Legal
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Board / Counsel Working Draft — September 2026. This policy is pending final counsel review and Board adoption. Effective date to be confirmed upon publication.
Purpose
This Policy creates one public framework for membership, applications, events, Academy programs, Legacy contributions, and other direct purchases. Signed Corporate Membership and sponsorship agreements control their own cancellation terms.
1. General Rule
Fees paid to THE CLAIMSMEN support administrative processing, membership access, program planning, event commitments, technology, benefits, and Association operations. Except where this Policy, a specific checkout page, a signed agreement, or law states otherwise, fees are nonrefundable after the applicable benefit or service has been activated or materially provided.
2. Core Membership and Claims Collective
Application fee
The $25 one-time application fee is nonrefundable once application review begins, except where required by law or where THE CLAIMSMEN elects to refund it.
Annual dues / affiliate fees
If an application is denied before membership or affiliate status is activated, annual dues or affiliate fees paid in advance will be refunded. After acceptance and activation, annual dues are generally nonrefundable except as required by law or approved by THE CLAIMSMEN.
Resignation
Resignation stops future participation but does not ordinarily create a prorated refund of the current membership term.
Automatic renewal
THE CLAIMSMEN does not use automatic renewal at launch. If auto-renewal is later offered, the checkout disclosure will govern.
3. Legacy Contributions
The $1,500 Legacy contribution is nonrefundable after Legacy status is activated, except as required by law or if THE CLAIMSMEN cancels the transaction before activation. Annual Core Member dues remain separate and are governed by the ordinary membership refund rules.
4. Corporate Membership
Corporate Membership cancellation, refund, payment, and renewal terms are governed by the signed Corporate Membership Agreement. The public website does not promise a refund inconsistent with that agreement.
5. Annual and Event Sponsorship
Annual Sponsorship and Event-Specific Sponsorship are governed by the applicable signed sponsorship agreement. Benefits already delivered are not ordinarily refundable.
6. Event Registration
The following cancellation schedule applies to standard event registrations unless the event-specific checkout states otherwise:
| Timing of Attendee Cancellation | Treatment |
|---|---|
| 30+ calendar days before event | Full registration refund less any stated nonrefundable processing fee, or full credit at attendee choice. |
| 15–29 days before event | 50% refund or 100% credit toward a comparable future THE CLAIMSMEN event within 12 months. |
| 0–14 days before event | No refund; attendee substitution may be allowed before the published deadline. |
| No-show | No refund. |
| THE CLAIMSMEN cancels event | Refund or full credit unless force-majeure terms permit another reasonable treatment. |
7. Event Substitutions
An attendee may generally substitute another eligible attendee before the published substitution deadline without a cancellation fee, subject to event eligibility and capacity.
8. Leadership Academy Programs
The following policy applies to paid multi-session cohorts:
| Timing | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Before cohort begins | Full refund less any published administrative fee. |
| After first session but before second session | 50% refund or credit if seat cannot reasonably be transferred. |
| After second session | No refund; transfer or credit only at THE CLAIMSMEN discretion. |
Single-session Academy events follow the ordinary event registration policy unless the checkout states otherwise.
9. Brotherhood Experiences and Higher-Risk Activities
Because deposits, guides, boats, venues, equipment, tickets, transportation, or other commitments may become nonrefundable early, each Brotherhood Experience may publish a more restrictive cancellation schedule. The event-specific checkout terms control.
10. Merchandise
Unworn and unused standard items may be returnable within a published period. Personalized, numbered Legacy, custom, clearance, or event-specific items may be final sale.
11. Event Changes
THE CLAIMSMEN may change speakers, agenda items, session titles, venue rooms, or event format without creating an automatic refund when the fundamental event remains materially available.
12. Force Majeure
Weather, disaster, public health emergency, government action, venue closure, labor disruption, cyber incident, transportation failure, or other events beyond reasonable control may require postponement, relocation, or format changes. THE CLAIMSMEN may provide a refund, credit, rescheduled registration, or comparable benefit depending on the circumstances and unrecoverable commitments.
13. Chargebacks
Individuals should contact THE CLAIMSMEN before initiating a payment dispute so the issue can be reviewed. Fraudulent or abusive chargebacks may result in suspension of account or registration privileges.
14. How to Request a Refund or Credit
Contact us by email at [email protected]. Include your name, transaction date, program or event name, amount, and reason for the request.