Engage Massachusetts Inc ("we," "us," or "our"), operating locally in Malden as Engage Malden, is a nonprofit organization based in Malden, Massachusetts. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information about individuals who interact with our organization, including through our website, SMS text messaging program, surveys, volunteer sign-ups, and advocacy activities.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

• Contact information: name, phone number, email address, and mailing address
• Voter file data: Voter file contact records: publicly available voter registration information (name, address, party registration, voting history) sourced through VAN/MiniVan and similar civic data tools, as well as phone numbers appended to those records by VAN or third-party data vendors through commercial data matching
• Voluntarily provided information: responses to surveys, petition signatures, membership applications, website sign-up forms, and direct communications with our organization
• SMS interaction data: message send/receive history, opt-out requests, and keyword responses associated with our text messaging program
• Website usage data: standard server log information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, collected automatically when you visit our website

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Contacting community members about our advocacy campaigns
• Growing organizational membership and informing residents about our mission and activities
• Sending SMS text messages through our volunteer text banking program to community members who may be interested in our work
• Processing membership applications, volunteer sign-ups, and survey responses
• Maintaining records of opt-out and do-not-contact requests to honor them in all future outreach
• Improving our outreach, communications, and advocacy effectiveness

3. SMS Text Messaging Program

We operate an SMS text messaging program through which volunteers contact community members about our advocacy work and membership opportunities. By participating in or remaining subscribed to this program, you acknowledge the following:

• Messages are sent manually, one at a time, by human volunteers. We do not use automated bulk messaging systems or autodialers.
• Message frequency varies depending on campaign activity. You may receive occasional messages about advocacy updates, events, or membership opportunities.
• Standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
• Your phone number will only be used for the purposes described in this policy and will not be sold to third parties.
• To opt out of SMS messages at any time, reply STOP to any message. You will be immediately removed from our contact list. For help, reply HELP or contact us at engage.malden@gmail.com.

Some contacts in our SMS program are sourced from publicly available voter registration data, which constitutes public record information lawfully accessible under Massachusetts and federal law. Others have directly provided their phone number through our website, surveys, petition sign-ups, or in-person volunteer activities. In all cases, we honor opt-out requests immediately and permanently.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: We use third-party tools including Twilio (SMS delivery), VAN/MiniVan (voter file access), and our website host to operate our programs. These providers access data only as needed to provide their services and are bound by their own privacy policies.
• Volunteers: Trained volunteers may access contact information, including name and phone number, for the purpose of conducting text banking and phone banking outreach on behalf of Engage Massachusetts Inc. Volunteers access this information through approved platforms (such as VAN/MiniVan) on personal devices under our direction. Volunteers are expected to use contact information solely for authorized outreach purposes and not to retain, copy, or use it for any other purpose.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or valid legal process.
• Organizational affiliates: We may share information with affiliated advocacy organizations or coalitions working on the same campaigns, subject to their privacy practices.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. Opt-out records are retained indefinitely to ensure we do not re-contact individuals who have requested to be removed.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information, subject to our legal obligations
• Opt out of SMS messaging at any time by replying STOP
• Contact us directly to be added to our permanent do-not-contact list

7. Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of data transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy

Our SMS program and website are not directed at individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact Us

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

Engage Massachusetts Inc
64 Essex St
Malden, MA 02148
Email: engage.malden@gmail.com
Website: engagemalden.org