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Terms of Service

TL;DR — Quick Summary

Here's what you should know in plain language:

  • By using TiffinOhio.net, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
  • Certain original articles may be republished for free only if you follow our Republishing Guidelines. Partner content follows the original publisher's terms.
  • You may not use our content to train AI systems or for other commercial purposes without our written permission.
  • Membership payments and contributions are handled securely through Stripe and AutoBooks and are generally non-refundable.
  • We don't provide legal, medical, or financial advice—our content is for general information only.
  • We use third-party providers (like Stripe, AutoBooks, Cloudflare, Microsoft, Google, Vote.org, Spotify, and Meta/Facebook) to operate the site and collect limited data as described in our Privacy Policy.
  • Disputes must be resolved through individual arbitration (no class actions), though you can opt out within 30 days.
  • You must be 13 or older to use the site (18+ for paid memberships).
  • If you don't agree to these Terms, please don't use the site.

Effective Date: December 7, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE: These Terms contain an arbitration clause and class action waiver in Section X. By using our Service, you agree to resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration and waive your right to participate in class actions. You have 30 days to opt out as described in Section X(P).

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction & Agreement Scope
  2. Intellectual Property and Use of Content
  3. Republishing Permissions and Guidelines
  4. Rules of Usage and Prohibited Conduct
  5. User Content and DMCA Procedures
  6. Disclaimer: No Professional or Individual Advice
  7. Privacy and Data Protection
  8. Memberships, Billing, and Refunds
  9. Disclaimers, Warranties, and Limitation of Liability
  10. Arbitration, Class Action Waiver, and Dispute Resolution
  11. Termination and Suspension
  12. General Terms
  13. Contact Information
  14. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

I. Introduction & Agreement Scope

A. Definitions

For purposes of these Terms of Service (“Terms” or “Agreement”):

  • “Service” means the TiffinOhio.net website, all content, features, functionality, and services provided through the website, including but not limited to news articles, newsletters, membership programs, contact forms, search functionality, RSS feeds, and any related services.
  • “We,” “us,” “our,” “NorthStar Civic Media” or simply “NorthStar” means NorthStar Civic Media LLC, an Illinois limited liability company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and the operator of TiffinOhio.net.
  • “You,” “your,” or “User” means any individual or entity accessing or using the Service.
  • “Content” means all text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data, and other materials available through the Service.
  • “User Content” means any content you submit to us through contact forms, newsletter subscriptions, or other submission mechanisms.
  • “Personal Information” has the meaning set forth in our Privacy Policy.
  • “Device” means any computer, mobile phone, tablet, or other electronic device used to access the Service.
  • “Third Party Providers” means service providers we use to operate the Service, including but not limited to Stripe, AutoBooks, Cloudflare, Microsoft, Google, Vote.org, Spotify, and Meta/Facebook.
  • “Fees” means any charges for memberships, contributions, or other paid services.
  • “Claim” means any claim, dispute, or controversy between you and us arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service.

B. Acceptance of Terms

IMPORTANT: To use certain features of the Service (including submitting forms, making a purchase, or subscribing to our newsletter), you must affirmatively accept these Terms by clicking “I Agree,” checking a box, or taking similar action indicating your consent.

By accessing, browsing, or using TiffinOhio.net or any of our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any additional terms posted on the Service.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must immediately cease using the Service and exit the website.

You should print or save a local copy of these Terms for your records.

For Paid Services: Before making any payment or subscribing to any paid service, you will be required to affirmatively accept these Terms through a clickwrap agreement (checking a box or clicking “I Agree”). Your payment constitutes acceptance of these Terms.

C. Eligibility and Age Requirements

You must be at least 13 years of age to use the Service. If you are under 18, you may only use the Service with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

To purchase a membership or make a contribution, you must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at info@tiffinohio.net.

D. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify, amend, or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” We may also notify you via email or through a notice on the Service.

Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

We recommend reviewing these Terms periodically. If you do not agree to modified Terms, you must stop using the Service.

E. Additional Terms and Policies

These Terms incorporate by reference:

  • Our Privacy Policy (https://tiffinohio.net/privacy-policy/)
  • Any additional rules, policies, or guidelines posted on specific areas of the Service
  • Third-party terms applicable to services we integrate (e.g., Stripe, Cloudflare)

In the event of a conflict between these Terms and additional posted terms, we reserve the right to determine which terms control in our sole discretion.

F. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional terms referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and NorthStar Civic Media regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications, whether written or oral.

G. U.S.-Based Service

The Service is designed for and targeted to users in the United States. We make no representation that the Service is appropriate or available for use outside the United States.

If you access the Service from outside the United States, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local laws, including but not limited to export and import regulations.

II. Intellectual Property and Use of Content

A. Our Intellectual Property Rights

All Content on the Service, including but not limited to text, articles, graphics, logos, images, photographs, audio clips, video, software, data compilations, page layout, underlying code, and the “look and feel” of the Service, is the exclusive property of NorthStar Civic Media or its licensors and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

The TiffinOhio.net name, logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of NorthStar Civic Media or its affiliates or licensors. You may not use such marks without our prior written permission.

B. Limited License to Users

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to:

  1. Access and view Content on the Service for your personal, non-commercial use only
  2. Download and print individual articles for personal, non-commercial use
  3. Subscribe to and receive our RSS feeds for personal, non-commercial use
  4. Share links to our Content on social media platforms

Important: Certain original editorial articles may be eligible for republication under our Republishing Guidelines as described in Section III below. No republication rights are granted unless the article and your use comply with those guidelines.

C. Prohibited Uses of Content

You expressly agree NOT to:

  1. Use for AI/Machine Learning: Use, reproduce, or exploit any Content for the purpose of training, developing, testing, or improving artificial intelligence systems, machine learning models, large language models (LLMs), or any automated systems without our express written consent

  2. Commercial Use: Use Content for any commercial purpose without our express written consent, except as permitted under our Republishing Guidelines described in Section III

  3. Modification: Modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any Content or software, except for minor formatting changes permitted under our Republishing Guidelines

  4. Redistribution: Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, or exploit any Content for commercial purposes. Note: limited non-commercial republishing of eligible original editorial articles is permitted only as described in Section III

  5. Removal of Notices: Remove, obscure, or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices from Content, including required attribution

  6. Framing: Frame or mirror any Content on any other server or device without written authorization

  7. Systematic Retrieval: Use any robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means to access the Service or extract Content, except for generally available search engine indexing

  8. Database Creation: Create a database by systematically downloading and storing Content

Important: The prohibitions above are subject to the limited exceptions and permissions granted under our Republishing Guidelines described in Section III.

