Privacy Policy

This Web site is provided by aimWest to serve the needs of the West Michigan professional interactive community. aimWest is a non-profit, professional organization located at 618 Kenmoor Ave SE, Suite 200, in Grand Rapids, MI, 49546.

Following is aimWest's privacy policy, which addresses what information we collect, how we use it, how you can correct or change it, and how we protect and store it. By using our Web site, you consent to the collection and use of this information by aimWest as explained in the policy currently in effect. If we change our policy, we will post the changes here on the Web site. Please check here periodically for any updates and so you can be sure you understand our policy.

aimWest uses this Web site solely as a communications line to its members and those interested in becoming members. We gather and store personal information solely to communicate with these individuals, and we do not sell this information or share it in any other way with third parties. Should we decide later to share this information with third parties, we will not do so without your expressed permission.

What information do you gather?

The official aimWest membership application requests the following information:

• name
• title
• organization or corporation
• street address
• city
• state or province
• ZIP or postal code
• country
• work phone number
• fax number
• e-mail address
• Web address
• type of membership
• credit card number*
• expiration date*
• credit card type*
• name on credit card*
  
  *Only if paying by credit card.

Those persons joining as part of a corporate or organization membership are asked to also provide the name, title, and e-mail address of each additional member they are signing up in their group. In addition, those members paying for their membership using a major credit card as they send in their membership application are asked to include their credit card number, its expiration date, the card type, and the name of the person as shown on the card. Note that members may also pay their dues online.

Members who choose to pay for their membership dues online must provide the following information:

• credit card number
• card expiration date
• name*
• address*
• city*
• state*
• ZIP code*
• country*
• phone number*
• e-mail address*
  
  *These items are required when filling in the online credit card form.

In addition, aimWest asks for feedback from its members via the Membership/Feedback Form. Besides collecting the member's name, organization, work phone number, and e-mail address, aimWest provides space for members to offer ideas or react to current organization programs and proposals. This feedback is shared among board members via e-mail to consider for improving the organization. It is not accessible for viewing or reviewing outside of the board, but members can submit additional feedback forms as their views change.

What do you do with this information?

We store personal information locally in a database. Credit card purchase information goes to a secure credit card processor, VeriSign.

How do you use the information?

The aim Board uses member information to communicate directly with members for event notices, sponsorship requests, and other activity news. In future, aimWest will create a member directory that will be available to members only, which will contain information allowing members to communicate with each other. Then, one day aimWest will allow third parties to place ads in aimWest e-mail communications with members, sharing information in aggregate or demographic form but not individually identifiable form.

How secure is the information you store?

Credit card information is very secure. Our processing partner, VeriSign, encrypts the data using the latest SSL encryption technology. To prevent data compromise in the storage server, VeriSign stores sensitive transactions on secure systems that cannot be accessed through the Internet. Furthermore, VeriSign uses hardware and software firewall technology to eliminate all potential for intruders to hack in and compromise our data.

Personally identifiable information is kept secure on our server in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Can I get into the aimWest site to view or change my information?

We recognize that you may need to change your address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. The information is currently not viewable on our Web site, but send aimWest any changes via post office mail or e-mail.

Send by e-mail to: membership@aimwest.org

Send by postal mail to:
aimWest
c/o Bruce Benson
618 Kenmoor Ave SE
Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Can I opt out of receiving e-mails or other communications from aimWest?

You may opt out of receiving e-mails by not providing an e-mail address in your application or by contacting aimWest by postal mail or e-mail (see addresses in previous answer), asking us to remove you from our mailing lists. It is assumed that because one of the major reasons for the existence of aimWest is as a networking and communications organization, most if not all members will want to receive mail or e-mail.

Am I protected by your privacy policy on sponsor sites?

The aimWest Web site contains links to various third-party, sponsor Web sites. All of these sites are owned and operated independently of aimWest. They each have their separate privacy and data collection practices. Any information you provide to these Web sites will be governed under the terms of their privacy policy. aimWest has no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the independent actions or policies of these independent sites, and is not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

Do you use cookies on your site?

We do not use "cookies" on this site. They are intended for other forms of information gathering, which aimWest does not use.

Do you collect any personal information on children?

The aimWest site is intended for adult interactive professionals only, and therefore we do not collect any information on individuals under the age of 16.

How to I contact aimWest?

You may contact the aimWest organization in a number of ways:

1. Send us an e-mail to membership@aimwest.org
   To e-mail individual members of the board, use the addresses in the Board of Directors section.
2. Phone us at (616) 954-9556 x116
3. Write to us at aimWest, c/o Bruce Benson, 618 Kenmoor Ave SE, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Privacy statement written by Alan E. Eggleston, a Grand Rapids-based privacy consultant.

Updated 7/23/08