Last Updated: [December 12, 2024]

Welcome to START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool! 

START is a web-based platform designed to help schools benchmark, plan, document, and collaborate on their sustainability programs. 

The full START service includes: 

• The START Dashboard: Each school has its own private START account, accessible only to the START Administrators, and those authorized users added by the school. This is a subscription-based dashboard where school members can  benchmark, plan, document, and collaborate on their school’s sustainability program.  START is hosted on the Maalka platform and managed by the GSA-START and Maalka teams.

• The Community: The Community is a complimentary, shared resource library and online network for adult (18+) school sustainability champions. It includes discussion forums, collaboration groups, private messaging, and an extensive resource library. The Community is hosted on the Mighty Networks platform and managed by the GSA-START Team.

• NOTE: Students under 18 years of age can access resources in the START Student Hub. 
  

  These Terms and Conditions outline the agreement between you (“you” or “the school”) and the Green Schools Alliance START Team (“we,” “us,” or “GSA-START”) for using the START and Community platforms. Please read these Terms carefully, as they contain important information about data ownership, subscription conditions, and other key terms.

  These Terms and Conditions outline the agreement between you ("you" or "the school") and the Green Schools Alliance START Team ("we," "us," or "GSA-START") for using the START dashboard. To view the Terms and Conditions for the GSA Community, please refer to the external Mighty Networks Terms and Conditions page.

  
  

  A. User Representation

  For the purposes of this agreement, the school is represented by its designated Main START User(s) as specified in the original Get STARTed application. The Main START User is authorized to:

  - Manage user access and permissions

  - Make critical decisions regarding the school's START account

  - Serve as the primary point of contact for GSA-START

  
  

  B. User Succession

  In the event that the original Main START User leaves the school or is no longer able to fulfill their responsibilities:

  • The school is responsible for designating a new Main START User by contacting start@greenschoolsalliance.org

  • The new Main START User must complete a user transfer form, which updates the authorized representative for the school's START account

  • All rights, responsibilities, and access permissions associated with the original Main START User will transfer to the new designated representative

  C. Continuity of Agreement

  The Terms and Conditions remain in effect regardless of changes in the school's Main START User, binding the school as an institution to this agreement.

  Please read these Terms carefully, as they contain important information about data ownership, subscription conditions, and other key terms.

  1. Using START

  A. How It Works
  Shortly after payment of the START subscription, your school will receive access to a private account. This account will be accessible only to START Administrators (core GSA-START team) and authorized users added by your school.

  Initial access is granted to the Main START User(s) and Supporting START User(s) as indicated in the Get STARTed form. The Main START User(s) can manage access permissions, remove users, and add additional users.

  B. Who Can Use START?

  • START requires at least one adult representative from the school to initiate and manage that school’s START account. 

  • Other users must be authorized school personnel and meet legal requirements for data handling and access within your jurisdiction. 

  • Children under 13 are prohibited from being added as users on START. If a child is inadvertently added, please notify us at start@greenschoolsalliance.org.

  C. Access

  • Access to START begins after the subscription payment is confirmed or a START Scholarship is granted. Please allow up to 48 hours for your account setup and login credentials to be completed.

  • Your START account provides access to both the START Whole School Sustainability Dashboard, and Maalka Building Analytics.

  • A school can add up to 100 users to their START account, assigning each user either view-only or editing permissions. Details about user permissions can be viewed here.

  D. User Management and Permissions

  • The school's Main START User(s) are responsible for adding users and assigning appropriate permissions to the START Dashboard. It is recommended to limit the number of Main START User(s) to essential personnel only, as these users have full administrative capabilities, including the ability to add and remove users and edit all school information in the dashboard.

  • Note: When a user is added to START, they will have access to both the START Whole School Sustainability Dashboard and Maalka Building Analytics, with identical permissions in both systems. Schools should carefully consider which staff members require editing permissions versus view-only access. Special consideration should be given when using the data-heavy Building Analytics feature, as all users will have access to sensitive information such as utility bills and historical energy data based on their assigned permissions. Therefore, it is important to thoughtfully manage user access and editing capabilities to protect potentially sensitive school operational data.

  • Once the GSA-START Team sets up the school's Main User(s), as specified in the Get STARTed form, it becomes the responsibility of the Main User(s) to carefully manage the addition of other users, and determine their appropriate permissions and access.

  • When a new user is added to a school's START Account, we treat registration information according to our Privacy Policy. 

  • Individual users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their passwords.

  E. Subscription 

  • Schools select a $50 monthly or $500 annual subscription.

