Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club

Effective date: November 6, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information through wenatcheevalleystars.org, which is hosted on the Google Sites platform. By using our site or voluntarily providing information (for example when signing up for newsletters, chat rooms, SMS/text alerts, or other club business), you agree to the terms described here.

Information We Collect

• Voluntary Contact Information We collect information you choose to provide when you sign up for newsletters, join chat rooms, subscribe to SMS/text alerts, register for events, or otherwise contact us. This may include name, email address, phone number, postal address, and any content you submit.

• Communications Content Messages, comments, or chat contributions you post through our chat rooms, contact forms, or other communications channels.

• Technical and Usage Data Basic technical information automatically collected by Google Sites and related service providers, such as IP address, browser type, device type, and pages visited for site operation and security.

• Third-Party Data Information you provide to or through third-party services we use (for example, email or SMS providers) when you sign up for communications.

How We Use Information

• To deliver services you request, such as newsletters, event notices, SMS alerts, and membership communications.

• To administer chat rooms and member interactions, including moderation, safety, and responding to inquiries.

• To send important club business communications, such as meeting notices, volunteer coordination, and membership or event updates.

• To improve the site and services, monitor usage, troubleshoot, and protect against fraud or abuse.

• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of use.

Sharing and Disclosure

• We do not sell personal information.

• Service Providers. We share personal information with third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as email delivery, SMS messaging, website hosting, analytics, and security. These providers may store and process data under contract with us.

• Legal Requirements. We may disclose information to comply with law, protect rights, or respond to lawful requests by public authorities.

• Aggregate or De-identified Data. We may share non-identifiable aggregate information publicly or with partners.

Google Sites and Third-Party Services

• Hosting Platform. Our website is built and hosted on Google Sites. Google may process technical and usage data in accordance with its own privacy policies.

• Third-Party Tools. We may use third-party providers for email, SMS, payments, analytics, and other functions. These providers have their own privacy practices and policies. We do not control those third-party privacy policies or practices and are not responsible for them. If you provide personal information to any third-party service linked from or embedded in our site, that information is subject to the third party’s terms and privacy policy, not ours.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

• Cookies. Google Sites and third-party services may use cookies or similar technologies to provide and improve the site. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but some site features may not function properly without them.

• Analytics. We may use analytics tools to understand site usage in aggregated form.

SMS and Text Communications

• Opt-In. We send SMS/text messages only to people who voluntarily opt in. Opt-in information includes the phone number and any consent metadata required by our SMS provider.

• Opt-Out Methods

  • Reply to any SMS/text message you receive from us with the word unsubscribe or a clear opt-out request to stop future messages.

  • Reply to any email message you receive from us with a request to unsubscribe.

  • Email wvastronomy@gmail.com with your request to opt out of messages. Message and data rates may apply according to your carrier.

Retention and Deletion

• Retention. We retain personal data only as long as necessary to provide services, fulfill the purposes described in this policy, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes.

• Deletion Requests and Opt-Outs. To request deletion of your personal information or to opt out of messages, reply to an email or text as described above or email wvastronomy@gmail.com. We will honor valid requests unless retention is required by law. Because we rely on third-party services, we may be unable to immediately remove all copies stored by those providers; we will work with providers to honor your request where possible.

Security

• Measures. We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

• Breach Response. If required by law, we will notify affected individuals and regulators of any security breach in accordance with applicable rules.

Children

• Age Limit. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected personal data from a child under the applicable age without parental consent, we will delete that information.

Your Rights and Choices

• Access and Correction. You may request access to or correction of personal information you provided.

• Opt-Out Options. Reply to an email or text message to unsubscribe or email wvastronomy@gmail.com with the contact details you want removed.

• Limitations. Because we rely on third-party services for some communications and site functions, we may be unable to fully remove all copies of your data from third-party systems; in such cases we will work with providers to honor your request where possible.

Links to Other Sites

• External Links. We may link to third-party websites or embed content from other sites. We do not control the privacy practices of those sites and are not responsible for their content or privacy policies.

Changes to This Policy

• Updates. We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. The effective date at the top will be revised when material changes occur. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

• Data Controller Organization: Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club

 Email for opt-out and privacy requests: wvastronomy@gmail.com

To exercise your rights, opt out of communications, or ask questions about this policy, reply to a message you received or email wvastronomy@gmail.com.

By using wenatcheevalleystars.org or providing your personal information to Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.