Privacy Policy
Effective Date: August 2026
Writers of Kern (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the writersofkern.com website (the “Service”). This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
Information We Collect
Information you provide to us:
- Name and email address (e.g., when you sign up for our newsletter, register for an event, or contact us)
- Membership dues and contribution information (see “Membership Dues and Contributions” below)
- Volunteer application information, if applicable
- Any other information you choose to submit through contact forms or event registrations
Information collected automatically:
- Usage data such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the Service
- Cookies used to operate the site and remember your preferences (see “Cookies” below)
We do not use advertising cookies or third-party ad networks on this site.
Cookies
We use a limited set of cookies to operate the Service:
- Session cookies — to keep the site functioning as you navigate it
- Preference cookies — to remember settings you’ve chosen
- Analytics cookies — used by Google Analytics (see below)
You can instruct your browser to refuse cookies, though some parts of the site may not function properly if you do.
To learn more about the specific cookies we use, how long they stay on your device, and how you can manage your preferences, please visit our full cookie policy page here: https://writersofkern.com/cookie-policy/
Analytics (Google Analytics 4 / Google Signals)
We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, to help us understand how visitors use the Service (e.g., which pages are visited, how long visitors stay, and general traffic patterns). Google Analytics collects information such as your IP address and browsing activity on our site through cookies and similar technologies.
This data is processed by Google using cookies and identifiers, which may link your activity across different devices or sessions if you are logged into a Google account. We use this information solely to understand and improve our website — Writers of Kern does not use this data to target you with advertisements.
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. For more on how Google handles data, see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate and maintain the Service
- Send newsletters or updates about the club, if you’ve opted in
- Process membership dues and contributions and keep accurate records
- Respond to inquiries and provide support
- Improve the Service and understand how it’s used
- Comply with legal obligations (e.g., nonprofit financial recordkeeping)
Membership Dues and Contributions
If you pay membership dues or make a contribution to Writers of Kern, we collect the information necessary to process the payment and keep accurate records (e.g., name, email, amount, and payment details handled by our payment processor).
Writers of Kern is organized under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, as a branch of the California Writers Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Payments to Writers of Kern are generally not deductible as charitable donations the way a gift to a 501(c)(3) organization would be. Having a valid EIN and W-9 on file relates to standard tax reporting (e.g., issuing 1099s) and does not by itself change this deductibility status. Please consult a tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any payment made to us.
We do not sell or rent member or contributor information to third parties. Beginning in September 2026, membership dues for Writers of Kern are processed centrally through the California Writers Club (CWC), our parent organization, and CWC maintains a statewide membership roster that includes Writers of Kern member names and email addresses for this purpose.
We do not store your payment card details directly. Payments are processed by Stripe and PayPal, whose use of your information is governed by their own privacy policy:
Volunteers
If you apply to volunteer with us, we collect the information necessary to process your application, such as your name, contact information, and availability. This information is used solely for volunteer coordination and is not shared outside the organization except as required by law.
How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:
- The California Writers Club (CWC), our parent organization, for statewide membership roster maintenance and centralized dues processing (see “Membership Dues and Contributions” above)
- Service providers who help us operate the Service (e.g., email newsletter platform, payment processor), who are contractually limited to using your data only to provide services to us
- Legal authorities, if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of the club or others
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy — for example, membership and contribution records are retained for 7 years to comply with tax and recordkeeping requirements; newsletter contact information is retained until you unsubscribe.
Your Privacy Rights and “Do Not Track” (California Residents)
Writers of Kern is a nonprofit organization and is not subject to the requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which applies only to for-profit “businesses” as defined by the statute. That said, we value your trust as a member of our community and gladly honor your privacy choices. You may contact us at any time at https://writersofkern.com/contact-us/ to request access to, correction of, or the complete deletion of the personal information you have provided to us.
Do Not Track Signals: California law requires us to state how we respond to browser “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. Our website does not currently alter its behavior or change its practices when it receives a DNT signal from your browser, as there is no uniform technological standard for recognizing them.
International Visitors
Our Service is intended for visitors in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, which may have different data protection laws than your home jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information, but no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children’s Privacy
Our Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Links to Other Sites
Our Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites and encourage you to review their policies.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post any changes on this page and update the effective date above. Significant changes will be communicated via email or a notice on our site.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, contact us: