Virtual Student Participation, Non-Disclosure, and Confidentiality Policy

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1.       Purpose and Business Description

The 10-Week Small Business Strategy Course (SBSC) is an online, virtual education platform designed to teach individuals or new business owners how to start and operate a business. Our purpose is to ensure the success of small business owners and expose them to key attributes needed in order to become successful. 

 2.       Student Participation Policy

Students will engage in the class via a PC or laptop that has a camera so that the Facilitator and Student can see and hear each other;  have access to the Internet, and be able to attend weekly sessions. Learning environments should be free from noise or distractions that would inhibit the student from learning.

Students are expected to attend a 3-hour course lecture once per week. Course times may be shorter or longer depending upon the topic and the number of inquiries or questions after the lecture.

Students will be taught business-related topics in nature in an online environment via video conference provided by ALSTNTEC. Each topic will be aligned with a traditional business plan and students are expected to complete the weekly homework assignments due each week.

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Students should be prepared to participate in weekly topics, questions, or activities in the class as appropriate. This may include responding to questions that relate to the student's business, activities, aspirations, and/or other related subjects based on the ongoing conversation during the interview process.

Students are expected to turn on and stay on camera during certain presentations and to engage with presenters. This is meant to ensure better engagement between the students and the presenter.

Students shall refrain from using language or content such as the current state of political issues, religion, war, or any other language or topics to not offend other students or prohibit them from learning. This includes: refraining from utilizing jargon, or another language that leads to the selling of products or services. However, the Company is allowing students to mention services or products directly related to the company for which they are starting up.

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Students hereby give the ALSTNTEC permission to record their likeness, voice, video screen, and background for the purpose of recording special learning sessions and final presentations via video conference or student testimonial interviews. This also may include giving the ALSTNTEC permission to use their likeness, photos, or business information to place on the website or used for promotional purposes to encourage future students to join the course. Students have the option to opt-out of being recorded with the exception of organization-sponsored required final presentation recordings.

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Students will participate in weekly mentoring sessions to help them understand the learning materials and gain additional insight into how to start a business. Students who complete the 10-Week SBSC course may also have access to optional mentoring sessions up to 3 months after the course. It is the responsibility of the student to use the scheduling program to schedule a session with the facilitator. All sessions will use the zoom app during the mentoring session.

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Legalization Assistance: If students are eligible for legalization assistance, the student will give ALSTNTEC permission to assist them with the filing of their Legalization Documentation. This includes participation in a recorded video conference session where ALSTNTEC and the student will file the documentation on the Internal Revenue and Maryland Business Express websites together. This might also include the student giving ALSTNTEC permission or the ability to type in the pertinent required information on behalf of the student that consists of the website username, password, name, address, social security number, alternate contact information, and the student acknowledgment of entered information. ALSTNTEC will only assist in the purchase of filing if funding is sponsored. 

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3. ALSTNTEC Code of Conduct Policy:

Enrollment in ALSTNTEC Small Business Course or learning activities implies acceptance of certain standards of student conduct and a willingness to abide by those standards. Our standards of conduct are established to maintain conditions under which individuals, with respect for the rights and well-being of others, can participate effectively in a common educational enterprise and well-ordered online learning community.

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ALSTNTEC's Code of Conduct hereby prohibits all persons (students, facilitators, presenters, affiliates, etc.) from engaging or participating in any of the practices or behaviors which violate the Code. All persons should exhibit a good attitude to encourage others during the learning process. Any violence, disruption, or unwanted behavior towards anyone (another student, a facilitator, or a presenter in or outside of class) that prevents a student from learning the materials or inhibits a student from continuing the course of any kind will not be tolerated. Any student, group, or organization found to have committed misconduct is subject to disciplinary action and/or suspended from the course. Attempts to commit any of these acts of misconduct are included in the scope of these definitions below.  

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     a) Disorderly conduct: Disorderly conduct is prohibited and is defined as acting in a manner to annoy, disturb, interfere with, obstruct or be offensive to others, including, but not limited to, shouting or making excessive noise during the course to the annoyance or disturbance of others; verbally abusing college officials (either on the phone, on video, in person or via electronic communications) acting in the performance of their duties; acting in a lewd or indecent manner; making threats; harassing others.

