1. Introduction
Know the Truth ("we," "our," "us") is a youth outreach mentorship program that partners with middle and high schools across North Dakota to share testimonies, provide mentorship, and positively impact the lives of young people. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of the students, families, school staff, volunteers, and all individuals we serve.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information in connection with our outreach activities, school partnerships, and any digital communications or platforms we operate. By participating in our programs or providing information to us, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
2.1 Student and Minor Information
Because we work directly with minors in school settings, we treat student information with the highest level of care. We may collect:
- First and last name (for attendance or participation records).
- Grade level and school name.
- Parent or guardian contact information (for permission slips or follow-up communications).
- Written or verbal feedback voluntarily shared during or after sessions.
- Emergency contact information, if required by a school or event.
2.2 Parent and Guardian Information
- Name and relationship to student.
- Contact information such as phone number and email address.
- Signed consent or permission forms.
2.3 Volunteer and Staff Information
- Full legal name and contact details.
- Background check results (retained only as required by law or school policy).
- Testimony content shared voluntarily for program use.
- Emergency contact information.
2.4 School and Institutional Information
- School name, district, and point of contact details.
- Scheduling and event coordination details.
2.5 Digital and Communication Data
If we operate a website or digital platform, we may collect:
- Name and email address submitted through contact or inquiry forms.
- General usage data such as browser type and pages visited (non-identifying).
- Donation or financial information (processed through secure third-party payment providers).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect solely for the following purposes:
- To coordinated and deliver outreach sessions at schools across North Dakota.
- To obtain necessary parental consent for student participation.
- To communicate with school administrators, parents, guardians, and volunteers.
- To maintain program records and evaluate our impact.
- To conduct required background screenings for volunteers working with minors.
- To respond to inquiries, prayer requests, or follow-up communications.
- To send program updates, newsletters, or event announcements (with consent).
- To comply with applicable laws, school policies, and North Dakota state regulations.
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to any third party for commercial purposes.
4. Special Protections for Minors
Know the Truth is a program designed to serve students ages 11-18. We take the following steps to ensure the safety and privacy of minors.
- We obtain written parental or guardian consent before collecting any identifiable information from students under the age of 18, unless such information is provided directly by the school under its own authority.
- We do not directly solicit personal information from minors through websites, apps, or digital forms without verified parental consent.
- We do not photograph or record students without prior written consent from a parent or guardian and, where applicable, the school.
- All volunteers and staff who interact with minors undergo background screening consistent with North Dakota law and applicable school district requirements.
- Student information is never shared with outside parties except as required by law or in a genuine safety emergency.
5. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell or share personal information with third parties for marketing or commercial purposes. We may share information in limited circumstances:
- With schools and school districts, to the extent necessary to coordinate our program activities.
- With background check providers, solely for volunteer screening purposes
- With payment processors, if donations or fees are collected, using industry-standard encryption.
- As required by North Dakota or federal law, court order, or to respond to lawful government requests.
- To protect the safety and well-being of a student or other individual in an emergency situation.
Any third parties with whom we share information are required to handle it in a manner consistent with this Privacy Policy.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. Specifically:
- Consent forms and participation records are retained for a minimum of three (3) years following the program year in which they were collected.
- Background check records are retained in accordance with applicable North Dakota and federal requirements.
- Volunteer and staff records are retained for the duration of their service and for a reasonable period thereafter.
- Communications and correspondence are retained for up to two (2) years unless otherwise required.
When personal information is no longer needed, we securely delete or destroy it.
7. Data Security
We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. These measures include:
- Limiting access to personal information to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis.
- Storing physical records (consent forms, attendance sheets) in secure, locked facilities.
- Using password-protected digital systems for any electronic records.
- Using reputable, encrypted third-party services for payment processing or email communications.
While we work hard to protect your information, no method of data transmission or storage is 100% secure. We encourage individuals to contact us promptly if they believe their information has been compromised.
8. Your Rights and Choices
Parents, guardians, volunteers, and other individuals have the following rights regarding their personal information:
- Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you or your child.
- Correction: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: You may request that we delete personal information, subject to any legal retention requirements.
- Opt-Out: You may opt out of non-essential communications such as newsletters at any time by contacting us directly.
- Consent Withdrawal: Parents or guardians may withdraw consent for their child's participation at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 11 below.
9. Photography, Video, and Testimonial Use
Know the Truth may wish to document program events through photographs, video, or written testimonials for promotional or educational purposes. We will:
- Always obtain prior written consent from a parent or guardian before photographing, filming, or quoting a minor.
- Always obtain prior written consent from adult volunteers or participants before using their likeness or testimony in any public-facing materials.
- Honor any request to have a photo, video, or testimonial removed from our materials, provided it is not already in irretrievable distribution.
10. Compliance with North Dakota Law
Know the Truth operates exclusively in the state of North Dakota and complies with applicable state and federal laws concerning privacy, child safety, and education, including:
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as applicable through our school partnerships.
- The Children's Online Privacy Act (COPPA), for any digital interactions with children under 13.
- North Dakota Century Code provisions related to the protection of minors and personal data.
We cooperate with North Dakota school districts and follow all applicable district policies regarding outside organizations working with students.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:
Know the Truth
Outreach Mentorship Program
State of Operation: North Dakota
Email: Knowthetruthtc@gmail.com
Phone: (701) 667-2131
Mailing Address: 1406 2nd St NW, Mandan, ND 58554
12. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document and notify school partners or program participants as appropriate.
We encourage parents, guardians, volunteers, and school partners to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting the information entrusted to us.