Privacy Policy
and
Disclaimers
of
Cottonwood Connection

Protecting the privacy of members of Cottonwood Connection and those who visit our website is a primary emphasis in our commitment to conduct business openly, honestly and ethically.  Cottonwood Connection recognizes that when you provide information to us, your anticipation is that it be used in a responsible manner that does not unnecessarily jeopardize your particular privacy interests. However, due to many factors, Cottonwood Connection is limited in the extent of the protection it is able to afford your privacy interests. 

Therefore, this Policy is provided to outline the various types of information Cottonwood Connection collects to render services to our members and those who visit our website, to explain how that information may be used, and to outline the various protections we have in place to protect your privacy interests. With this information, including the following disclosures and limitations of the ability of Cottonwood Connection to protect privacy interests, it is our expectation that members and visitors to our website will participate in the services offered by Cottonwood Connection comfortably with an understanding of the risks inherent in disclosing information to any third party, and the assurance that Cottonwood Connection will not use the information you provide as a member in a manner unanticipated. However, the limitations on the ability of Cottonwood Connection to protect privacy interests should be carefully considered before you choose to participate as a member or otherwise in any of the services offered by Cottonwood Connection.

Obviously, Cottonwood Connection cannot provide the personalized services that are offered without collecting information from our members. Some of this information is collected through the use of our website.  However, the services offered by Cottonwood Connection extend beyond those available through the website alone.  For example, Cottonwood Connection conducts various workshops and seminars available to members.  To the extent that information is disclosed to other members or third parties by a member during the conduct of these services, or in subscribing to these services, Cottonwood Connection cannot warrant that this information will remain confidential.  Members participating in these events should only do so with this understanding.  

Cottonwood Connection is also selective in granting membership, and reserves the right to decline membership to any applicant in the discretion of Cottonwood Connection.  For example, a condition of applying for membership in Cottonwood Connection is the applicant's consent to use the information you voluntarily submit, such as, but not limited to, your name, social security number and address, to conduct background checks on you in the discretion of Cottonwood Connection.  Therefore, information you chose to provide may, in the discretion of Cottonwood Connection, be submitted to various third parties for the purpose of conducting background checks.  The use of this information by these parties for any other purpose than conducting background checks for Cottonwood Connection is strictly prohibited.  Cottonwood Connection may use this information to decline membership to any applicant in its discretion. 

Although Cottonwood Connection retains the right to conduct background checks on applicants for membership, Cottonwood Connection does not represent or warrant that background checks of any nature will in fact be conducted on every applicant.  Therefore, you should not assume or understand that a background check has been performed on any particular member of Cottonwood Connection, and no member shall be entitled to rely upon the performance or adequacy of background checks to determine the character of the members they choose to associate with through the services of Cottonwood Connection.  The background checks are for the sole use of Cottonwood Connection for the purpose of discouraging applicants of questionable background from applying for membership, and to provide Cottonwood Connection with a means of encouraging and increasing the probability that members will be persons of good character.  However, members of Cottonwood Connection take sole responsibility for the determination of those with whom they may choose to associate, and understand, acknowledge and agree that the option of Cottonwood Connection to conduct background checks  shall not be relied upon by members for any purpose whatsoever.

Information you voluntarily submit to Cottonwood Connection on the website is used to create a membership account, profiles of you and to determine profiles of the qualities and character of individuals with whom you wish to associate through the services of Cottonwood Connection.  The profiles created cannot be used by third parties to identify a member's legal name, telephone number, e-mail address, or any other information provided to create your membership account.  Unless you expressly consent or direct otherwise, or unless expressly set forth in this Policy, Cottonwood Connection will not disclose, reveal, use, rent or sell the information you provide to any third party, or make any use of the information for any other purpose than set forth herein.

Through the use of computer technology (e.g., "cookies"), Cottonwood Connection monitors member use of the resources provided to determine member preferences, provide information to Cottonwood Connection for use in advertising and marketing, and to evaluate if the quality of services provided by Cottonwood Connection meets the expectations of members and Cottonwood Connection.   These data collection devices are not used to obtain personalized information about members.  Technology is available to you that will advise when this technology is to be utilized before any information can be gathered, and to provide you the opportunity to decline its use. Use of this technology is encouraged if this method of gathering information presents any privacy concerns to a member, and the election to deny use of this technology by Cottonwood Connection will not affect the availability of any Cottonwood Connection resources or services that members may wish to otherwise avail themselves. To the extent that you do not limit the use of this technology, you agree that Cottonwood Connection may use the information obtained to improve marketing and promotional efforts, to analyze website usage, improve our content and offerings, and to customize content, layout and services. 

Under certain circumstances, a member may be requested to provide additional information by Cottonwood Connection as a condition of providing other offered services or resources.  Examples of this information are credit card details, bank account numbers and location, or other financial information.  If that is the case, Cottonwood Connection may use such financial information for purposes of securing member payment for requested services. 

It is the policy of Cottonwood Connection  that no information that would allow a third party to otherwise identify a member ever be disclosed without member consent, or in accordance with this Policy, as it may be amended from time to time.  A condition of membership is your acceptance of this Policy, and your consent to the use of information as provided herein, as well as acceptance of the limitations on the ability of Cottonwood Connection to protect your privacy interests outlined herein. 

Cottonwood Connection does not warrant that such information will not be disclosed to third parties as a consequence of, but not limited to,  such factors as technology limitations or failures, or the current regulatory environment.  For example, Cottonwood Connection utilizes secure server software.  This software encrypts all information you input before it is sent with the intent of protecting the confidentiality of the information with respect to parties other than Cottonwood Connection.  Cottonwood Connection will continue to utilize secure server software to protect your privacy interests.  However, Cottonwood Connection does not make any representations and warranties that the secure server software is infallible, or that the privacy interests of members may not somehow be compromised by a failure or limitation of the technology utilized by Cottonwood Connection. 

In addition, Cottonwood Connection cannot ensure, warrant or represent that all of your personal communications and other information that may personally identify a member or others utilizing our services will never be disclosed contrary to our Policy.  For example, and not by way of limitation, Cottonwood Connection may be compelled by legal process to disclose such information, or third parties may unlawfully access such information by theft, or by unlawfully intercepting transmissions or private communications.  Further, technology in place to protect your privacy may fail or be rendered ineffective by advances in technology.  Therefore, although it is our policy to protect the privacy of Cottonwood Connection members in accordance with this Policy, nothing in this Policy shall be construed as a warranty, guarantee or other assurance that information you provide will not be disclosed to third parties contrary to this Policy. 

Cottonwood Connection reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time in its discretion.  As a member of Cottonwood Connection, you will be notified of any changes to this Privacy Policy.  Those who elect to take advantage of the services and information on our website are advised to review this Policy, including the limitations of Cottonwood Connection to protect privacy interests,  before any information is disclosed to Cottonwood Connection. 

If you should have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us.  Cottonwood Connection respects your concerns regarding privacy, and invites your comments and suggestions as to how we may better serve you.