D. RSS Feeds and Syndication

Our RSS feeds are provided for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not:

  • Republish RSS feed content on commercial websites without permission (though eligible individual articles may be republished under our Republishing Guidelines)
  • Remove attribution or modify feed content
  • Use feeds to create competing services
  • Aggregate our feeds with others for commercial purposes

E. Search Functionality

Our search functionality is provided for your convenience. We make no guarantee regarding:

  • Accuracy or completeness of search results
  • Availability of search functionality
  • Retention of search queries (which may be logged for analytics)

III. Republishing Permissions and Guidelines

A. Original Editorial Content Republishing Permission

TiffinOhio.net may allow certain original editorial articles to be republished for free under our own Republishing Guidelines. This is a limited permission, not an open content license, and it applies only when both:

  1. The article is original TiffinOhio.net editorial content and is not excluded by this Section III
  2. You follow our detailed Republishing Guidelines

If an article includes a “Republish” button or republishing code, that is a signal that the article is generally eligible for republication under our guidelines. We may still restrict or withdraw permission for a specific article or use where necessary.

B. Conditions for Republishing

To republish eligible original editorial content, you must comply with all Republishing Guidelines, including requirements for:

  • Proper attribution to TiffinOhio.net and the original author
  • A link to the original article
  • Keeping required links intact
  • Limiting edits to permitted formatting, time, location, and style changes
  • Keeping republished content free and accessible to readers
  • Not selling, sublicensing, syndicating, or repackaging our work
  • Not using our content for AI training, model development, search-engine manipulation, spam, or other automated exploitation
  • Not implying that TiffinOhio.net endorses your publication, organization, or use of the content

Failure to comply with our Republishing Guidelines is a violation of these Terms and automatically terminates your permission to republish the affected content.

C. Content Not Covered by Republishing Permission

The following content may not be republished without express written permission from the appropriate rights holder:

  1. Partner Content: Articles republished from partner organizations (such as Ohio Capital Journal, ProPublica, States Newsroom, The Conversation, Energy News Network, and others) are governed by the original publisher’s terms. These articles are clearly marked with attribution to the original publication.

  2. Visual Media: Photographs, graphics, illustrations, videos, audio files, infographics, charts, PDFs, and other visual or multimedia content require separate permission unless the article or our guidelines expressly say otherwise.

  3. Software and Code: The underlying software, code, design, and “look and feel” of the Service are not covered by republishing permission.

  4. Trademarks: The TiffinOhio.net name, logo, and other trademarks are not covered by republishing permission except as allowed by our Brand Kit or with written permission.

  5. User Content: Content submitted by users is subject to separate terms as described in Section V.

  6. Restricted Articles: Individual articles marked as restricted, permission required, all rights reserved, or otherwise excluded from republication.

D. Partner Content Republishing

If you wish to republish content originally published by our partner organizations:

  1. Check the original source: Look for republishing information in the article
  2. Follow their guidelines: Use the original publisher’s republishing guidelines, not ours
  3. Contact them directly: Obtain permission from the original publisher where required
  4. Do not use our guidelines: Our Republishing Guidelines apply to eligible TiffinOhio.net original content only

Partner articles are clearly identified with attribution such as “This article was originally published by [Partner Name]” or similar language.

E. How to Identify Eligible TiffinOhio.net Content

Eligible original articles may include:

  • Attribution to TiffinOhio.net staff writers or contributors
  • No attribution to external partner organizations
  • Availability of republishing code via the “Republish” button on article pages
  • A notice that the article may be republished under our Republishing Guidelines

When in doubt about whether content may be republished, contact us at info@tiffinohio.net before republishing.

F. Termination of Republishing Permission

We reserve the right to revoke republication permission for specific content if you:

  • Violate these Terms of Service
  • Fail to comply with our Republishing Guidelines
  • Use content in a manner that damages our reputation
  • Misrepresent the source or content of our articles
  • Engage in unlawful conduct related to our content

Upon termination, you must immediately cease republishing the affected content and remove it from your platforms.

G. No Endorsement

Republishing permission does not imply:

  • Endorsement of you, your organization, or your use of the content
  • Affiliation between you and TiffinOhio.net
  • Sponsorship of your activities by TiffinOhio.net
  • Any relationship beyond the limited permission described in these Terms

You may not state or imply that TiffinOhio.net endorses you, your organization, or your use of our content.

H. Updates to Articles

We may update, correct, or modify articles after initial publication. We have no obligation to:

  • Notify you of updates or corrections
  • Ensure you republish the most current version
  • Update content you have already republished

You are responsible for checking whether updates have been made to republished content.

I. Questions About Republishing

For questions about republishing or requesting permission for uses not covered by our Republishing Guidelines:

Email: info@tiffinohio.net
Subject Line: “Republishing Inquiry”
Review: Our detailed Republishing Guidelines

IV. Rules of Usage and Prohibited Conduct

A. General Use Requirements

By using the Service, you agree to:

  1. Age and Capacity: Be at least 13 years of age (18 for paid services) and have legal capacity to agree to these Terms
  2. Accurate Information: Provide accurate, current, and complete information when submitting forms or registering for services
  3. Device Ownership: Only use Devices you own or have permission to use
  4. Personal Use: Use the Service for personal, lawful, non-commercial purposes only
  5. Compliance: Comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and international laws and regulations
  6. Security: Not interfere with or disrupt the Service, servers, or networks connected to the Service
  7. Third-Party Terms: Comply with terms of service of Third Party Providers whose services are integrated into our Service

B. Payment Processor Portals and Submission Security

We do not currently offer on-site user accounts. If you use a third-party portal connected to the Service, such as Stripe’s customer portal for managing a membership, you are responsible for following that provider’s security requirements and keeping any login links, verification codes, or credentials secure.

You must promptly contact us at info@tiffinohio.net if you believe a membership, contribution, form submission, or third-party portal access connected to the Service has been used without authorization.

