Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 10, 2025
This Privacy Policy describes how The Theosophical Society in Boston (Besant Lodge), Inc., doing business as Tending the Sacred (“Tending the Sacred,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you visit our website, participate in our online community, join programs, attend events, make purchases or donations, or otherwise engage with us (collectively, the “Services”).
We are committed to supporting your growth and safeguarding your privacy. By using our Services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are & How to Contact Us
Tending the Sacred is a nonprofit educational and spiritual organization devoted to wisdom, community, and conscious evolution.
Mailing Address
The Theosophical Society in Boston (Besant Lodge), Inc.
DBA Tending the Sacred
22 Summer Street
North Brookfield, MA 01535
United States
Email: hello@tendingthesacred.org
Phone: 857-205-0849
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, contact us anytime.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information in three main ways:
Information you provide directly
Information collected automatically
Information received from third parties
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
Examples include:
Contact information — name, email address, phone number, mailing address
Account details — username, profile information, and community participation (e.g., Mighty Networks)
Event or program registration information — such as preferences or accessibility needs you choose to share
Payment and donation information — amounts, currency, and transaction details (processed by secure third-party providers such as Stripe; we do not store full card numbers)
Communications — messages you send to us, survey responses, and community engagement
Email preferences — your choices about receiving newsletters or resources
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you interact with our website or online platforms, we or our service providers may collect:
Device information — IP address, browser type, operating system
Usage information — pages visited, links clicked, timestamps, referring/exit pages
Analytics data — aggregated insights about how visitors use our website, gathered through cookies, pixels, or similar technologies
2.3 Information From Third Parties
We may receive information from:
Membership or community platforms (e.g., Mighty Networks)
Payment processors confirming purchases or donations
Email service providers that help us manage communications
Social media platforms you use to engage with our content
We use this information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and our agreements with those providers.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
1. Provide and improve the Services
Operating our website, membership community, classes, courses, retreats, and events
Processing registrations, donations, and purchases
2. Communicate with you
Responding to your questions
Sending newsletters, updates, event invitations, and resources you request
Providing administrative notices (such as policy updates or account confirmations)
3. Personalize your experience
Understanding what content or offerings may be helpful or relevant
Improving navigation, content, and community engagement
4. Support community safety and integrity
Enforcing our community guidelines
Detecting, preventing, and responding to unauthorized or unlawful activity
5. Fulfill legal and organizational obligations
Maintaining tax, accounting, and donation records
Responding to legal requests when required
4. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK)
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, we process personal data on the following legal bases:
Consent — e.g., signing up for communications or accepting non-essential cookies
Contract — providing access to paid programs, memberships, or events
Legitimate interests — improving Services, maintaining security, or sharing offerings you may find valuable
Legal obligation — complying with tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements
You may withdraw consent at any time.
5. Cookies & Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
Remember your preferences
Understand how visitors interact with our site
Improve performance and features
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect functionality.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information only in the following circumstances:
1. With trusted service providers
Including:
Website hosting and analytics
Community platforms (e.g., Mighty Networks)
Email marketing tools
Payment processors (e.g., Stripe)
These providers may use your information only to perform services on our behalf.
2. With partners or co-hosts of events
Shared only when necessary to administer the program you are attending.
3. For legal or safety reasons
We may disclose information to:
Comply with legal obligations
Protect the rights or safety of our community
Address fraud, security, or technical issues
4. Organizational transitions
If we reorganize, merge, or transfer activities, information may be transferred consistent with this Policy.
7. Data Retention
We keep personal information only as long as necessary to:
Maintain your account or relationship with us
Provide Services you have requested
Comply with legal, tax, or accounting requirements
When information is no longer needed, we delete, anonymize, or securely store it until deletion is possible.
8. International Data Transfers
If you are outside the United States, your information may be transferred to the U.S. or other countries whose data protection laws may differ from yours.
Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as contractual protections.
9. Your Rights & Choices
9.1 Email Preferences
You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails or by contacting us.
9.2 Access, Update, or Delete Your Information
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
Access the personal data we hold
Request corrections
Request deletion
Restrict or object to processing
Contact us at hello@tendingthesacred.org to make a request. We may need to verify your identity.
9.3 California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under California law, including rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of certain data practices. We will update this Policy if we begin activities that qualify as “selling” or “sharing” data under California law.
9.4 EEA/UK Rights
If you believe our processing violates applicable law, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum required age in your jurisdiction).
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent.
If you believe a child’s information was collected improperly, contact us and we will take appropriate action.
11. Third-Party Links & Services
Our website may link to third-party platforms such as social media, video hosting, or partner sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before providing information.
12. Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.
No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. But we work hard to protect your information responsibly.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices.
When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date.
In some cases, we may provide additional notice.
Your continued use of the Services after an update means you accept the revised Policy.
14. How to Contact Us
If you have questions or requests related to this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, you may reach us at:
Email: hello@tendingthesacred.org
Mail: Tending the Sacred
22 Summer Street
North Brookfield, MA 01535
United States