  • The subscription grants the school access to its START account for the duration of the subscription term. For example:

  • A monthly subscription paid on February 6, 2025 will grant access until March 5, 2025.

  • An annual subscription paid on March 2, 2025, will grant access until March 1, 2026.

  • If subscription payment is overdue, the Main START User(s) will be contacted before any action is taken. Temporary denial of access may occur until the payment is resolved. Data will not be deleted unless the school explicitly requests account closure.

  
  

  F. START Scholarship

  Under-resourced schools for which cost is a barrier to participation may be eligible for free or reduced-price access to START (a "START Scholarship"), determined at the discretion of the START Team.

  • START Scholarship Schools will receive access to their START account; however, continued access depends on regular, genuine engagement with the START Dashboard.

  • Schools that fail to demonstrate meaningful participation may have their access temporarily or permanently revoked, as the START Organization incurs significant costs to onboard and support each school.

  • Additionally, access may be withdrawn if providing free access to schools becomes financially unsustainable for the GSA-START Organization.

  G. Privacy

  • By adding users to your school’s START Program, you are sharing personally identifiable information (first name, last name, email address and associated school) with the GSA-START and Maalka Teams. 

  • Our privacy practices are set forth in our Privacy Policy, which is part of this Agreement.

  • We strongly advise against uploading or adding sensitive personal information into the dashboard, such as student academic records.

  
  

  2. Intellectual Property Rights

  The GSA-START Organization retains exclusive ownership of all intellectual property related to the START Metrics, START Dashboard, and original START materials, including but not limited to content, methodologies, designs, and data frameworks.

  Schools and their members are granted a limited, non-transferable right to use these materials solely for the purpose of implementing the START program within their school. The following restrictions apply:

  • No Unauthorized Sharing or Distribution: START materials, metrics, and access to the Dashboard must not be shared, copied, sold, distributed, or otherwise transferred to any individual, organization, or entity outside the school.

  • Internal Use Only: START materials may only be shared internally among school members as needed to effectively run the START program. Sharing these materials externally, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited.

  • Exception for Promotional Use: Schools may use designated START promotional or marketing materials provided by the GSA-START Organization to showcase their involvement in the START program.

  By participating in the START program, schools agree to uphold these terms to protect the integrity and value of the GSA-START Organization’s intellectual property. Unauthorized use may result in revocation of access and further legal action if necessary.

  3. Your Content

  A. Ownership
  Your school retains ownership of all information added or uploaded to your START account, including but not limited to file uploads, comments, and benchmarking data.
  

  B. Data Use and Privacy

  • Information from your START account will not be shared with third parties without explicit, written consent from the school’s Main START User(s).

  • Schools may agree to reasonable use of their data for purposes like case studies or collaborative projects.

  For more details, see our Data Privacy and Security Policy.

  C. Data Access After Subscription
  If your subscription ends, we will retain your data securely for a limited time to allow for renewal or explicit deletion requests. To close your account and delete your data, please contact start@greenschoolsalliance.org.

  4. Fees and Payments

  A. Subscription Fees
  Subscription fees are due upon enrollment and are non-refundable.

  B. Defaulting on Payments
  If payment is overdue, user access may be suspended. Before taking action, we will notify the Main START User(s) to discuss resolution or account closure.

  4. Acceptable Use

  Users agree to the following:

  • All data inputted must comply with applicable laws and policies, including those governing student data and personal information.

  • Misuse or sharing of START’s resources or data will result in immediate suspension and potential termination of the account.

  5. Data Security

  START prioritizes the security and confidentiality of your data. Learn more about how your data is protected in our Data Privacy and Security Policy.

  6. Children’s Privacy

  Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to be added to START. If you become aware that a child has been added to your START account, contact us at start@greenschoolsalliance.org.

  7. Termination

  Schools may terminate their subscription by contacting start@greenschoolsalliance.org. Termination will disable access to the account, and all data in your account will be deleted.

  8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

  • START is provided “as is” and “as available.” We make no guarantees regarding uninterrupted access, error-free operation, or accuracy of results.

  • We are not liable for any damages, including but not limited to service interruptions or unauthorized account access caused by external factors.

  9. Modifications to Terms

  We may update these Terms periodically. Changes will be communicated via email or notifications on START. Continued use of START after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

  10. Governing Law

  These Terms are governed by the laws of New York, and any disputes will be resolved under those laws.

  11. Contact

  For questions about these Terms or to report an issue, contact us at:
  Email: start@greenschoolsalliance.org
  Website: www.greenschoolsalliance.org

  12.Agreement to Terms
  By subscribing to START, you agree to these Terms and any accompanying policies (e.g., Privacy Policy).