IFS Privacy and Website Policy

Effective date: 9 August 2026
Last reviewed: 9 August 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to the IFS Global Network website.

This policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and disclose personal information when you:

• visit ifsnetwork.org
• apply for or renew membership
• make a donation or payment
• subscribe to IFS communications
• register for an event or activity
• submit an enquiry, resource or other content
• otherwise interact with IFS through the website

It also explains our general website terms, disclaimer and standards for public contributions.

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have been provided with information about how personal information is handled under this policy.

2. Who Is Responsible for Your Information?

The organisation responsible for this website and the personal information described in this policy is The International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, Inc., publicly known as IFS Global Network.

IFS remains accountable for how personal information is collected, used, stored and disclosed.

Operational custody of IFS information is managed through the current host office under the authority and direction of the IFS Board. Since 2025, the Local Community Services Association, known as LCSA, has served as the IFS host office.

LCSA supports the administration, security and day-to-day management of IFS information, systems and records as part of its host-office responsibilities.

Provocare Coaching provides contracted website administration and operational support on behalf of the LCSA host office. Provocare Coaching may access personal information only where required to perform authorised duties and must handle that information in accordance with IFS requirements and applicable privacy obligations.

Other authorised IFS staff, contractors and member organisations may have limited access to personal information where necessary to perform approved operational functions.

As responsibility for hosting the IFS office rotates between member organisations, appropriate records, systems, access credentials and operational custody may be securely transferred to a future authorised host office.

3. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to personal information collected through:

• the IFS website
• online membership and donation forms
• newsletter subscriptions
• contact and enquiry forms
• event registrations
• resource submissions
• website accounts, where available
• related communications and operational activities

Separate privacy information may apply to a particular conference, project, event, survey, consultation or externally managed service. Where this occurs, participants will be provided with appropriate information at the point of collection.

Third-party websites and platforms linked from the IFS website operate under their own privacy policies and terms.

4. Information We May Collect

We collect information that people provide voluntarily and certain technical information generated when the website is used.

Information You Provide

Depending on how you interact with IFS, we may collect:

• your name
• organisation and position
• postal or billing address
• country or region
• telephone number
• email address
• membership category and status
• information contained in membership applications
• event and activity registration details
• communication preferences
• payment and transaction information
• enquiries, feedback and correspondence
• resources, news, photographs or other material submitted for publication
• information supplied through surveys or consultations
• information required to support participation in IFS activities

Please do not provide sensitive or confidential personal information unless it is necessary and has been specifically requested.

Membership Information

When an organisation or individual applies for, purchases or renews membership, we may collect information needed to:

• assess and administer membership
• identify the appropriate membership category or fee
• maintain membership records
• issue invoices and receipts
• communicate with members
• support participation in regional networks and activities
• administer voting or governance rights where applicable

Payment Information

When you make a membership payment or donation, transaction information is processed through an authorised third-party payment provider.

IFS may receive information such as:

• payer name
• billing address
• amount paid
• transaction date
• payment status
• limited payment-method information
• transaction or receipt reference

Complete payment-card details are processed by the payment provider and are not intended to be stored in full within IFS operational systems.

Refund, cancellation and membership-payment conditions are addressed separately through relevant membership, donation, checkout or transaction terms.

Newsletter and Communications Information

When you subscribe to IFS communications, we may collect:

• your name
• email address
• organisation
• country or region
• areas of interest
• subscription and communication preferences

You may unsubscribe from promotional or newsletter communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided or contacting IFS.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• Internet Protocol address
• browser type
• device type
• operating system
• referring website or page
• pages viewed
• links selected
• approximate geographic region
• date and time of access
• website performance and error information

This information helps us maintain security, understand website use and improve accessibility and performance.

5. How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• administer memberships and Associate Membership connections
• process payments and donations
• communicate with members and supporters
• provide newsletters and requested updates
• respond to enquiries, feedback and requests
• manage events, meetings, conferences and activities
• support regional networks and working groups
• maintain member and contact records
• provide membership and participation opportunities
• prepare invoices, receipts and financial records
• administer governance and member participation
• publish approved news, resources and member contributions
• maintain website security and prevent fraud or misuse
• understand how the website is used
• improve website content, accessibility and performance
• prepare aggregated and de-identified reports
• comply with legal, regulatory and contractual obligations
• establish, exercise or defend legal rights
• manage organisational handovers between authorised host offices

IFS will not use personal information for an unrelated purpose unless permitted by law or appropriate notice and consent have been provided.

