Respecting User Privacy over the Internet is of Utmost Importance to Us. This privacy policy describes the current policies and practices with regard to personal data collected by the HerdStar (collectively “we,” “us,” “our”) through our website. The term “personal data” refers to personally identifiable information that being your name, email address, mailing address, and information you may volunteer in the Membership Directory.

In general, you can visit our website without telling us who you are or providing any information about yourself. In some areas of the site, programs have been designed to perform specific functions for you directly though our website. Within these programs we may ask you to provide information that will enable us to offer services that require registration, assist you with technical support issues, or to follow up with you. In some instances the information may include personal data.

This privacy policy applies to information submitted by you and/or collected online by us.

Your Consent. By using this website, you consent to our use of your personal data as described in this privacy policy.

Notification of Changes to this Policy. We are continually improving and adding new functionality and features to this web site. Because of these ongoing changes, changes in the law, and the changing nature of technology, we may revise this privacy policy from time to time. If and when the policy changes, we will post a dated notice on this page informing you that a change has been made.

Use of Personal Data Collected through this Website. Information, including but not limited to personal data, that we collect will not be sold, rented, lent, exchanged, or used by an individual or entity other than HerdStar unless otherwise indicated. This includes, for example, the information you provide when you request other services or when you send us your comments or requests for information.

We use the information you provide for the purposes for which it was originally collected, for example, to respond to your email or to provide the programs or services you requested. We may also use this information to help us improve the content and functionality of our website, to better understand the needs and interests of the people and organizations that use our website, and to improve our programs and services. This information may be used to contact you in the future to tell you about HerdStar programs and services.

Unless we have your permission or are otherwise required by law to release it, the personal data provided by you online will only be used by HerdStar to contact you regarding services, benefits, or mission opportunities; with other third parties who act on our behalf to further process or analyze the data or protect the security or integrity of our databases or this website; and with our successors in interest through corporate merger, reorganization, dissolution, or similar event. In the event of a release to a third party described above, your personal data will not be released until the third party has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy.

We, and others with whom we share your personal data, may retain your personal data on file to better serve you. Any destruction of personal data will be done in a manner consistent with the intent of this policy.

Anonymous Data Collected through Website. In addition to the information you provide when you use this website, we use technology to collect anonymous information about the use of the site. For example, we use technology to track how many visitors access the website, the date and time of their visit, the length of their stay, and which pages they view. We also use technology to determine which Web browsers our visitors use and the address from which they accessed the site.

This technology does not identify you personally. It simply enables us to compile statistics about our visitors and their use of our website. We use this anonymous data and may share it with third parties for various reasons; for example, to improve the content and functionality of the web site, to better understand the needs and interests of our visitors, and to improve our programs and services.

Cookies. In order to collect the anonymous data described in the preceding paragraph, we may use temporary “cookies.” Cookies by themselves cannot be used to discover the identity of the user. A cookie is a small piece of information that is sent to your browser and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies do not damage your computer. You can set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie. This enables you to decide if you want to accept it or not. Our web site only uses temporary or “session” cookies. These “session” cookies expire when your browser window is closed.

Children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of thirteen. If you are under thirteen, please do not give us any personal data. If you have reason to believe that a child has provided personal data on this website, please contact us by clicking here and we will endeavor to delete that information. If you are a child under the age of thirteen and using this site, please do not give any information about yourself, such as your name, address, birthdate, phone number, school, or email address. As we develop online programs for children, we will adopt appropriate policies and practices to protect the privacy of children.

Links to Other Sites. This privacy policy applies only to this website which is owned and administered by HerdStar. This site contains many hyperlinks to websites that are not operated by us. These hyperlinks are provided for your reference and convenience only and do not imply any endorsement of the activities of these third-party websites or any association with their operators. We do not control these sites and are not responsible for their data practices. We urge you to review the privacy policy posted on any site you visit before using the site or before providing any personal data about yourself.

Governing Law. This privacy policy forms part of our website Terms of Use Agreement, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Minnesota.

Questions about Our Privacy Policy. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or concerns about the way we use personal data, please contact HerdStar.

LAST UPDATED: October 20, 2011