Privacy Policy
How the PA Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps collects, uses, and protects the information you share with us.
Last updated: June 22, 2026
The PA Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (“the Guild,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website at paguild.org (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site or submitting a form to us, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Information We Collect
Information you give us. When you contact us, file a complaint, apply for membership, or otherwise submit one of our forms, we collect the details you provide — such as your name, email address, phone number, business or company name, mailing address, certification information, and the contents of your message or complaint.
Member directory information. If you are a Guild member, the business information you supply (business name, region/county served, contact details, and certifications) may be displayed publicly in our member directory so homeowners can find you.
Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we automatically receive standard log and device information — such as your IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and referring page — through cookies and similar technologies.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiries and provide the information or services you request;
- Review and follow up on complaints submitted about Guild members;
- Process and administer membership applications and renewals;
- Maintain and display the public member directory;
- Send you Guild-related updates, event notices, and administrative messages;
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site; and
- Comply with our legal obligations and enforce our policies.
3. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only in these limited circumstances:
- Service providers. We use trusted third parties to operate the Site and our communications — including our website host, our forms and customer-relationship platform (GoHighLevel, provided through Local Hero Automations), and email delivery services. These providers may process your information only to perform services for us.
- Public member directory. Member business listings are intentionally public, as described above.
- Legal reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of the Guild, our members, or the public.
4. SMS / Text Messaging
If you provide your phone number and opt in — for example, by checking the SMS consent box on one of our forms — we may send you text messages related to your inquiry, your membership, Guild events, and occasional promotional messages. Consenting to receive texts is not a condition of any purchase or of Guild membership.
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message; reply HELP for help. After you opt out, we may send one message to confirm.
We do not sell or share your mobile phone number or your SMS opt-in/consent with any third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes. Phone numbers and consent data are shared only with the messaging providers that help us deliver these texts (such as our forms and customer-relationship platform), solely to send messages on our behalf. The information we collect for SMS includes your name, mobile phone number, and a record of your consent.
5. Cookies & Analytics
We use cookies and similar technologies to keep the Site working properly and to understand how visitors use it. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent; however, some parts of the Site may not function properly without them.
6. Data Retention
We keep personal information for as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, to maintain Guild and membership records, and to comply with our legal obligations. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it.
7. Your Choices & Rights
You may ask us to review, update, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you, and you may opt out of non-essential Guild emails at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us. Members may request changes to their directory listing. To make any of these requests, email admin@paguild.org. We will respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.
8. Third-Party Links
The Site may link to third-party websites, including member businesses, suppliers, and social media pages. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any site you visit.
9. Children's Privacy
The Site is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us so we can delete it.
10. Security
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above. Material changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, contact the PA Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps at admin@paguild.org.