Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 10, 2026

The Global Bhutanese Hindu Organization ("GBHO," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use www.gbho.org, www.hamrogbho.org, and our associated digital platforms and services (collectively, the "Platform"), register for events, become a member, make donations, or otherwise interact with GBHO.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Identity data: name, date of birth, gender

• Contact data: email address, mailing address, phone number

• Financial data: payment card details (processed securely by third-party payment processors; GBHO does not store full card numbers)

• Membership data: membership type, membership ID, affiliation

• Event registration data: names of participants, dietary restrictions, emergency contacts

• Communication data: messages, feedback, survey responses, and correspondence with GBHO

• Donation data: donation amounts, frequency, and preferences

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: pages visited, time spent, links clicked, referring URLs

• Device data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers

• Location data: approximate geographic location derived from IP address

• Cookie and tracking data: as described in our Cookie Policy

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties such as payment processors, social media platforms, or event co-organizers, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and improve our services, programs, and events

• To process membership applications, renewals, and payments

• To process event registrations and participation fees

• To process donations and issue tax receipts

• To communicate with you about your account, membership, events, and GBHO activities

• To send newsletters, event announcements, and other community communications (with your consent)

• To comply with legal obligations and protect our legal rights

• To detect and prevent fraud and ensure platform security

• To analyze usage patterns and improve our digital platforms

• To fulfill requests for information or services

3. SMS/Text Messaging

If you opt in to receive text messages from GBHO — by checking the SMS consent box on our membership registration form or by texting START to our number — we will use your mobile number to send event notifications, program announcements, ceremony reminders, and membership or account alerts. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP, or get assistance by replying HELP or contacting us at contactus@hamrogbho.org. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of membership or of any purchase or service.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.

Mobile numbers and opt-in records are used solely by GBHO and our SMS service provider, acting on our behalf, to deliver the messages you have requested. We retain records of your SMS consent (including the date and time of opt-in) for compliance purposes.

4. How We Share Your Information

GBHO does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

• Service providers: trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating the Platform, processing payments, sending communications, or providing other services (under confidentiality obligations)

• Event co-organizers: where you register for a jointly organized event, we may share necessary registration details with the co-organizer

• Legal authorities: when required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of GBHO, its members, or others

• Successors: in the event of a merger, reorganization, dissolution, or similar corporate event affecting GBHO

Mobile phone numbers and SMS opt-in data are subject to the stricter protections described in Section 3 (SMS/Text Messaging) and are never shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

5. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction and applicable law, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal information:

• Right of access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

• Right to rectification: request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Right to erasure: request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions

• Right to data portability: request your information in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format

• Right to restrict processing: request that we restrict processing in certain circumstances

• Right to object: object to processing based on our legitimate interests

• Right to withdraw consent: withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contactus@hamrogbho.org or 844-424-6365. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including compliance with legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Membership records are generally retained for the duration of membership plus seven (7) years. Donation records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years as required by IRS regulations. Event registration records are retained for three (3) years after the event. You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

7. Data Security

GBHO implements appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction, including encryption of data in transit, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

8. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately at contactus@hamrogbho.org and we will take steps to delete such information. For programs and events involving minors (under 18), a parent or legal guardian must provide consent and sign applicable waivers.

9. International Data Transfers

Our servers are located in the United States. If you access the Platform from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. By using the Platform, you consent to this transfer.

10. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

Global Bhutanese Hindu Organization — Privacy Officer
4270 State Route 309, Galion, OH 44833
Email: contactus@hamrogbho.org
Phone: 844-424-6365