6. Legal Bases for Processing

Where applicable privacy law requires a legal basis, IFS may process personal information on one or more of the following grounds:

• you have provided consent
• processing is necessary to administer membership, a payment, an event registration or another agreement
• processing is necessary to meet a legal or regulatory obligation
• processing is necessary for legitimate organisational interests, including membership administration, communication, governance, website security and service improvement
• processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of an individual
• processing is otherwise permitted or required by applicable law

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect processing that occurred before consent was withdrawn.

7. Sharing Personal Information

IFS does not sell personal information.

We may disclose limited personal information to trusted organisations and service providers where necessary to support authorised activities.

These may include:

The Host Office

The current host office may access and manage information required for membership administration, communications, governance support, financial management and daily operations.

Website Administration and Contractors

Provocare Coaching and other authorised contractors may access information where necessary to administer, maintain or secure the website and related systems.

Payment Providers

Payment and transaction information may be provided to authorised payment providers to securely process membership fees, donations and other payments.

Website Hosting and Technology Providers

Information may be handled through organisations providing website hosting, cloud storage, security, backup, email, newsletter, analytics, event or membership-management services.

IFS Staff and Authorised Representatives

IFS staff, regional coordinators, project workers and authorised representatives may receive information necessary to fulfil approved responsibilities.

Member Organisations

Where relevant and appropriate, information may be shared with an IFS federation, association, peak body, regional network, working group or member organisation to support membership confirmation, regional participation or an activity you have requested.

Professional Advisers

Information may be shared with authorised auditors, accountants, insurers, lawyers or other professional advisers where necessary.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose information where required or authorised by law, a court, a regulatory authority or another lawful process.

Service providers and contractors are expected to use personal information only for authorised purposes and to apply appropriate security and confidentiality protections.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The IFS website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security and performance.

Cookies may include:

Essential Cookies

These support functions such as:

• website navigation
• form processing
• session management
• online payments
• security and fraud prevention
• accessibility preferences

Analytics Cookies

These help us understand:

• website traffic
• frequently visited pages
• how visitors navigate the website
• website errors and performance
• general patterns of website use

Third-Party Content

Embedded videos, maps, social-media content and other external services may place their own cookies or collect information when used.

Where required, non-essential cookies should be used only after the appropriate choice or consent has been obtained.

You may adjust your browser settings to reject or delete cookies. Disabling essential cookies may affect how parts of the website function.

Where a cookie-management tool is available, visitors may use it to review or change their cookie preferences.

9. International Data Transfers

IFS is an international network. Personal information may therefore be accessed, stored or processed in countries other than the country in which it was originally collected.

These countries may have different privacy and data-protection laws.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, IFS will take reasonable steps to ensure that it is handled securely and consistently with this policy and applicable privacy obligations.

International transfers may occur when:

• IFS changes its authorised host office
• members participate in regional or global activities
• technology or service providers operate internationally
• authorised staff or representatives work from different countries
• information must be shared to support an activity requested by a member or participant

10. How Long We Keep Information

IFS retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

Retention periods may depend on:

• membership status
• financial and taxation requirements
• governance and corporate-record obligations
• contractual requirements
• legal and regulatory obligations
• disputes or complaints
• security and fraud-prevention needs
• historical or archival value
• the purpose for which consent was obtained

Information that is no longer required will be securely deleted, de-identified or archived where appropriate and lawful.

IFS may retain historical governance, organisational and membership records where they form part of the Federation’s legitimate institutional archive. Access to such records will be appropriately managed.

11. Data Security

IFS uses reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information from:

• unauthorised access
• misuse
• interference
• loss
• alteration
• inappropriate disclosure
• accidental destruction

Measures may include:

• access controls
• secure passwords and authentication
• encryption
• security and malware protection
• system updates
• backups
• restricted administrative access
• staff and contractor confidentiality requirements
• secure host-office handover processes

No method of online transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. If you believe information has been accessed, used or disclosed without authorisation, please contact IFS promptly.

Where required, IFS will assess and respond to eligible data breaches in accordance with applicable law.

12. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights relating to your personal information.

These may include the right to:

• ask whether IFS holds personal information about you
• request access to your information
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• request deletion of information in certain circumstances
• request restriction of processing
• object to certain processing
• request transfer of eligible information
• withdraw consent
• unsubscribe from marketing communications
• lodge a complaint with an appropriate privacy or data-protection authority
• request information about international data transfers
• request information about automated decision-making, where applicable

These rights may be subject to legal exceptions and verification requirements.

