Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

WEBSITE TERMS OF SERVICE

This website and its contents are the property of SPARC, the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative. This web page states the Website Terms of Service for the use of SPARC’s website. By using the Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.  SPARC may revise these Terms at any time by updating this posting. The terms “You” and “User” are used to refer to anyone who is accessing the Website. If you are using the Website on behalf of a company or other legal entity, such entity may have a separate agreement with SPARC, but you are nevertheless individually bound by these Terms.

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, DO NOT USE THE WEBSITE. 

Ownership of Copyrights, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

The entire contents of the Website, including the text, graphics, images, logos, button icons, HTML code, and other materials are copyrighted by SPARC under the copyright laws of the United States.  User agrees not to remove or obscure copyright notices appearing on the Website. SPARC grants no copyright or ownership interests to User for any of the material and proprietary information referred to herein belonging to SPARC; limited use of the materials is permitted only as expressly stated in the terms below.  Permission to the Website content may be granted in special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.  Please direct any request to use SPARC’s copyrighted content via the Contact Us link on the Website.  

Permitted Uses of Materials

Below are selected permitted and prohibited uses of SPARC materials that are posted at the Website.

  • Anyone who is doing personal, noncommercial research may view, print material, and temporarily store materials from the Website, provided that SPARC’s copyright notices are not removed and that the reuse of material does not conflict with any of the prohibited uses below.

  • Anyone may share SPARC materials by utilizing the “share” icons (i.e. the Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Email share icons) displayed in conjunction with the Website materials on the Website. 

  • Any use other than as described above requires prior written permission from SPARC.

Prohibited Uses of Materials

  • Except for the permitted uses above, User agrees not to reproduce, distribute, transmit (via print, fax, electronic, or other means), modify, alter, or create derivative works of the materials contained in the Website without prior written permission from SPARC.

  • User agrees that materials may not be commercially exploited or sold to third parties without prior written authorization from SPARC.

  • User agrees that materials may not be systematically stored on a server so as to substitute for the purchase of a subscription and/or license agreement to/for the materials.

Name and Logo

User agrees not to use the name of the SPARC, its members, or their logos for any promotional or commercial purpose or any other purpose without the prior written consent of SPARC.

Website Security

Interference with Website operation: User agrees to not access or use the Website in any manner that could damage, disable, impair or cause undue burden on the Website and/or its host, servers, network, systems or other users. User agrees to not attempt to interfere in any way with the operation of the Website, that User will not transmit any virus or worm to the Website, that User will not use any spider, robot or any other automated mechanism to access the Website and/or its servers or systems, and that you will not engage in flooding, spamming, mail-bombing, crashing or otherwise sending unsolicited e-mail to other users of the Website.  User further agrees that User will not attempt to access SPARC that is not intended for your use, that User will not attempt to log on to a server or account that User is not authorized to access, and that User will not probe, scan or test the vulnerability of any system or network related in any way to the Website without authorization.

Alteration of Website content: None of the material contained on the Website (including all software, HTML code, and other code) may be reverse-engineered, disassembled, decompiled, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language or computer language, retransmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photo-reproduction, recordation, or otherwise), reproduced, reformatted, resold or redistributed without the prior written permission of SPARC.

Violation of Website security: Users are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Website.  This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under our control.  Please see our Private Policy for further details concerning the Website’s privacy practices.

Compliance: User agrees to comply with all applicable laws, as well as with these Terms of Service.  User agrees not to engage in any unlawful or commercial activity on the Website.

Registration and Password

Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their information and password. User is responsible for all use associated with User’s registration and the compliance with all Terms and Conditions. User agrees to immediately notify SPARC of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security.  

Termination of Account

SPARC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to pursue all of its legal remedies, including, but not limited to deletion of User’s postings from the Website and immediate termination of User’s registration with the Website or ability to access the Website and/or any other service provided to User by SPARC, upon any breach by User of these Terms and Conditions or if SPARC is unable to verify or authenticate any information User submits to the Website for registration.  SPARC shall not be liable to User nor any third party for any termination of User’s account or access to the Website.

