Privacy Policy

(Created March 1, 2010)

The Green Church Association respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it. This statement explains how we collect, use and safeguard information on our Web site. This Internet Privacy Statement applies only to information collected by the Green Church Association through its Web site.

Changes to the Internet Privacy Statement
As our organization changes from time to time, this Internet Privacy Statement is expected to change as well. We reserve the right to amend the Internet Privacy Statement at any time, for any reason. We will post a notice that this Internet Privacy Statement has been amended by revising the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If you have questions about this Internet Privacy Statement, please send us an e-mail

What information we collect and how we use it

Information we collect -- When you browse our website and do not interact with the site for any online service or product, you browse anonymously. Personally identifiable information--such as your name, address, phone number and e-mail address--is not collected as you browse. When you become a registered user on our site, or choose to interact with our site in other ways, such as subscribing to our publications, purchasing products, applying for membership, seeking certification, participating in online surveys, submitting questions or comments or requesting information or materials, we will collect certain personal information from you. The type of personal information collected will vary but may include name, address, phone number, birth date, billing and delivery information, e-mail address, credit card information and other demographic information. We do not collect Social Security numbers. The type of product or service that you seek will determine the personal information that is collected. For a listing of the exact type of personal information that will be collected from you, please refer to the appropriate online form.

Tracking activity on our Web site We track how our site is used by both anonymous visitors and visitors who interact with the site. One way we track is by using "cookies." A cookie is a small file or string of text on the site user's computer that is used to aid Web navigation. Two types of cookies are commonly used. A session cookie is created by a Web site when that Web site is accessed; that type of cookie is automatically deleted by closing the Web browser. A persistent cookie is a cookie that is stored on the hard drive of the user’s computer for a period of time chosen by the Web site that set the cookie, usually for a number of years, unless the user deletes it manually. This policy distinguishes between short-lived cookies and long-lasting cookies. Short-lived cookies include all session cookies and those persistent cookies that are set to be stored for no more than one week.
Cookies are required for the Members-Only and e-commerce sections of the Web site. Cookies are essential for site administration and security. Another way we track site activity is by using transparent electronic images called "clear GIFs," "Web bugs," or "Web beacons" on this site’s Web pages. These images count the number of users who visit that page from specific banner ads outside our website or through e-mail links. A similar image, sometimes called a "spotlight tag," is used on this site’s Web pages where transactions take place. The spotlight tag collects numeric information, such as the dollar amount of an online purchase, to help us understand usage of the site. We do not use any of these electronic images to collect personally identifiable information.

How we use personal information -- Once collected, we may use your personal information (except for e-mail address, which is outlined below) for the following purposes:

• Register you for programs and services you have requested
  Process, fulfill and follow up on your orders or membership application
  Answer your e-mails or on-line requests
  Send information you request
  Send and process surveys
  Ensure the Green Church Association site is relevant to your needs
  Deliver Green Church Association services such as newsletters, meetings or events
  Notify you about new products/services special offers, upgrades and other related information from the Green Church Association and other approved third parties

How we use your e-mail address --The following defines how e-mail will be handled for persons who have supplied their e-mail address to the Green Church Association.
We do not share, sell, trade, exchange or rent your e-mail address to vendors for them to market their products or services to you. When we hire vendors to deliver e-mails to you on our behalf, they are under agreement and limited from using your e-mail address for any other purpose. When we send e-mail to you, we may be able to identify information about your e-mail address, such as whether you can view graphic-rich HTML e-mail. If your e-mail address is HTML-enabled, we may choose to send you graphic-rich HTML e-mail messages. These e-mail messages may contain "clear GIFs" or "Web beacons" to measure the offer’s effectiveness so we know how to serve you better. We do not collect personally identifiable information through "clear GIFs" or "Web beacons."

How to opt out of e-mail -- To opt out of an e-mail list, e-mail us at info@GreenChurchAssociation.org or click the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any e-mail newsletter from the Green Church Association.

With whom we may share information -- We may share personal information with our business partners in order to provide them an opportunity to offer products or services that may be of interest to you. We also occasionally hire other companies to provide limited services on our behalf including, but not limited to, packaging, mailing and delivering purchases, answering customer questions about products or services, consulting services, data modeling, printing, sending postal mail and processing event registration. We will only provide those companies the information they need to deliver the service. They are prohibited from using that information for any other purpose.
We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process served on the Green Church Association; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Green Church Association; or (c) protect the personal safety of Green Church Association personnel or members of the public in urgent circumstances.

Banner advertisements on our Web site -- Online advertisements on the Green Church Association Web site do not collect any personally identifiable information on individual visitors. The Green Church Association does collect aggregate data on visitors such as time of day and Web browser type. Such information may be shared with advertisers to determine their advertising effectiveness.

Children under 13 -- We do not knowingly solicit data online from or market online to children under the age of 13.

Information security -- The Green Church Association implements security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. We restrict access to personal information to the Green Church Association business partners who may need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our services. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.

How we safeguard information

User ID and password -- Many areas of the site require the use of a user ID and password as an additional security measure that helps protect your information. This allows Green Church Association to verify who you are, thereby allowing you access to your account information and preventing unauthorized access.
When you have finished using a secure area of Green Church Association Web site, make sure you always click on the "Log Out" link which appears on every secure page. When you click on the "Log Out" link, you will be given the option to end your secure session. No further secure transactions can be conducted without re-entering your user ID and password. You should be aware that browser software often "caches" a page as you look at it, meaning that some pages are saved in your computer's temporary memory. Therefore, you may find that clicking on your "Back" button shows you a saved version of a previously viewed page. Caching in no way affects the security of your confidential user ID or password.

No guarantee -- Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Accordingly, and despite our efforts, Green Church Association cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, or to or from our online products or services.

Linking to other Internet sites
You should be aware that other Internet sites that link to the Green Church Association site or to an Green Church Association e-mail may contain privacy provisions that differ from the provisions of this Internet Privacy Statement. To ensure your privacy is protected, we recommend that you review the privacy statements of other Internet sites you visit.

How you can access and change information
If you are a registered user of the Green Church Association Web site, subscriber to Green Church Association publications, purchaser of Green Church Association products or an Green Church Association member, you may review and update/correct your information by using your user name and password or by contacting the Green Church Association at info@GreenChurchAssociation.org.

Changes to the Internet privacy statement
The Green Church Association regularly reviews its compliance with this Internet Privacy Statement. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Internet Privacy Statement or Green Church Association’s treatment of personal information by sending us an e-mail. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information.