TERMS OF SERVICE

 

Last updated: June 2026

 

Welcome to New Acropolis Chicago. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website (nachicago.org), our courses and events, and any purchases or donations you make through us. Please read them carefully. By using our site or taking part in what we offer, you agree to these Terms.

 

We've tried to write these in plain language. If anything is unclear, reach out to us at newacrochicago@gmail.com and we'll be glad to explain.

 

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1. WHO WE ARE

 

New Acropolis Chicago is a non-profit, all-volunteer school of philosophy in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. We have served the Chicago community since 2005 and are the local chapter of New Acropolis International. You can reach us at 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Suite 204B, Chicago, IL 60613, or at newacrochicago@gmail.com.

 

In these Terms, "New Acropolis Chicago," "we," "us," and "our" refer to the organization. "You" refers to anyone who visits our website, takes part in a class or event, makes a purchase, or makes a donation.

 

2. ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS

 

By using our website, registering for a course or event, making a purchase, or making a donation, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our site or services.

 

3. ELIGIBILITY

 

Our courses and events are intended for adults. If you are under 18, you may take part only with the consent and, where appropriate, the accompaniment of a parent or legal guardian. If you would like a minor to participate, please contact us first so we can talk it through.

 

By registering, you confirm that the information you provide is accurate and that you are able to enter into these Terms.

 

4. THE FREE FIRST CLASS

 

The first class of our Living Philosophy Course is always free and carries no obligation. It exists so you can experience what we do before deciding whether to continue. Attending the free first class does not commit you to anything further.

 

5. COURSES, EVENTS, AND PAYMENT

 

When you register for a paid course or a ticketed event, you agree to pay the fee shown at the time of registration. As an all-volunteer organization, we keep our fees as low as we reasonably can. They help cover materials, our space, and the cost of running our programs.

 

Payments are handled by trusted third-party services such as Eventbrite. We do not collect or store your full payment card details on our own systems. Your payment is also subject to the terms and privacy practices of the service processing it, and we encourage you to review those.

 

Your registration is confirmed once payment is complete and you have received a confirmation.

 

6. REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

 

We want you to feel good about joining us, which is exactly why the first class is free: it lets you try before you commit.

 

If your plans change, contact us at newacrochicago@gmail.com. We are a community first, and we review refund requests individually and in good faith. Depending on the situation, and especially if you reach out before a course begins, we may offer a full refund, a partial refund, or a credit toward a future session.

 

If we cancel a course or event before it begins, for example due to low enrollment, you will be offered a full refund or the option to move to a future session.

 

7. PURCHASES

 

From time to time we offer books and other items, online or in person. When you buy something from us, the price and any related costs will be shown before you complete your purchase, along with how and when you can expect to receive it. If an item arrives damaged or is not what you ordered, contact us and we will make it right. Because some of our titles are produced in limited quantities, availability is not always guaranteed, and we may cancel and refund an order if an item is unavailable.

 

8. DONATIONS

 

As a non-profit, we are grateful for donations that help us keep our doors open and our first class free. Donations are voluntary and, unless the law requires otherwise, are non-refundable. If you believe a donation was made in error, contact us promptly and we will review it in good faith.

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9. ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION

 

Everyone is welcome at New Acropolis Chicago. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Philosophy belongs to all of us, and so does this community.

 

We are also committed to making our website and our programs accessible. If you need an accommodation, whether that means materials in a different format, help navigating our site, or arrangements at our space, please contact us at newacrochicago@gmail.com. We will do our best to work with you. If you run into any accessibility barrier on our website, let us know and we will try to address it.

 

10. CODE OF CONDUCT

 

Our community runs on respect, fraternity, and goodwill. By taking part in our classes, events, or online spaces, you agree to treat fellow participants, volunteers, and teachers with courtesy, to avoid disruptive or harmful behavior, and to respect the open, exploratory spirit of philosophical discussion, where people are free to think and question for themselves.

 

We reserve the right to ask anyone whose conduct harms the community or its members to step away from a class, event, or space, and where appropriate to decline future participation. We will always try to handle these situations fairly and with care.

 

11. PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA

 

We sometimes photograph and record our classes, cultural events, and volunteer activities for educational and promotional purposes, including for our website, social media, and our Windy City Wisdom series. By attending, you understand that you may appear in this material, and you grant us permission to use it. If you would prefer not to be photographed or recorded, simply let a volunteer or teacher know at the event, or contact us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

 

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

The content on our website and in our materials, including text, articles, videos, images, logos, and course materials, belongs to New Acropolis Chicago or New Acropolis International, or is used with permission, unless otherwise noted. Some philosophical texts we reference are in the public domain or quoted with attribution.

 

You are welcome to read, enjoy, and share links to our content. Please do not copy, republish, sell, or distribute our original material for commercial purposes without our written permission. If you would like to use something, just ask. We are usually happy to say yes.

 

13. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND SERVICES

 

Our website may link to other sites and services, such as Eventbrite, YouTube, or educational resources. We offer these for convenience and learning. We do not control them and are not responsible for their content or practices. Visiting them is at your own discretion, and their own terms and privacy policies apply.

 

14. EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE AND DISCLAIMERS

 

New Acropolis Chicago offers philosophical education for personal growth and reflection. Please keep the following in mind:

 

Our teachings are offered for educational and personal-development purposes. They are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial advice. Philosophy can support wellbeing, but it is not a treatment for any medical or mental health condition. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional.

 

We make no guarantees about specific outcomes from taking part in our courses, events, or community. Our website and materials are provided "as is," without warranties of any kind, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

To the fullest extent permitted by Illinois law, New Acropolis Chicago and its volunteers, teachers, directors, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our website, your participation in our courses or events, or your purchases. Where liability cannot be excluded, it will be limited to the amount you paid us for the specific course, event, or item involved. Nothing in these Terms limits liability for anything that cannot lawfully be limited.

 

16. INDEMNIFICATION

 

You agree to hold harmless New Acropolis Chicago and its volunteers, teachers, and directors from any claims, losses, or expenses arising out of your violation of these Terms, your misuse of our site or services, or your violation of any law or the rights of another person.

 

17. PRIVACY

 

Your use of our website and services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. You can read it at nachicago.org/privacy-policy.

 

18. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

 

We may update these Terms from time to time as our programs, the law, or our practices evolve. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Your continued use of our site or services after changes take effect means you accept the revised Terms.

 

19. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES

 

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. Any dispute relating to these Terms or our services will be handled in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois.

 

Before pursuing any formal dispute, we ask that you contact us first at newacrochicago@gmail.com. Most concerns can be resolved with a simple conversation, and we would always prefer to start there.

 

20. CONTACT US

 

Questions about these Terms? We'd be glad to hear from you.

 

New Acropolis Chicago

4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Suite 204B

Chicago, IL 60613

newacrochicago@gmail.com

 

Thank you for being part of our community.