Waiver of Liability

SPARC does not screen or censor User-generated content made available on the Website. SPARC is NOT LIABLE for any User-generated content posted on the website.  User assumes all risks associated with dealing with other users with whom User comes in contact through the Website.  Should a dispute arise between User and another user, User hereby agrees to release SPARC from all claims, demand, and damages associated with such a dispute.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SPARC OR ANY THIRD PARTIES MENTIONED ON THE WEBSITE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOST DATA OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEBSITE AND THE MATERIAL, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT SPARC IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

No Warranties

THE CONTENT THAT IS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.  SPARC MAKES NO WARRANTIES ABOUT THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, COMPLETENESS, OR TIMELINESS OF THE WEBSITE, THE MATERIAL OR OTHER POSTED CONTENT, SERVICES, SOFTWARE, TEXT, GRAPHICS, AND LINKS.

THE WEBSITE AND MATERIAL ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS'' BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND.  SPARC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. 

SPARC DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE WEBSITE WILL OPERATE ERROR-FREE OR THAT THE WEBSITE AND ITS SERVER ARE FREE OF COMPUTER VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL MECHANISMS.  IF YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE OR THE MATERIAL RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR SERVICING OR REPLACING EQUIPMENT OR DATA, SPARC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE COSTS.

Links to Other Sites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to User and not as an endorsement by SPARC of the third-party or the contents of such third-party websites.  Because we do not have any control over such third-party websites, SPARC is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such third-party websites.  Linking to third-party websites is performed at User’s own risk.

Indemnity

User agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SPARC, its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, actions or demands, including without limitation reasonable legal fees, resulting from your use of the Website or your breach of the Terms of Use, including, without limitation, your submission of content that violates third party rights or applicable law.  SPARC shall provide notice to User promptly of any such claim, suit, or proceeding and shall assist User, at User’s expense, in defending any such claim, suit or proceeding.

Foreign Access

If User accesses this Website from outside the United States, User does so at User’s own risk.  User agrees to comply with all applicable local rules and laws regarding the transmission of technical SPARC exported from the United States or the country in which you reside.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by laws of the State of Arizona. Jurisdiction for any claims arising under these Terms shall lie exclusively with the state or federal courts within the State of Arizona. If any provisions of these Terms are found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms and Conditions, which shall remain in full force and effect.  No waiver of any term of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.




PRIVACY POLICY

Introduction

SPARC is the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative. Provided below is our Privacy Policy to explain how we collect, use, disclose, transfer, and store your personal data. We use your personal data to better serve you by providing an efficient, meaningful, and customized experience. When you use SPARC products and services, you agree to accept our policy, as well as our agreements. You can manage your information and privacy settings by visiting your SPARC profile.

We encourage you to read this Policy before using this website(s) and providing your personal data to us. SPARC knows that you care about how your information is used and shared and believe in protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your Personal Information. Your use of our websites signifies that you understand and agree with all practices and terms of this Policy.

What Information Does SPARC Collect?

SPARC collects data from members and customers with the intention of providing the best level of service. It is our overall policy to collect only personally identifiable information that you knowingly provide. The types of personal information we collect may include your name, postal address, email address, phone number, gender, date of birth, education and employment information, and professional designations achieved. We may collect additional personal information from you on occasion as needs arise. Any personal data you provide will enable us to keep you informed, process your requests, or offer services to you with respect to our programs, products, and services.

SPARC always strives to use in-house and/or standard marketing analytic tools within our platforms to better serve our customers. We may collect non-personally identifiable information (i.e., information of an anonymous nature) such as device type, browser type, operating system, page views, usage, and similar data from your visits to our websites.

How Does SPARC Use My Data?

