Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

 

Introduction

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) knows that your privacy is important to you, and we want you to know that it is important to us too.  We created this Privacy Policy (“Policy”) to explain the types of information we collect through our Website on which it is posted (including mobile versions of our Website) and the various social networking platforms that we use (each, a “Site”), how we will use, disclose and protect this information once it is collected, and how you can opt-out of some of our uses and disclosures of your information. 

 

Privacy Information

At various points on our site, you may provide personal contact information to ask for information, register for an event, provide feedback or request written materials. Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

 

  • Listing in our online member directory. If you are a current member, your company name, address, phone number, fax number and website are listed in our online member directory. Members may purchase mailing lists. To change/edit this information, please contact us at info@boonechamber.com or Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, 870 W. King St Suite A, Boone NC, 28607

  • Processing financial transactions and fulfilling requests submitted via forms. Your information will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested.

  • Adding you to our email distribution list. The e-mail addresses you provided for yourself and/or your employees are entered in our database and added to our email distribution. If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

The Chamber does not support or condone the use of spam and the sending of unsolicited email in any form. Therefore, we do not distribute or share e-mail addresses except at your explicit request. Use of this Site, directly or indirectly, to send spam or unwanted email is strictly prohibited. You agree not to use data from this Site to allow, enable, or otherwise make possible, dissemination or collection of this data, in part or in its entirety, for any purpose, such as the transmission of unsolicited advertising and solicitations of any kind, including spam.

 

The Chamber employs appropriate measures to protect personal information collected online.

 

Website Privacy Policy

 

This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is being used online. PII is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.

 

This website contains links to other business sites and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the privacy policies, practices or content of these other sites.

 

 All content including copy, images and other materials is copyrighted and may not be used without permission of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

When you use our site, we collect information on website usage such as the number of visits to our website, time spent on the website, number of pages viewed and the domains from which people visit our website.  We aggregate, evaluate and use this information to improve our site and business and may provide aggregate information to third parties.

 

1.      What personal information do we collect from the people that visit our blog, website or app?

 

When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, credit card information or other details to help you with your experience.

 

2.      When do we collect information?

 

We collect information from you when you place an order, subscribe to an email list, fill out a form or enter information on our site.

 

3.      How do we use your information?

 

We may use the information we collect from you when you register, make a purchase, sign up for our email list, respond to a survey or marketing communication, surf the website, or use certain other site features in the following ways:

 

  • To improve our website to better serve you.

  • To allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.

  • To quickly process your transactions.

 

4.      How do we protect your information?

 

Our website is scanned on a regular basis for security holes and known vulnerabilities in order to make your visit to our site as safe as possible.

 

We use regular Malware Scanning.

 

We do not use an SSL certificate.

 

We only provide articles and information. We never ask for personal or private information like names, email addresses, or credit card numbers other than when we complete a purchase.

 

5.      Do we use ‘cookies’?

 

Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. For instance, we use cookies to help us remember and process the items in your shopping cart. They are also used to help us understand your preferences based on previous or current site activity, which enables us to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.

 

We use cookies to:

 

  • Keep track of advertisements.

  • Compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interactions in order to offer better site experiences and tools in the future. We may also use trusted third-party services that track this information on our behalf.

 

You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since browser is a little different, look at your browser’s Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.

 

If you turn cookies off, some of the features that make your site experience more efficient may not function properly. It won’t affect the user’s experience that make your site experience more efficient and may not function properly.

 

Third-party disclosure

 

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information unless we provide users with notice. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or serving our users, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release information when it’s release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property or safety.

 

However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

 

Third-party links

 

Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third-party products or services on our website. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

 

California Online Privacy Protection Act

 

CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. – See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf

 

1.      According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:

 

Users can visit our site anonymously.

 

Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website.

 

Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’ and can easily be found on the page specified above.

 

You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes:

 

  • On our Privacy Policy Page

 

Can change your personal information:

 

  • By emailing us

 

2.      How does our site handle Do Not Track signals?

 

We honor Do Not Track signals and Do Not Track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place.

 

3.      Does our site allow third-party behavioral tracking?

 

It’s also important to note that we allow third-party behavioral tracking

 

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

 

 When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States’ consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.

 

We do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old.

 

We do not let third-parties, including ad networks or plug-ins collect PII from children under 13.

 

Fair Information Practices

 

The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.

 

In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:

 

  • We will notify the users via in-site notification

  • Within 7 business days

 

We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle which requires that individuals have the right to legally pursue enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.

 

CAN SPAM Act

 

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.

