Privacy Policy

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
(ACTEC) is committed to protecting your privacy

This Privacy Policy explains our data practices regarding Personal Data (as defined below) and other information that we collect in connection with:

1. your use of the websites www.actec.org, cle.actec.org, fellows.actec.org, and actecfoundation.org (each a “Website” and, collectively, the “Websites”);
2. your use of our mobile application ACTEC Meeting App

By using our Websites, and/or the App, you consent to policies and practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the data practices described in this Privacy Policy, you should not use our Websites, or App.

Our Collection of Your Personal Data

ACTEC collects and uses information that, alone or in combination with other information, could be used to identify you (“Personal Data”) to deliver our products and services, inform you of various opportunities, and provide support, as described below (please also see the “How We Use Information” section below).

Personal Data That You Voluntarily Provide to Us.

ACTEC primarily collects Personal Data provided to us by individuals when they are nominated to become a Fellow of the College or interact with our products, services, and customer service. For example, you may voluntarily provide us with Personal Data when you register for an event, make a purchase from our store, submit a web form, call or email us directly, or submit your business card.

The types of Personal Data that we collect vary based on level of engagement. 

For non-fellows this typically includes your name, address, telephone number, company name, job title, e-mail address, and other information that you voluntarily submit to us.

For Fellows, this typically includes your name, personal residence (if you elect to provide that information), company name, telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, web site, Spouse / partner’s name, marital status, gender,  Date of Birth, Law School, Graduation Year, degree taken, State Bar Information, Year Elected to the College, College Committee Service, and Practice Designations

Moreover, when you create a profile on the ACTEC Websites or our App, we will collect the information that you elect to upload to your profile, such as name, email address and company information.  You should carefully consider whether you wish to submit Personal Data and whether you wish to make your profile available to other users, and you should tailor any content you submit appropriately. You should also review any additional terms and conditions that may govern your use of our services.

Automatically Collected Data.

As you interact on our Websites, we may collect information about your computer or device and visits to one or more of our Websites (“Automatically Collected Data”) through cookies, web beacons and other technologies, Internet Protocol (IP) address tracking/URL tracking, and other tools (collectively, “Tracking Technologies”). The types of Automatically Collected Data collected on our Websites through the use of these and other tools that we may add from time to time may include: the search terms you used, new or returning user information, browser information, computer or device type, operating system, internet service provider, website usage, referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, number of clicks, and ads viewed. Please see the “Tracking Technologies” section below to learn more about how we use Tracking Technologies.

How We Use Information

Correspondence. If you correspond with ACTEC via e-mail, the postal service, our web forms, or other form of communication, we may retain the correspondence and the information it contains. We may use the information for business purposes, including responding to your inquiry, notifying you of ACTEC-related opportunities, and other marketing purposes (please read the Marketing section below for more information on our marketing practices and how to opt out or unsubscribe).

URL and IP Address.

ACTEC collects information about users’ IP addresses, including users’ utilization of our Websites, to help us design our Websites to better suit our Website users’ needs. We may use information about your IP address to help diagnose problems with our server, administer our Websites, analyze trends, track visitor movements, and gather information that assists us in identifying visitor preferences. We also may use your IP address to enhance our security and investigate an actual or potential security incident. For EU Data Subjects, this use of your information is necessary for our legitimate interests in understanding how the Websites and our Services are being used by you, to improve your experience on them and ensuring network and information security. For more information about what we mean by legitimate interests, and when we may process Personal Data for our legitimate interests, please see the “EU Data Subjects” section below.

Aggregated Data.

We may also compile, anonymize and/or aggregate Personal Data and other information collected about Websites’ visitors, as described in this Privacy Policy, and use such anonymized and/or aggregated data for our business purposes, including disclosing such data to our clients, partners, service providers, advertisers and/or other third parties for marketing or promotional purposes. This aggregate information does not identify you. For EU Data Subjects, this use of your Personal Data is necessary for our legitimate interests in understanding how the Websites and our products and services are being used by you and to improve your experience on them. For more information about what we mean by legitimate interests, and when we may process Personal Data for our legitimate interests, please see the “EU Data Subjects” section below.

To provide our products and services and respond to requests. 

We use the Personal Data we collect from you (unless otherwise restricted by law) to:

• Provide you support or other services you have ordered from us, as well as product updates, product patches and fixes and other similar operational communications. For EU Data Subjects, such use is necessary for the performance of the contract between you and us.
• Respond directly to your information requests (including registrations or other specific requests) or other inquiries. For EU Data Subjects, such use is necessary to respond to or implement your request prior to entering into a contract with us.
• Facilitate your engagement with ACTEC. For EU Data Subjects, such use is necessary for the performance of the contract between you and us.

Marketing.