C. Prohibited Activities

You expressly agree NOT to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

1. Unauthorized Access and Security Violations

  • Use another person’s payment portal, verification link, or submission information without authorization
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Service, third-party portals, computer systems, or networks
  • Probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Service or breach security measures
  • Forge headers or manipulate identifiers to disguise the origin of any transmission
  • Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security features or access controls

2. Automated Access and Data Mining

  • Use bots, robots, spiders, scrapers, crawlers, or other automated means to access the Service (except for generally available search engine indexing)
  • Use any automated system to send bulk or unsolicited communications
  • Harvest, collect, or mine data about other users without consent
  • Use Content to train, develop, or improve AI systems, machine learning models, or LLMs without written consent

3. Interference and Disruption

  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service, servers, or networks
  • Impose an unreasonable load on our infrastructure
  • Attempt to decipher, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer any software
  • Upload or transmit viruses, worms, Trojan horses, time bombs, spyware, malware, or any other malicious code
  • Take any action that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair the Service

4. Unlawful and Harmful Content

  • Post, transmit, or share content that is:
    • Unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive
    • Defamatory, libelous, or slanderous
    • Obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit (including cyber-sex or sexting)
    • Harassing, threatening, abusive, or hateful
    • Violent or promoting violence
    • Discriminatory based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
    • Invasive of privacy or publicity rights
    • Infringing on intellectual property rights

5. Illegal Activities

  • Use the Service to engage in, promote, or facilitate any illegal activity
  • Violate any applicable laws, including but not limited to export control laws, economic sanctions regulations, privacy and data protection laws, securities laws, or consumer protection laws
  • Provide instructions for illegal activities, including weapons, explosives, or drug manufacturing
  • Engage in or promote terrorism, criminal activity, or harm to minors

6. Impersonation and Misrepresentation

  • Impersonate any person or entity
  • Falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
  • Use a false identity or provide false information
  • Engage in identity theft or fraud

7. Spam and Unsolicited Communications

  • Send spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or other unsolicited communications
  • Engage in commercial solicitation without permission
  • Send bulk messages or engage in mass communications
  • Use the Service for any marketing or advertising without our consent

8. Professional Advice

  • Post content purporting to provide professional advice (medical, legal, financial, tax, investment) unless you are a licensed professional and clearly disclose your credentials and limitations
  • Rely on Content from the Service as professional advice (see Section VI)

9. Intellectual Property Violations

  • Infringe copyrights, trademarks, patents, or other intellectual property rights
  • Remove, alter, or obscure copyright or proprietary notices
  • Use our trademarks or branding without permission

10. Manipulation and Abuse

  • Manipulate or attempt to manipulate any contests, sweepstakes, promotions, or voting systems (if offered)
  • Create duplicate or misleading submissions to evade restrictions or bans
  • Engage in any fraudulent or deceptive practices
  • Make false accusations or reports about other users

11. Confidential Information

  • Disclose confidential or proprietary information of others without authorization
  • Violate any confidentiality obligations you may have

D. Consequences of Violations

Violations of these Terms may result in:

  • Immediate termination or suspension of your access to the Service
  • Removal of prohibited content
  • Legal action, including seeking injunctive relief
  • Reporting to law enforcement authorities
  • Liability for damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees

You acknowledge that attempting to engage in prohibited conduct may subject you to criminal and civil liability under applicable laws.

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources. We provide these links for your convenience only. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for:

  • The content, accuracy, or legality of third-party sites
  • The privacy practices of third-party sites
  • Products or services offered by third parties
  • Any damages or losses caused by third-party sites

You access third-party sites at your own risk and subject to their terms of service and privacy policies.

F. Monitoring and Complaints

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to:

  • Monitor, review, or screen activity on the Service
  • Investigate complaints or reports of violations
  • Take action against users who violate these Terms

We do not promise to monitor all activity or act on all complaints. The decision to investigate or take action is at our sole discretion.

Reporting Violations

If you believe another user has violated these Terms or engaged in harmful conduct:

  • Harassment or Abuse: Contact us at info@tiffinohio.net with details
  • Copyright Infringement: Follow our DMCA procedures in Section V(E)
  • Cybercrime: Report to appropriate law enforcement authorities and notify us

Warning: Making false accusations or reports may violate these Terms and applicable laws. You may be liable for damages if you knowingly make false reports.

V. User Content and DMCA Procedures

A. User Content You Submit

When you submit User Content to us (through contact forms, newsletter subscriptions, contribution inquiries, or other means), you represent and warrant that:

  1. You own or have the necessary rights to submit the User Content
  2. The User Content does not violate these Terms or any applicable laws
  3. The User Content does not infringe any third-party rights
  4. All information you provide is accurate and truthful

B. How We May Use User Content

When you submit User Content to a newsroom, contact, feedback, contribution, or newsletter form, you give NorthStar Civic Media permission to use that submission as reasonably necessary to:

  • Receive, review, verify, investigate, and respond to your submission
  • Operate, secure, improve, and document the Service
  • Communicate with you about your submission, membership, contribution, newsletter subscription, or related request
  • Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights, users, sources, journalists, and the public

For story tips, source communications, documents, and other newsroom submissions, we may use the information for reporting, editing, verification, legal review, and publication decisions. We will use journalistic judgment when deciding whether to quote, paraphrase, publish, withhold, anonymize, or otherwise handle submitted information.

For testimonials, corrections, general feedback, public comments, or other non-confidential submissions, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, edit for length or clarity, display, and distribute that content in connection with our journalism, operations, audience engagement, and promotional materials.

Important: Do not submit information you are legally prohibited from sharing. If you are sending sensitive information or requesting confidentiality, clearly say so in your message. We cannot guarantee confidentiality through ordinary website forms, email, payment notes, or third-party services.

C. No Obligation to Use or Retain

We have no obligation to:

  • Use, publish, or respond to any User Content
  • Retain User Content after you stop using the Service
  • Provide you with copies of User Content after termination
  • Monitor or review User Content before or after submission

Recommendation: Keep backup copies of any important User Content you submit.

D. Our Right to Edit, Remove, or Modify

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to:

  1. Monitor, review, edit, or screen User Content
  2. Move, remove, or refuse to post User Content for any reason
  3. Disclose User Content to comply with legal obligations or protect our rights
  4. Take down User Content in response to complaints or legal notices
  5. Make automatic updates or changes to the Service and Content

Copies of removed User Content may persist in cached or archived pages, backups, or other users’ copies.

