Policies

This policy sets out the terms and conditions for use of Encore Learning websites, whether as a guest or a registered user. Website use and content are guided by the policies of this section of the website. 

Access to Encore Learning sites is permitted on a temporary basis, and we reserve the right to withdraw or amend the service we provide on Encore Learning sites without notice.

By using our websites, you accept these terms and agree to abide by them. If you do not agree to, or if you breach these terms, please refrain from using our sites.

Encore Learning shall not be liable if for any reason our sites are unavailable at any time or for any period.

Registration

Registration for Encore Learning classes and events is accomplished only online. 

Only current Encore Learning members may register for a course. The fee for each course is posted in the Registration section of this site. Course registrations are nontransferable. If a class or event registration has reached capacity, a waitlist is maintained.

There is no minimum or maximum limit of courses for which a member can register.

Payment is by either Visa or MasterCard. Phone registrations are not accepted. Members receive an immediate confirmation message on the payment screen, along with an email confirmation/printable receipt.

Need help? Check out our Registration Frequently Asked Questions Guide.

Refunds and Transfers

Members successfully registered in a course may choose between full refund of the course registration fee or transfer to an alternate open course in the following cases:

• The selected course is cancelled for any reason;
• The course’s published schedule or location is changed prior to the course start date, and the
  member is unable to attend because of the change; or
• Encore Learning receives an email (to
  info@encorelearning.net) with a withdrawal or transfer request from the member within 24 hours of the first class session start time.

Withdrawal requests received more than 24 hours after the first class session start time but within five working days after the first class session of the course may specify either refund of the course fee minus a $10 service charge or transfer to an alternate open course; no refund or transfer is available after that period.

Cancellations

Courses that do not meet their minimum enrollment at least one week prior to the course start date will be cancelled. If withdrawals occurring after the course start date result in enrollment below the indicated minimum, the course may be cancelled.

Encore Learning’s visitor policy is designed to attract new members and applies only to in-person classes.

Anyone who has never been a member of Encore Learning and who meets Encore Learning's membership requirements may be allowed to attend a single course session. Requests to attend a specific session must be approved in advance by Encore Learning Staff: info@encorelearning.net.

Criteria for approval includes: 1) an agreement from the instructor, and 2) space availability (i.e., no visitors are allowed in courses that have met their maximum enrollment).

Note: this policy applies to in-person classes only.

Encore Learning is pleased to offer a robust schedule of Special Events for our members. Our Special Events Committee arranges tours in the most interesting venues in the DC area. Occasionally these venues charge a fee for each tour attendee. We collect these fees as part of the online event registration in Member Account Manager.

Online event registration is available only for credit card payment.

Full refunds will be provided up to ten business days prior to the event. To request a refund, contact the office via phone (703-228-2144) or email (info@encorelearning.net).

Please always notify the office if you are registered for an event and unable to attend so that those on the waiting list have a chance to attend. Joining the wait list is free, but payment is expected within 24 hours of notification or the spot goes to the next member on the list.

Virtual Classes and Special Events

Virtual Classes and Special Events will not be cancelled due to weather delays or cancellations. If there are any delays or cancellations that affect a virtual class or event participants will be notified by email.

In-Person Classes and Special Events

Common sense regarding travel safety should always be a general guide.

For specific information, refer to the guidelines for relevant locations, below:

George Mason Locations
Encore Learning will abide by cancellations and delayed opening rules of the university. Encore Learning classes scheduled to begin after the campus reopens will take place as scheduled, otherwise, registered participants will be notified of changes by email. Site information: Visit www.gmu.edu or call 703-993-1000.

Fairlington Community Center
Facility closures and delays are at the discretion of the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department. Call 703-228-4715 for updates on facilities’ status.

Offsite/Multi-location Courses
For classes that meet at various locations in Arlington, Encore Learning will follow the Arlington County Government status posted here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/PSCEM/Emergency-Preparedness/Closings-Delays-Cancellations

Arlington Public Library
Encore Learning will abide by cancellations and delayed opening rules of the Arlington Public Library.  Any special event scheduled will be cancelled.  Site information: https://library.arlingtonva.us/library-news-blog/ for Arlington Central Library or call 703-228-5990.

Cancellation/change notification of Club and Special Event activities that meet outside of host institutions, other than those specified earlier, will rely on communication by the activity coordinator.

Discrimination

Encore Learning does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Academic Freedom

Encore Learning, as a learning organization, subscribes to the principle of academic freedom wherein all views can and should be respected.

The definition of academic freedom is the right of educators to teach and discuss topics without restriction or interference by the educational organization. Instructors are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching their own personal bias on controversial matters that have no relation to their subject.

Non-Attribution

Encore Learning subscribes to policy wherein, should an instructor request “non-attribution,” Class Aides will provide notice alerting class members of such a request and that class members will be expected to honor such request.

