Terms of Service

About Our Organization

The Nurse Honor Guard of Northern Virginia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring nurses who have passed away through respectful tribute ceremonies. We provide the Nightingale Tribute at no cost to families and healthcare facilities.

Acceptance of Terms

By using our website, submitting applications, making donations, or requesting services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

Use of Our Website

You may use our website for lawful purposes only. You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on the rights of others
• Submit false or misleading information
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Use our website for commercial purposes without permission
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code

Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years old to use our public website and at least 18 years old to register for an account, apply for membership, or make a donation. By using our services, you represent that you meet the applicable age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

Membership Terms

Eligibility

Membership is limited to:

• Active or retired registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or advanced practice nurses
• Individuals with current or retired nursing licenses in good standing
• Residents of the Northern Virginia area

Membership Obligations

As a member, you agree to:

• Pay annual membership dues as determined by the organization
• Participate in at least 4 tribute ceremonies per year
• Attend quarterly chapter meetings or virtual equivalents
• Complete required training and orientation sessions
• Maintain professional conduct and appearance during all activities
• Respect the confidentiality of families and ceremony details

Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated by either party with written notice. The organization reserves the right to terminate membership for violation of these terms, unprofessional conduct, or failure to meet membership obligations.

Tribute Services

Service Availability

Our tribute services are provided based on member availability and geographic location. While we strive to honor all requests, we cannot guarantee service availability for every request.

Service Conditions

When requesting tribute services, you agree that:

• Information provided about the deceased nurse is accurate
• You have authority to request services on behalf of the family
• You will coordinate with funeral homes and facilities as needed
• Services are provided at no cost, though donations are appreciated
• Photography or recording during ceremonies requires prior permission

Donations and Payments

Regarding donations and membership dues:

• All donations are voluntary and non-refundable
• Membership dues are annual and non-refundable
• Payment processing is handled by third-party processors (Stripe)
• Tax deductibility of donations may be limited (we do not currently have 501(c)(3) status)
• Donation receipts will be provided for tax purposes

Intellectual Property

The content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, and images, is owned by the Nurse Honor Guard of Northern Virginia or our content suppliers and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our written permission.

User-Generated Content

If you submit content to our website (such as photos, testimonials, or forum posts), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display such content in connection with our services. You represent that you have the right to grant this license and that your content does not violate any third-party rights.

Disclaimers

Our website and services are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of information
• Warranties regarding uninterrupted or error-free service

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Nurse Honor Guard of Northern Virginia shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising from your use of our website or services.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Nurse Honor Guard of Northern Virginia and its officers, directors, volunteers, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your breach of these Terms or your misuse of the website or services.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severed from these Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which governs how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using our services, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services will be resolved in the courts of Virginia.

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will post the updated Terms on our website and update the effective date. Your continued use of our website and services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: