On behalf of the Board of Directors, we invite you to attend the 2009 Educational Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Indianapolis September 20-23.

As public servants we are grounded through education and experience. At this conference you will have opportunity for a lot of classroom instruction but also have time for networking with other members.

We encourage each trustee, their staff and board members from member townships to attend this conference. We look forward to seeing each of you in November.

Mary Hart, ITA President

Linda Williams, Conference Chair

 2009 Conference Regsitration Packet (84.56 kB) 

 Vendor Registration (276.1 kB) 

Register to attend America's Town Meeting, The NATaT 2009 Legislative Conference, September 8 - 11, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.

NATaT has developed a proactive federal agenda to ensure that the needs of small communities are central to federal statutory, regulatory, funding, and policy decisions. This year’s conference will focus on important issues such as the upcoming reauthorization of the nation’s surface transporta-tion law, climate and energy legislation, various funding opportunities for towns and townships, the 2010 Census, and more. Attend this important conference to meet with your Members of Con-gress and help make the voice of towns and townships heard in Washington, DC.

 2009 NATaT Legislative Conference Registration (711.29 kB) 

As a caseworker at the Fairfield Township Trustee’s Office, sometimes I imagine that I’m the host of a TV reality show that’s something akin to a scavenger hunt. And when clients leave our office with their lengthy checklist in hand, eyes sometimes gleaming with excited anticipation – sometimes glazed over in shock – I’m tempted to say to them, “and the first one back in 72 hours with everything on their list wins! Are you ready? On your mark… get set… GO!”

Obviously, I don’t say this. But when clients come to the Trustee’s office for assistance – usually for help with rent or utilities - sometimes I find myself apologetic, even embarrassed, as I shove form after form under their noses for them to sign or have filled out. I explain, as clearly and as kindly as I can, the reasons we ask for the information that we do. Sometimes I try to lighten the mood with a little well-timed humor. But for our clients, the Trustee’s office is often a last resort. They’re desperate. They’re tired – both emotionally and physically. They’re frustrated and humbled by their present circumstances and embarrassed to ask for help.

Often, they have waited until the last possible moment, exhausted all other options, and they need help – now. And now we’re asking nosey questions, prying into their finances – and, to add insult to injury, asking them to produce a mountain of paperwork, preferably before their first appointment.