E. No Liability for User Content

We are not responsible for User Content submitted by users. We do not endorse, support, represent, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any User Content. Any reliance on User Content is at your own risk. We are not liable for any errors, defamation, libel, slander, omissions, falsehoods, obscenity, pornography, or profanity you may encounter in User Content. This provision applies to the fullest extent permitted by law, including under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and applicable state anti-SLAPP statutes.

We respect intellectual property rights and comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Repeat Infringer Policy

We may terminate or restrict access for users who are repeat copyright infringers. We may also take action based on a single act of infringement if circumstances warrant.

How to Submit a DMCA Notice

If you believe Content on our Service infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our Copyright Agent with the following information:

  1. Your physical or electronic signature
  2. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed (or a representative list if multiple works)
  3. Identification of the allegedly infringing material and information reasonably sufficient to locate it (e.g., URL)
  4. Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, email)
  5. A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
  6. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner’s behalf

Copyright Agent Contact Information:

NorthStar Civic Media
Attn: DMCA Copyright Agent
2501 Chatham Rd Ste R
Springfield, IL 62704
Email: dmca@tiffinohio.net
Phone: (419) 798-6397

Counter-Notice Procedure

If you believe your Content was removed in error, you may submit a counter-notice with:

  1. Your physical or electronic signature
  2. Identification of the removed material and its former location
  3. A statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification
  4. Your name, address, telephone number, and consent to jurisdiction in the federal district court for your location (or Cook County, Illinois if outside the U.S.)
  5. A statement that you will accept service of process from the complainant

Penalties for Misrepresentation

Warning: Under the DMCA, you may be liable for damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees, if you knowingly materially misrepresent that Content is infringing or was removed by mistake. False accusations may also violate state and federal laws.

VI. Disclaimer: No Professional or Individual Advice

A. General Information Only

IMPORTANT: All Content on the Service is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Content is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional advice of any kind.

B. No Professional Advice

The Service does NOT provide:

  1. Medical or Health Advice: Content about health, medical conditions, treatments, or wellness is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns.

  2. Legal Advice: Content about laws, regulations, legal proceedings, or rights is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for legal matters.

  3. Financial or Investment Advice: Content about economics, markets, investments, or financial matters is not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.

  4. Tax Advice: Content about taxes or tax policy is not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for tax matters.

  5. Professional Services: We do not provide any professional services. Content is journalistic reporting and commentary, not professional consultation.

C. Your Responsibility

You bear sole responsibility for:

  • Evaluating the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of any Content
  • Any decisions you make based on Content from the Service
  • Consulting appropriate professionals before taking action based on Content
  • Verifying information independently before relying on it

D. No Warranties About Content

We make no representations or warranties about:

  • The accuracy, reliability, or completeness of Content
  • The timeliness or currentness of Content
  • The suitability of Content for any particular purpose
  • Results you may obtain from using Content

E. Limitation of Liability for Reliance

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR HARM ARISING FROM YOUR RELIANCE ON CONTENT FROM THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Medical decisions or health outcomes
  • Legal matters or proceedings
  • Financial losses or investment decisions
  • Tax liabilities or penalties
  • Business decisions or outcomes
  • Any other decisions or actions based on Content

This disclaimer applies even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

VII. Privacy and Data Protection

A. Privacy Policy

Your use of the Service is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

The Privacy Policy describes:

  • What information we collect
  • How we use your information
  • How we share your information
  • Your privacy rights
  • How we protect your information
  • Cookies and tracking technologies
  • Third-party services we use

You should read the Privacy Policy carefully before using the Service.

By using the Service, you consent to:

  • Collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy
  • Use of cookies and similar tracking technologies
  • Transfer of your information to Third Party Providers
  • Processing of your information in the United States

C. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We use Third Party Providers to operate the Service, including:

  1. Stripe - Payment processing for monthly memberships
  2. AutoBooks - Payment processing for one-time and custom contributions
  3. Cloudflare - Hosting, CDN, security, and Turnstile CAPTCHA
  4. Google Analytics - Website analytics (via Cloudflare Zaraz)
  5. Vote.org - Embedded voter tools
  6. Spotify - Embedded podcast players
  7. Meta/Facebook - Embedded video players and related social media embeds

Your use of Third Party Provider services is governed by their own terms of service and privacy policies. Nothing in these Terms gives third parties rights to enforce this Agreement against you.

We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of Third Party Providers. Any disputes with Third Party Providers are between you and them.

These providers may collect and process your information according to their own privacy policies. See our Privacy Policy for links to their policies and terms.

D. Communications from Us

By using the Service, you consent to receive electronic communications from us, including:

  1. Transactional Communications: Receipts, membership notices, service updates, security alerts, form-related follow-up, and administrative messages. You cannot opt out of these without discontinuing use of the Service.

  2. Newsletter: If you subscribe to our newsletter, you will receive periodic emails. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in emails or by visiting our newsletter page.

  3. Promotional Communications: Marketing messages about our services. You may opt out by following instructions in the messages.

  4. Legal Notices: Important legal notices, including changes to these Terms. These may be sent via email or posted on the Service.

Email is our primary method of communication. You agree that electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that communications be in writing.

VIII. Memberships, Billing, and Refunds

A. Memberships and One-Time Contributions

We offer monthly memberships and one-time contributions through our Support page (/support-us/). Monthly membership payments are processed by Stripe. One-time contributions are processed by AutoBooks. By submitting a payment, you authorize us (via our payment processors) to charge your selected payment method for the amount indicated.

B. Recurring Billing Authorization

For monthly memberships, you authorize recurring charges each billing cycle until you cancel. The amount, frequency, and description are disclosed at checkout. You may cancel at any time prior to the next renewal to avoid future charges.

C. Managing Your Membership

For monthly memberships processed through Stripe, you can view invoices, update your payment method, change plans, or cancel through our self-service customer portal operated by Stripe. A link to the portal is available on /support-us/. One-time contributions processed through AutoBooks are managed according to AutoBooks’ policies.

D. Cancellations and Proration

When you cancel a monthly membership, the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period unless otherwise stated at the time of cancellation. We generally do not provide prorated refunds for partial periods already billed.

E. Refunds and Dispute Window

Contributions and membership payments are generally non-refundable, except as required by law or as described below.

  1. General No-Refund Policy:

    • We do not provide refunds for:
      • Change of mind or buyer’s remorse
      • Failure to use the Service
      • Dissatisfaction with Content
      • Cancellation of membership (no prorated refunds)
      • Suspension or termination of Service access for Terms violations
    • This policy reflects the immediate access you receive to digital content and services

  2. Refund Exceptions:

    • We will consider refund requests for:
      • Duplicate charges: Where you were charged twice for the same transaction
      • Unauthorized charges: Due to proven fraud or identity theft
      • Processing errors: Where we charged an incorrect amount
      • Service not provided: Where we failed to provide the service you paid for
      • As required by law: Including under applicable consumer protection statutes

  3. Refund Request Process:

    • Submit requests in writing to info@tiffinohio.net within 30 days of the charge
    • Include:
      • Your full name and email address used at checkout
      • Transaction ID and date
      • Detailed explanation with supporting documentation
    • We will respond within 15 business days

  4. 30-Day Dispute Window:

    • You must notify us of billing disputes or errors within 30 days of the charge
    • After 30 days, we may decline to review refund requests (except as required by law)
    • This does not waive your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act or other consumer protection laws

  5. Chargeback Process:

    • Before initiating a chargeback with your card issuer, you agree to:
      • Contact us first to attempt resolution
      • Provide us reasonable opportunity to address the issue (15 business days)
      • Provide documentation supporting your dispute
    • If you initiate a chargeback without first contacting us:
      • Membership benefits or related Service access may be suspended pending resolution
      • We may terminate membership benefits or related Service access if the chargeback is found to be without merit
      • We reserve the right to contest chargebacks we believe are improper
    • Nothing in these Terms waives your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act (15 U.S.C. § 1666) or card network rules

  6. Refund Processing:

    • Approved refunds will be processed within 30 days
    • Refunds are issued to the original payment method
    • A processing fee of up to $5 may be deducted for administrative costs

  7. No Prorated Refunds:

    • If you cancel a membership mid-cycle, you will not receive a prorated refund
    • Access continues until the end of the paid period
    • You remain responsible for the full billing cycle

  8. Failed Payment Consequences:

    • If a payment fails or is reversed:
      • Membership benefits or related Service access will be suspended
      • You must provide a valid payment method to restore access
      • A failed payment fee of up to $15 may apply
      • We may pursue collection for amounts owed

  9. Consumer Protection Rights:

    • Nothing in these Terms waives your rights under:
      • The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act
      • The Fair Credit Billing Act
      • Other applicable federal or state consumer protection laws
    • These Terms are subject to applicable law and will be interpreted consistently with your legal rights

  10. Acknowledgment:

    • By making a payment, you acknowledge that:
      • You have read and understand this refund policy
      • Contributions are generally non-refundable except as stated above
      • You accept responsibility for charges you authorize

F. Failed Payments; Account Suspension

If a recurring payment fails, Stripe may automatically retry the charge. If payment is not resolved after retries, we may suspend benefits associated with your membership until a valid payment method is provided.

G. Taxes

You are responsible for any taxes that may apply to your payments, excluding our income taxes. Unless expressly stated, contributions are not tax-deductible.

H. Pricing and Changes

We may change membership pricing or benefits prospectively. We will provide notice in advance of your next billing cycle where required. If you do not agree to the change, you may cancel before the change takes effect.

Prices are stated in U.S. Dollars (USD). We reserve the right to correct pricing errors.

I. Payment Security

Our payment processors (Stripe and AutoBooks) store and secure payment information. We do not receive or store full payment card numbers on our servers. See Stripe’s policies at https://stripe.com/privacy and security information at https://stripe.com/docs/security. See AutoBooks’ Privacy Policy at https://www.autobooks.co/privacy-policy and Terms of Use at https://www.autobooks.co/autobooks-terms-of-use-and-end-user-license-agreement.

J. Your Responsibility for Access Costs

You are responsible for all costs associated with accessing the Service, including internet service provider fees, mobile data charges, and any other telecommunications costs.

K. No Binding Offers

Our presentation of products or services does not constitute a binding offer. We reserve the right to:

  • Accept or decline any order or contribution
  • Limit quantities
  • Discontinue any product or service
  • Issue credits for cancelled orders

L. Large Contributions

For contributions over $10,000, we may require additional information and reserve the right to decline the contribution. Contact us at info@tiffinohio.net for large contribution inquiries.

IX. Disclaimers, Warranties, and Limitation of Liability

A. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NORTHSTAR CIVIC MEDIA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  1. Implied Warranties: Merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement

  2. Accuracy: We make no warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of Content

  3. Availability: We do not guarantee that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or available at all times

  4. Device Compatibility: We make no guarantee that the Service will function on your Device, with your carrier, or in your location

  5. Transmission: We are not responsible for:

    • Failures of internet or telecommunications infrastructure
    • Filtering, monitoring, or modification of transmissions by third parties
    • Storage space limitations
    • Deletion or corruption of Content or data

  6. Third-Party Content: We make no warranties about third-party content, links, or services

  7. Results: We do not warrant that use of the Service will meet your requirements or achieve any particular results

B. State-Specific Disclaimers

Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. You may have other rights that vary by state.

California Residents: You hereby waive California Civil Code Section 1542, which states: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

C. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL NORTHSTAR CIVIC MEDIA, ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONTRACTORS, LICENSORS, OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR:

  1. Indirect Damages: Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or multiplied damages

  2. Specific Losses: Including but not limited to:

    • Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
    • Loss of data or information
    • Loss of goodwill or reputation
    • Cost of substitute services
    • Personal injury or property damage
    • Emotional distress

  3. Causes: Arising from or related to:

    • Your use of or inability to use the Service
    • Any Content on the Service
    • User Content or conduct of other users
    • Unauthorized access to your payment portal, submissions, or data
    • Errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies in Content
    • Interruption or cessation of the Service
    • Bugs, viruses, or malicious code
    • Third-party sites, content, or services

THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY (CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) AND EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

D. Liability Cap

TO THE EXTENT LIABILITY CANNOT BE EXCLUDED, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

  1. The total Fees you paid to us in the one (1) month period immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim, OR
  2. One hundred dollars ($100.00)

E. Basis of the Bargain

You acknowledge that we have set our prices and entered into these Terms in reliance upon the disclaimers and limitations of liability set forth herein, and that the same form an essential basis of the bargain between you and us.

F. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NorthStar Civic Media, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, licensors, suppliers, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs) arising from or related to:

  1. Your Use: Your access to, use of, or inability to use the Service
  2. Your Content: Your User Content or any content you submit, post, transmit, or make available through the Service
  3. Your Violations: Your violation of these Terms or any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
  4. Your Conduct: Your conduct in connection with the Service, including interactions with other users
  5. Your Payment Portal or Submission Activity: Any activity tied to your third-party payment portal access, verification links, or submissions, whether authorized or unauthorized
  6. Your Devices: Use of your Device to access the Service
  7. Third-Party Claims: Any claim by a third party arising from your use of the Service
  8. Intellectual Property: Any claim that your User Content infringes or misappropriates intellectual property rights
  9. Privacy Violations: Any claim that your User Content violates privacy or publicity rights
  10. Defamation: Any claim that your User Content is defamatory, libelous, or slanderous
  11. Negligence: Any claim arising from your negligent or intentional acts or omissions
  12. Breach: Any breach of representations, warranties, or covenants in these Terms

This indemnification obligation:

  • Applies only to claims arising from your conduct, content, or violations as described above
  • Does not apply to claims arising from our gross negligence or willful misconduct
  • Survives termination of these Terms
  • Applies to claims brought in any forum (arbitration, court, administrative proceedings)
  • Includes reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs

Defense and Control:

  1. Our Exclusive Control: We have the exclusive right to assume defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification, including:

    • Selection of counsel (at your expense)
    • Control of litigation strategy
    • Settlement decisions
    • All procedural decisions

  2. Your Cooperation Obligations: You must:

    • Promptly notify us of any claim or potential claim
    • Provide reasonable information and documents we request
    • Cooperate reasonably in the defense
    • Not settle or compromise any claim without our prior written consent

Scope of Indemnification:

Indemnification includes:

  • Reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs
  • Settlement amounts or judgments
  • Other reasonable costs directly related to the claim

Limitations:

  • Indemnification does not apply to our gross negligence or willful misconduct
  • Indemnification is subject to applicable law

X. Arbitration, Class Action Waiver, and Dispute Resolution

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

A. Agreement to Arbitrate

You and NorthStar Civic Media agree that any Claim between us will be resolved through binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except as specified in Section X(F) (Excluded Claims).

This agreement to arbitrate is intended to be broadly interpreted and includes:

  • Claims arising out of or relating to any aspect of the relationship between us
  • Claims that arose before these Terms or any prior agreement
  • Claims that arise after termination of these Terms
  • Claims based on contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory

B. Informal Dispute Resolution Requirement

Before filing an arbitration demand or lawsuit, you must first contact us to attempt to resolve the dispute informally.

  1. Notice Requirements:

    • Send a written notice to: NorthStar Civic Media, Attn: Legal Department, 2501 Chatham Rd Ste R, Springfield, IL 62704
    • You may send notice by U.S. Mail or email to info@tiffinohio.net
    • The notice should be sent within a reasonable time after the dispute arises

  2. Required Notice Contents:

    • Your name and contact information
    • A description of the dispute
    • The relief you seek
    • Any relevant membership or payment information

  3. Negotiation Period:

    • We will attempt to resolve the dispute within 60 days of receiving your notice
    • You may not file arbitration or a lawsuit during this 60-day period
    • This 60-day period tolls any applicable statute of limitations

  4. Good Faith Requirement:

    • Both parties must engage in good faith negotiations
    • You should respond to our communications within a reasonable time
    • We may request additional information to evaluate your claim

  5. Consequences of Non-Compliance:

    • If you file arbitration or a lawsuit without first completing this informal dispute resolution process:
      • Your claim may be dismissed without prejudice
      • You may be required to pay our reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in seeking dismissal
      • You will be required to complete the informal process before refiling

  6. Exceptions:

    • This requirement does not apply to claims seeking emergency injunctive relief to prevent imminent irreparable harm
    • If the applicable statute of limitations would expire during the 60-day negotiation period, you may file your claim but should still send the informal dispute notice

C. Arbitration Rules and Procedures

  1. Arbitration Provider: Arbitration will be administered by National Arbitration and Mediation (“NAM”) under its Comprehensive Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures, as modified by these Terms.

  2. NAM Unavailable: If NAM is unavailable or unwilling to arbitrate, the parties will select an alternative arbitration provider. If the parties cannot agree, a court will appoint an arbitrator.

  3. Rules: NAM’s rules are available at www.namadr.com or by calling 1-800-358-2550. To the extent NAM’s rules conflict with these Terms, these Terms control.

  4. Federal Arbitration Act: The Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, governs the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration provision.

  5. Governing Law for Arbitration: The arbitration will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

D. Arbitration Fees and Costs

  1. Filing Fees:

    • For Claims under $10,000: You pay the NAM filing fee upfront. If you prevail in the arbitration, we will reimburse your filing fee.
    • For Claims of $10,000 or more: Filing fees are allocated according to NAM rules.
    • If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may request a fee waiver from NAM according to their rules.

  2. Arbitrator Fees:

    • For Claims under $10,000: We will pay the arbitrator’s fees.
    • For Claims of $10,000 or more: Fees will be allocated according to NAM rules.

  3. Attorneys’ Fees:

    • Each party is responsible for their own attorneys’ fees unless:
      • The arbitrator awards fees to the prevailing party as permitted by law, or
      • The arbitrator finds a Claim or defense was frivolous or brought in bad faith

  4. Frivolous Claims:

    • If the arbitrator finds that your Claim was frivolous or brought for an improper purpose, you may be required to reimburse us for:
      • Arbitration fees and costs
      • Reasonable attorneys’ fees
      • As determined by the arbitrator and permitted by law

  5. Fee Payment:

    • Fees must be paid according to NAM rules and procedures
    • Failure to pay required fees may result in dismissal of your Claim or defense

E. Small Claims Court Option

Either party may bring a Claim in small claims court instead of arbitration if:

  • The Claim is within the court’s jurisdiction
  • The Claim is brought on an individual basis (not as a class action)
  • The Claim remains in small claims court (if removed or appealed, arbitration applies)

F. Excluded Claims Not Subject to Arbitration

The following Claims are NOT subject to arbitration and may be brought in court:

  1. Intellectual Property Claims: Claims related to the infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights (copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets)

  2. Equitable Relief: Claims seeking injunctive or other equitable relief to prevent infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property

