Privacy Policy

The University of Benin Alumni Association North America Inc. (“UBAANA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a nonprofit alumni organization committed to protecting the privacy of our members. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard personal information, including phone numbers used for SMS text message communications.

We collect the following types of information from our members:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Membership Information: Graduation year, faculty/department, and chapter affiliation
• Event Registration Data: Information provided when registering for UBAANA events such as our 20th Anniversary Reunion
• Communication Preferences: Including consent to receive SMS text messages

UBAANA collects member information through the following methods:

• Membership Registration: When individuals join UBAANA, they complete membership forms (online or paper) where they provide their phone number and consent to receive organizational communications.
• Event Registration: When members register for UBAANA events through our official registration platforms, they provide their phone number and consent to receive event-related communications.
• Community Groups: Members who join official UBAANA WhatsApp and other community groups share their contact information for organizational communication purposes.

SMS Consent

By providing your phone number to UBAANA through any of the methods above, you expressly consent to receive recurring SMS text messages from UBAANA related to organizational activities, events, reunions, and fundraising appeals.

Types of SMS Messages

UBAANA sends SMS messages for the following purposes:

• Event notifications and reunion updates
• Registration reminders
• Hotel and travel information for events
• Fundraising and donation appeals
• General organizational announcements
• Goodwill and community messages

Message Frequency

Members can expect to receive approximately 1–2 SMS messages per week during active campaigns. Frequency may be lower during inactive periods.

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply. SMS messages are subject to your mobile carrier’s standard messaging rates. UBAANA is not responsible for any charges from your mobile carrier.

How to Opt Out

You may opt out of UBAANA SMS communications at any time by:

• Replying STOPto any UBAANA SMS message — you will be immediately and permanently unsubscribed from all SMS communications
• Contacting us directly at secgen@ubaana.org to request removal

How to Get Help

For help or questions about UBAANA SMS communications, reply HELP to any message or contact secgen@ubaana.org.

UBAANA uses the information collected exclusively for legitimate organizational purposes, including:

• Communicating with members about UBAANA events, activities, and updates
• Processing event registrations and donations
• Coordinating reunion logistics including travel and accommodations
• Maintaining membership records
• Sending fundraising appeals to support UBAANA’s nonprofit mission

UBAANA does not sell, rent, lease, or share your personal information — including phone numbers and SMS data — with any third parties for marketing purposes or any other reason.

Your personal information is used solely by UBAANA for the purposes described in this policy. We do not share SMS opt-in data, phone numbers, or any consumer information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

The only exceptions are:

• Service Providers: We use trusted third-party service providers (such as Twilio for SMS delivery, Eventzilla for event registration, and Hilton for hotel bookings) that are contractually bound to protect your information and use it solely to provide services to UBAANA.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or legal process.

UBAANA implements reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect member information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

We retain member information for as long as you remain a member of UBAANA or as needed to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. You may request deletion of your information by contacting us at secgen@ubaana.org.

As a UBAANA member, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information
• Opt out of SMS communications at any time
• Withdraw consent for any type of communication

UBAANA’s services are intended for adult alumni members. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18.

UBAANA may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage members to review this policy periodically.