SPARC uses information voluntarily submitted by members in the following ways:

  • To provide you with programs, products, services, or information you have requested from SPARC

  • To develop new and improved services by analyzing demographic or usage trends and by measuring demographics and interests regarding specific areas of SPARC (including the website)

  • To communicate with you about your SPARC account

  • To process payments, including membership dues, registration fees, subscriptions, voluntary contributions, and products and services. SPARC is compliant with the data security standards of the payment card industry (PCI-DSS compliant)

  • To provide you with prompt and effective customer service

  • To support the operations of SPARC such as account maintenance and record-keeping, troubleshooting problems, resolving disputes, and for internal controls and audits

  • To inform you about programs, products, and services offered by SPARC and/or its contracted business partners

  • To provide advertisements that are consistent with SPARC’s organizational purpose

  • To conduct surveys for SPARC 

  • To carry out SPARC’s Code of Conduct and/or conduct investigations as required by law

  • To promote networking between members

There are a number of different ways we will process your personal data, depending on the type of data and the purpose. Generally, we will process your personal data to provide you with the programs, products, services, and information that you have requested from us or where it is necessary to perform our contract with you (i.e., membership benefits). If none of these conditions apply, we may process your personal data in instances when it is in our legitimate interests and in alignment with the purposes defined in this Policy.

Unless a longer retention period is required by applicable laws or regulations, we will retain your information for as long as your SPARC account is active, as well as for an additional period afterwards to cover any outstanding issues or queries that may arise in relation to your account. This period of retention is subject to our review and alteration.

How Does SPARC Share or Disclose My Data?

SPARC will not sell your personally identifiable information to anyone. SPARC may disclose your personal data to third parties. Our third-party data processors are required to securely maintain your personal data, following regulations and best practices, and will use the data only as needed to support the delivery of services to you on SPARC’s behalf. Further, personal data will be disclosed only to contracted third-party service providers under the following categories:

Technology/Operations

  • Hosting facilities to securely store, transmit, and process your data

  • Technology solution providers who assist in the development of our software platforms

  • Credit card processors to securely process your payments to SPARC

  • Compliance authorities we utilize for legal issues, audits, and tax purposes

  • Mailing houses for the fulfillment of our products and services

  • Legal authorities to comply with an inquiry made regarding a subpoena, warrant, or other court order

Marketing/Communications

  • Advertising, marketing, and social media providers to conduct targeted advertisements related to professional development and educational opportunities

  • Research providers who may conduct surveys and studies on behalf of SPARC

  • Reporting and analytic tools to allow data mining and monitoring

  • Affiliate partners to provide special offers as a benefit to our members

  • Marketing automation solutions to provide outbound email marketing services

Product and Services

  • Third-party call centers to conduct outreach initiatives on behalf of SPARC regarding our programs, products, and services

  • Online community platform providers to allow member/customer networking benefits

  • Event solution providers for the hosting and delivery of webinars and conferences, including onsite support

How Does SPARC Use Cookies?

SPARC may use cookies and/or other programming techniques to enhance and/or monitor your experience while using our Site. Cookies and other related techniques are generally pieces of information, which SPARC uses for record-keeping purposes, which the Site transfers to us and/or your computer’s Web-browser for storage on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies and other related techniques enable SPARC to manage and/or customize your experience on the Site. Cookies and other related techniques also make Web-surfing easier by automatically performing certain functions such as saving your personal preferences and by ensuring that you don’t see the same advertisement repeatedly. SPARC will not use cookies to record passwords or credit card information. 

Many consider the use of cookies to be an industry standard. Consequently, your Web browser is likely set to accept cookies. If you would prefer not to receive cookies, you can alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, you should understand that it is possible that some areas of our Site will not function properly when you view them.

Does SPARC Collect Personal Data from Children?

SPARC does not knowingly collect or post information from individuals under eighteen (18) years of age (“Children” or “Child”) to the extent that SPARC is able to determine the age of users by their submissions to or communications with SPARC.

