Privacy
Policy.

Who we are & what this covers.

Sisters of Sirius Chapter 008 (referred to as "the Chapter," "we," "us," or "our") is a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, operating as a nonprofit community organization at 4630 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208.

This Privacy Policy applies to our website at sosclt.com, any contact forms or donation pages we operate, communications we send, and any information collected at or in connection with our chapter events and programs.

Information we collect.

We collect information you voluntarily provide to us, as well as limited information gathered automatically when you use our website.

Information you provide directly:

• Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you contact us, sign up for our mailing list, or make a donation
• Payment information processed through our secure third-party payment processor when you donate or purchase fundraiser items (we do not store full card numbers)
• Messages, prayer requests, or other content you submit through contact forms
• Member information provided when you inquire about joining the chapter
• Photos or media shared with us for chapter publications, social media, or events

Information collected automatically:

• Browser type and device information for site functionality and security
• Pages visited and time spent on our site (via standard web analytics)
• IP address for security and fraud prevention purposes

We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes, and we do not build behavioral profiles of our site visitors.

How we use your information.

We use the information we collect solely for the purposes of operating our chapter and serving our community:

• To respond to inquiries, prayer requests, and messages you send us
• To process donations and send donation acknowledgment letters for tax purposes
• To send chapter newsletters, event announcements, and updates you have opted into
• To communicate about fundraisers, programs, and community events
• To maintain accurate chapter membership records
• To fulfill orders for fundraiser items (such as chili bowls, calendars, and merchandise)
• To improve our website and communications based on how people use them
• To comply with applicable legal and financial reporting obligations as a nonprofit

When we share information.

We do not sell or share your personal information for commercial purposes. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: We use trusted third-party tools to operate our website, process donations, and send communications — such as our website host, email marketing platform, and payment processor. These providers only access your information to perform services on our behalf and are contractually bound to protect it.
• Order of the Eastern Star affiliation: As a chapter of the OES, we may share member information with our affiliated Grand Chapter to the extent required by our organizational affiliation and bylaws.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of the Chapter or others.
• With your consent: We may share information for any other purpose with your explicit prior consent.

Emails & chapter communications.

When you join our mailing list, contact us, or donate, you may receive emails from us including chapter news, event announcements, fundraiser updates, and program highlights.

Every email we send includes an unsubscribe link. You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by clicking that link or by emailing us directly. Please note that transactional messages — such as donation receipts or direct replies to your inquiries — are not subject to unsubscribe requests as they are necessary to fulfill your request.

If you have submitted a prayer request, we treat that information with the utmost confidentiality. Prayer requests are shared only with chapter leadership and our prayer circle and are never published or distributed.

How we protect your data.

We take reasonable steps to protect the information you share with us from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. Our website uses HTTPS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our server. Payment information is processed through industry-standard secure payment processors and is not stored on our systems.

While no system is completely secure, we are committed to following best practices for data protection appropriate to our size and the nature of our organization. We review our security practices periodically and update them as needed.

Your rights & choices.

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal and operational obligations
• Opt out of mailing list communications at any time
• Request that we not share your information in ways not described in this policy

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in the Contact section below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable time, generally within 30 days.

North Carolina residents may have additional rights under applicable state privacy laws. We honor all requests consistent with applicable law.

Children's privacy.

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. Our youth programs, such as the Big Dreamers Little Legacy initiative at ACE Academy, are conducted directly with school partners and parents and do not involve the collection of children's personal data through our website.

If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us without appropriate consent, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to remove that information.

Third-party links & platforms.

Our website may include links to external websites, social media platforms (such as Facebook), or third-party donation processors. These third-party sites operate under their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites.

When you interact with our chapter's Facebook page or other social media presence, the social platform's own privacy practices apply to that interaction.

Updates to this policy.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as our practices evolve or as required by applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify mailing list subscribers by email.

Your continued use of our website or participation in chapter activities after any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.