  • Opt‑In Only: If you want individual help, you may request a referral after the workshop through the Host or via our contact channel.
  • No Guarantees: Education may help you make decisions, but outcomes (e.g., coverage approvals, premiums, claims, benefits) are not guaranteed.
7) Intellectual Property; Limited License

All content in our Services—including text, slides, graphics, checklists, and recordings—is owned by STIEI or used under license. We grant you a limited, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable license to view, download, and print materials for personal or internal organizational use only. You may not copy, modify, distribute, repost, resell, or create derivative works without our prior written permission.
  • Trademarks/Logos: You may not use our name or marks without permission.
  • Third‑Party Content: Third‑party trademarks and materials remain the property of their owners.
8) Acceptable Use

You agree not to: (a) misuse the Services; (b) attempt to bypass security; (c) harvest data; (d) upload malware; (e) infringe IP rights; (f) misrepresent your identity; (g) use our materials to imply STIEI endorses any product, provider, or political cause.

9) Privacy & Data Practices

We aim to minimize personal data collection. During workshops, no personal data is collected by STIEI. If you submit a form on our site (e.g., to host a session or request a referral), we handle that data per our Privacy Policy. Hosts control their attendee rosters. Presenters are responsible for their own compliance and privacy practices during any one‑on‑one meetings.

10) Changes to the Services

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue part or all of the Services at any time, with or without notice. We may update these Terms periodically; the “Effective date” will reflect the latest version. Your continued use after an update means you accept the revised Terms.

11) Disclaimers

THE SERVICES AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” STIEI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT CONTENT IS ACCURATE, COMPLETE, CURRENT, OR ERROR‑FREE, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR SECURE.

12) Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STIEI AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYEES, AND CONTRACTORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, 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. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED $100.Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; some of the above may not apply to you.

13) Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless STIEI from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

14) Event Photos/Recordings (Optional)

Workshops may be photographed or recorded by the Host. Attendance may constitute consent to be photographed/recorded for internal recap or educational use. If you do not wish to appear, notify the Host in advance. Hosts are responsible for their own policies; STIEI does not control Host media use.

15) Links to Third Parties

Our Services may link to third‑party websites or resources. STIEI is not responsible for their content, products, services, or privacy practices. Access at your own risk.

16) Texas Law; Venue; Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws rules.
  • Venue: You agree to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of state or federal courts located in Hidalgo County, Texas for any disputes not subject to arbitration.
  • (Optional) Arbitration & Class Action Waiver: By mutual agreement, disputes may be resolved by binding arbitration under AAA rules on an individual basis (no class actions). Discuss with your attorney before enabling this clause.
17) Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted with a new Effective date. Your continued use means you accept the updated Terms.

18) Termination

We may suspend or terminate access to the Services for any violation of these Terms. Provisions that by their nature should survive (e.g., IP, disclaimers, limitations, indemnities) will survive termination.

19) Miscellaneous

  • Severability: If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
  • No Waiver: A failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
  • Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our consent. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or reorganization.
  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, plus any referenced policies (e.g., Privacy Policy), are the entire agreement between you and STIEI regarding the Services.
20) Contact Us

Questions about these Terms?
Email: [support@stiei.org] • Phone: (956) 370-5052 • Mailing Address: TBD
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