International Data Privacy Protection

We may transfer your data (including personal information) to our regional offices and contracted affiliates outside the United States. They may use your personal information in connection with SPARC activities to offer you products and services in your local region. All of our providers/partners will only process data on SPARC’s behalf and will be held to the same provisions listed in this Privacy Policy. Your personal data will be handled using the appropriate safeguards following best practices.

SPARC’s Security Measures

The security of a customer’s personal data is important to us. SPARC takes technical, contractual, administrative, and physical security steps to protect the personal data that you provide and we have implemented numerous security features to prevent the unauthorized release of or access to personal data. SPARC restricts access to your personal data by our employees by only allowing it on an as-needed basis for the purpose of providing benefits, programs, products, or services to you. In addition, SPARC staff are trained about the importance of confidentiality and maintaining the privacy and security of your personal data. While every effort is made to maintain the privacy and security of your personal data, our security practices, processes, or technology do not guarantee absolute security of your information. It is in your best interest to take all normal personal precautions as well. Examples of precautions you can take are, but are not limited to, not sharing passwords, closing browsers when not using them, and not using public networks (e.g., internet cafes, wifi, etc.).

Subject Access/User Rights

SPARC will provide you with access to your information and make every reasonable effort to ensure your rights are fully supported.  Your rights are: 

  • The right to be informed about the collection and use of your personal data (per this Privacy Policy)

  • The right to access and/or correct your personal data.  You can access your data by logging into your SPARC member account

  • The right to object to or stop the processing of your personal data (which may lead to termination of programs, products, and services)

  • The right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling

Although SPARC may make changes to its Privacy Policy in the future, we will not reduce or eliminate any of your rights under this Policy without your consent.  Any changes to the Policy will be published on this site and SPARC will retain earlier versions of the Privacy Policy.

EU Data Subject Rights

This section applies to users located in the European Union (EU) and supplements this Privacy Policy. In addition to the rights and protections outlined in the Privacy Policy, EU users specifically have the following rights:

  • Right to access personal data: You have the right to know what personal data is maintained and how it is processed.

  • Right to rectification: You have the right to have personal data rectified if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

  • Right to erasure: You have the right to have your personal data deleted or removed for any reason at any time.

  • Right to restrict processing: You have the right to block or suppress processing of personal data.

  • Right of data portability: You have the right to retain and reuse your personal data for your own purpose.

  • Right to object: You have the right to object the use of personal data in certain circumstances, including the use of personal data for direct marketing.

  • Right to withdraw consent: To the extent we rely on your consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

  • Right to complain to a supervisory authority: You have the right to bring a concern about SPARC’s privacy practices to a data protection authority.

You can exercise your rights or address any questions or concerns to: info@SPARCnational.com.

California Data Subject Rights

The California Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”) requires select businesses to disclose policies relating to the sharing of certain categories of your Personal Data with third parties. If you reside in California and have provided your Personal Data to SPARC, you may request information about our disclosures of certain categories of Personal data to third parties for direct marketing purposes. Such requests must be submitted to us at info@SPARCnational.com.

Third-Party Websites

SPARC’s website may contain links to other Internet websites. Unless we explicitly state otherwise, we have no control over these third-party sites and their privacy practices, and this Privacy Policy applies only to information you supply (or that we collect) in connection with use of SPARC’s website. 

Communication Preferences

SPARC provides you with communications on educational products and services, networking opportunities, industry research, and other topics related to our mission.  You can manage your communication preferences by visiting your account and maintaining the settings on our website(s). Members may opt-out of additional forms of communication used by SPARC for secondary purposes or used by SPARC to send any correspondence to the member.

SPARC’s Right to Change Privacy Policy

SPARC may change the content of its websites and Privacy Policy at any time. Please revisit our Privacy Policy from time to time to be sure you are familiar with our current policy.

Updated 7/28/23