Privacy Policy
Introduction
The St. Andrew’s United Church of Loring (“the Church”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our congregation, visitors, employees, and volunteers. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy laws in Ontario, Canada.
Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information that is necessary to fulfill our mission, manage church operations, and provide services to our community. Personal information may include, but is not limited to:
· Name, address, phone number, and email address
· Date of birth
· Donation and financial information
· Attendance records at events or services
· Photographs and video recordings (with consent)
· Volunteer records and background checks (where required by law)
Use of Personal Information
Personal information is used for the following purposes:
· Administering church membership and participation
· Communicating about events, programs, and services
· Processing donations and issuing tax receipts
· Ensuring the safety and security of our congregation
· Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
Consent
By providing your personal information to St. Andrew’s United Church, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as outlined in this policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. Information may be disclosed to third parties only in the following circumstances:
· With your explicit consent
· To comply with legal requirements or court orders
· To protect the rights, safety, or property of the Church or individuals
· To service providers who assist in church operations (e.g., mailing services, IT support), who are contractually obligated to maintain confidentiality
Protection of Personal Information
St. Andrew’s United Church employs appropriate security measures to safeguard personal information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. These measures include locked filing cabinets, password-protected electronic systems, and staff training on privacy protocols.
Access and Correction
You have the right to access your personal information held by St. Andrew’s United Church and to request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests can be made in writing to the Privacy Officer (see contact information below).
Retention of Personal Information
Personal information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. When no longer needed, information is securely destroyed or anonymized.
Children’s Privacy
We are committed to protecting the privacy of children. Personal information of minors is collected only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian and is handled with extra care and confidentiality.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The current version will always be available on our website or upon request.
Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding your personal information or this policy, please contact:
· St. Andrew’s United Church OR St. Paul’s United Church
· Email: theloringpastoralcharge@gmail.com
Effective Date
This Privacy Policy is effective as of 2025-11-25.