Privacy Policy
Mentone Baptist Church (‘the Church’) is committed to respecting your right to privacy and complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), with the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Act, and with similar state legislation. The following outlines the Church’s privacy policy and how we manage the information we hold about you. It follows the guidelines set out in the Privacy Policy of the Baptist Union of Victoria, to which churches are urged to adhere.
What information do we collect?
We only collect information about you that is necessary for our activities. In order to be able to minister to you and provide you with information about Church events and ministries, we may collect personal information from you including your name, address, email address, telephone numbers, birth date, marriage records, counselling notes and communications you have with us (for example, emails and prayer requests). In some instances, we may collect sensitive information (as defined by the Privacy Act) such as information about your health. We will only collect sensitive information about you with your consent (or the consent of a parent or guardian).
Disclosure of information
We will not disclose personal information about you to any person except on a confidential basis to those within the Church who need the information to provide a service to you; or with your prior consent (for example, in the Church directory). We will not pass on any of your personal details to any other organisation or to third parties unless required by law to do so.
Sensitive information will not be disclosed without your consent unless we are required by law to do so or its use or disclosure is necessary to prevent threats to health, life or safety to any individual.
Security of information
The security of your information is important to us. We will store your information in secured archives, and where possible, in secured offices and premises. Any personal information that is in an electronic form is stored in secured facilities.
All papers containing personal data are disposed of by secure paper destruction or shredding, and disks and other electronic storage devices containing personal data are destroyed when no longer in use.
Access to information
You can request access to the information we hold about you by notifying the Church Secretary in writing of your request. The Church Secretary will acknowledge the request within 14 days and will arrange a time for the viewing of the information. Information that is out of date or is inaccurate will be updated on written request or the applicant will be notified of the reason the information will not be updated.
Distribution of information
From time to time we may send you information about the Church’s activities by email or in printed form. You should inform the Church Office in writing if you do not wish to receive this information.