  3. Time-Barred Claims: Claims that are time-barred under Section X(J)

  4. Small Claims: Claims properly filed and maintained in small claims court (see Section X(E))

G. Venue for Arbitration and Excluded Claims

  1. Arbitration Venue:

    • U.S. Residents: Arbitration will take place in the county where you reside or in Cook County, Illinois, at your option
    • Non-U.S. Residents: Arbitration will take place in Cook County, Illinois
    • Remote Proceedings: Either party may request video or telephone conference proceedings, subject to arbitrator approval

  2. Court Venue for Excluded Claims:

    For any Claims not subject to arbitration (as specified in Section X(F)):

    • Governing Law: These Terms and any Claims are governed by Illinois law, without regard to conflict of law principles

    • Exclusive Jurisdiction: You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois

    • Personal Jurisdiction: You submit to personal jurisdiction in Illinois

    • Waiver of Objections: You waive any objection based on:

      • Improper venue
      • Inconvenient forum
      • Forum non conveniens

    • Transfer: If you file a Claim in another jurisdiction, we may move to transfer the case to Cook County, Illinois. If we prevail on such a motion, you may be required to pay our reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in making the motion, as determined in the court’s discretion and as permitted by applicable law.

H. CLASS ACTION WAIVER

YOU AND NORTHSTAR CIVIC MEDIA AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.

This means:

  • No class actions
  • No class-wide arbitrations
  • No consolidated arbitrations with other users’ claims
  • No representative actions (including private attorney general actions)
  • No joining your Claim with claims of other users

The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s Claims and may not preside over any form of class, consolidated, or representative proceeding.

If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable for any reason, then the entire arbitration agreement in this Section X shall be null and void (but the rest of these Terms remain in effect).

I. Mass Filing and Batch Arbitration

If 25 or more similar arbitration demands are filed against us by the same or coordinated counsel or organization (“Mass Filing”), the following batch arbitration procedures apply:

  1. Staged Batches: The arbitrations will proceed in staged batches of 25 demands per batch, selected by lottery.

  2. Single Arbitrator per Batch: Each batch will be assigned to a single arbitrator.

  3. Fee Handling: Filing fees for demands not in the active batch will be suspended until that batch is reached.

  4. Suspension of Non-Active Demands: Arbitration demands not in the active batch are suspended and tolled until their batch is reached.

  5. Mediation After First Batch: After the first batch is resolved, the parties agree to engage in a global mediation session to seek resolution of remaining demands or agree on a methodology for resolving them.

  6. Opt-Out to Court: If mediation does not resolve the remaining demands within 60 days, any party may opt out of arbitration and proceed in court for their individual Claim.

  7. Invalidity: If any court or arbitrator determines that this batch arbitration provision is invalid or unenforceable, then the entire arbitration agreement in this Section X shall be null and void as to the Mass Filing (but remains in effect for individual Claims).

J. Time Limit for Filing Claims

You must file any Claim within one (1) year of the date the Claim accrues, except where a longer period is required by law.

  1. Accrual Date:

    • A Claim accrues on the date you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) the facts giving rise to the Claim
    • For continuing violations, each violation may be a separate Claim
    • This limitations period applies to the extent permitted by law

  2. What “Filing” Means:

    • For arbitration: The date NAM receives your arbitration demand
    • For court: The date the court receives your complaint
    • Sending the informal dispute resolution notice (Section X(B)) tolls this period during the 60-day negotiation window

  3. Statutory Limitations Periods:

    • Where applicable law provides a longer statute of limitations, that longer period applies
    • This 1-year period does not apply to claims under:
      • The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (3-year period)
      • Federal statutes with their own limitations periods
      • Other claims where contractual shortening is prohibited by law
    • This provision will be interpreted to comply with applicable law

  4. Burden of Proof:

    • You bear the burden of proving your Claim was timely filed
    • We bear the burden of proving a Claim is time-barred

  5. Dismissal of Time-Barred Claims:

    • Claims filed after the applicable limitations period may be dismissed
    • We may seek reasonable attorneys’ fees for defending clearly time-barred Claims

  6. Separate Deadlines:

    • If you have multiple Claims, each has its own limitations period
    • You should assert all related Claims together to avoid waiver

  7. Calculation:

    • Deadlines are calculated from the accrual date
    • If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it extends to the next business day
    • Time is calculated in the Central Time Zone

K. Waiver of Jury Trial

TO THE EXTENT ANY CLAIM PROCEEDS IN COURT RATHER THAN ARBITRATION, YOU AND NORTHSTAR CIVIC MEDIA EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

L. Waiver of Certain Damages

You waive any right to seek or recover:

  • Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or multiplied damages
  • Damages exceeding the liability cap in Section IX(D)

This waiver applies in both arbitration and court proceedings.

M. Pleading Requirements and Sanctions

  1. Sufficiency Requirements:

    • All arbitration demands and court complaints must include sufficient factual allegations to state a plausible claim
    • Claims must comply with applicable pleading standards (Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 or state equivalent)

  2. Sanctions for Frivolous Claims:

    • If the arbitrator or court finds that a Claim or defense was frivolous or brought in bad faith, sanctions may be imposed as permitted by law, including:
      • Dismissal of the Claim
      • Award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party
      • Other sanctions as determined appropriate

  3. Compliance with Informal Dispute Resolution:

    • Claims filed without first completing the informal dispute resolution process (Section X(B)) may be dismissed
    • The arbitrator or court may award reasonable attorneys’ fees if dismissal is granted

N. Arbitrator’s Authority and Limitations

  1. Authority: The arbitrator has exclusive authority to resolve all disputes regarding the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, including any claim that all or part of it is void or voidable.

  2. Limitations: The arbitrator may not:

    • Award relief to anyone other than you individually
    • Award class-wide, consolidated, or representative relief
    • Consolidate multiple parties’ claims without all parties’ consent
    • Exceed the limitations of liability in Section IX

  3. Binding Decision: The arbitrator’s decision is final and binding, except for limited review under the FAA.

O. Survival and Severability

  1. Survival: This arbitration agreement survives termination of these Terms and your use of the Service.

  2. Severability: If any portion of this Section X is found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in effect, except:

    • If the class action waiver (Section X(H)) is invalid, the entire arbitration agreement is void
    • If the batch arbitration provision (Section X(I)) is invalid as to a Mass Filing, the arbitration agreement is void for that Mass Filing only

P. 30-Day Opt-Out Right

You have the right to opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.

