Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Welcome to Lone Pine Public Square ("Platform"), a community governance platform operated for the benefit of Lone Pine Homeowners Association ("HOA") members. By accessing or using this Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
This Platform is designed to facilitate transparent communication, document sharing, and community governance among verified HOA members. All users must comply with these terms to maintain access.
2.1 Membership Requirements: Only verified members of Lone Pine HOA may create accounts and participate on this Platform. Membership requires:
2.2 Account Types: The Platform recognizes the following account statuses:
The following types of content are explicitly allowed and protected:
The following conduct is strictly prohibited:
3.3 Moderation Philosophy: This Platform moderates conduct, not ideas. Members may freely criticize HOA policies, question board decisions, and advocate for changes. Moderation focuses on maintaining respectful discourse, not suppressing dissenting viewpoints.
4.1 Email Privacy: Member email addresses are never displayed publicly on the Platform. Email addresses are used solely for account verification, notifications (if enabled), and essential platform communications.
4.2 Anonymous Posting: Members may choose to post anonymously. When posting anonymously:
4.3 Private Messaging: Direct messages between members are encrypted and private. The Platform does not access or monitor private messages except when required by law or in response to abuse reports.
4.4 Data Collection: We collect only information necessary for platform operation, including account details, posted content, and usage analytics. We do not sell or share member data with third parties.
5.1 Permanent Archive: All approved posts, comments, and documents become part of a permanent community archive. This ensures:
5.2 Content Deletion: Members cannot delete approved posts or comments. This policy maintains the integrity of discussions and prevents revisionist history. Members should carefully consider content before posting.
5.3 Account Deletion: Members may request account deletion, but previously posted content will remain in the archive with attribution removed or anonymized.
6.1 Pre-Moderation: New posts may be subject to pre-moderation review before publication. Moderators will approve or reject content based on compliance with content standards, not agreement with viewpoints.
6.2 Moderation Actions: Moderators may take the following actions:
6.3 Transparency Reports: Moderators publish monthly transparency reports detailing all moderation actions, including approvals, rejections, suspensions, and bans, with explanations for each action.
6.4 Appeals Process: Members may appeal moderation decisions within 7 days by contacting the moderation team. Appeals are reviewed by a different moderator than the one who made the original decision.
7.1 User-Generated Content: All content posted by members represents the views of those individual members, not the HOA, the Platform operators, or moderators. The Platform is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or appropriateness of user-generated content.
7.2 Section 230 Protection: This Platform operates as an interactive computer service under 47 U.S.C. § 230 (Communications Decency Act). We are not liable for content posted by users.
7.3 DMCA Compliance: We comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Copyright infringement claims should be submitted to our designated agent with proper documentation.
7.4 No Legal Advice: Information shared on this Platform does not constitute legal advice. Members should consult qualified attorneys for legal guidance on HOA matters.
7.5 Platform Availability: While we strive for 99% uptime, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Platform may be temporarily unavailable for maintenance or technical issues.
8.1 Litigation Hold: In the event of actual or anticipated litigation involving the HOA, all relevant platform content will be preserved and protected from deletion or modification.
8.2 Legal Requests: We will comply with valid legal requests for information, including subpoenas and court orders, while protecting member privacy to the extent permitted by law.
8.3 Record Retention: All platform data, including deleted or rejected content, is retained in secure backups for legal and administrative purposes.
9.1 User Content: Members retain ownership of content they post. By posting, members grant the Platform a non-exclusive, perpetual license to display, store, and archive the content.
9.2 Official Documents: HOA official documents shared on the Platform remain the property of the HOA. Members may access and reference these documents for community purposes.
9.3 Platform Content: The Platform design, software, and original content are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission.
10.1 Modifications: These Terms may be updated periodically. Material changes will be announced on the Platform with at least 30 days notice before taking effect.
10.2 Continued Use: Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
10.3 Version History: All previous versions of these Terms are archived and available for reference.
11.1 Jurisdiction: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Montana and applicable federal law.
11.2 Venue: Any legal disputes arising from these Terms or Platform use shall be resolved in the appropriate courts of Montana.
11.3 Mediation: Before pursuing legal action, parties agree to attempt good-faith mediation of disputes.
For questions about these Terms or the Platform, contact:
Lone Pine Public Square
Email: info@lonepinehoa.org
Location: Lone Pine, Montana
Timezone: Mountain Time (MST)
By using Lone Pine Public Square, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. You also acknowledge that this Platform is designed to promote transparent community governance and that your participation contributes to a more accountable and engaged HOA community.