Wading River–Shoreham Chamber of Commerce
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: October 24, 2026
Website: https://www.wadingrivershorehamchamber.com
Email: wrsc@wadingrivershorehamchamber.com
1. Introduction
The Wading River–Shoreham Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy of our members, local businesses, community partners, event participants, and website visitors.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect personal information obtained through our website, membership programs, events, and other Chamber activities.
By using our website or participating in our programs, you acknowledge the information practices described in this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal and business information when you interact with the Chamber.
A. Personal Information
Information you voluntarily provide may include:
First and last name
Business or organization name
Mailing or business address
Email address
Telephone number
Job title or professional affiliation
Membership information
Event registration details
Vendor or sponsorship application information
Messages submitted through website contact forms
B. Business Information
When businesses apply for Chamber membership or participate in Chamber programs, we may collect:
Business name and description
Business address and contact information
Website and social media links
Business category or industry
Logos and promotional materials
Membership status and participation history
Certain business information may be published in our online membership directory or promotional materials as described below.
C. Payment Information
When you purchase a membership, register for an event, pay vendor fees, or purchase a sponsorship, payment information may be collected and processed by an authorized third-party payment provider.
Depending on the payment service used, the Chamber may receive transaction details such as:
Name and billing contact information
Payment amount
Transaction date
Payment status
Transaction confirmation or reference number
Full credit card numbers and security codes are generally processed by the payment provider rather than stored directly by the Chamber.
D. Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
Internet Protocol (IP) address
Browser type and device information
Pages visited
Date and time of visits
Referring websites
General geographic location derived from IP address
Cookies and similar technologies
This information helps us understand website usage, improve functionality, and maintain website security.
3. How We Use Your Information
The Chamber may use collected information for the following purposes:
Membership Administration
Processing membership applications
Managing membership accounts
Sending renewal notices
Maintaining membership records
Providing membership benefits
Communicating membership updates
Events and Programs
Processing event registrations
Managing vendor applications
Coordinating sponsorships
Communicating event schedules and instructions
Providing event updates and announcements
Business Promotion
Maintaining a business directory
Promoting member businesses
Recognizing sponsors
Sharing Chamber activities and accomplishments
Highlighting local businesses and community partnerships
Communications
Sending newsletters
Announcing upcoming events
Sharing Chamber news
Responding to inquiries
Providing important administrative notices
Website Improvement
Monitoring website performance
Improving navigation and functionality
Understanding visitor interests
Protecting against unauthorized access or misuse
We use personal information only for legitimate organizational purposes and as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
4. Membership Directory and Public Business Listings
As part of Chamber membership benefits, we may publish business information in our online directory, newsletters, event programs, social media, or other promotional materials.
Published information may include:
Business name
Business address
Business telephone number
Business email address
Website and social media links
Business description
Business logo
Membership category
Members are responsible for providing accurate information and should avoid submitting personal contact information they do not wish to make publicly available.
Members may request updates or removal of directory information by contacting the Chamber.
Removal requests will be processed within a reasonable period, subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.
5. Email Communications and Newsletters
The Chamber may communicate with members, event participants, sponsors, vendors, and individuals who request information about Chamber activities.
Communications may include:
Membership confirmations and renewals
Event announcements and reminders
Chamber newsletters
Business networking opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities
Community updates
Important organizational notices
Where required by law, we obtain consent before sending marketing emails.
Recipients may unsubscribe from promotional emails by using the unsubscribe link provided in the message or by contacting the Chamber directly.
Even after opting out of promotional emails, individuals may continue receiving necessary administrative or transactional communications related to active memberships, registrations, or payments.
6. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve the browsing experience and understand website activity.
Cookies are small files placed on a device when visiting a website.
We may use cookies for:
Essential website functionality
Website security
Remembering user preferences
Measuring website traffic
Analyzing website performance
Some cookies may be placed by third-party services integrated into our website.
Visitors may adjust their browser settings to block or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Where legally required, we will provide appropriate notice and consent options for nonessential cookies.
7. How We Share Information
The Chamber does not sell personal information to third parties for monetary compensation.
We may share information in the following circumstances:
A. Service Providers
We may use third-party service providers to assist with:
Website hosting and maintenance
Online payment processing
Membership management
Email newsletters
Event registration
Website analytics
Data storage and security
These providers may access information necessary to perform services on our behalf, subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements.
