ConnectWoo Networking Group - Privacy Statement

Effective Date: July 15, 2025

ConnectWoo Networking Group ("ConnectWoo," "the Group," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of our members and the information they share within our community. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you are a member of ConnectWoo and participate in our activities, including the use of our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, 'Cajun Pipeline'.

By becoming a member or participating in ConnectWoo activities, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Statement.

1. Introduction to ConnectWoo and Our Purpose

ConnectWoo is a referral-based networking group based in Worcester, MA. Our primary goal is to foster meaningful connections among professionals to facilitate referral exchange, build partnerships, and accelerate business growth. Our operations involve collecting and managing certain personal and business information to effectively run the Group and provide value to our members.

2. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information from and about our members, which may include:

2.1. Information You Provide Directly:

●      Contact Information: Name, business name, email address, phone number, mailing address.

●      Professional Information: Business category, industry, job title, company details, professional biography, and specific "asks" or needs for referrals.

●      Membership Information: Application details, attendance records, membership dues payment history.

●      Communication Data: Any information you provide when communicating with ConnectWoo organizers or other members through Group channels (e.g., emails, messages, meeting discussions).

2.2. Information Collected Through 'Cajun Pipeline' (CRM System):

ConnectWoo utilizes 'Cajun Pipeline', a professional CRM system, to manage member relationships, facilitate communication, and track interactions. 'Cajun Pipeline' offers extensive functionalities that involve data processing. The types of data collected and managed within 'Cajun Pipeline' may include:

●      Contact Details: Comprehensive contact information for members and their referred contacts/leads (names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses).

●      Communication History: Records of interactions, including emails sent/received, SMS messages, call logs (which may include call recordings if enabled), and chat widget conversations.

●      Lead and Opportunity Data: Information related to referrals given and received, sales pipeline stages, lead sources, and specific notes about potential business opportunities.

●      Marketing and Engagement Data: Data related to your engagement with ConnectWoo's communications (e.g., email open rates, click-through rates), participation in campaigns, and website/funnel interactions if ConnectWoo uses these features within 'Cajun Pipeline'.

●      Appointment Scheduling Data: Information related to scheduled meetings, including dates, times, and attendees.

●      Reputation Management Data: If ConnectWoo utilizes 'Cajun Pipeline' for managing online reviews, relevant data may be stored.

●      User Activity Data: Information about how members interact with the 'Cajun Pipeline' platform itself, such as login times, features used, and administrative actions.

2.3. Information Collected Automatically:

●      Usage Data: Information about how you access and use ConnectWoo's website or 'Cajun Pipeline' platform, such as IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, and access times.

●      Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes related to the operation and enhancement of ConnectWoo, including:

3.1. Membership Management:

●      Processing your membership application and managing your membership.

●      Maintaining member directories and contact lists for internal Group use.

●      Managing attendance at weekly meetings and quarterly events.

●      Collecting and managing membership dues.

3.2. Facilitating Networking and Referrals:

●      Connecting members for one-to-one meetings.

●      Tracking and facilitating the exchange of business referrals among members.

●      Sharing relevant member information (e.g., business category, contact details) with other members to promote networking and referral opportunities.

●      Using 'Cajun Pipeline' to organize and track leads, manage sales pipelines, and streamline follow-ups related to referrals.

3.3. Communication:

●      Sending important updates, announcements, and meeting reminders.

●      Responding to your inquiries and providing support.

●      Utilizing 'Cajun Pipeline' for automated email campaigns, SMS marketing, and other communication sequences to keep members informed and engaged.

3.4. Group Operations and Improvement:

●      Planning and coordinating Group events and activities.

●      Analyzing Group performance and member engagement to improve our services.

●      For internal record-keeping and administrative purposes.

3.5. Security and Compliance:

●      Maintaining the security and integrity of our data and systems, including 'Cajun Pipeline'.

●      Complying with legal obligations and enforcing our Terms of Service.

4. How We Share Your Information

We understand the importance of your privacy and are committed to transparent practices regarding information sharing.

4.1. With Other ConnectWoo Members:

●      Certain professional contact information (e.g., name, business, contact details, business category) will be shared among ConnectWoo members to facilitate networking, one-to-one meetings, and referral generation. This is fundamental to the Group's purpose.

●      Information related to referrals you provide or receive may be visible to relevant members to ensure proper tracking and follow-up.

4.2. With 'Cajun Pipeline' (Our CRM Provider):

●      Your personal and business information, as well as data related to your interactions and referrals, will be stored and processed within 'Cajun Pipeline'. 'Cajun Pipeline' acts as our data processor, providing the infrastructure and tools for our CRM activities.

●      'Cajun Pipeline' implements robust data protection measures, including encryption of data in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3) and at rest (AES-256), and adheres to industry best practices for security and compliance.

●      Important Note on Agency Access within CRM: The underlying platform typically grants the agency owner (in this case, ConnectWoo organizers or their designated administrators) a high level of access to all data within the sub-accounts they manage. While ConnectWoo is committed to ethical data handling, members should be aware that ConnectWoo organizers, as the administrators of the 'Cajun Pipeline' account, will have access to the data you input and manage within the CRM, including contact details, communication logs, and referral information. ConnectWoo commits to using this access solely for the purpose of managing the Group, facilitating networking, and supporting members' business growth.

4.3. With Service Providers:

●      We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as website hosting, payment processing, analytics, and communication services. These providers are obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.

4.4. For Legal Reasons:

●      We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency request).

●      To protect the rights, property, or safety of ConnectWoo, our members, or others.

4.5. Business Transfers:

●      In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of ConnectWoo's assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

●      Access Controls: Limiting access to personal information to authorized personnel only.

●      Encryption: Data stored within 'Cajun Pipeline' is encrypted at rest (AES-256), and data transmitted is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3).

●      Firewalls and Network Security: Utilizing network-level filtering, firewalls, and security groups to prevent unauthorized access.

●      Regular Security Audits: The underlying 'Cajun Pipeline' platform undergoes regular penetration testing and security assessments.

●      User Permissions: While ConnectWoo organizers have broad access within 'Cajun Pipeline', we will configure user permissions to limit access for other roles within the CRM to only what is necessary for their functions.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, accounting, or reporting requirements. When your information is no longer needed, we will securely dispose of it.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

●      Access: The right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.

●      Correction: The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

●      Deletion: The right to request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.

●      Objection/Restriction: The right to object to or request restriction of the processing of your personal information.

●      Data Portability: The right to request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.

8. Third-Party Links

Our communications or shared resources may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by ConnectWoo. This Privacy Statement does not apply to the practices of such third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites or services you visit.

9. Changes to This Privacy Statement

We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Statement on our website or through other reasonable means. Your continued membership or participation in ConnectWoo after the effective date of the revised Privacy Statement constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

10. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Statement or our privacy practices, please contact the ConnectWoo organizers.