Privacy Policy

Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America ("Smoky Mountain BMW CCA," "the chapter," "we," or "us") collects, uses, and protects information when you visit this website or create a member account. By using the site, you agree to the practices described here.

Information we collect

We collect only what we need to run the chapter website and verify membership:

• Account information you provide when you register or complete your profile — your name, email address, phone number (optional), BMW CCA membership number, and your affirmation that you are a chapter member.
• Sign-in information if you use "Continue with Google" — your name and email address as shared by Google. We never receive or store your Google password.
• Basic, aggregated usage data — privacy-friendly analytics about page visits. This does not use advertising or tracking cookies and does not identify you personally.

How we use your information

• To verify BMW CCA membership and to review and approve chapter member accounts.
• To provide access to member content such as driving routes, newsletters, and event details.
• To communicate with you about the chapter, its events, and your account.
• To operate, secure, and improve the website.

How your information is stored and who can see it

Account information is stored securely with our hosting and database provider and is not shown publicly. Chapter board members acting as administrators can view member account details in order to review and approve membership and to administer the site. Any internal review notes are kept confidential and are not shared with the member.

Board members’ names, roles, and the biographies and photos they choose to submit are published on the public "About" page with their consent.

Service providers

We rely on a small number of trusted providers to operate the site. They process information only to provide their services to us:

• Supabase — database, authentication, and file storage.
• Google — optional "Sign in with Google" authentication.
• Vercel — website hosting and privacy-friendly, cookieless analytics.

Sharing and disclosure

We do not sell your personal information or share it for advertising. We may disclose information when required by law, to enforce our Terms of Service, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the chapter, our members, or others.

Cookies

We use a single essential cookie to keep you signed in when you log into a member account. We do not use advertising or third-party tracking cookies, and our analytics are cookieless and aggregated.

Data retention

We keep account information for as long as your account is active or as needed to administer chapter membership. You may ask us to update or delete your account information at any time; we will honor such requests except where we must retain certain records for legitimate administrative or legal reasons.

Your choices and rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information we hold about you by contacting us at the address below. If you receive chapter emails, you can ask to stop receiving them at any time.

Children’s privacy

This website is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information. However, no website or method of transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the effective date above, and where appropriate we will notify members.