Privacy Statement

The Greater Houston Society for Medical Services Specialists (“GHSMSS”, “we,” or “us”) has created and posted this privacy policy in an effort to respect your privacy and protect your personal information. This privacy policy is incorporated into and is considered a terms and conditions of use agreement of our website. Specifically, this privacy policy covers the following topics and applies specifically to information we collect (our “Data Collection Points”): 

  • Information Collection
  • Acknowledgement of this Privacy Statement
  • Information Provided Voluntarily
  • Information Collected Automatically
  • Information Use
  • Information Sharing
  • Opting Out
  • Access to and Control of Information
  • Data Security
  • Data Retention/Transfer
  • General Information and Privacy Support Contact
  • Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms
  • GHSMSS Contact Information

Information Collection

This privacy policy applies to information that GHSMSS collects on its website (Site), (ii) through other platforms used in connection with the services and products that we provide, and (iii) by telephone, email, text message, letter, or other methods of communication. When you register or use our services or products, we collect (i) information provided voluntarily and (ii) information collected automatically, as described in detail below.

 

Acknowledgement of this Privacy Statement

Your use of any of our Data Collection Points signifies that you have read and understand all of the terms of this privacy policy.

 

Information Provided Voluntarily

The personal information you are asked to provide (including whether its provision is mandatory or not) is needed so that we may facilitate your access, purchase, use and/or participation in our service offerings, such as (collectively “Services”):

  • Membership;
  • Conferences & Events;
  • Educational programs;
  • Online forums;
  • Certification/accreditation activities;
  • Volunteer opportunities;  
  • Products for sale;
  • Career services;
  • Surveys; and
  • Any other services and products that are updates or extensions to our Services or relate to other member benefits.

 

  • Member Contact Information:When joining GHSMSS you are asked to provide personal information that is needed to facilitate your access to all the organization has to offer its members. This information includes, but is not limited to your name, credentials, employer’s name, job title, mailing address(es), e-mail address(es), telephone number(s), fax number, and photograph.

Please note that declining to share your personal information with us, may limit your ability to enjoy the full range of your membership benefits. 

  • Payment Information:If you choose to purchase a product or service, we and/or our third-party payment processors will collect your payment information, including, but not limited to, your credit or debit card number, card verification value (CVV) number, and expiration date.
  • Enrollment, Registration, and Order Form Information: In order to enroll in or register or attend GHSMSS events, meetings, or conferences, or request GHSMSS products or services, you will be required to fill out a registration or order form and provide personal information, which we will use to process your registration or order.

In certain circumstances, a program, event, meeting, or conference accessed through the Site may be jointly sponsored or co-sponsored with another organization. If the enrollment or registration is handled by such other organization, that organization’s (not GHSMSS’) privacy policy will apply and be controlling. Please note that GHSMSS is not responsible for the privacy policies of such other organizations or their collection, use, sharing, or other processing of your personal or other information, and GHSMSS hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection therewith.

Information Collected Automatically

  • Automated Information: Your web browser or mobile device automatically provides information when you visit the Site, including, but not limited to, your Internet Protocol (IP) address or unique device identifier.
  • Cookies: Cookies are pieces of stored information on a user’s computer or device that are tied to information about the user and used to provide smoother navigation throughout the Site, such as to store a saved password; to identify user trends, such as page views; and for other internal purposes, such as to assess the effectiveness of the Site. You have the option of setting your computer to disable cookies or to alert you when cookies are being If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that portions of the Site may not function properly.
  • Log Files: Log files store information such as a user’s IP address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks. Like most websites, the Site uses log files to analyze trends, administer the Site, and track users’ movement on the Site.

Information Use

GHSMSS uses the information that we collect to provide our services and products and to operate our membership based organization. We may use and store such information for legitimate and lawful business purposes, for example, in order to:

  • provide a service or product you requested;
  • secure your membership status;
  • fulfill your membership benefits;
  • analyze and evaluate member and prospective member needs and interests, and improve the member and prospective member experience;
  • notify you of GHSMSS official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, and benefits;
  • send occasional email communications on behalf of vendors;
  • track event, meeting, and conference attendance;
  • track education related activities;
  • prepare invoices and process payments;
  • respond to communications and inquiries that you send to us;
  • promote the function, safety, and security of our services; and
  • for other legitimate and lawful business purposes.

 

Information Sharing

Personal information may be given to a third party in order to complete a specific business transaction on behalf of GHSMSS. Such transactions may include the following:

  • Third party service providers (“Service Providers”) who provide (without limitation) administrative/operational services; data processing; membership services; marketing & communication services; meeting management services; website hosting services; membership database services; credit card processing; conference registration; conference mobile applications;  conference/event hotels and venues; or who otherwise process personal information for purposes that are described in this privacy policy or notified to you when we collect your personal information;
  • Other GHSMSS members may receive certain items of your personal information as part of a membership directory or through collaboration portals. In addition, if you sign up to attend a membership meeting or other GHSMSS-sponsored event, all other GHSMSS members who sign up for the event will be notified of your intended attendance at the event and may be given your full name, address, company name, and email address. We are not responsible for other members use or misuse of your personal information; and
  • Affiliated partners, such as exhibitors, sponsors, and advertisers, may receive membership lists or event attendance lists that include your full name, address, company name, and email address. We are similarly not responsible for the use or misuse of your personal information by our affiliated partners.

Opting Out

If you prefer to not receive targeted advertising, you can opt-out of network advertising programs that use your information. To do so, please visit: the opt-out page.

 

Access to and Control of Information

GHSMSS takes your privacy and the protection of your personal information seriously, and we will provide you with reasonable access to and control of the personal information that you have provided to us. You may request to update your personal information or to opt in to or opt out of any service offerings at any time.

 

Data Security

Online registration information, such as payment card information, will be secured using a commercially accepted method of encryption. However, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission is completely infallible, and we cannot guarantee its absolute safety. We encourage you to use reasonable care in how you handle and disclose your personal information, user name(s), and password(s). If you become aware of any breach of Site security, please contact us immediately.

 

Data Retention/Transfer

GHSMSS will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as set forth in this privacy policy, after which we will securely destroy or delete such personal information from our records unless otherwise required by law. We will retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and as otherwise set forth in this privacy policy.

Our collection, use, sharing, and other processing of your personal information will at all times be governed by this privacy policy.

 

General Information and Privacy Support Contact

We may update this privacy policy from time to time, and you should take the time to review it each time that you visit one of our Web sites. We are committed to protecting your personal privacy.  If you have questions or comments about our efforts to protect your personal privacy, or if you require additional information about our privacy commitment, please contact us. 


Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms

Using the GHSMSS Site indicates your acceptance of our privacy policy. Your continued visits to the GHSMSS Site after changes are posted to this policy will signify your acceptance of those changes. 

 

GHSMSS Contact Information

GHSMSS
1400 Graham Drive, B-187
Tomball, TX 77375

Email: [email protected] 

Effective Date: 1/01/2021