Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 1, 2025
Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows (CIFellows)
Website: www.cifellows.com

1. Who We Are

The Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows (“CIFellows,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education and professional excellence in competitive intelligence.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information through our website (www.cifellows.com), email communications, events, and programs.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Contact us through our website

  • Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list

  • Apply for or participate in fellowship programs

  • Register for events, webinars, or programs

  • Complete surveys or feedback forms

The types of information we may collect include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Organization or company affiliation

  • Professional role or interests

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data.

3. Website Analytics and Cookies

Our website uses built-in analytics tools provided by Squarespace to understand how visitors use the Site. These tools may collect limited technical data such as IP address, browser type, referring pages, and usage patterns.

This information is used in aggregate and is not intended to identify individual users.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings. For more information, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Respond to inquiries and requests

  • Manage fellowship applications and participation

  • Register and administer events and webinars

  • Send newsletters, announcements, and program updates (where you have opted in)

  • Conduct surveys and collect feedback

  • Maintain a public directory of Fellows (only with explicit consent)

5. Email Communications

If you subscribe to our mailing list, we may send you informational and marketing communications related to CIFellows’ activities, events, and programs.

We use third-party email service providers (such as Mailchimp and MailerLite) that may collect basic engagement data, including email opens and link clicks.

You may unsubscribe from email communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in each email or by contacting us directly.

6. Events, Webinars, Zoom, Recordings and YouTube

We host virtual events and webinars using third-party platforms such as Zoom.

Some events may be recorded for educational, informational, or archival purposes. If an event is recorded, participants will be notified in advance through Zoom’s built-in recording notice and/or by the event host.

Event recordings may be made publicly available through platforms such as YouTube or shared with members and registrants. Recordings may include audio, video, participant names, and chat content.

By participating in a recorded event, you acknowledge that your participation may be captured and publicly accessible. We encourage participants who do not wish to be recorded to disable their camera and microphone or refrain from participating verbally.

7. Data Sharing and Service Providers

We do not sell or rent personal information.

We may share information with trusted service providers who help us operate our website, communications, and events, including:

  • Squarespace (website hosting and forms)

  • Mailchimp and MailerLite (email communications)

  • Zoom (event and webinar hosting)

  • Google Drive (internal administration)

These providers process data on our behalf and are required to use appropriate security measures.

8. International Data Transfers

CIFellows operates in the United States, but our community and events are global.

Personal information collected through our website, communications, and events may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. These jurisdictions may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country of residence.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information regardless of where it is processed.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you

  • Request correction or deletion of your information

  • Withdraw consent for communications

To exercise these rights, please contact us via:
www.cifellows.com/contact-us

We aim to respond within 30 days.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law or operational necessity.

11. Children

Our website and programs are intended for adults and professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

12. External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and encourage you to review their policies.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date reflects the most recent revision.

14. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us via:
www.cifellows.com/contact-us