Terms of Service

Eligibility and Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or otherwise use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet this requirement. The Platform is not directed to, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from, anyone under 18.

You must provide accurate information when creating an account and keep it up to date. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Employer accounts must be created by someone authorized to act on behalf of the company.

Candidate and Employer Use

The Platform helps candidates build a profile and discover career opportunities, and helps employers post jobs and connect with candidates. Job postings, profile information, and messages exchanged through the Platform must be accurate and lawful. COLAB Connects does not guarantee employment, applicant volume, or the outcome of any application, message, or Career Forum submission.

Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Provide false information in your profile, a job posting, or an application
• Use the Platform to discriminate unlawfully, harass, or discriminate against candidates or employers
• Scrape, resell, or misuse candidate or employer data obtained through the Platform
• Interfere with the security or normal operation of the Platform
• Impersonate another person or organization

Content You Provide

You retain ownership of the resume, profile information, messages, and other content you submit (“Your Content”). By submitting Your Content, you grant COLAB Connects a license to use, display, and share it as described in our Privacy Policy in order to operate the Platform. You are responsible for Your Content and confirm you have the right to submit it.

Copyright (DMCA) Notices

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect users of the Platform to do the same. If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, send a notice to our designated agent that includes: (1) a description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed; (2) a description and location (URL) of the material you claim is infringing; (3) your name, address, phone number, and email address; (4) a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; (5) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf; and (6) your physical or electronic signature. Notices should be sent to coordinator@colabconnects.org. We may remove or disable access to material that is the subject of a valid notice and, in appropriate circumstances, terminate accounts of repeat infringers.

Membership Payments

Company membership payments (per-seat, for a 12-month term) are processed through Stripe and are a single, one-time charge — not a recurring or auto-renewing subscription. Membership fees are generally non-refundable except as required by law or as we otherwise agree in writing.

Termination

You may stop using the Platform and delete your account at any time from your account settings. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or that we reasonably believe pose a risk to the Platform or its users.

Disclaimers

The Platform is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that any job posting, candidate, or Career Forum outcome will meet your expectations.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, COLAB Connects will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform, including hiring decisions, missed opportunities, or content posted by other users.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless COLAB Connects and its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to Your Content, your use of the Platform, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, notify you. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform must be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full effect. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to do so later. You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent; we may assign these Terms without restriction. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and COLAB Connects regarding the Platform and supersede any prior agreements on this subject.

Contact Us

Questions about these Terms can be sent to:

Email: coordinator@colabconnects.org

COLAB Connects, 1844 N Wolcott, Chicago, IL 60622