Frequently Asked Questions

Posted

Why did Inland Press Association and SNPA merge?

What is the benefit of this new association for members?

What will my company’s dues be?

What happens to the dues I have paid?

How can I join, if I am not already a member?

Who will run the new association?

What happens to the Inland and SNPA Foundations?

How can I get involved?

How can I contact the staff?

Why did Inland Press Association and SNPA merge?

The boards of SNPA and Inland saw a critical need for an association that provides a strong voice for the industry, promotes the value of newspapers to their communities, and raises awareness about the critical importance of trusted journalism in our society.

The industry has seen a significant change in the last decade. There has been a migration to larger groups and an exiting of many long-term family owners. It has also seen a seismic shift in the business model and long-held practices have been upended.

What is the benefit for members?

This new association will have a new focus, but it is also committed to preserving the networking, the camaraderie, and the idea-sharing that are hallmarks of SNPA and Inland.  Along with the “old,” there will be plenty of “new:”

  • A new unapologetic and relentless champion for newspapers and a voice for the newspaper industry.
  • Materials and training on how to educate and inform employees and communities about the indispensable value of newspapers and local journalism.
  • More resource-rich in-person events with larger pool of attendees, speakers and vendors, and expanded and improved opportunities for free digital training and idea-sharing.
  • Industry research and white papers.
  • Education and discovery on sustainable business models
  • Enhanced coordination and partnerships with j-schools and other industry organizations.
  • A weekly newsletter and a quarterly magazine.

How can I sign up to receive the newsletter?

If you received The Lede from Inland Press Association or the eBulletin from SNPA, you are already signed up! 

Members who did not previously receive The Lede (from Inland) or the eBulletin (from SNPA) and would like to be added to the distribution list, can sign up here.

What will my company’s dues be?

Newspaper dues will be based on paid subscribers, instead of circulation and digital reach.  Our models suggest that most newspapers will pay about the same or slightly less than they are currently paying.  Companies that are members of both SNPA and Inland will certainly see lower membership expenses.

Subscriber-Based Dues Structure for Newspapers:

Paid Subscribers Annual Dues
Under 7,500 $250
7,500-10,000 $500
10,000-20,000 $750
20,000-30,000 $1,000
30,000-50,000 $1,500
50,000-100,000 $2,000
More than 100,000 $2,500


Discounts are available to newspaper groups.

 

Tiered Rate for R&D Members:

# of Employees
Annual Dues
1 employee $300
2-9 employees $500
10-24 employees $750
25+ employees $1,000


Other:

Paid Subscribers Annual Dues
Emeritus $50
Journalism Schools $50


What happens to the dues I have paid?

The 2019 dues that your company has paid to Inland or SNPA has transferred to America's Newspapers, and your company will become a member of America's Newspapers until the end of 2019.  You will receive your 2020 dues statement from America's Newspapers in late November.

How can I join, if I am not already a member?

America's Newspapers encourages your involvement!  Information about membership will be posted at this site soon.

Who will run the new association?

The first board of the new association consists of nine representatives from the former Inland board, nine from the former SNPA board, three R&D partners and four officers — a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.  Chris Reen, president of The Gazette, Colorado Springs, will serve as president for 2019-20.  He is the chief elected officer who will preside at meetings.

After this first year, the officers will include chair (the immediate past president), president, vice president and treasurer.

Dean Ridings is  CEO and the new association will be staffed by the dedicated and experienced members of the current SNPA and Inland staffs — faces and names that you already know.

What happens to the Inland and SNPA Foundations?

Both the SNPA Foundation and the Inland Press Foundation remain separate from the new association. Each foundation has its own set of independently-elected trustees, who will continue to oversee their respective endowment funds, investments and spending policies.

Both foundations have pledged to support the educational work of the new association for five years with grants that total approximately 4 percent of their respective endowment balances. Together, these two foundations will provide almost $550,000 of funding for the new association in its first year.

How can I get involved?

The new association has six operating committees.

Finance Committee:

  • Assist management in developing and monitoring financial plans, budgets and performance.
  • Meet quarterly to review financial performance and assure that the association's finances align with the broad strategic objectives.
Government Relations Committee:
 
  • Monitor government, regulatory and First Amendment issues that affect newspapers.
  • Align with national and state associations to champion the interests of newspapers.

Marketing Committee:

  • Support the association's promise to act as a clear and passionate voice supporting the fundamental role that newspapers play in their local communities.
  • The committee, in conjunction with staff, will create strategic marketing initiatives across the association's communication channels and assess their effectiveness.

Membership Committee:

  • Formulate strategies supporting membership growth, outreach and engagement/retention.
  • Design policies and initiatives that support those three key elements of its mission.
  • Periodically review membership classes, dues and policies/procedures and report back to the board on its activities.
Programming Committee:
 
  • Work with staff in developing vital and effective events, best practice sharing, relevant and actionable industry research and education.
  • Help structure the annual programming plan and monitor member response to those opportunities.
R&D Committee:
 
  • Identify key industry technology needs, trends and companies that provide solutions to address those trends.
  • Meet periodically with those companies to assess emerging technologies and their application to the needs of the membership.
 

How can I contact the staff?

We invite you to call of contact members of the staff at any time. 

Have other questions?

Please contact:

Dean Ridings - 847-282-9850, ext. 105 or dridings@newspapers.org