Effective Date: [September, 2026]

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Promoting Opportunities for the Next Generation ("PONG," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and safety of the students, members, families, volunteers, educators, and other individuals who interact with our organization.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect through pronexgen.org, our educational programs, membership activities, and related online communities, and how we use and protect that information.

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Our programs may serve both high school and undergraduate students, including individuals under the age of 18. We take the privacy of young people particularly seriously and seek to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for our programs and organizational activities.

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1. Information We Collect

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We collect information only when it is voluntarily provided to us or when it is reasonably necessary to operate our programs and organization.

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Depending on how you interact with PONG, this may include:

• Contact information, such as a name and email address.

• Membership information, when an individual chooses to become a PONG member.

• Program information, such as information submitted through applications, registration forms, surveys, or other forms associated with PONG programs.

• Student participation records, such as the program(s) in which a student participated and the dates or general details of their participation.

• Information submitted through forms, including information an individual chooses to provide when contacting us or expressing interest in a program.

• Information associated with our online communities, such as participation in the PONG Discord server, when applicable.

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We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information unless it is specifically necessary for a particular program or activity and appropriate safeguards are in place.

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2. How We Use Information

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Information collected by PONG may be used to:

• Operate and administer our educational programs.

• Process program registrations and membership requests.

• Communicate with students, parents or guardians, members, volunteers, educators, and other participants.

• Maintain records of program participation and organizational membership.

• Maintain a record of students who have participated in PONG programs so that we can appropriately recognize participation and manage future program activities.

• Improve our programs, website, and educational resources.

• Understand general levels of interest in our programs and organization.

• Maintain our student and member communities, including appropriate access to private online communities.

• Meet legal, administrative, or safety obligations.

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We do not sell personal information.

We do not use personal information for unrelated advertising or marketing by outside organizations.

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3. Information About Minors

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Some PONG programs are available to high school students and therefore may involve individuals under the age of 18.

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We recognize that information relating to minors requires additional care. We seek to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for participation in our programs and organizational activities.

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Where appropriate, we may request information or consent from a parent or legal guardian for participation in a program or for the collection or use of certain information.

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Parents or legal guardians who have questions about information associated with a minor's participation in a PONG program may contact us using the information provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.​

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4. Sharing of Information

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PONG does not sell, rent, or otherwise provide personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

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We may share limited information when necessary to:

• Operate a PONG program or service.

• Use a third-party service provider that helps us operate our website, forms, communications, registration systems, or other organizational services.

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or lawful requests.

• Protect the safety, rights, or security of students, members, staff, volunteers, or other individuals.

• Respond to an emergency or other situation where disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect someone's safety.

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Whenever practical, we seek to limit the information shared to what is reasonably necessary for the particular purpose.

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Sponsors and Supporters

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PONG may provide sponsors or supporters with general, non-personally-identifying information about participation or interest in our programs. For example, we may report the number of students or members participating in a program or express general levels of interest.

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We do not provide sponsors with students' personal contact information or individual records for their own marketing purposes.

If PONG wishes to publicly identify or feature an individual student, we will seek appropriate permission before doing so, particularly when the individual is a minor.

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5. Program Records

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PONG may maintain records of individuals who participate in our programs.

These records may include a student's name, program participation, year of participation, and other information reasonably necessary for organizational recordkeeping.

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We maintain these records so that we can:

• Keep an accurate history of PONG's programs and participants.

• Confirm past participation when appropriate.

• Communicate with former participants about relevant PONG opportunities.

• Maintain our alumni and student communities.

• Evaluate and improve our programs.

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Access to these records is limited to individuals who need the information for legitimate PONG organizational purposes.

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6. Website Forms and Membership

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Some areas of our website may allow visitors to submit information through forms or request membership in PONG.

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Information submitted through these forms will be used for the purpose for which it was provided, such as responding to an inquiry, processing membership, registering for a program, or communicating with participants.

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We ask individuals not to submit information that is unnecessary for the particular form or request.

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7. Discord and Online Communities

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PONG may operate or participate in online communities, including a PONG Discord server.

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Access to certain PONG online communities may be limited to current or former participants in PONG programs.

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Participation in Discord and other third-party platforms is also subject to the privacy policies, terms, and practices of those platforms. PONG does not control how Discord independently collects or processes information.

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Students and participants should avoid posting sensitive personal information in public or group channels.

