Townships sign on to Web program!

TOI Associate Director Jerry B. Crabtree

Townships are busy building their web site pages as part of TOI's web site development program. As one of my initial projects as Associate Director, I am pleased to bring you this innovative and very affordable program. 
As technology changes and we are faced with new challenges in communication, it is important to have the necessary tools available.  This is the foundation for this new program being offered by TOI – effective communication.  Townships across the state experience different financial issues in providing services and/or managing office needs.  TOI is recognizing the potential cost associated with web development and through this program we hope to address any possible limitations to become a part of the information age with the lowest cost available ($12.50 per month). 

Townships that are members----

Aetna; Alden; Auburn; Belvidere; Berwyn; Bourbon; Carbondale; Caseyville; Champaign; Clear Lake; Coe; Collinsville; Copley; Coral; Cordova; Cortland; Decatur; Denning; Dwight; Edwardsville; Ela; Eliza; Gardner; Genesee; Hampton; Hopkins; Hutsonville; Limestone; Long Creek; Lyons; Minonk; Mount Morris; Murphysboro; Nameoki; Newman; Northville; Oakley; O'Fallon; Pana; Pierce; Preemption; Randolph; Rantoul; Richmond; Riverside; Rock Island; Rockton; Rooks Creek; Santa Anna; Shiloh Valley; Somerset; South Litchfield; South Rock Island; Will. Click on our township map to link to townships with web sites...

Program Fees: Complete the registration form and your township will be billed accordingly.
TOI is making every effort to make this service affordable and applicable to all townships. TOI urges all townships to take advantage of this special offer.
If you have ever discussed the possibility of creating a web site for your township – this is the program for you.  Even if you are a township that has a Web site already available, the cost is affordable to host with TOI which will increase your web traffic even more.  More importantly, our subscription fee for this program is much lower than managing a site independently.  You may find that fully transferring your site to us is a cost savings measure for your township. 
I look forward to working with all of you on this program and making it a success.  Please take time to review the program specifics below with your board at the next meeting, complete the subscription application and get started today.  If I can offer additional information or discussion about the program, please contact me.

TOI is offering a new component of Internet based technology to townships across Illinois.  All TOI association members are eligible to create and maintain an individual township Web site.  The only requirements that must be met are that an Internet connection be established, registration materials are completed then TOI staff will process your application and issue your username and password.

Overview of the Program

As the statewide non-profit organization for township officials, we recognize the need for all townships to have access to the Internet.  Additionally, townships may provide their information on the Internet to promote the services they provide as well as show a commitment to improving overall communication among townships.
This program provides an Internet based avenue to highlight information from individual townships at a minimal cost.  Further, townships are able to avoid the high cost of server hosting and Web site development.  The program is designed to be maintained with little to no Internet / Web site experience.  If you can type a Word document and send attachments by e-mail, you are ready to complete an application.
The available Web pages include, but are not limited to the following:

OFFICIALS: Show your residents who their township officials are and how to contact them.  You will be able to include photos of your elected officials.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Make your township calendar open to your residents.  List all applicable meeting dates, agendas, minutes specific to township government or any other community activity.

SPECIAL SERVICES:  List any services that are unique to your township.  

INFORMATION CENTER:  Tell your residents the township government story.  The specific duties townships are responsible for and the ‘extra services’ that townships also provide. 

Additional Web development and Web site assistance are available if needed.  All applicable fees for additional services incurred by TOI will be passed on to your township.

Administration of site

You are responsible for all content and administration of your township site.  You will be provided a password and account ID to access the information provided on your component for the site. 
The Internet server you have access to is the primary server managed by TOI through our contracted server provider.  All possible security measures are provided for and maintained through this vendor and TOI.  You have NO responsibility associated with the security, back-up or general maintenance of the server. 
The subscribing township is responsible for all content and updates associated with the information provided on your site.  Please review our disclaimer for specific liability issues.

Address:  The URL address of your site will be as follows:
www.toi.org/_(name of our township) Example www.toi.org/lyonstownship

If you have specific questions regarding the program, please contact me toll free at 866.897.4688.  The required registration forms are on the next page.  Simply complete and return by mail or fax them to 1.217.744.7419.  After your registration is processed, you will be contacted with your username and password to access your templates.

Download the Application Form

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