To opt out, you must:

  1. Send written notice by U.S. Mail to:

    NorthStar Civic Media
    Attn: Arbitration Opt-Out
    2501 Chatham Rd Ste R
    Springfield, IL 62704

  2. Include the following information:

    • Your full name
    • Your mailing address
    • Your email address (if you provided one)
    • A clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration agreement
    • Your signature (handwritten or electronic)

  3. Timing:

    • The notice must be postmarked within 30 days of your first use of the Service or acceptance of these Terms
    • If the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day

Effect of Opting Out:

  • If you opt out, the arbitration agreement will not apply to you
  • All other Terms remain in effect, including:
    • Venue requirements (Section X(G))
    • Class action waiver (Section X(H))
    • All disclaimers and limitations of liability
    • All other provisions of these Terms
  • Any disputes will be resolved in court as specified in Section X(G)

Prior Opt-Outs:

  • If you previously opted out of arbitration in a prior version of these Terms, that opt-out remains effective
  • You do not need to opt out again

Confirmation:

  • We will send written confirmation if we receive your opt-out notice
  • If you do not receive confirmation within 60 days, contact us at info@tiffinohio.net

Note: Opting out of arbitration does NOT opt you out of the class action waiver. The class action waiver in Section X(H) remains in effect whether or not you opt out of arbitration.

XI. Termination and Suspension

A. Our Right to Terminate

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to:

  1. Terminate or suspend your access to the Service, in whole or in part, at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice

  2. Terminate for cause, including but not limited to:

    • Violation of these Terms
    • Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
    • Conduct that harms or could harm us, other users, or third parties
    • Non-payment of Fees
    • Inactivity for an extended period

  3. Terminate without cause at any time

  4. Take technical or legal action, including seeking injunctive relief without posting a bond

B. Your Right to Terminate

You may terminate your use of the Service at any time by:

  • Ceasing to access or use the Service
  • Cancelling any paid memberships through the Stripe customer portal
  • Contacting us at info@tiffinohio.net

C. Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  1. Access Ends: Your right to access and use the Service immediately ceases

  2. Fees: You remain responsible for all Fees incurred prior to termination

  3. No Refunds: Except as specified in Section VIII(E), termination does not entitle you to a refund

  4. Content Removal: We have no obligation to retain or provide you with any User Content or other data after termination

  5. Data Deletion: We may delete your User Content and related Service data, subject to our data retention obligations

D. Survival of Terms

The following provisions survive termination of these Terms:

  • Section II (Intellectual Property)
  • Section III (Republishing Permissions and Guidelines)
  • Section V(B) (How We May Use User Content)
  • Section VI (No Professional Advice)
  • Section IX (Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability)
  • Section X (Arbitration and Dispute Resolution)
  • Section XI(C) and (D) (Effect of Termination and Survival)
  • Section XII (General Terms)
  • Any other provisions that by their nature should survive

XII. General Terms

A. Assignment and Transfer

  1. Our Rights: We may assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms and our rights and obligations without your consent to:

    • An affiliate or subsidiary
    • An acquirer of our business or assets
    • A successor by merger or operation of law

  2. Your Rights: You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or your rights and obligations without our prior written consent. Any attempted assignment in violation of this provision is void.

B. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of NorthStar Civic Media.

No waiver of any breach of these Terms constitutes a waiver of any other breach.

C. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, except as specified in Section X(O) regarding the arbitration agreement.

If a court modifies any provision to make it enforceable, the modified provision shall be enforced as written.

D. Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Acts of God, natural disasters, or severe weather
  • War, terrorism, riots, or civil unrest
  • Government actions, laws, or regulations
  • Labor disputes or strikes
  • Internet or telecommunications failures
  • Cyberattacks or security breaches
  • Pandemics or public health emergencies

E. Relationship of the Parties

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, employment, or franchise relationship between you and NorthStar Civic Media. You have no authority to bind us or make commitments on our behalf.

F. Headings

Section and subsection headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.

G. Language

These Terms are drafted in English. Any translation is provided for convenience only. In the event of a conflict between the English version and a translation, the English version controls.

H. Updates and New Features

We may update, modify, or discontinue any aspect of the Service at any time without notice. New features, functionality, or services added to the Service are subject to these Terms unless we specify otherwise.

I. Feedback

If you provide us with feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Service (“Feedback”), you grant us a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable license to use, modify, and incorporate the Feedback into our products and services without compensation or attribution to you.

J. Export Controls

You may not use, export, or re-export the Service or any Content except as authorized by U.S. law and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Service was obtained. You represent that you are not:

  • Located in a country subject to U.S. embargo or designated as a “terrorist supporting” country
  • Listed on any U.S. government list of prohibited or restricted parties

K. Government Users

If you are a U.S. government entity, the Service and Content are “Commercial Items” as defined in FAR 2.101, consisting of “Commercial Computer Software” and “Commercial Computer Software Documentation.” Use, reproduction, and disclosure are subject to the terms of these Terms.

L. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional terms referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and NorthStar Civic Media regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

M. No Third-Party Beneficiaries

These Terms are for the benefit of you and NorthStar Civic Media only. No other person or entity has any rights under these Terms, except:

  • Third Party Providers as specified in Section VII(C)
  • Our affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents who are entitled to the protections of these Terms

Legal notices to NorthStar Civic Media must be sent to:

NorthStar Civic Media
Attn: Legal Department
2501 Chatham Rd Ste R
Springfield, IL 62704
Email: info@tiffinohio.net

Notices to you may be sent to the email address you provided or posted on the Service.

XIII. Contact Information

For questions, comments, or concerns about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Email: info@tiffinohio.net

Phone: (419) 798-6397

Mailing Address:
NorthStar Civic Media
Attn: TiffinOhio.net Terms of Service
2501 Chatham Rd Ste R
Springfield, IL 62704

For specific matters:

XIV. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

BY ACCESSING OR USING THE SERVICE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

  1. You have read and understood these Terms of Service in their entirety
  2. You agree to be bound by these Terms
  3. You understand and agree to the arbitration provisions in Section X, including the class action waiver
  4. You understand that you have 30 days to opt out of arbitration as described in Section X(P)
  5. You understand the disclaimers of warranties and limitations of liability in Section IX
  6. You understand that the Service does not provide professional advice as described in Section VI
  7. You understand our republishing requirements as described in Section III
  8. You are at least 13 years of age (18 for paid services)
  9. You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE SERVICE AND EXIT THE WEBSITE.

Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Previous Version: November 5, 2025

These Terms of Service are effective as of the date stated above and apply to all users of TiffinOhio.net. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.