Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 2025

1. Introduction

Hartwell Masonic Lodge No. 101 ("we," "our," or "the Lodge") respects the privacy of our members, visiting brethren, and the public. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website [Insert Website URL], use our Member Portal, or inquire about membership.

We are committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of our visitors. We want you to know that Hartwell Lodge No. 101 is not in the business of selling, renting, or trading email lists with other companies or businesses for marketing purposes.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in two ways: Information you provide to us directly, and information we collect automatically.

A. Information You Provide

  • Inquiries: When you fill out a "Join" or "Contact" form, we collect personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address to respond to your questions.

  • Member Portal: Current members accessing the private portal may be required to provide login credentials (username/password) and update personal contact information for the Lodge roster.

  • Event Registration & Dues: If you register for a dinner/event or pay dues online, we may collect billing information. Note: We utilize third-party payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) and do not store your credit card information on our servers.

B. Information Collected Automatically

  • Usage Data: Like most websites, we may collect non-personal information about your visit, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the dates/times you accessed the site. This helps us understand how our site is being used and how to improve it.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for specific fraternal and administrative purposes:

  • To process and respond to inquiries regarding membership.

  • To manage the Lodge roster and communicate with brothers regarding stated communications, degrees, and social events.

  • To distribute the Trestleboard (newsletters) or email updates.

  • To improve the functionality and security of our website.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. However, we may share information in the following limited situations:

  • Grand Lodge of Alabama: As a subordinate lodge, we share member data with the Grand Lodge of Alabama for administrative, census, and regulatory purposes.

  • Service Providers: We may share data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or serving our users (e.g., email marketing platforms, hosting services), so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential.

  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or a government agency).

5. The Member Portal

The "Member Portal" section of this website is password-protected and restricted to members in good standing of Hartwell Lodge No. 101. Information shared within this portal is considered private Masonic communication and is not to be shared with the public.

6. Security of Your Data

We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your personal information. However, please be aware that no electronic transmission over the internet or information storage technology can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, so we cannot promise or guarantee that hackers, cybercriminals, or other unauthorized third parties will not be able to defeat our security.

7. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites (e.g., The Grand Lodge of Alabama, local charities, or history resources). If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that they have their own privacy policies and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these policies.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Hartwell Masonic Lodge No. 101 Attn: Lodge Secretary / Webmaster Address: 600 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 Email: hartwell101lodge@gmail.com