Terms of Use

Welcome to The Change Lab, The Change Engine (www.changeengine.us), and the Change Engine (collectively, the “Platforms”). These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our websites, applications, and services. By using the Platforms, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our Platforms.

The Change Lab operates as a nonprofit initiative under the fiscal sponsorship of Impact Hub Houston, located at 4201 Main St., Suite L055-C, Houston, Texas 77002, USA.

1. Our Mission and Values

The Platforms exist to bridge divides and build community across Houston. We believe that diverse people need not vote the same way or share the same background to belong here. Everything we build is grounded in the following commitments:

• Belonging Before Agreement -- Everyone deserves a seat at the table, regardless of background, beliefs, or political affiliation.
• Connection First -- Real change starts with relationships and trust between neighbors.
• The Whole Story -- We seek complete, honest, and contextualized information rather than simplified narratives.
• Responsibility & Fairness -- We hold ourselves and institutions accountable while centering equity and justice.
• Imagination & Tradition Together -- We honor what has come before while daring to envision what could be.
• Practice, Not Perfection -- We learn by doing, welcome feedback, and grow through iteration.
• Shared Work, Shared Future -- Community well-being is a collective responsibility.
• Local Pride, Global Learning -- We are rooted in Houston and informed by ideas and solutions from around the world.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Platforms. If you are under 18, you may only use the Platforms with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian. By using the Platforms, you represent that you meet these requirements.

3. Account Registration

Some features may require you to create an account. You agree to provide accurate and complete information, keep your login credentials secure, and notify us promptly of any unauthorized use of your account. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

4. License to Use the Platforms

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platforms for personal, non-commercial, community-building purposes, subject to these Terms.

You may share content from the Platforms provided you give proper attribution and link back to the original source on our website. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works of our content for commercial purposes without prior written permission.

5. User Contributions

The Platforms may allow you to submit feedback, suggested edits, comments, or other content (“User Contributions”). By submitting a User Contribution, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to use, display, modify, and distribute your contribution in connection with our mission and the operation of the Platforms.

You represent that your User Contributions are original, do not infringe on the rights of others, and comply with these Terms.

6. Prohibited Uses

When using the Platforms, you agree not to:

• Promote hate, discrimination, or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
• Post or share disinformation, extremist content, or calls to violence
• Use the Platforms for commercial purposes without our written permission
• Misrepresent your affiliation with The Change Lab, The Change Engine, or the Change Engine
• Take content out of context in ways that contradict our mission or values
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, accounts, or data
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, etc.) to access the Platforms without our prior consent
• Interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Platforms

7. Third-Party Content and Links

The Platforms may contain links to third-party websites, resources, and services. We provide these links for informational purposes and do not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party site. Your interactions with third-party sites are governed by their own terms and policies.

8. Intellectual Property

All content, design, graphics, trademarks, and other materials on the Platforms (excluding User Contributions) are the property of The Change Lab or its licensors and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not use our trademarks, logos, or branding without prior written permission.

9. Privacy

Your use of the Platforms is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using the Platforms, you consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platforms and all content are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

10.2 Informational Purposes

Content on the Platforms is provided for general informational and community-building purposes. It does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified professionals for specific guidance.

10.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Change Lab, Impact Hub Houston, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platforms. Our total aggregate liability for all claims shall not exceed $100.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Change Lab, Impact Hub Houston, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of the Platforms or your violation of these Terms.

12. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platforms at our discretion, without notice, for conduct that we determine violates these Terms or is harmful to our community, other users, or our mission. You may stop using the Platforms at any time.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the courts located in Harris County, Texas.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will post the revised Terms on the Platforms with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Platforms after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us: