By registering an account on this website and accessing the forum, you understand — and agree to unconditionally adhere to — each of the following clauses:

1. Rules

1.1. - Be Respectful and Civilized
No bullying, racism, prejudice, hate speech, derogatory remarks, name-calling, or otherwise harmful or exclusionary behavior or language allowed. Do not post content that promotes hate or discrimination against individuals or groups based on race, religion, gender, nationality, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Deliberately posting controversial or disruptive content to provoke others is not allowed.

1.2. - No Spamming
Refrain from posting unsolicited advertisements or promotional content unless it is authorized by forum staff and is in a section of the forum reserved for advertising or promoting. This does not include casual product and service recommendations and questions in casual discussions throughout the forum. Furthermore, do not repeatedly post the exact same content.

1.3. - Stay on Topic
Posts must be made in the board designated for the subject of your post. For example, if you have a question or need help with some forum feature, then you must make that post within the "Help & Support" board and not the "General Discussion" board. In other words, if there is no board designated for your specific subject, then post it in the "General Discussion" board.

        1.3.1 - Topics and posts which are closely related to the subject matter of subscriber-only boards are subject to being moved to the respective subscriber-only board (see section 4).

1.4. - No Misinformation nor Disinformation
Do not share information unless you're sure of its accuracy, especially on crucial subjects like health or safety. Do not share information for the sole purpose of misleading, including spreading propaganda issued by a government organization, a rival organization, or clearly biased media.

1.5. - Usernames
You have the ability, as you register, to choose your username. We advise that you keep the name appropriate. With this user account you are about to register, you agree to never give your password out to another person except an administrator, for your protection and for validity reasons. You also agree to never use another person's account for any reason. We also highly recommend you use a complex and unique password for your account, to prevent account theft.

1.6. - Profiles
After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable in accordance with the rest of the forum rules.

1.7. - Respect Copyright
Only post content that you have the right to share. Do not distribute copyrighted materials without the permission of the copyright holder. The unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted material may result in legal action being taken against against you by the copyright holder.

1.8. - Keep Personal Grievances Private
If you have an issue with another member, handle it through private messages, not public posts. Furthermore, administrator and moderator decisions must be respected and followed; questioning their decisions should be done privately.

1.9. - Use Descriptive Topic Titles
When creating a new topic, use a descriptive title that gives an idea of the subject matter of the content which you want to post. Topics with gibberish and spammy titles (for example: just random numbers or letters, a symbol or number instead of words, a large amount of exclamation or question marks, etc. ) will most likely just be deleted.

1.10. - No NSFW (Not Safe For Work) Content
NSFW is content which is explicit, obscene, brutal, or adult in nature. This type of content is not allowed on this forum, with the exceptions of personal messages and boards which clearly state that NSFW content is allowed in the board description.

1.11. - Do Not Misuse nor Disfigure CWA and Wardlaw Arms
Users are not allowed to alter the appearance of CWA and Wardlaw arms nor use them for financial gain or ungrounded claims of heredity.

1.12 - Do Not Abuse the Hashtag System
Using hashtags in your topics or posts which are not related to the subject-matter of your writing is forbidden as it causes forum clutter and defeats the purpose of the hashtags, which is the allow for better organization of content on the forum.

1.13 - Do Not Use More Than Two Accounts
You are allowed to use two accounts: one as your main account, and one as an additional account which you may keep anonymous

    Failure to adhere to these rules can result in your account being issued a warning and/or added to a watch list, muted, temporarily banned, or permanently banned at the full discretion of forum moderators and administrators.




2. Server and Forum Details

    2.1. - Administrators and Moderators
    Administrators and moderators are commonly referred to as "forum staff" and they are encouraged to be contacted by users in the event of any issues pertaining to the forum rules or this registration agreement as a whole. The forum staff page can be located here: [!LINK!]

    2.2. - Software
    This forum is built with the software Simple Machines Forum version 2.1.4 and contains various code modifications and customizations.

    2.3. - Server Hardware
    This forum is hosted on Linux cloud virtual private servers in state-of-the-art secured data centers based in the United States with the following specifications: 2 Intel E5-2670v3 12 Core/24 Thread 2.3Ghz 30Mb Cache Processors, 512 GB RAM, 256GB Samsung SSD internal drives, Distributed Ceph Storage with SSD Caching Tier using 800GB Intel SSD DC S3610 Series Drives for external storage, 100mbps constant upload and download speed.

    2.4. - Security and Backups
    In an effort to ensure the stability and security of this forum and its data, only minor changes and updates will be made to the forum at a single time. Administrators will make periodic off-site backups of the entire forum so that the website may be restored in the event of a fatal error or data center disaster.

    2.5. - Structure of Forum Content
    The hierarchy (method of organization) of this forum and its content is as follows: Category > Board > Topic > Post.