We also use your contact information to contact you by email or by phone regarding information that we think may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive marketing materials, brochures, or emails from ACTEC, you may inform us of your preference by sending a letter or calling ACTEC at the contact information below. You may also submit a contact form electronically through the Websites and unsubscribe from our marketing communications by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link located at the bottom of our e-mails.

We may send you push notifications from time-to-time to update you about any events or promotions that we may be running. If you no longer wish to receive these types of communications, you may turn them off at the device level. To ensure you receive proper notifications, we will need to collect certain information about your device such as operating system and user identification information.

Where required by the applicable law (for example, if you are an EU Data Subject), we will send you marketing information or notifications only with your consent, which was given at the time you provided us with the Personal Data. In such case, if you do not provide us with your consent to the processing of your Personal Data for this purpose, we will not send you this information (please refer to the “EU Data Subjects” section below for information on your rights). For California residents, please consult the “Your Privacy Rights” section below for additional considerations.

With your permission, we may also use information you provide to us as a testimonial posted on the Websites.

Disclosure of Information

ACTEC discloses Personal Data that we collect (described above) in accordance with the terms set forth in this section.

We share your Personal Data with third parties who provide certain services to us to assist us in meeting business operation needs. These parties are authorized to process your Personal Data, on our behalf and pursuant to our instructions, only as necessary to provide these services to us. We share your Personal Data with the following service providers:

• Association Management System
• Providers of payment processing and accounting, as necessary to process payments.
• Customer Relationship Management Systems, Learning Management Systems, and other systems that integrate with our Association Management System
• Providers helping us fulfill subscription services
• Providers of research and analytics services, including Google Analytics
• Event Sponsors receive information about attendees.

We may also disclose Personal Data to third parties in the following circumstances:

(1) if you request or authorize (when required by law, we will inform you in advance of the third parties to which we may provide your data and the purpose for doing so, and we will obtain your prior consent for such use);

(2) the information is provided

(a) to comply with the law (for example, to comply with a search warrant, subpoena or other legal process),

(b) to enforce an agreement we have with you,

(c) to protect our rights, property or safety, or the rights, property or safety of our employees or others,

(d) to investigate fraud, or (e) to respond to a government request or to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements;

(3) to address emergencies or acts of God;

(4) to address disputes, claims, or to persons holding a legal or beneficial interest;

(5) if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing due diligence, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, sale of company assets, or transition of service to another provider, in which case your Personal Data and other information may be transferred to a successor or affiliate as part of that transaction along with other assets.

We collect, store and process the information from our Websites and App in the U.S. If you are outside the U.S., then your Personal Data and other information will be transferred to the U.S. The data privacy and data protection laws outside your country may offer less protection than the laws in your country. By using our services, the Websites, and/or App, or otherwise providing us with your Personal Data, you agree to the transfer of your Personal Data as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to such cross-border transfers of your Personal Data, please do not submit it through the Websites and/or App. We have entered Model Contractual Clauses for the international transfer of Personal Data collected in the European Economic Area and Switzerland with certain service providers, customers and other parties. Please contact us as described under the “Contact Us” section below to obtain a copy of the Model Contractual Clauses we use.

The Websites include interfaces to social media websites or platforms that are owned and/or controlled by third parties, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others (“Social Media Sites”). If you choose to “like” or share information from a Website through any Social Media Sites, or if you are a member of a Social Media Site, the interfaces on our Websites may allow the Social Media Site to connect your website visit to your Personal Data. The information that you share with the Social Media Sites will be governed by the specific privacy policies and terms of service of the Social Media Sites and not by this Privacy Policy. You should review the privacy policy of that Social Media Site before choosing to access and use any Social Media Sites, including interacting with our pages on those sites.

How You Can Access and Change Information

ACTEC acknowledges that you have the right to access your Personal Data. Our Websites and App allow you to request, access, correct, amend, or delete inaccurate data. In case you request us to remove data, we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Upon request, ACTEC will provide you with information about whether we hold any of your Personal Data. You can update or correct your Personal Data or remove it from our system by making a request to us at the contact information provided below. Requests typically receive a response within thirty (30) days. If access cannot be provided within that time frame, we will provide the requesting party with an estimated date by which the information will be provided. If for some reason access is denied, we will provide an explanation of why access has been denied.

If you are an EU Data Subject, please see the “EU Data Subject” section below for information on your rights in relation to the Personal Data we hold about you.

EU Data Subjects

Scope.

This section applies if you are an individual located in the European Union (“EU”) (“EU Data Subject”). For these purposes, reference to the EU also includes the European Economic Area countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and, where applicable, Switzerland.

Your Rights. 

