Privacy Policy
Your privacy is very important to The 8th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. We want to make your experience using our services and on the Internet as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, and we want you to use the Internet's vast array of information, tools, and opportunities with complete confidence.
We have created this Privacy Policy to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy and security. This Privacy Policy describes how the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church collects information from all end users of the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church’s Internet services - those who access some of our Services but do not have accounts as well as those who make purchases and donations - what we do with the information we collect, and the choices Visitors and Customers have concerning the collection and use of such information. The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church requests that you read this Privacy Policy carefully.
The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church is committed to protecting the privacy of our donors, website visitors and others with whom we communicate. Your privacy is very important to us. This privacy policy explains our commitment to you when you use our site or make a donation. It also specifies our use of personal information with which you entrust us, and delineates the use of any such information we may gather on our own, through electronic means or otherwise.
Visiting our Website indicates your acceptance of this privacy policy.
Commitment to Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. We monitor our site and employ industry standard techniques such as encryption, firewalls and intrusion detection to shield your personal information from unauthorized access.
Secure communications on the internet require attention to authentication, encryption and data integrity which our website addresses by industry-standard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol. We use SSL to communicate with secure browsers such as AOL, Netscape and Internet Explorer. This means your name, address, credit card numbers and any other information you provide through SSL are encrypted in a way that makes it extremely difficult for others to decode. We use technology provided by Veri-Sign to make your online visit as secure as possible. All payment information is collected in a secure environment that can be confirmed through Veri-Sign, Inc. You can tell if your computer is using SSL when you see a lock icon at the bottom of your screen or by checking the URL to ensure it is pointing to "https."
The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church maintains its own donor information database and processes its own mail donations. Credit card payments are handled by a secure outside vendor. Credit card companies and banking institutions have access to your personal information as required to perform their functions. The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church requires these companies keep such information confidential, use high-grade encryption and security protocols, and meet all industry standards. Personal information you provide is stored in a secure location, accessible only by designated employees who are trained in proper handling of such information. The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church has selected these institutions with care and in good faith and assumes no liability for the unlawful interception of private communications. Donors who are concerned about internet security should make their donation by U.S. Mail.
The Information We Collect
As a nonprofit corporation, we must make full disclosure of donations on our Federal tax return Form 990 each year. If you make a donation we will request certain identifying information such as your name, address, phone number, credit card information and e-mail address. We do not rent, sell or exchange your information. We use donation-generated donor information to communicate with you and to keep accurate, confidential records to meet tax reporting requirements, except in cases of law enforcement inquiries, court orders or subpoenas, or if we are notified that such disclosure is necessary in connection with activity that violates the law or may expose the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church or anyone associated with the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church to liability.
The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church does not collect your personal information when you visit our website unless you choose to provide this information. We reserve the right to review standard server logs to collect information such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address, the site that referred you, the pages you visited, browser types, operating systems, the files you downloaded, and the dates, times and duration of visits.
Information Dissemination Exceptions
Except as stated in this policy, we will never give out your information without your permission. As noted above, we may be required to share certain information if one of our partners requires it, but these situations are rare and we will always ask for your explicit permission first. We reserve the right to give out such information without explicit permission in the following circumstances:
1. As and to the extent required or permitted by law, or where we believe in good-faith that it is reasonably necessary to comply with subpoenas, court orders, other legal process, or requests of governmental authorities;
2. When intended to report, prevent or assist in the investigation of suspected fraud or other illegal activities, or otherwise to take actions in connection with such activities;
3. To enforce our Terms of Service or otherwise establish or exercise our legal rights or defense against legal claims; or
4. Otherwise as provided for in this Privacy Policy.
Cookies & How We Use Them
Our online store functionality is based on "cookies" or customized pieces of information our site stores on your hard drive. Because cookies only contain text, they cannot transmit a virus or damage your system. They cannot gather information about you or your computer. The sole purpose of storing cookies is to remember information about your 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church transaction and make online donating easier. If you prefer not to accept cookies, it may be necessary for you to donate by mailing a check directly to our office.
Donations from Children
The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church does not accept donations from children. If you are under 18 years of age, do not make a donation or submit any information without the express consent and participation of a parent or guardian.
Commitment to Children's Privacy.
Protecting children's privacy is especially important to us. It is our policy to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 and all other applicable laws. While we make every effort to ensure that our web sites are fun and age-appropriate for our younger audience, we believe that there is no substitute for proper parental supervision. the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church recommends that children ask a parent for permission before sending personal information to the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church, or to anyone online.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
You agree any disputes relating to your use of this Privacy Policy shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Mississippi and the State of Louisiana, the states in which the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. Any dispute relating to this Privacy Policy shall be resolved solely in the state or federal courts located in the aforementioned states.
Responses to E-mail Inquiries
When Visitors or Users send e-mail inquiries to the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church, the return e-mail address is used to answer the e-mail inquiry we receive. the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church does not use the return e-mail address for any other purpose and does not share the return e-mail address with any third party.
Special Cases
It is the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church’s policy not to use or share the personal information about Visitors of Users in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses. However, the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church may disclose personal information about Visitors or Users, or information regarding your use of the Services or Web sites accessible through our Services, for any reason if, in our sole discretion, we believe that it is reasonable to do so, including: to satisfy laws, such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, regulations, or governmental or legal requests for such information; to disclose information that is necessary to identify, contact, or bring legal action against someone who may be violating our Acceptable Use Policy or other user policies; to operate the Services properly; or to protect the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church and our Users.
Public Forums
Please remember that any information you may disclose in our forums or other public areas of our Web sites or the Internet, becomes public information. You should exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information in these public areas.
Donations
The 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church which comprises all of the AME churches in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana has applied to the Internal Revenue Service to be a qualified charitable organization exempt from Federal and state income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This application was approved and therefore all donations are tax-deductible.
Refund Policy
Donations to the 8th Episcopal District of the AME Church are not refundable.
Where to Direct Questions
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the practices described herein, you may contact the webmaster at webmaster@8thepiscopaldistrict.com .
September 19, 2008