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     b) Harassment – Discrimination, harassment, and bullying: Discrimination and harassment are strictly forbidden. This includes any form of bullying, inappropriate and offensive conduct against any person, student, staff member, or presenter for any reason and on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, creed, ancestry, familial status, age, disability, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, other protected status or reasons. Modes of contact or communication include, but are not limited to, in person, on video, in writing, through telephone, electronic mail, social media, or instant messaging. Any form of harassment is unacceptable and complaints will be followed through with appropriate action. Concerns should be directed to ALSTNTEC.

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     c) Harassment – Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment or related retaliation is strictly prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome verbal or physical acts that are sexual in nature, unrelated to the content or context, and sufficiently severe and/or pervasive as to objectively either (a) have the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance, or (b) create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to, sexually based unwelcome verbal remarks or physical advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate and unwelcome contact, and explicitly or implicitly stating that submission or rejection of sexual acts or advances will be a factor in one’s employment and participation. Any form of harassment is unacceptable and complaints will be followed through with appropriate action. 

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     d) Interfering with Special Presentation Events: Interfering with any special presentation events is prohibited and includes, but is not limited to, disruption of lecture, teaching, or student participation is strictly prohibited.

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     e) Lewd behavior: Behavior that is lewd or indecent is prohibited. Such behavior is defined in consideration of the general standards of acceptable behavior and includes, but is not limited to, the following: obscene remarks, gestures, or other communications; exposing oneself in an indecent manner; showing pornographic images; or engaging in sexual activities on camera during the course.

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     f) Non-compliance: Any persons or students who fail to comply with reasonable directives to cooperate with the ALSTNTEC Code of Conduct rules will result in suspension from the course. Suspension means exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities, including access to online materials, business activities, or presenter contact information for a specified period of time. 

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4. Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Policy

This Nondisclosure Agreement (“Agreement") is entered into by and between ALSTNTEC, LLC (Disclosing Party) and the STUDENT ("Receiving Party) and as signed below for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Personal and Business Information as defined below. The parties agree to enter into a confidential relationship with respect to the disclosure of certain proprietary and confidential personal and business information ("Confidential Personal and Business Information").

Confidentiality:  By completing and signing this application, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the Confidentiality Policy of this course. "Confidential Personal and Business Information" shall include all information that identifies an individual or owners of their respective organization, entity, or small business information, which includes an individual photograph, social security number, driver's license number, name, address, telephone number, date of birth, e-mail address, records of any financial or credit institution records, and any personal identification number or password that would permit access to an individual’s financial accounts, real and personal/business property tax statements and records, conviction records for violation of the law, and any other personally identifiable information not lawfully accessible from publicly available information. This also includes the protection of personally identifiable information from the Disclosing Party’s siblings, parents, heirs, successors, affiliates, partners, clients, associates, and extended relations or partnerships.

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This non-disclosure extends to marketing practices that include any in this Agreement the business's likeness, branding, social media marketing, use of name, logo, or markings; and any employees, managers, executives, business affiliates, and partners. Other related business information pertaining to The Parties’ programs and services, such as workshops, seminars, video conferences, in-person training sessions, and mentoring/consultation services; also includes the disclosure of PII information of students, clients, customers, or business affiliates, unless publicly disclosed, is also considered confidential. The Parties shall assume that all materials and known business information whether in written form or orally are considered "Confidential".  

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(a) Exclusions from Confidential Personal and Business Information. The Party's obligations under this Agreement do not extend to information that is: (1) publicly known at the time of disclosure or subsequently becomes publicly known through no fault of The Parties; (2) discovered or created by The Parties before the disclosure; (3) learned through legitimate means other than from The Parties’ representatives; or (4) is disclosed with prior written approval.