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights in relation to your Personal Data:

• Right of access: If you ask us, we will confirm whether we are processing your Personal Data and, if so, provide you with a copy of that Personal Data (along with certain other details). If you require additional copies, we may need to charge a reasonable fee.
• Right to rectification: If your Personal Data is inaccurate or incomplete, you are entitled to have it rectified or completed. If we have shared your Personal Data with others, we will tell them about the rectification where possible. If you ask us, where possible and lawful to do so, we will also tell you with whom we shared your Personal Data so that you can contact them directly.
• Right to erasure: You may ask us to delete or remove your Personal Data and we will do so in some circumstances, such as where we no longer need it (we may not delete your data when other interests outweigh your right to deletion). If we have shared your data with others, we will tell them about the erasure where possible. If you ask us, where possible and lawful to do so, we will also tell you with whom we shared your Personal Data so that you can contact them directly.
• Right to restrict processing: You may ask us to restrict or ‘block’ the processing of your Personal Data in certain circumstances, such as where you contest the accuracy of that Personal Data or object to us processing it. We will tell you before we lift any restriction on processing. If we have shared your Personal Data with others, we will tell them about the restriction where possible. If you ask us, where possible and lawful to do so, we will also tell you with whom we shared your Personal Data so that you can contact them directly.
• Right to data portability: Effective May 25, 2018, you have the right to obtain your Personal Data from us that you consented to give us or that is necessary to perform a contract with you. We will give you your Personal Data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. You may reuse it elsewhere.
• Right to object: You may ask us at any time to stop processing your Personal Data, and we will do so:
  • If we are relying on a legitimate interest to process your Personal Data — unless we demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing; or
  • If we are processing your Personal Data for direct marketing.
• Rights in relation to automated decision-making and profiling: You have the right to be free from decisions based solely on automated processing of your Personal Data, including profiling, that affect you, unless such processing is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between you and us or you provide your explicit consent to such processing.
• Right to withdraw consent: If we rely on your consent to process your Personal Data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on your prior consent.
• Right to lodge a complaint with the data protection authority: If you have a concern about our privacy practices, including the way we have handled your Personal Data, you can report it to the data protection authority that is authorized to hear those concerns.
• You may exercise your rights by contacting us as indicated under “Contact Us” section below.

Legitimate Interest.

“Legitimate interest” means the interests of ACTEC in conducting and managing our organization. For example, we have a legitimate interest in processing your Personal Data to analyze how the Websites, Apps and our products and services are being used by you, and to ensure network and information security, as described in this Privacy Policy. When we process your Personal Data for our legitimate interests, we make sure to consider and balance any potential impact on you, and your rights under data protection laws. Our legitimate interests do not automatically override your interests. We will not use your Personal Data for activities where our interests are overridden by the impact on you, unless we have your consent or those activities are otherwise required or permitted by law. You have the right to object to processing that is based on our legitimate interests. For more information on your rights, please see the “Your Rights” section above.

Data Transfers. 

We have entered into Model Contractual Clauses for the transfer of Personal Data collected in the European Economic Area and Switzerland with certain service providers, customers and other parties. Please click here to be taken to the EU Commission page regarding Model Contractual Clauses.

Our Security Measures to Protect Your Personal Data

We are committed to taking reasonable efforts to secure the information that you choose to provide us, and we use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect against unauthorized access to or alteration, disclosure, or destruction of Personal Data. We restrict access to Personal Data to our employees, contractors and service providers (described in the “Disclosure of Information” section above) who need to know the information in order to operate, develop, or improve our services.

Unfortunately, no transmission of Personal Data over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Accordingly, and despite our efforts, ACTEC cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, or to or from our online products or services. ACTEC has no responsibility or liability for the security of information transmitted via the Internet. If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the security of your Personal Data, please contact us as indicated under the “Contact Us” section below.

We retain your Personal Data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

Tracking Technologies

ACTEC and its partners use cookies and other technologies to analyze trends, administer the Websites, track users’ movements around the Websites, to gather demographic information about our user base as a whole and to collect information about your browsing habits in order to make advertising relevant to you and your interests, as described below.

When you first visit the Websites, you will be asked to consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies on the Websites in accordance with this Policy, and if you accept we will store cookies and similar technologies on your computer.

What Are Cookies. 

Cookies are pieces of data sent to your browser when you visit a website and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies may store user preferences and other information. For example, cookies can store your session information for easy log-in to a website or platform, or your language or user interface customization preferences or may allow websites to record your browsing activities (for example, number of page views, number of visitors, and time spent on each page). 

We use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. A session ID cookie expires when you close your browser. A persistent cookie remains on your hard drive for a set period or until you delete it. 

How We Use Cookies

We classify cookies in the following categories:

In their use of our services, Clients’ may enable various third-party integrations which may set additional cookies. These cookies are set and controlled by Clients for various purposes such as website usage tracking and analytics and enabling social media features. ACTEC does not control the placement of such cookies. Use of these cookies is governed by Client’s own privacy and cookie policies.