B. Public Business Promotion
Business information submitted for directory listings, sponsorship recognition, or promotional purposes may be shared publicly as part of Chamber activities.
C. Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, court order, subpoena, or other lawful governmental request.
D. Protection of Rights and Safety
Information may be disclosed when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, security, or safety of the Chamber, its members, event participants, or the public, as permitted by law.
We do not provide member contact lists to unrelated third parties for independent marketing purposes without appropriate authorization.
8. Data Security
The Chamber takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
Security measures may include:
Password-protected administrative accounts
Secure website connections
Restricted access to membership records
Reputable third-party payment processors
Periodic review of website security practices
Although we take reasonable precautions, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.
Users should exercise care when submitting sensitive information online.
9. Data Retention
The Chamber retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:
Membership administration
Event management
Financial record keeping
Legal and tax compliance
Dispute resolution
Organizational record keeping
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and applicable legal requirements.
When information is no longer needed, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy, or de-identify it.
10. Your Privacy Choices and Rights
Depending on applicable law, individuals may have rights concerning their personal information.
You may contact the Chamber to request:
Access to personal information maintained about you
Correction of inaccurate information
Updates to business directory listings
Removal from promotional mailing lists
Deletion of personal information, where legally permitted
Information about how your data is used
Requests may be submitted to:
wrsc@wadingrivershorehamchamber.com
We will review and respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.
Certain information may need to be retained for legal, accounting, or legitimate administrative purposes.
11. Children's Privacy
The Chamber's website and general membership services are not directed toward children under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without appropriate parental consent or another lawful basis.
Some Chamber events may be family-friendly or involve youth participation.
Where information about minors is required for a Chamber program, the Chamber will seek appropriate parent or guardian authorization when required by law.
If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child in violation of applicable law, we will take appropriate steps to delete or otherwise address that information.
Parents or guardians with concerns may contact the Chamber.
12. Event Photography and Video
The Chamber may photograph or record public events, ribbon cuttings, networking gatherings, festivals, and community activities.
Photographs and videos may be used for:
Chamber website content
Social media posts
Newsletters
Event recaps
Community outreach
Promotional and historical purposes
Attendees may appear incidentally in photographs or recordings of public events.
Where specific permission is legally required, appropriate consent will be obtained.
Individuals with concerns regarding the use of their image may contact the Chamber.
13. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to member businesses, sponsors, community organizations, event partners, and other third-party websites.
The Chamber is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of websites operated by third parties.
We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of external websites before providing personal information.
14. Social Media
The Chamber may maintain accounts on social media platforms to communicate with members and the community.
Interactions with our social media pages are also subject to the privacy policies and terms of the respective platforms.
Information shared publicly through comments, posts, or other social media interactions may be visible to others.
We encourage users to avoid sharing sensitive personal information publicly.
15. Payment Processing and Financial Information
Payments for memberships, sponsorships, vendor registrations, and events may be processed using secure third-party payment services.
Payment providers are responsible for handling payment card information in accordance with their applicable security requirements.
The Chamber may maintain payment records for accounting, reconciliation, reporting, and tax purposes.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of the payment services used during checkout.
16. Information Accuracy
Members, vendors, sponsors, and event participants are responsible for providing accurate and current information.
The Chamber encourages members to notify us when business contact details or other submitted information changes.
We may periodically request updated information to maintain accurate records and directory listings.
17. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Chamber may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our programs, website operations, technology, or applicable laws.
When changes are made, the revised policy will be posted on our website with an updated effective date.
Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before implementing material changes.
We encourage website visitors and members to review this policy periodically.
18. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is intended to operate in accordance with applicable federal and New York State privacy and consumer protection laws.
Nothing in this policy is intended to limit rights or protections provided under applicable law.
19. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact:
Wading River–Shoreham Chamber of Commerce
Website: https://www.wadingrivershorehamchamber.com
Email: wrsc@wadingrivershorehamchamber.com
We welcome questions and will make reasonable efforts to address privacy-related inquiries promptly.
Our Commitment to Privacy
The Wading River–Shoreham Chamber of Commerce values the trust of our members, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and community.
We are committed to responsible information practices, transparency, and protecting the personal information entrusted to our organization.
Our goal is to provide a safe, professional, and welcoming environment for everyone who engages with the Chamber, both online and throughout our community.