Civility

Encore Learning subscribes to a policy of civility in all communications: verbal and nonverbal, one-on-one and in group settings. Civility is a behavioral norm that is respectful and courteous. It includes consideration of others' concerns, backgrounds, and feelings.

It is expected that all members, staff, and instructors will be mindful of and abide by acceptable norms of behavior and respectful language. Examples inconsistent with this policy for the instructional environment, whether online or in-person, include the following: argumentative discussion, usurping authority from instructor, degrading phrases and words and dominating discussion with long or too many questions. Instructors and Class Aides will be provided guides and training, as necessary, to manage improper behavior.

Privacy Policy

Encore Learning is committed to protecting member privacy to ensure security of personal information.  The organization, its staff, and members will not sell, rent, lease, or otherwise disclose personal information, other than for its intended and restricted purposes.

All Encore Learning staff and members using and storing personal data will be provided training and guidance to ensure proper internal controls.

Information Security

Encore Learning will take reasonable steps to design and manage websites and data systems to ensure that its information technology, applications, and information technology infrastructure are secure.

We require credit card processing be secured based on compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.  When a member uses a credit card for any purchase or donation on our course management (ASAP) system, that transaction is encrypted using “Transport Layer Security (TLS)” to protect credit card information transmitted over the Internet.

Encore Learning does not retain any credit card information.

Information Collected and Stored

Encore Learning uses online tools such as Google Analytics, to collect and track information about member visits so that Encore Learning can monitor usage and make improvements.  Encore Learning also collects anonymous data elements in aggregate form that cannot be traced to an individual, as follows:

• Automatic Electronic Exchange Information: Name of the domain from which members access the Internet (for example, gmail.com, if connecting from a Google Online account); location from which you access our site (approximate country, state, city and postal code based on Google Analytics data); type of device, browser, and operating system used to access our website; date, time, and length of visit to our site; demographic data; and the pages, files, documents, and links that you visit and engage with.
• Electronic Survey Information: To better understand our visitors and members, we may conduct surveys (e.g., Survey Monkey) to gather information about you or your experience (such as, your city or state, age); your participation is voluntary and, unless specifically stated otherwise in the request, the information you provide will not be connected your personal data.
• Data Retention: Encore Learning will retain your information for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Statement unless a longer retention period is required or allowed by law.

However, even after you cancel your account, or if you ask us to delete your personal information, copies of some information from your account may remain viewable in some circumstances where, for example, you have shared information with social media or other services.

We may also retain backup information related to your account on our servers for some time after cancellation or your request for deletion, for fraud detection or to comply with applicable law or our internal security or recordkeeping policies. Note: It may not always be possible to completely remove or delete all of your information due to technical constraints or contractual, financial or legal requirements.

Social Media

Social media companies are not operated by Encore Learning; use of their services is governed by the privacy policies of the social media companies.

When you access or interact with Encore Learning through a social media service such as Facebook, we may have visibility to your profile name and other information you have made public in connection with that particular social media service. The social media companies may collect and share anonymous aggregate metrics with us regarding use, such as the total number of clicks, shares, users’ demographics (e.g., age range, gender, location).

Personal Data Access

Personal data may only be accessed by Encore Learning Staff (employees) and members of the Board of Directors (volunteers).

Supporting Organizations

Encore Learning utilizes facilities and the communication support of George Mason University and Arlington County (Parks, Schools, and Recreation).

These organizations have policies that require them to maintain information security.

Mobile Information

No Mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

You agree to receive Customer Care/ Conversational, Appointment reminder messages from ENCORE LEARNING. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP. You may also email us at info@encorelearning.net.

Encore Learning owns the exclusive right of use all of its branding materials (e.g., name, logo, signage).

Instructors and presenters retain all rights over their intellectual property, instructional materials, and recordings of their presentations.

Class materials and recordings are provided to registered students. To protect the intellectual property of Encore Learning’s volunteer instructors, registered students may not share class materials and recordings with non-registered students without the express written permission of the instructor. This prohibition includes documents created by the instructor and class recordings that may be posted on the password-protected course webpage. Links that are publicly available are excluded from this prohibition. Violation of this policy shall result in revocation of membership in Encore Learning.

Encore Learning Bylaws

Web accessibility ensures access to the web for everyone, regardless of disability. Visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities can all affect access to the web. 

For people with disabilities, access to this technology can be more critical than for the general population, which may have an easier time accessing traditional sources of information such as print media. 

Our site presents information in a way that people can access information regardless of what hardware or software they are using, and regardless of how they navigate through a site. The Encore Learning website can be translated with closed captioning through "machine translation" using Google Translate. As with any machine translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not fully convert text into its intended meaning. Encore Learning cannot guarantee the accuracy of the converted text nor are we liable for any resulting issues.