Other Technologies. 

ACTEC may use a tracking technique that employs embedded URLs to allow use of the Websites without cookies. Embedded URLs allow limited information to follow you as you navigate the Websites, but are not associated with Personal Data and are not used beyond the session.

ACTEC and its service providers may use embedded pixel technologies (or pixel tags) for the purposes of identifying unique user visits (as opposed to aggregate hits) and for advertising purposes. In addition, embedded pixels or other technologies may be used in e-mails and our online display advertising to provide information on when the e-mail or ad was opened to track marketing campaign responsiveness; information collected using these technologies may be associated with the recipient’s e-mail address.

We may use widgets, which are interactive mini-programs that run on our site to provide specific services from another company (e.g., links to bookmarked sites), along with buttons or other tools that link to other companies’ services (e.g., a “Like” button or third-party map). The widget, button or tool may collect and automatically send Personal Data, such as your e-mail address, or other Information (such as your browser information, or IP address), to a third party. Cookies may also be set or used by the widgets, buttons or tools to enable them to function properly or for other purposes, which may include advertising. Information collected or used by a widget, button or tool, including cookie settings and preferences, is governed by the privacy policy of the company that created it.

We use mobile analytics software to allow us to better understand the functionality of our mobile software on your phone. This software may record information such as how often you use the Apps, the events that occur within the Apps, aggregated usage, performance data, and where the Apps was downloaded from. We do not link the information we store within the analytics software to any Personal Data you submit within the Apps.

Your Choices. 

On most web browsers, you will find a “help” section on the toolbar. Please search, using your preffered search engine, on how to receive a notification when you are receiving a new cookie and how to turn cookies off. Please see the links below for guidance on how to modify your web browser’s settings on the most popular browsers:

Please note that if you reject cookies or disable cookies, your use of certain features or functions on our Website or Platforms or service may be limited.

To find out more about cookies and similar technologies, including how to see what cookies and similar technologies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit  http://www.allaboutcookies.org and/or or the Network Advertising Initiative’s online resources, at http://www.networkadvertising.org, and follow the opt-out instructions there. If you access the Websites on your mobile device, you may not be able to control tracking technologies through the settings. If you wish to not have your information used for serving you targeted ads, you may opt-out by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative’s online resources at http://www.networkadvertising.org/ and following the opt-out instructions there, or if located in the European Union, visit the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance’s Your Online Choices opt-out tool at http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/. By opting out of targeted advertisements you will no longer see advertisements on our Websites from third-party partners that participate in the Digital Advertising Alliance; however, you may still continue to see other non-targeted advertisements on our Websites.

Inapplicability of Privacy Policies of Any Linked Websites or Other Third Parties

This Privacy Policy only addresses ACTEC’s use and disclosure of your Personal Data. The Websites and Apps may contain links to other websites, so please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and we are not liable for their misuse of Personal Data. We encourage you to be aware that when you go to another website you should carefully read their privacy policy.

California Privacy Rights

In addition to the information provided in this Privacy Policy, under California’s “Shine the Light” law, California residents who provide “personal information” (as defined in the statute) in obtaining products or services for personal, family, or household use are entitled to request and obtain from us, once a calendar year, information about the personal information we shared, if any, with other businesses for marketing uses. If applicable, this information would include the categories of personal information and the names and addresses of those businesses with which we shared such personal information for the immediately prior calendar year. To obtain this information, please contact us by sending a letter or calling us at the contact information below. You may also submit a contact form electronically through the Websites.

Children

The Websites and Apps are not intended for use by or targeted at children under 13, and we do not knowingly or intentionally collect information about children under 13.

Conditions of Use

By using the Websites, our Apps and/or our services, you agree to the terms and conditions contained in this Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use and/or any other agreement that we might have with you. If you do not agree to any of these terms and conditions, you should not use the Websites, Apps and/or any ACTEC benefits or services. You agree that any dispute over privacy or the terms contained in this Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use and any other agreement we have with you will be governed by the laws of Pennsylvania. You also agree to arbitrate any such dispute in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, and to abide by any limitation on damages contained in any agreement we may have with you.

Changes to the Privacy Policy

As ACTEC, its products, and its services change from time to time, we may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our information practices. We reserve the right to amend the Privacy Policy at any time, for any reason, and may do so by posting a new version online. Your continued use of the Websites, the Apps and/or continued provision of Personal Data to us will be subject to the terms of the then-current Privacy Policy. If we make any material changes or if otherwise required by applicable law, we will notify you by email (sent to the e-mail address specified in your account) or by means of a notice on this website prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our privacy practices.

CONTACT US 

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our treatment of the information you provide us, please contact as at:

Address: 901 15^th Street, NW, Suite 525, Washington, DC  20005

Phone: 202-684-8460