 

We collect your email address in order to:

 

  • Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions

  • Process orders and to send information and updates pertaining to orders.

  • Market to our mailing list or continue to send emails to our clients after the original transaction has occurred.

 

To be in accordance with CANSPAM, we agree to the following:

 

  • Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.

  • Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.

  • Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.

  • Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.

  • Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.

  • Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.

 

If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at info@boonechamber.com  and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.

 

Contacting Us

 

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us using the information below.

 

David Jackson, President/CEO

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

870 W. King St, Suite A

Boone, NC 28607

 

Event Refund Policy

 

The Chamber requires payment in advance for admission to all Chamber events, due to commitments to our vendors. Chamber event fees (regardless of attendance) are not refundable.

 

Content and Liability Disclaimer

 

The materials at this Site are provided for informational purposes only.  They are not business or legal advice and should not be used as such.  They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chamber or of its employees or affiliates and may not reflect the most current business or legal developments, and are not guaranteed to be correct, accurate, complete or up-to-date.  Viewing these materials does not create a business relationship between you and the Chamber, and you should not act upon the information contained in them without seeking legal advice.

 

THE CHAMBER SITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS”, AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE WEB SITE OR THE CONTENT ARE DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, AS WELL AS ANY WARRANTY OF QUALITY, FUNCTIONALITY, ACCURACY, CURRENCY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY, OPERABILITY, USE, PERFORMANCE OR ABSENCE OF VIRUSES.  YOU ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK OF LOSS RESULTING FROM THE USE OF OUR WEB SITE.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CHAMBER OR ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, PARTNERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RELATING IN ANY WAY TO YOUR USE OF OR RELIANCE ON THE WEB SITE OR THE CONTENT, IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES, EVEN IF THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THOSE DAMAGES.

 

Social Media Policy

 

For purposes of this Section, “Social Media” includes, but is not limited to:

 

  • Social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

  • Professional networking websites such as LinkedIn

  • Any blogs created by the Chamber

 

The Chamber is not responsible for the content of any postings by third-parties on its Social Media sites.  You are solely responsible for the content of any post to the Chamber’s Social Media sites and are solely responsible for ensuring that all postings are accurate, truthful and otherwise in compliance with this Terms of Use of the Boone of the Area Chamber of Commerce Website.  You may be subject to liability for posts that are defamatory, harassing, or in violation of other applicable laws.  Postings that include confidential or copyrighted information belonging to third parties may also subject you to liability.  Social Media communications that are threatening, inappropriate, defamatory, harassing or in violation of local, state or federal laws or regulations are expressly prohibited.

 

Posting on the Chamber’s Social Media sites constitutes your consent to, and agreement to be legally bound by, not only these terms and conditions, but also the terms and conditions of the host site (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).  You agree that the Chamber shall not be liable, under any circumstances, for any errors, omissions, loss or damages claimed or incurred due to any of your Social Media postings.

 

Contributors to the Chamber’s Social Media sites should not suggest, either explicitly or implicitly, that their Social Media communications represent the communications of the Chamber, its or its affiliates, directors, officers, partners, employees or agents.  Social Media communications should not suggest or imply endorsement by the Chamber.  Unless otherwise authorized by the Chamber, use of the Chamber’s logo or brand is strictly prohibited.  The Chamber does not view Social Media as the appropriate forum for criticisms, complaints or negative views of the Chamber, its members, employees, former employees, or affiliates.  All Social Media postings must be professional and appropriate.

 

The Chamber reserves the right to remove any postings or comments from its Social Media sites as it deems necessary in its business judgment.

 

These rules and restrictions are intended to serve as a general framework with respect to use of the Chamber’s Social Media sites and are note intended to be all-inclusive.  These rules must be read in conjunction with the other requirements of the Terms of Use of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Website.  As stated elsewhere in Terms of Use of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Website, the nature and content of communications through Social Media will not be treated as confidential.  You agree that any information or materials that you or individuals acting on your behalf post on the Chamber’s Social Media sites will not be considered confidential or proprietary.

 

By providing any information or materials to the Chamber through postings on its Social Media sites, you grant to the Chamber an unrestricted, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, publicly perform, exploit, transfer, transmit and distribute the information and materials.

 

Modification and Applicable Law

 

The Chamber may modify this Policy at any time.  You should visit this web page periodically to determine the current Policy that apply.  This Policy shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, excluding its conflicts of law principles.  All actions and proceedings relating to this website shall be commenced and heard exclusively in the state and federal courts for Watauga County, North Carolina, and the Chamber and you consent to the jurisdiction and venue of those courts.

 

Last Edited on 2018-08-01