WCYR Privacy Policy

Who is The Writers’ Community of York Region?

Our website address is: www.wcyork.ca

The Writers’ Community of York Region (the “WCYR”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is an unregistered not-for-profit network of writers of all genres and all levels of writing—from fiction to memoires and short stories to blogs—who support each other with meetings and informative virtual sessions. Though we are centred around York Region in the Greater Toronto Area, our membership has no geographic borders. The WCYR welcomes all writing voices.

An important part of the WCYR’s commitment to its members and visitors (“you”, “your”, “User”) is respect for your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which we collect, use, maintain, and disclose information collected from community members and other users (each, a “User”) of the wcyork.ca website (“Site”). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by WCYR.

Personal Identification Information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our Site, register on the Site, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, first and last names, email address, company name (optional), username (created by WCYR system), full mailing address, and telephone number.

Should you add additional information, (such as a pen name, personal photo, biographical information, or information about published or unpublished works) that data is also retained and visible on the Site. Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personal identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site-related activities.

WCYR also cooperates with “Sister Organizations” and “Affiliates” (other communities of writers, usually in a separate geographic area) with which WCYR shares general information but no private information other than verification of a Member’s name for services delivered to members by Sister Organizations or Affiliates.

Non-personal Identification Information

We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Web browser cookies

Our Site may use “cookies” to enhance your experience. Your web browser places cookies on your hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about you. You may choose to set your web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert when cookies are being sent. If you do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How we use collected information

WCYR may collect and use Users’ personal information when a User supplies it to us voluntarily for the following purposes; (for example, by purchasing tickets to an event, registering for a program, making a donation, engaging with us on social media, entering a contest, or subscribing to our e-newsletter).

  • To improve customer service – Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
  • To personalize user experience – We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
  • To improve our Site – We may use feedback provided to improve our products and services.
  • To send periodic emails – We may use the email address to respond to Users’ inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If a User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, they may email their request to PrivacyOfficer@wcyork.ca. WCYR is a small, informal community and communication among Users, the Board of Directors, and volunteers may include the use of personal computers with private email addresses. User email addresses may subsequently be stored on those personal computers.

How We Protect Your Information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices, and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

Sharing Your Personal Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and Users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above. We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes provided that you have given us your permission by accepting our general terms and conditions.

Third Party Websites

Users may find content on our Site that links to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors, and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website’s own terms and policies.

Changes to this privacy policy

WCYR has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Privacy Officer

For any questions, concerns or comments about WCYR privacy policies or issues, please feel welcome to contact PrivacyOfficer@wcyork.ca or at:

The Writers’ Community of York Region
PO Box 93144 – NEWMARKET EAST
Newmarket, ON  L3Y 8K3

Your Acceptance of These Terms

By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy and agree to our use of information as described herein and in more detail in our Terms and Conditions of Use. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Privacy Policy Effective October 31, 2020

Please click HERE for WCYR‘s Terms & Conditions.