        2.5.1. - Category
        Our forum is segmented into overarching themes known as categories. These categories represent broad areas of discussion. Categories contain the boards.

        2.5.2. - Board
        Within each category, specific topics are organized into boards. These boards provide more detailed subjects for discussion. Ensure you select the correct board that matches your intended topic for clarity and ease of navigation for all members.

        2.5.3. - Topic (or Thread)
        Within boards, you can initiate or participate in discussions called topics or threads. When creating a new topic, make sure your subject is clear and relevant to the board it's placed under. This helps in fostering meaningful discussions and makes it easier for other members to engage.

        2.5.4. - Post
        A post is your individual contribution within a topic. Ensure your posts are respectful, on-topic, and add value to the overall discussion. The initial post sets the tone for the topic, and all subsequent posts should aim to remain relevant and constructive.




3. CWA Register, CWA Arms, and Ancestral Wardlaw Family Crest

    3.1. - Users who become tier 1 and tier 2 forum subscribers will be added to an official Clan Wardlaw Association register for the sole purpose of historical and genealogical research as well as preservation. This data is stored securely (see section 2.3).

    3.2. - Use of Officially Registered Coat of Arms as Recorded Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland
    Under no circumstances may any user of this forum use the Clan Wardlaw Association arms, the ancestral Wardlaw arms, or variations thereof, for financial gain unless explicitly and publicly authorized by a Clan Wardlaw Association board member. The CWA arms and ancestral Wardlaw arms are recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament in the year 1672 which has been maintained and added to since then by the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, whose power is derived from the monarch's royal prerogatives, as has been delegated to the office by the law of the United Kingdom.

    3.3. - Legal Protection of Arms Under Scottish Law
    Arms can be granted to either a single person, or to an institution — as is the case with the Clan Wardlaw Association. Once Arms have been granted and recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, they are protected under the law of Scotland. Any infringement of armorial rights in Scotland may be drawn to the attention of the Procurator Fiscal to the Court of the Lord Lyon, who may mount any necessary prosecution of the offender. Users of this forum are expected to self-educate on the armorial rights in Scotland and we reserve the right to terminate the accounts of any users who infringe upon them.




4. Subscriptions and Membergroups

    This forum utilizes an optional subscription system by which users can commit a set monthly or annual sum in exchange for benefits which are exclusive to the chosen subscription tier. There are no refunds for subscriptions. Upon successfully subscribing, users are automatically moved into the respective membergroup (see section 4.6) and granted access to the respective benefits as outlined below.
   
    4.1. - Tier 1 Member — referred to as "Clan Member" on the forum
    $6 per month. You receive the following benefits:
        - A certificate of membership (contact Forum Staff for this)*
        - A unique badge under your username, distinguishing you from other users throughout the forum
        - A purple username, distinguishing you from other users throughout the forum
        - Access to "CWA Announcements" board (free users can only read)
        - Access to "Member Only Discussion" board
        - Full access to "Genealogy, Research, & Projects" board (free users can only read)
        - Access to "The Whisk(e)y Club" board
        - Access to "Clan Archival Vault" board
        - Access to the quarterly Clan Wardlaw Newsletter

    4.2. - Tier 2 Platinum Member — referred to as "Clan Kin" on the forum
    $7 per month. You receive everything in Tier 1, in addition to:
        - A unique badge with a silver star and trim under your username, distinguishing you throughout the forum
        - Ability to mention/tag other users in posts using @username (remember: display name is different than username)
        - Ability to use topic prefixes, making your topics stand out on the forum by adding a tag next to them.

    *only available to annual subscribers!


    4.3. - Subscription Renewal
    Failure to renew your subscription will result in your account automatically being reverted to free account status. In order to keep your member benefits, it is vital to maintain your subscription. A reminder email will be sent to your account's email address two days before your subscription expires. If your subscription expires, you indefinitely retain your member status in CWA records, but you will just lose access to the member benefits.

    4.4. - How Your Subscription Funds are Used
    Income generated via forum subscriptions are sent to the Clan Wardlaw Association's institutional bank account, as this site is a Clan Wardlaw Association initiative. This money is used for Scottish gathering entrance and setup costs, Wardlaw Heritage Library upkeep and maintenance, ancestry and genealogical research, and the renovation and restoration of places and objects related to Wardlaw history and the Clan Wardlaw within Scotland and the United States. CWA is currently in the process of trying to achieve non-profit organization status within the United States and therefore CWA leaders (board members) do not receive any private income from membership subscriptions.

    4.6. - Membergroup Functionality and Information
    In our forum, we utilize a feature known as "membergroups" to categorize and manage our members. Membergroups are essentially user roles that determine the level of access, permissions, and capabilities a user has within the forum. Here's what you should know:

        4.5.1. - Purpose of Membergroups
        Membergroups help streamline our forum operations, ensuring that specific sections, features, and tasks are accessible only to those who need them. This segmentation helps maintain forum organization, security, and a positive user experience.

        4.5.2. - Assignment
        Upon registration, every user is typically assigned to a default membergroup. Based on your participation, behavior, or at the discretion of the forum administrators and moderators, you may be moved to different membergroups or have additional membergroups assigned to you.

        4.5.3. - Privileges and Restrictions
        Each membergroup comes with its set of permissions, which can range from reading certain boards, posting without moderation, accessing private sections, or even moderating certain sections of the forum. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the privileges and limitations of any membergroup you're part of.

        4.5.4. - Visibility
        Depending on the membergroup, some might come with special badges or titles displayed under your username. This helps members identify staff, veteran (i.e. long-standing) members, or users with special roles or recognitions.

        4.5.5. - Requesting Membergroup Changes: If you believe you should be part of a different membergroup or have additional permissions, you can request a change. However, all decisions regarding membergroup assignments lie solely with the forum's administration.

        4.5.6. - Behavior & Membergroup Status
        Please be aware that consistently failing to adhere to forum rules may lead to a change in your membergroup, limitation of forum access, moderation of your posts, or other action as described in section 1. On the other hand, positive contributions and activities on the forum may result in enhanced privileges.

        4.5.7. - Custom Membergroups
        Occasionally, we might set up custom membergroups for events, tasks, or specific user roles. These may be temporary or permanent and would be communicated to the affected users.




5. Gamification

    This forum makes use of "gamification," which is the act of implementing games, fun activities, and incentives in order to draw more user activity and interest to the forum.
   
    5.1. - Badge Awards System  
    Users can earn badges which display on their profile by completing tasks. Most badges are issued automatically, but some special badges are only manually awarded by forum staff.

    5.2. - Forum Shop and Currency System
    Users can gain virtual currency by being active in the forum. This is strictly for user-engagement and does not, in any way, represent real-world currency, nor can it be exchanged for real-world currency. This virtual game currency can also be used to purchase virtual items in the forum's virtual shop. These items are strictly for the purpose of gamification and user engagement, and can not be exchanged for real-world items.

    5.3. - Post-count Based Membergroups
    Users can earn new membergroups (essentially "levels") as their post-count (number of posts they have made) increases. This is done to give users free recognition and prestige for their contributions to the forum.



6. Disclaimers

    6.1. - Freedom of Speech
    Views and statements expressed by members are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the forum administrators and        moderators nor that of the Clan Wardlaw Association, United States government, nor Scottish and British governments.

    6.2. - Content Ownership
    All content posted on this forum remains the intellectual property of the original poster. Unless expressly stated, the forum does not claim ownership of any user-generated content.

    6.3. - No Endorsement
    The presence of content on this forum does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the forum administrators, moderators, or Clan Wardlaw Association as a whole unless otherwise publicly and clearly stated by a CWA board member.

    6.4. - Accuracy of Information
    While we strive to maintain a high level of accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or usefulness of any information presented on this forum.

    6.5. - Third-party Links
    Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only. We do not control the content of these sites and are not responsible for their content or accuracy.

    6.6. - Limitation of Liability
    The forum, its owners, administrators, and moderators are not liable for any damages resulting from the use of this forum or its content.

    6.7. - No Professional Advice
    Content on this forum is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice (e.g., legal, medical, financial).

    6.8. - Privacy Notice
    We value your privacy, but remember that anything you post publicly can be seen by others. While we take measures to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee absolute privacy. Also note that the software places a cookie, a text file containing bits of information (such as your username and password), in your browser's cache. This is ONLY used to keep you logged in/out. The software does not collect or send any other form of information to your computer.

    6.9. - Modification Rights
    Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of this forum immediately. The staff of this forum reserve the right to remove objectionable content, within a reasonable time frame, if they determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, please realize that they may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. This policy applies to member profile information as well.

    6.10. - Termination Rights
    Users who violate our forum rules may have their accounts suspended or terminated without prior notice.

    6.11. - Cookies and Tracking
    This forum uses cookies and other tracking mechanisms to enhance user experience and for analytical purposes. For more details, refer to our privacy policy.

    6.12. - Jurisdiction and Governing Law
    Any disputes related to this forum will be governed by the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

    6.13. - Affiliations
    We maintain partnerships and affiliations with various organizations. These will always be listed on the main page under the "Free Community Area" category as an ally with a blue heart.

    6.14. - Commercial Content and Advertisements:
    Advertisements and sponsored content on this forum are commercial in nature and do not necessarily reflect the views or preferences of the forum administrators nor that of Clan Wardlaw Association unless clearly and publicly stated.


We reserve the right to change this registration agreement at any time. For your convenience – and for the sake of integrity and transparency – we will maintain a change-log of this document below. Furthermore, changes to this registration agreement and major forum functionality changes will be publicly announced via the information board here: https://celticcircle.net/index.php/board,2.0.html