Privacy Policy

May 2018

Introduction

This privacy policy sets out how the Quaggy Waterways Action Group (QWAG) uses and treats your personal information.
The policy may be altered from time to time, to comply with any changes in the way the data protection rules are interpreted and to ensure compliance with charity law and guidance.

Background

QWAG is a registered charity in England and Wales (1104156) working in the London boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham to restore the natural condition of the River Quaggy and other local urban rivers and water bodies, and to enable the public to engage with, enjoy and learn from local rivers and waterways.
QWAG respects all personal data shared with us by our members and contacts in line with their wishes. We aim to be clear when we collect any personal information or data such as names, addresses, email contacts, and we not do anything which members and contacts would not reasonably expect.
The following policy sets out how we will use any personal information as members and contacts engage with us whether on or offline.
Our policy reflects our duties under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to use information fairly, to ensure it is keep securely, to ensure it is accurate and up to date, and that it is disposed of safely if this is requested / required.
By joining QWAG we ask members to provide basic information including name, postal address, online contact (email). Holding this information means we can keep members informed of activities, events and can also track who are our members.
By signing up as a QWAG member or to a QWAG mailing list, participating in QWAG events or supporting QWAG as a donor, contacts accept this privacy policy and authorise QWAG to collect, store and process their information in the ways explained in this privacy policy.

How we gather information and data

We collect information in the following ways:

  • When it is given to QWAG DIRECTLY:

People who wish to become QWAG members to support and be engaged in our work most closely will provide us with information in order to receive our newsletters and other occasional information, and to participate in events, to donate to our work or to communicate with us.
People may also give us their details at meetings and other events where we take written details of names, postal address, email addresses and more.

  • When it is provided to QWAG INDIRECTLY:

Information may also be shared with us by fundraising sites such as JustGiving, if members and contacts choose to use such means to donate, but this will only result in QWAG seeing the contacts details which have been consented to being providing.
Contacts’ information may also be shared with us by other parties where the contacts have opted in to sharing their information with those other organisations.
In the above cases, contacts should check the third parties’ Privacy Policy before providing any information, to understand fully how those organisations / parties will process any data provided.

Social Media

We do not collect any personal and tracking data via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

Google Analytics

We do not use Google Analytics to monitor traffic levels, search queries and visits to this website.

What personal data we collect

The type and quantity of information we collect and how we use it depends on why members and contacts are providing it.
If you join QWAG as a member, sign-up to receive information from QWAG or make a donation to QWAG, we may collect:

  • Your name
  • Your contact details – postal address, email address, telephone number, social media details

If you take part in a QWAG event or activity we may ask you for information to ensure we can record how many people are participating for use in reporting to funders and other organisations which may wish to know about QWAG’s effectiveness and engagement.
Depending on the event, this information may include all or some of the following:

  • Your name
  • Your contact details
  • Emergency contact details
  • Access needs and any allergies or dietary requirements
  • Issues relating to disability or autism
    Where it is appropriate (and you have the right to decline to give this information) we may also ask for:
  • The reason for donating to QWAG. This is not a mandatory question and contacts need only answer this where they are comfortable with disclosing this to QWAG.
  • Information on gender or ethnicity – this is often sought by any funders to help in reporting on how their funds are used and how effective QWAG is as an organisation.

How we use the data

We will mainly use your data to:

  • Provide members and contacts with information about our activities and events
  • Promote our work, projects and activities
  • Administer the financial support (membership subscription / donation) including processing any gift aid consents
  • Retain a record of a member / donor / other contact’s relationship with us, such as duration of membership
  • To say ‘thank you’ for involvement and support
  • To ensure we know how members and contacts prefer to be contacted
  • To help us to identify and report on who is engaging with our work – such information is often requested by funders and others interested in QWAG’s work
  • Understand how we can improve our work, events, activities and information provision to members and contacts.

With consent, we will contact members and contacts to let them know about regular activities, progress and plans and where we may also require help and support to achieve our charitable aims and objectives, and, if necessary, to request support and / or financial support.
We aim for our communications to be personal, relevant and timely.
We will never share or sell personal details to third parties.

Changing your preferences

We will make it easy for members and contacts to tell us how they want to be communicated and reached, in way suitable to them.
We include information on how to opt out when we send you any information.
If members and contacts wish to decide to stop hearing from us they can let us know by contacting us at: membership@qwag.org.uk

How we keep your data safe and who has access

We ensure that there are appropriate technical controls in place to protect your personal details. For example our online forms are encrypted and our network is protected and routinely monitored.
We undertake regular reviews of who can access information we hold to ensure that it is only accessible by appropriately designated contacts who understand the rules on data protection.
We will only ever share data about our members and contacts if we have received explicit and informed consent to do so from those individuals concerned.

Keeping your information up to date

We appreciate members and contacts keeping us informed of any changes in their contact details.
Members and contacts have the right to ask us to stop processing their personal data, and if it is not necessary for the purpose for which it was provided (e.g. processing a donation) we will do so.
Contact us at membership@qwag.org.uk you have any concerns.
Members and contacts have a right to ask for a copy of the information we hold about them and should contact membership@qwag.org.uk is this is required.
If there are any discrepancies in the information we provide, we request that members and contacts let us know and we will correct them.
If members and contacts want to access the information we hold send a description of the information you want to see and proof of your identity to our postal address: 178 Inchmery Road, London SE6 1DF.
NOTE: We do not accept these requests by email in order to ensure that we only provide personal data to the right person.

Changes to this policy

We may change this privacy policy from time to time.
If significant changes are made in the way we treat the personal information we hold, we will make this clear on the QWAG website and / or by contacting members and contacts directly.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this Privacy Policy please contact membership@qwag.org.uk

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