Privacy Policy

Associations West respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its Web site. Associations West strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, consumers must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, Associations West has implemented the following policy.

What Information Does Associations West Collect?

Most data Associations West collects are used only to help Associations West better serve its members. It is our general policy to collect and store only personal information that our members and visitors knowingly provide. If our privacy policies change, we will notify all users by e-mail or a special announcement placed on the Web site.

From General Users. Associations West does not collect any personal information from users browsing its Web site. Users to the public areas of Associations West's Web site browse anonymously. Only aggregate data -- such as the number of hits per page -- are collected. Aggregate data are only used for internal and marketing purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.

From Associations West Members, Conference Registrants, and Other Customers. To gain access to members-only resources and personalization features on the Associations West Web site, members and other users are asked to register and provide some limited information. These data are submitted voluntarily. Associations West asks users to provide their name, member number (for members), organization name, business phone, and e-mail, and payment information (including credit card numbers). Similar information may be submitted to Associations West through membership applications, conference or seminar registration, publication orders, subscriptions, and contest registrations. Additionally, for some emails sent in HTML format by Associations West to its members through its list servers and electronic newsletters, Associations West may collect specific information regarding what the recipient does with that email. For those emails, Associations West may monitor whether a recipient subsequently clicks through to links provided in the message. Other information collected through this tracking feature includes: email address of a user, the date and time of the user's "click," a message number, name of the list from which the message was sent, tracking URL number and destination page. Associations West only uses this information to enhance its products and distribution of those products to its members. This information is not sold or distributed in any other manner.

How Does Associations West Use Data Collected?

Associations West uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:

Associations West Member Services and Products. Generally, Associations West and its direct subsidiaries use data collected to improve its own Web content; to respond to visitors' interests, needs and preferences; and to develop new products and services.

Disclosures to Third Parties. Associations West also makes member contact information available through the Associations West Membership Directory to other members using its Web site and to those who register for its conferences. In addition, Associations West incorporates information users provide into hard copies of the Membership Directory that it provides to members and sells to those requesting it. On occasion, Associations West may also provide limited data to third parties that offer products and services. These limited data include names, job titles, companies and business addresses, but do not include business phone numbers, business fax numbers or email addresses. Users may request Associations West to refrain from disclosing the data it collects to third parties on the membership application form, conference registration form or any other form on which they are providing information; an opt-out box will appear on each form on which a user provides information. Alternatively, users may contact Associations West at info@calsae.org or (916) 443-8980 to express their preferences if they determine later that they do not wish to have the information shared.

Consent to Use Personal Information. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act(s) 1984 and 1998 (as applicable), Associations West or its agents must store, host and otherwise process the information (including personal data) supplied by the User when registering for this Web site. User supplies as defined above when registering for the Web site in order to allow Associations West (or its designated agents) to use the information to send the User unsolicited direct mail advertisements, promotions, and solicitations for third parties' products and services.

Credit Card Account Information. Associations West does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, Associations West submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse.

How Does Associations West Use Cookies?

Cookies are files that contain information created by a web server that can be stored on a User's hard disk for use either during a particular session ("per-session" cookie) or for future use ("persistent" cookie). Associations West uses cookies only to facilitate automated activity, store and track passwords, determine appropriate solicitations, and review navigation patterns. Cookies are not used to disseminate significant information about Users over the Internet or to analyze any information that Users have knowingly or unknowingly provided. When a user registers, the system will ask whether the user approves of the attachment of a cookie. Users may instruct their Internet browsers to opt out of accepting a "persistent" cookie and rather accept only a "per-session" cookie, but will need to login each time they visit the site to enjoy the full benefits. If the user declines the attachment of any cookie, the user may not have access to the full benefits of the website. Registration enables the site to better determine members' interest areas and provide the most relevant information.

What Privacy Issues Arise With Links To Other Sites?

This Web site contains links to other web sites. Associations West has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.

What Means Of Redress Are Available?

If any User suspects Associations West has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by e-mailing to info@calsae.org or by calling (916) 443-8980.