Privacy Policy

NCEyes.org is the web site of the North Carolina Optometric Society (NCOS). The NCOS respects the privacy of our members and other users of our web site. To protect online privacy, the NCOS has implemented the following policy.

By visiting our web site, you are accepting the practices described in this privacy policy. The NCOS reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time by posting such changes here. Your continued use of the web site after such changes are made constitutes acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms of the Privacy Policy as modified.

In addition to our own web site, we provide links to other third party web sites that are not under the NCOS’s control. The NCOS is not responsible for the privacy policy or content of any web site linked to or from the NCOS web site. Please be sure to review the privacy policies of any third party websites to ensure you are familiar with that organization’s policies.

Information We May Collect About You

The information we collect via our web site is used to improve the content of NCEyes.org and advance the NCOS’s mission.

For each visitor to our web site, our web server automatically recognizes only the user’s Internet protocol (IP) address but not the e-mail address (where possible).

We collect the Internet protocol (IP) address of visitors to our web site, aggregate information on what pages users access or visit, user-specific information on what pages users access or visit, and information volunteered by users, including from surveys, applications, forms, login data, and/or registrations. We also may collect the e-mail addresses of those who communicate with us via e-mail.

With respect to cookies: to better serve our users we may use "cookies" to customize your browsing experience with us. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by your web browser. They provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to our web site.

Cookies created on your computer by using this web site do not contain personally identifying information and do not compromise your privacy or security. We use the cookie feature only to store a randomly generated identifying tag on your computer. You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer by using any of the widely available methods. Our services are provided in such a way that the use of cookies is not mandatory.

How We May Use Information We Collect

The NCOS collects non-personally identifiable information about you through computer settings and/or most-recently visited web site through traffic logs. This information is used to better understand how visitors use the NCOS web site and make improvements.

The NCOS may share your contact information with the American Optometric Association and NCOS local district societies to communicate all aspects of our business activities and related optometric profession information.

The NCOS may use your contact information to alert you to important information, events, member benefit and industry partner products and services, and other opportunities.

When a member joins they are automatically included in the Member Directory and Find a Doctor search. They are also automatically included in the Family Physicians DECC search upon required sign up.

The Member Directory includes all NCOS members and specifically the following information: Member Name; Practice Name; Practice Address; Practice Phone; Practice County; Practice District; Email Address on file; Practice Website; Optometry School; Graduation Year; Specialty; Equipment. Members may opt out of this search by contacting the NCOS office.

The Find a Doctor search includes all practicing NCOS members and specifically the following information: Member Name; Practice Name; Practice Address; Practice Phone; Practice County; Practice Website; Specialty; DECC Participant. Members may opt out of this search by contacting the NCOS office.

The Family Physicians DECC search includes all DECC participants and specifically the following information: Member Name; Practice Name; Practice Address; Practice Phone; Practice County; Practice Website; Specialty; DECC Participant. Members may opt out of this search by contacting the NCOS office.

NCOS’s membership and event registration/attendee lists are not for sale or rent to any outside entity.

Please be advised that upon request from a member or NCOS partner we may share members’ first and last names and practice city/state. Also, upon request from an event exhibitor we may share registrants/attendees first and last names and practice city/state.

In special circumstances, we may share additional member contact information to a member or NCOS partner but only under the direct discretion of our Executive Director, who will act in the best interest of the society and its members.

Your Rights

When you submit personal information to NCOS through NCEyes.org, NCOS makes efforts to keep your information secure while using it to complete requests. NCOS reserves the right to retain and use information collected on its web sites to conduct necessary business. This includes sharing information provided through NCOS web sites with other organizations. We may be required by law to disclose information you have provided in obtaining our services. We may also disclose information against someone who poses a threat to our interests (such as customer fraud) or whose activities could bring harm to others. In addition, it may be necessary for us to provide customer information to third parties, such as credit card companies, for the purpose of resolving disputes that arise in the normal course of business.

Unsubscribe methods are available in all NCOS e-mail publications or by logging into your profile and updating your contact preferences.

On request, we also offer visitors the ability to have inaccuracies corrected in contact information, financial information, unique identifiers, transaction information and communications that the visitor has directed to the site.

You may also contact us if you believe your information is being used for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected.

Online Transactions

When you pay dues or donate to NCOS PAC, North Carolinians for Healthcare Access, or Optometry Cares we ask you to provide personally identifiable information. This information may include your name, home or work telephone number, fax number, email address, your credit card number, expiration date, other payment information and/or billing address. Our online transactions are processed through MemberClicks, our membership management software provider, which is linked to Authorize.net, our payment gateway. All data is encrypted and transmitted via Secure Socket Layers (SSL) technology and all sites are PCI compliant. PCI compliance is a set of requirements designed to ensure that companies that process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.

Social Media

The NCOS are not responsible for any information collected by social networks on which we maintain a social media presence. These include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Each social network has its own privacy policy and it should be read before creating an account on the network. We are not responsible for any marketing or retargeting performed by a social network after you have visited our pages.

Texting Service

When a member joins or when a non-member creates an online profile, they are automatically opted into our texting service. We will never sell your mobile number or data. You can opt-out anytime by texting the word “STOP” or “QUIT." Text “HELP” for help. Message & data rates may apply.

SMS Terms & Conditions:

The NCOS offers recurring text message services. By opting-in to any such service, you are confirming your entry into a recurring texting program, and you give your consent to the NCOS to use an automatic system to deliver text messages to the cell phone number on file. Message frequency varies.

The NCOS does not charge for our texting service; however, message and data rates may apply from your mobile carrier. Participation in the service is standard rated (no premium content). Subject to the terms and conditions of your mobile carrier, you may receive text messages sent to your mobile phone.

By providing your consent to participate in our texting service, you approve any such charges from your mobile carrier. Charges for text messages may appear on your mobile phone bill or be deducted from your prepaid balance.

The NCOS reserves the right to terminate the SMS service, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. The information in any message may be subject to certain time lags and/or delays. If you have any questions or need help, text HELP into the text thread.

To stop receiving text messages, text STOP or QUIT. By enrolling in the texting service, you consent that after having submitted a request to opt-out you will receive one (1) final message confirming that you have been removed from the system. Following the opt-out confirmation message, no additional text messages will be sent unless you rejoin the system by texting "START" in response to the opt-out confirmation.

Exceptions

Notwithstanding anything else in this privacy policy to the contrary, the NCOS may collect personally identifiable information and use such information in ways other than those described above if the NCOS is required to do so by law or if the NCOS deems it advisable in the course of assisting law enforcement activities or protecting its web site(s) or other property.

It should be noted that our privacy policy does not cover information that is transmitted and collected via email, fax, mail or other, non-electronic means.