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(b)  Obligations of The Receiving Party. The Receiving Party shall hold and maintain the Confidential Personal and Business Information in the strictest confidence for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Disclosing Party. The Parties shall not, without prior written approval use for their own benefit, publish, copy, scan or distribute (by way of the Internet, mobile or phone device, e.g. text, SMS, images, or printer) to otherwise disclose to others via the same, or permit the use by others for their benefit or to the detriment, any Confidential Personal Information. All Receiving Party shall return any and all records, notes, and other written, printed, or tangible materials in its owner’s possession pertaining to Confidential Personal Information immediately.

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(c) Time Periods. The nondisclosure provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Receiving Party's duty to hold Confidential Personal and Business Information in confidence shall remain in effect until the Confidential Personal and Business Information becomes publicly known through no fault of the Party or until written notice releasing the Party from this Agreement, whichever occurs first.

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(d) Relationships. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute either party a partner of the other party for any purpose.

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5. Ownership of Intellectual Property: 

By attending this course, you agree to this Student Participation, Non-Disclosure, and Confidentiality Agreement, and that you the Student acknowledge that all intellectual property and related materials, including any trade secrets, moral rights, goodwill, relevant registrations, or applications for registration, and rights in any patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, industrial design, and trade name (the “Intellectual Property”) that is developed or produced by ALSTNTEC under this Agreement will be the sole property of the ALSTNTEC; as such all materials received in this course shall not be duplicated or shared unlawfully without the written consent of the ALSTNTEC. 

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     a) The Student is responsible for the management and security of their own intellectual property in relation to his or her presentation, created by the student.

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 6.       Constraints/Limitations:

The purpose of this course is to ensure that student participants have the opportunity to create a traditional business plan and learn techniques, methods, and best practices used in a real-world business environment. Any information received by Students during the learning process is for the sole purpose of business-related education and training to develop a business. Therefore, the Students acknowledge that the Facilitator is sharing his/her own expert knowledge and experience related to their business, to be best of their ability, and cannot hold the ALSTNTEC or its affiliates, memberships, or partners liable for any damages for any miscommunicated information or materials given to the students or posted on the ALSTNTEC' website. It is the responsibility of each student to use the information as it applies to their specific business situation, and seek additional help or resources. 

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7.   Cancellation or Termination of the Course:

Students have the right to cancel their participation in the course at any time. Students acknowledge there are no refunds given after attending two courses if the student self-paid for the course. (For organization-sponsored courses, there are no refunds). The facilitator has the right to cancel the course at any time if there is a breach of this agreement or if it violates any of the Student Participation, NDA/Confidentiality, or Code of Conduct rules.

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8.   Conflict of Interests

Students agree that there may be times when other students in the class may have similar or general likeness to their business or involvement that may cause a potential conflict of interest. This may include performing similar or related services and may engage in events similar in nature (e.g. workshops, private sessions, conferences, etc.).  In this case, this would not be considered a conflict of interest. If a student believes there is a conflict of interests that prohibits him/her from participating in the course, the student should make every effort to disclose it to the Facilitator to resolve the problem. If the conflict cannot be resolved, ALSTNTEC has the full right to move the student to another course or revoke their participation to remedy the conflict.

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9. Assignment:

The Receiving Party will not voluntarily, or by operation of law, assign or otherwise transfer its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of ALSTNTEC.

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10.  Severability:

If a court finds any provision of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as best to effect the intent of the parties.

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11.   Integration:

This Agreement expresses the complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior proposals, agreements, representations, and understandings. This Agreement may not be amended except in a writing signed by both parties.

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12.   Waiver:

The failure to exercise any right provided in this Agreement shall not be a waiver of prior or subsequent rights.

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12.   Indemnification: 

THE STUDENT AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ALSTNTEC, AND ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND PERMITTED SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, PENALTIES, PUNITIVE DAMAGES, EXPENSES, REASONABLE LEGAL FEES, AND COSTS OF ANY KIND OR AMOUNT WHATSOEVER, WHICH RESULT FROM OR ARISE OUT OF ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY, ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND PERMITTED SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS THAT OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. THIS INDEMNIFICATION WILL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

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