This agreement by and between the Stars of Courage 501c3 Organization (SOC) and the Coaching Participant (STAR). The parties agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Understand the Intentions:
A) Both SOC and the STAR enter this agreement freely, with a full understanding of their intentions hereunder, and with the understanding that it is an agreement built on trust, love and courage. Both parties agree that they shall take full responsibility for their placement of trust in the other, and therefore in the event that either party does not live up to their intentions, or changes their intentions at some point in the future, they will work together to resolve their differences. - Definition of a STAR:
A) STARS are defined as participants in the SOC Coaching Program - Qualifying for the Coaching SOC Coaching Program:
STARS Quality if:
A) They are at least 21 years of age.
B) Their income is less than 200% of the Federal Guidelines for poverty. *
C) They have special circumstances which warrant having a Life Coach.
D) They agree to have their results tracked. (Identities will be protected)
E) They are mentally stable and capable of setting and accomplishing weekly goals..
*Federal Guidelines for Poverty:
| Household Size | 100% | 200% | 300% | |
| 1 | $11,880 | $23,760 | $35,640 | |
| 2 | 16,020 | 32,040 | 48,060 | |
| 3 | 20,160 | 40,320 | 60,480 | |
| 4 | 24,300 | 48,600 | 72,900 | |
| 5 | 28,440 | 56,880 | 85,320 | |
| 6 | 32,580 | 65,160 | 97,740 | |
| 7 | 36,730 | 73,460 | 110,190 | |
| 8 | 40,890 | 81,780 | 122,670 |
- What is Expected from the STARS:
A) Sign up for a minimum coaching commitment of six months.
B) Show up to sessions on time and prepared.
C) Create an overall personal improvement plan.
D) Set weekly goals and accomplish them.
E) Track results with the SOC tracking software. - Term of the SOC Coaching program:
A) STARS may stay in the SOC Coaching Program up to 3 years or when their income exceeds 300% of the Federal Guidelines for Poverty in the United States. The STARS accomplishments will be reviewed weekly by the Coach and the STAR. Quarterly, the Coach and SOC will determine if the STAR is meeting the SOC Coaching Program guidelines as stated in clauses 3 and 4. If not, the STAR will be notified in writing and may be asked to leave the SOC Coaching Program. - Nature of the Coaching Relationship:
A) The services provided under this agreement will be delivered by phone, in person or webcast. This will be determined by the Coach. The Coaching Sessions are for strategy, planning, clarification, education and inspiration. Coaching services may include, but are not limited to; working with the STAR to set up a life plan or personal improvement plan, financial plan, health plan, communication plan, career planning, relationship development plan or other plans as mutually determined by the SOC Coach and the STAR. Weekly goals setting, development of weekly action plans and tracking of the progress; clarifying life purpose and personal value, mission-vision development, assessing beliefs, choices and actions; challenging success stoppers; and examining modes of operations through evaluations and asking clarifying questions.
B) SOC and its Coaches will keep the STAR identity and information given confidential to the extent that is legally permissible by law. The results of the STAR’s Goal Setting and Accomplishments will not be considered confidential information.
C) The Coaching sessions provided by SOC are not psychological counseling, relationship counseling, recovery work, or any other type of therapy. The power of the Coaching relationship can only be granted by the STAR. The STAR agrees to maintain open and honest communication, making the Coaching relationship powerful and effective.
D) The STAR is responsible for creating and implementing his/her own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results. As such, the STAR agrees that the SOC will not be liable for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided.
E) The STAR understands that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal counsel, psychological therapies, medical or other qualified professionals and will seek independent professional guidance for such matters. The STAR understands the SOC Coaching Program is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy. It does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease. If a STAR is currently under the care of a mental health professional, the STAR will inform the Coach, SOC and the Mental Health Care Provider regarding the advisability of working with the SOC Coaching Program. To proceed with SOC, the Mental Health Provider must give written permission and filed with the national SOC office. - Working Out Coaching Challenges:
A) If the Coaching relationship between the Coach and the STAR is not working as desired, the STAR agrees to communicate this to the Coach. It is recommended the STAR make a list of the challenges they are having and inform the Coach. Then, set up a session to discuss the necessary actions to return the power back to the coaching relationship. If after trying this approach, the STAR or Coach determine it is best to discontinue working together, the Coach will help the STAR find another Coach. - Transfers, Session Times & Changes:
A) The Coaching sessions are none-transferable to others.
B) The STAR will meet the Coach on the day and time agreed. Once the session dates and times are established the STAR will be unable to alter the schedule without agreement from the Coach. It is customary to give the Coach 24 hours advance notice for scheduling changes. If the STAR does not give the Coach 24-hour advance notice, the Coach at their discretion may cancel the session. - Disqualifying for the SOC Coaching Program:
The following will be grounds for disqualification:
A) Showing up late to a session two times within a thirty-day period.
B) Missing two or more sessions within a two-month period.
C) Failing to consistently set up weekly plans.
D) Failing to track weekly plan results two times within a one-month period.
