Protecting Personal Information at Metochos Ministries

On January 1, 2004, Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) came into effect. The Act balances the need for organizations to gather and use personal information with your right to privacy. It also gives you control over your personal information by requiring organizations to obtain your consent to collect, use or disclose information about you.

Personal information includes all information an organization collects, retains or uses that can in any way identify or give information about an individual. It does not include the name, title, business address or business contact information of an organization's employee.

Meeting PIPEDA compliance requirements has provided Metochos Ministries with the opportunity to put policies and practices in place to safeguard your privacy in accordance with the Act. In May 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a Policy to Protect Personal Information in Metochos Ministries. This policy ensures that the personal information provided to us from Metochos participants and supports is collected, used and protected appropriately. The policy is based on the following ten PIPEDA principles:

1. Accountability: Metochos Ministries is responsible for maintaining and protecting all personal information under its control. A Privacy Officer has been designated who is accountable for compliance with the ten principles that comprise Metochos Ministries' policy.

2. Identifying purposes: When Metochos Ministries asks for your personal information, the purpose for which it is being collected will be identified. The information is used to identify campers, provide appropriate safety to campers, identify staff, volunteers, and supporters of the camp, communicate with supporters and past campers, staff and volunteers, and promote the mission of the camp in area congregations. Personal information is not shared with third parties without your express consent.

3. Consent: Metochos Ministries requires your knowledge and consent for the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information, except where it is required or permitted by law.

4. Limiting Collection: Metochos Ministries collects information by fair and lawful means and limits collection to those details necessary for identified purposes. The personal information collected is usually limited to name, title, gender, age, address, telephone number, email address and congregational membership, health issues for campers and staff, volunteer positions served, interests/skills that intersect with the work of Metochos Ministries, as well as tracking donations given in order to issue charitable receipts.

5. Limiting use, disclosure and retention: Metochos Ministries uses your personal information only for the purpose for which it was collected unless your consent is sought to do otherwise. Personal information is retained indefinitely for archival purposes unless you request to have it deleted.

6. Accuracy: Metochos Ministries endeavors to ensure that the information collected and used is accurate, up to date and as complete as possible. However, individuals are relied upon to inform us of changes to their personal information. You may request access to your personal information and if applicable, request that we make corrections or changes to your file.

7. Safeguarding information: Metochos applies appropriate safeguards to our computer networks and physical files and access to personal information about you is restricted to those Metochos employees and authorized administrators who need to use the information for the identified purposes.

8. Openness: Metochos makes information available to you concerning the practices that apply to the protection of your personal information.

9. Individual access: At your request, you will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of your information and be given access to it. You may verify the accuracy and completeness of your information, and may request that it be amended or deleted.

10. Challenging compliance: Metochos' Privacy Officer will answer any questions or enquiries you have about Metochos' Privacy Policy or practices.

View the complete Policy to Protect Personal Information at Metochos Ministries and the Compliance Practices .

For questions or queries about the Policy to Protect Personal Information in Metochos Ministries, please contact us.

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