This privacy notice applies to the following website: www.essexfreemasons.org.uk

The types of personal information we collect

We collect and process the following information:

• Personal identifiers, contacts and characteristics (for example, name and contact details)
• Financial transactions
• Information to analyse how our websites are used (Cookies)

How we collect your data

You directly provide us with most of the data we collect. We collect data and process data when you:

• Complete an offline application form to register for or join a Masonic entity.
• Register online or place an order for any of our products or services.
• Complete a form or survey on any of our websites.
• Contact us via email.
• Use or view our websites via your browser’s cookies.

We also receive personal information indirectly, from the following sources in the following scenarios:

• United Grand Lodge of England, for:
  • Assessing any membership applications you make to Masonic entities;
  • Registering you as a member of Freemasonry;
  • Sending communications which you are entitled to receive as a Mason;
  • Recording the progress of your career in Freemasonry including memberships of Masonic entities, offices held, roles performed and meetings attended;
  • Masonic disciplinary processes;
  • If you resign or are expelled from membership, maintaining records to prevent you from improperly re-applying for membership; and
  • Maintaining records of your career in Freemasonry for archive and historical purposes.
• Masonic entities (individual Lodges & Chapters) under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England
  • Enquiries relating to joining masonic entities
  • Enquiries relating to visiting masonic entities
• Masonic entities (individual Lodges, Chapters, Provinces, and Grand Lodges) within constitutions other than the United Grand Lodge of England (i.e. other countries)
  • Enquiries relating to visiting masonic entities in other constitutions

How we use cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. The table below explains the non-essential cookies we use and why:

When you first visit this website, you are presented with a Cookie Banner in the bottom-right of the screen where you may consent to opt-in to our use of the non-essential cookies listed above. This is achieved by toggling the consent setting from the default "no" position to the optional "yes" position. You may change your cookie preferences at any time thereafter by clicking on the cookie icon which is always available in the bottom-left of the screen.

How we process your personal information

We use the information that you have given us in order to:

• Manage your membership
• Reply to your communications
• Provide information you have requested
• Supply Masonic publications which you are entitled to receive
• Verify your identity (where required)
• Undertake charitable activities
• Manage our relationship with you and offer support
• Ask for your opinion about our organisation and services
• Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations

We may share this information with:

• Law enforcement and regulatory authorities where we are legally obliged to do so.
• Media organisations for the publication of news stories and/or subscriptions to Masonic publications.
• Financial organisations for the processing of fees or subscriptions.
• Charitable organisations for the processing of charitable donations and/or volunteering activities.
• Catering facilities to convey dietary requirements on health or religious grounds.
• Medical professionals in the event of a medical emergency.

Lawful basis

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the lawful bases we rely on for processing this information are:

(a) Your consent. You are able to remove your consent at any time. You can do this by contacting us via email: [email protected]

(b) We have a contractual obligation.

(c) We have a legal obligation.

(d) We have a vital interest.

(e) We have a legitimate interest.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law (UK GDPR), you have rights including:

Your right to be informed - You have the right to be informed about the collection and use of your personal data.

Your right of access - You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.

Your right to rectification - You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.

Your right to erasure - You have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to restriction of processing - You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to object to processing - You have the the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to data portability - You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.

Your right to object to automated decision making & profiling - You have the right to object to us making decisions about you or processing of personal data to evaluate certain things about you solely by automated means.

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you.

Please contact us via email if you wish to make a request: [email protected]

How to complain

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to us at: [email protected]

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:           

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Third party web sites

From time to time, our websites may include links to third party websites for your interest. This privacy notice does not extend to any third-party websites that can be accessed from our websites. We do not accept liability or responsibility for any third party’s use of your data or their use of cookies.

Our contact details

If you have any questions about our privacy notice, the data we hold on you, or you would like to exercise any of your data protection rights, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Address: Data Protection Officer, Station Court, Station Approach, Wickford, SS11 7AT

Last updated: November 2023