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PONG may moderate its online communities and may take appropriate action when necessary to maintain a safe and respectful environment.

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8. Photo and Media

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PONG may take, receive, or otherwise obtain photographs, videos, recordings, and other media ("Media") in connection with our programs, events, activities, educational opportunities, and online communities.

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Media may include images or recordings of students, members, volunteers, educators, staff, and other participants. Media may be created by PONG, by individuals participating in a PONG activity, or by other authorized individuals.

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PONG may use Media for legitimate organizational purposes, including:

• Documenting and preserving the history of PONG programs and activities.

• Highlighting student participation and accomplishments.

• Promoting PONG programs and educational opportunities.

• Sharing information about PONG through our website, social media accounts, newsletters, presentations, and other official communications.

• Creating educational, informational, or organizational materials.

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Public and Online Media

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Some Media may be shared publicly through PONG's website, social media accounts, promotional materials, or other public-facing communications. Media shared in PONG's private or semi-private online communities, including Discord, may also be visible to other members or participants in those communities.

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Because online platforms may allow content to be copied, downloaded, reshared, or otherwise distributed by other users, PONG cannot guarantee that Media posted online will remain under PONG's control after publication.

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Participants should also understand that third-party platforms, including social media services and Discord, have their own terms, privacy policies, and practices that PONG does not control.

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Permission and Media Releases

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Where appropriate, PONG may request a separate photo and media release or other written permission before publicly identifying or featuring an individual, particularly when the individual is under the age of 18.

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A media release may specify the types of Media that may be used, the purposes for which Media may be used, where Media may be published, and the duration of the permission.

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Consent provided through a media release is separate from this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy explains how PONG generally handles information and Media; a signed media release may provide additional terms governing the use of an individual's Media.

Parents or legal guardians may be asked to provide permission for the use of Media involving a minor. Where applicable, individuals or their parents or legal guardians may contact PONG to ask questions about Media or request that PONG discontinue future use of particular Media. Such requests will be considered based on the circumstances, the terms of any applicable release, and applicable law.

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Student-Created Media

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Students and other participants may voluntarily create and share photographs, videos, recordings, artwork, or other Media in connection with PONG activities or online communities.

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Participants should obtain appropriate permission before photographing, recording, or publicly sharing identifiable images or recordings of other individuals. Participants should also avoid sharing sensitive personal information about themselves or others through Media or online communities.

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Media posted by participants in Discord or other third-party platforms may remain subject to the terms and privacy practices of those platforms. PONG may remove or request removal of Media from PONG-controlled spaces when appropriate, including when Media violates community rules, creates a safety or privacy concern, or is otherwise inappropriate for the space.

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9. Cookies and Website Technology

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Our website may use cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for the website to function.

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If we introduce analytics, advertising, or other technologies that collect information about visitors' use of our website, we will update this Privacy Policy as appropriate to explain those practices.

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We do not currently use personal information collected through the website to sell targeted advertising.

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10. Data Security

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We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information in our possession from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure.

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However, no website, database, electronic communication, or method of storing information can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

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For this reason, we encourage individuals to avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive information through online forms, email, Discord, or other electronic communications.

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11. Data Retention

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PONG may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

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In particular, we may retain records of program participation and membership for legitimate organizational, historical, administrative, and educational purposes.

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When information is no longer reasonably necessary, we may delete or securely dispose of it, subject to legal, administrative, or recordkeeping requirements.

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12. Your Privacy Choices

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Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, individuals may contact PONG to:

• Ask what personal information we maintain about them.

• Request correction of inaccurate information.

• Request deletion of information that is no longer necessary.

• Ask questions about how their information is being used.

• Withdraw from communications or membership where applicable.

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Requests involving a minor's information may need to be made by or with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian.

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We will consider and respond to requests in accordance with applicable law and the circumstances of the request.

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13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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We may update this Privacy Policy as PONG grows, our programs change, or our website introduces new features.

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When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the beginning of this policy. We encourage visitors and participants to review this policy periodically.

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14. Contact Us

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If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the information PONG maintains, please contact us:

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Promoting Opportunities for the Next Generation (PONG)
Website: pronexgen.org
Email: [pong@pronexgen.org]

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We welcome questions from students, parents and guardians, members, and other individuals who interact with PONG!

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Last Updated: [September, 2026]