Privacy Policy

The Internet contains a wealth of information, unfortunately, it may also contain personal details about you that you don't want everyone to know. For example, your real name (lots of people on the Internet use aliases, alter egos or nicknames), street address, phone number, or e-mail address. When you go online, sites you visit may be gathering information about you without your knowledge. Willamette Valley Down Syndrome Association (WVDSA) strives to help our members and donors protect their privacy while using our services.

Use of IP Addresses

An IP address is a number that's automatically assigned to your computer whenever you're surfing the Web. Web servers -- the big computers that "serve up" Web pages -- automatically identify your computer by its IP address. WVDSA does not collect IP addresses.

Use of Cookies

What are cookies? Cookies are pieces of information that a Web site transfers to an individual's hard drive for record-keeping purposes. Cookies make Web-surfing easier for you by saving your preferences while you're at our site. We never save passwords or credit card information in cookies. The use of cookies is an industry standard -- you'll find them at most major Web sites.

By showing how and when guests use a site, cookies help us see which areas are popular and which are not. Many improvements and updates to the site are based on such data as total number of visitors and pages viewed. This information is most easily tracked with cookies. We use the information from cookies to provide services better tailored to our users needs.

WVDSA currently does not use cookies but reserves the right to use them in the future.

Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent.

Use of Personal Information

Personal information, including name, address, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, is used solely for WVDSA purposes such as receipts, notification of upcoming events, fundraising, etc.  WVDSA does not share or sell your personal information. You have to the right to opt out of our mailings at any time.

Links to Other Sites

Users should be aware that when you are on WVDSA, you could be directed to other sites that are beyond our control. There are links to other sites from within our web site that take you outside of our service. These other sites may send their own cookies to users, collect data or solicit personal information.

Please keep in mind that whenever you give out personal information online --- for example, via message boards or chat --- that information can be collected and used by people you don't know. While WVDSA strives to protect its user's personal information and privacy, we cannot guarantee the security of any information you disclose online and you do so at your own risk.

WVDSA's policy does not extend to anything that is inherent in the operation of the Internet, and therefore beyond WVDSA's control, and is not to be applied in any manner contrary to applicable law or governmental regulation.

Security

The importance of security for all personally identifiable information associated with our guests is of utmost concern to us. We exercise great care in providing secure transmission of your information from your PC to our servers. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your personal information, WVDSA can't ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us or from our online products or services, and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we make our best effort to ensure its security on our systems. When credit card information is transmitted we use industry standard, SSL (secure socket layer) encryption. WVDSA does not store credit card information.

Your Acceptance of these Terms

By using this site, you signify your assent to the WVDSA Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our sites. Your continued use of the WVDSA sites following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.

Internet Safety Tips

Keep your passwords private, even from your best friend! Your online service will never ask for them, so neither should anyone else.

Use only your member name and/or e-mail address when chatting or sending e-mail. Never give out personal information like your name, address, or phone number. Always delete unknown e-mail attachments before opening them. They can contain destructive viruses.

Remember that nothing you write on the Web is completely private - including e-mail. So be careful and think about what you type and who you tell. Not everyone is as nice, cute and funny as they may sound online. Never make plans to meet an online "friend" in person.