E) The STAR may choose to discontinue coaching at any time. If the STAR discontinues coaching, SOC asks that the STAR notify SOC in writing at inservice@starsofcourage.org - Reinstatement:
A) If a STAR is disqualified from the SOC Coaching Program, and the STAR would like to be reinstated, the STAR may submit in writing the reasons the STAR should be reinstated, what the STAR has learned, and what the STAR has done to improve as a result of being dropped from the SOC Coaching Program. Send to inservice@starsofcourage.org. SOC will then consider the appeal, and give an answer within 14 working days of submission. If a STAR is not reinstated, the STAR may reapply for coaching four months from the date of disqualification. - Cancellation:
A) A STAR may cancel working with a Coach at any time. As a courtesy, please notify the Coach and SOC at: inservice@starsofcourage.org. - Intellectual Property:
A) The STAR agrees not to (and not to encourage or permit a third party to) disassemble, reverse
engineer, or otherwise attempt to discover, copy, or transmit, any source or object code underlying the SOC Coaching Program, its software, books, workbooks, audio, video, or services provided therein. STAR agrees not to disseminate information about the SOC Coaching Program to others without written permission from SOC. This will include family, friends, associates and persons which may operate, or be affiliated with, other non-profits or businesses, and the STAR agrees not to grant access to your SOC account to such persons. The STAR will notify SOC immediately if the STAR becomes aware that someone has engaged in any of the foregoing prohibited activities. - Warranties, guarantees, promises:
A) STAR acknowledges they are not relying on any warranties, guarantees, promises, or representations made outside of this agreement. This Agreement encompasses the entire agreement and understanding between parties and no addition or modification of any terms shall be effective unless put forth in writing and signed by a Governing Board Member of SOC. - Results tracking:
A) By signing this agreement the STAR gives permission to let SOC or an outside organization appointed by SOC to or its assignees to use the results of the STARS’ coaching experience. The results of the STARS goals setting and accomplishments will be tracked weekly and may be used for any purpose including educational, promotional, grant writing or commercial applications.
B) The STARS identity will be held in confidence, unless the STAR gives SOC written permission to use the STARS identity - Indemnification:
A) STARS are responsible for the success or failure of choices and actions taken as a result of working with a STAR Coach and the SOC Coaching Program. The STAR agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SOC its parent Difference Makers International 501c3, affiliates, Coaches, employees, officers, advisors, governing board and directors from any and all claims, demands, suits, expenses, costs, attorney fees, judgments, or other charges incurred by you as a result of your voluntary choice to work with a SOC Coach and participate in the SOC Coaching SOC Coaching Program. - Term of the Agreement:
A) If the SOC Coach becomes disabled or is incapacitated to the point where they cannot continue to work, or if the SOC Coach determines the STAR would be better served by another SOC Coach, the SOC Coach will do their best to find a successor SOC Coach for the STAR. In some cases SOC Coaches may not be available immediately and the STAR will be placed on a waiting list. - Disputes:
A) Both SOC and the STAR understands and agrees that this Agreement is not being established in order to create grounds upon which one party may force the other party through legal means to be bound to a certain course of action without liberty to alter, amend or change that course. Rather, this agreement is intended to outline each parties’ intentions today with respect to a Coaching relationship, and to provide a framework that necessarily requires the parties to be committed to each other to find an amicable solution, without legal recourse, to any issues that could or may arise one day in the event that either party wishes to change its course or direction relative to the other.
B) Both SOC and the STAR also understands and agrees that in the course of following their own life’s path and making their own choices, disagreements may arise when the choices of one party affect the wellbeing of the other party. When such disagreements arise, both parties commit to sitting down with the other and in loving and trustful manner doing their best to try and resolve any issues. To that end, both parties agree that they will assume responsibility for their part of the disagreement and will first acknowledge before the other what their contribution to the disagreement is. The parties then agree that they will focus their efforts on creativity and trying to find a resolution that resolves the disagreement at hand to the best interests of each other. To the extent the parties cannot do so, the parties agree to invite a third party to discuss the issues. This will be someone they both respect and trust to ask for assistance in resolving the issues. Both parties do hereby agree to the decision of that third party, whatever it might be, in the resolution of any issue at hand. - Applicable Law:
A) The laws of the state of California govern this Participation Agreement and all of its terms and conditions, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws or the Convention on Contracts. Each party consents that any dispute or claim relating in any way to this Participation Agreement or the STAR’s use of the SOC Academy, Services or Transaction Processing Services, which can’t be resolved by activities in 18 Disputes, clauses A and B and if legally relevant will be resolved by binding arbitration as described in this paragraph. To begin an arbitration proceeding, the STAR must send a letter requesting arbitration and describing the claim to SOC 1345 Encinitas Blvd, #115, Encinitas, CA 92024.The arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its rules, including the AAA’s Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes. Payment of all filing, administration and arbitrator fees will be governed by the AAA’s rules. SOC may choose to have the arbitration conducted by telephone, based on written submissions, or in person in San Diego County or at another mutually agreed location. Each party agrees that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than in arbitration each party waives any right to a jury trial.