To make a request, contact info@ifsnetwork.org. We may need to verify your identity before providing access or making changes.

13. Children’s Privacy

The website is intended primarily for organisations, practitioners, researchers, members and supporters. It is not designed to collect personal information directly from children.

Children and young people may view publicly available content on the website.

If an IFS event, project, exchange or other activity involves children or young people, additional consent, safeguarding and privacy arrangements may apply.

If we learn that personal information has been collected directly from a child without appropriate authorisation, we will take reasonable steps to review and delete it where required.

14. Social Media

IFS maintains a presence on social-media platforms.

When you interact with IFS through social media, the relevant platform may collect and process information under its own privacy policy and terms.

Comments, messages and other information submitted through social media may be visible to IFS staff, contractors or other platform users, depending on your privacy settings and the features of the platform.

Do not post confidential, sensitive or private personal information in public comments.

15. External Links and Third-Party Content

The IFS website may contain links to external websites, resources and services.

These links are provided for information and convenience. IFS does not control the content, availability, security or privacy practices of external websites.

Visitors should review the privacy policies and terms of external services before providing personal information.

The inclusion of an external link does not necessarily represent formal endorsement by IFS.

16. Website Information and Disclaimer

Information on the IFS website is provided for general informational and educational purposes.

IFS takes reasonable care to maintain current and accurate content but does not guarantee that all information is complete, current or suitable for every purpose.

Website information should not be treated as legal, financial, medical or other professional advice.

Visitors are responsible for considering whether information is appropriate for their circumstances and for obtaining professional advice where required.

IFS is not responsible for loss arising solely from reliance on general website information, except where responsibility cannot lawfully be excluded.

17. Articles, Opinions and Member-Contributed Resources

Articles, reflections, comments and resources published on the website may be written or supplied by members, partners, practitioners or other contributors.

Unless expressly identified as an official IFS statement:

• the views expressed belong to the author or publishing organisation
• publication does not necessarily constitute formal endorsement by IFS
• IFS may edit contributions for clarity, accessibility, length and website presentation
• contributors remain responsible for ensuring they have permission to provide submitted material

Official IFS policy positions and statements should be clearly identified as having been approved through the appropriate governance process.

18. Non-Partisan Advocacy

IFS is non-partisan and does not endorse or support political parties or candidates.

IFS may undertake public-interest advocacy on issues connected with its mission, values, Strategic Plan and approved policy positions, including social justice, human rights, democracy, inclusion and sustainable community development.

The publication of information about a public issue, government policy or political development does not by itself constitute support for a political party or candidate.

19. Feedback and Community Standards

IFS encourages respectful feedback, discussion and exchange across its website and social-media platforms.

Users must not submit material that is:

• threatening, abusive or harassing
• discriminatory or hateful
• defamatory
• deliberately misleading
• unlawful
• an infringement of privacy or intellectual-property rights
• spam or unauthorised advertising
• malicious or harmful to website security
• unrelated to the purpose of the discussion

IFS may moderate, edit, restrict or remove content that breaches these standards.

Where appropriate, access may be limited or blocked to protect users, the website and the wider IFS community.

20. Accessibility

IFS is committed to making its website and digital resources accessible to as many people as possible.

We continue to improve the accessibility, readability and usability of the website within the capacity and resources available to the Federation.

If you experience an accessibility barrier or require information in an alternative format, please contact info@ifsnetwork.org. We will make reasonable efforts to respond and provide assistance.

21. Changes to This Policy

IFS may update this policy to reflect:

• changes to legal or regulatory requirements
• changes to the rotating host-office arrangement
• new website functions or services
• changes to technology providers
• changes to membership, payment or communication systems
• improvements to privacy and security practices

The current version will be published on the website with an updated effective or review date.

Significant changes may also be communicated to members or subscribers where appropriate.

22. Privacy Concerns and Complaints

If you have a privacy concern or believe your information has been handled incorrectly, please contact IFS so the matter can be investigated.

Please provide:

• your name and contact details
• a description of the concern
• relevant dates or communications
• the outcome you are seeking

IFS will aim to acknowledge the concern and respond within a reasonable period.

Depending on your country or region, you may also have the right to lodge a complaint with an appropriate privacy or data-protection authority.

23. Contact Us

For privacy requests, concerns, accessibility feedback or questions about this policy, contact:

IFS Global Network
Email: info@ifsnetwork.org

Registered legal entity:
The International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

Current host office:
Local Community Services Association
Sydney, Australia

Website administration:
Provocare Coaching, providing contracted support on behalf of the LCSA host office.