Our Commitment to a Safe and Supportive Community
The Empower Network, Inc. (“TEN”) is a peer-led, community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering people living with chronic illness and disability. To keep our spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful, we have established policies that guide how we operate, how we protect personal information, and how we engage with one another.
These policies work together to create a clear framework for participation: protecting confidentiality, promoting dignity and accessibility, and setting expectations for members, volunteers, and staff.
Below you’ll find quick summaries of each policy and links to the full documents. By participating in TEN’s community, events, or online platforms, you agree to follow these policies.
Inclusion Statement
We define the chronic illness and disability community as anyone who has been pushed out of, excluded from, or limited by traditional work structures due to health, energy, or accessibility barriers. This includes chronically sick, disabled, and neurodivergent entrepreneurs, as well as anyone navigating invisible conditions, fluctuating capacity, or health challenges – whether or not they identify with those labels.
Holiday Guide Giveaway Official Rules
Summary – Updated November 5, 2025
- Who we are: A Kansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered entirely by volunteers who believe everyone deserves real work options that flex around real life.
- What we’re doing: We’re giving away sponsored ad spots in our Holiday Shopping Guide to help chronically ill and disabled creators get more visibility for their businesses during the holiday season.
- How to enter: Follow @the_empower_network on Instagram or Threads and tag 3 other creators you’d love to see featured. That’s it! (You can also enter for free by emailing us.)
- What you could win: A free sponsored ad spot in the guide. The number of spots depends on how many community donations come in to support the giveaway through this donation campaign.
- No purchase or donation is required to enter or win. Donations simply help us fund more ad spaces so we can lift up more creators.
- We’re doing our best: Our team is entirely volunteer-led, and every bit of this effort is about community over competition. We’ll draw winners fairly (using a random number generator) and announce them publicly on November 11, 2025.
- This giveaway is just one more way we’re working to make the holidays a little brighter — by connecting, amplifying, and celebrating disabled and chronically ill entrepreneurs.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the official rules here
Privacy Policy
Summary – Updated September 9, 2025
- We collect only the information you choose to provide (membership, directory, newsletter, uploads) plus limited analytics data.
- We use this information to deliver services, process payments, send updates, maintain community functions, and support safeguarding of our spaces.
- We never sell your data.
- We may share limited information with trusted third-party providers (such as payment processors, email platforms, or analytics tools).
- We may publish your directory information with your written consent.
- You may unsubscribe or request changes to your information at any time.
- Certain data may remain in system backups until routine cleanup.
- We do not collect or store medical records or Protected Health Information (PHI).
- Residents of the EU/UK/Switzerland and other regions may have additional rights under local law.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Privacy Policy here.
Terms of Use
Summary – Updated September 9, 2025
- This site is owned and operated by The Empower Network, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- The site provides information, resources, and community features but does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice.
- You must be 18 or older to use this site.
- You are responsible for what you post or share (e.g., comments, directory listings, or other contributions).
- The Empower Network content is protected by copyright; you may not reuse or distribute it without permission.
- Directory listings and member services are for visibility only; inclusion does not mean endorsement by The Empower Network.
- Be respectful, follow our Community Standards, and do not engage in harassment, discrimination, or harmful conduct.
- The Empower Network is not liable for damages that may result from your use of the site.
- Your use of this site is also subject to The Empower Network’s Privacy Policy, Safeguarding Policy, and Community Standards.
- By using this site, you agree to these Terms of Use.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Terms of Use here.
Community Standards
Summary – Updated October 9, 2025
- Respect confidentiality — what’s shared in The Empower Network stays in The Empower Network.
- Treat everyone with dignity; no harassment or discrimination.
- The Empower Network resources are for personal use only, not redistribution.
- No unsolicited promotion; respect consent and boundaries.
- Report unsafe or harmful behavior to The Empower Network leadership.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Community Standards here.
Safeguarding Policy
Summary – Updated October 9, 2025
- Everyone deserves dignity and respect. No abuse, bullying, or discrimination of any kind.
- Keep healthy boundaries — no pressuring others into personal, financial, or business arrangements.
- Confidentiality matters — don’t share personal info or recordings without permission.
- The Empower Network may remove someone from spaces if safety could be at risk (this does not always mean wrongdoing).
- If you see or experience something unsafe, tell us: support@empower-network.org or use the Report a Concern Form
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Safeguarding Policy here.
Membership Agreement
Summary – Updated October 27, 2025
- This is a peer-led, community-based space—not a provider of therapy, medical, legal or other professional services.
- Presenters at events and other members speak in their personal/professional roles, not on behalf of The Empower Network.
- Members may share their own services in the directory, but inclusion does not imply endorsement by The Empower Network.
- You are responsible for your own outcomes based on what you choose to implement.
- Confidentiality, respect, and inclusion are core to our community.
- If something feels inaccessible or exclusionary, we welcome your feedback.
- The Empower Network is primarily volunteer-run; by joining, you agree to hold harmless and indemnify The Empower Network, its directors, and volunteers.
- The Empower Network is not liable for decisions, harm, or damages.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Membership Agreement here.
Volunteer Agreement
Summary – Updated October 9, 2025
- I am volunteering my time freely, without expectation of payment, benefits, or personal gain.
- Donated time is not tax-deductible; donated goods or materials may qualify as in-kind contributions.
- Expenses are my responsibility unless pre-approved in writing; approved expenses require receipts for reimbursement.
- I represent myself and not The Empower Network, unless explicitly authorized.
- I agree to be respectful, inclusive, and disability-informed in my role.
- I understand and accept the risks of volunteering and agree to hold harmless and indemnify The Empower Network and its volunteers.
- I will keep community and member information confidential.
- I will not use my role to solicit or sell without prior approval.
- I will avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential overlaps.
- I consent (or may opt out) of being included in photos, recordings, or publicity.
- I commit to safeguarding participants and reporting any concerns to leadership.
- I understand that all volunteers may be subject to background checks to help protect the community.
- This agreement may be ended by either party at any time.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Volunteer Agreement here.
Background Check & Screening Policy
Summary – Updated October 9, 2025
- The Empower Network believes in second-chance opportunities, and that none of us should be permanently judged by our lowest moments.
- Employees, volunteers, and certain contractors may be screened before starting.
- Screening may include an application, interview, references, and a consent-based background check.
- Enhanced checks may be required for roles with financial, sensitive, or vulnerable-person access.
- Some offenses (abuse, sexual, financial crimes) automatically restrict specific roles.
- All past convictions are reviewed case-by-case with appropriate guardrails.
- All background information is kept confidential and handled in compliance with the law.
- You’ll have the chance to see and respond to any findings before decisions are final.
- Ongoing reaffirmation, training, and supervision support community safety.
This summary is provided for convenience only. Please read the full Background Check & Screening Policy here.
Questions or Concerns?
We take these commitments seriously and want every member of The Empower Network to feel safe, respected, and supported. If you have questions about our policies, need clarification, or wish to report a concern, please reach out:
Together, we can continue building an inclusive and empowering community for people living with chronic illness and disability.