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Texas Press Association offers five types of membership — active, individual, associate, participating and honorary. Any legal, paid-circulation Texas newspaper of general interest that publishes at least weekly and maintains a United States Postal Service periodicals class permit can apply for active membership. Former newspaper publishers and their employees are eligible to apply for individual membership. Associate membership is open to newspaper-related companies. Participating membership is extended to certain other periodicals class newspapers that do not qualify for active membership. Honorary membership is the highest recognition of distinguished service that TPA awards, and is granted to people who have made great contributions to the association or to Texas newspapers. Honorary members receive a lifetime individual membership. Application for membership should be made to the executive director. PublicationsTPA eBulletin
The TPA eBulletin is e-mailed to all TPA members at the first of every month. The eBulletin focuses on ways publishers can improve their product and offers information on advertising, postal regulations, management, marketing, legal issues, meetings and workshops, and schemes that may defraud newspapers, readers or advertisers. Texas Press MessengerTexas Press Messenger has served as the association's official monthly publication since 1926. The tabloid newspaper reports association events and news about member publications. Each issue features the president's column, a calendar of events, people section, obituaries and more. Texas Newspaper DirectoryThe Texas Newspaper Directory, published annually, lists all paid circulation newspapers in the state and identifies key managers, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail and web addresses, and information on circulation and subscriptions. Newspapers are listed alphabetically by city and separated into dailies and non-dailies. The directory also lists associate, individual, participating and honorary members, as well as newspaper group ownership and other state press associations. Winners' Circle Law & the Media in Texas TPA also coordinates efforts with the Texas Daily Newspaper Association and Texas Association of Broadcasters to produce Law and the Media in Texas: Handbook for Journalists, by David McHam. The book covers everything from the correct way to gather and report police news to ethical dilemmas and laws on libel and public access. Legal Publication Laws of Texas
The TPA Legal Notice database is an online reference guide to legal publication requirements in Texas. Members can type in keywords to find answers to most legal publication questions. 26 Newspaper "Special Sections" This publication explains in detail how to produce 26 unique newspaper sections. It is designed to achieve maximum revenue with a minimum amount of work for your staff. The book includes a description of each section, suggested editorial copy, a listing of potential advertisers, and a "special twist" to make the section more useful or unique. Each section also comes with a record-keeping form so you can track how the section does from year to year. Public Notices TPA publishes an online clearinghouse of public notices in newspaper Web sites around the state. The list links directly to the newspaper's online notices. Advertising Placement ServicesAdvertising Placement Service
A complete "One Order-One Bill-One Check" advertising service, designed to make ad placement in newspapers hassle-free, is provided by TPA's advertising department. This service covers every aspect of ad placement — from space reservation and issuing insertion orders to trouble-shooting problems as they arise, gathering tearsheets and paying all newspapers in the ad schedule. The advertiser or agency simply pays for the entire order —from one newspaper to more than700 — with a single check. In addition, TPA maintains data on each newspaper including demographics, staff names and phone numbers, circulation figures, current advertising rates, and deadlines. TPA account executives distribute this information to advertising agencies around the state as they market the benefits of newspaper advertising and the convenience of our "One Order-One Bill-One Check" placement service. Political Campaign Advertising Plan
Texas Newspaper Campaign Advertising Plan (CAP) is a statewide advertising opportunity for candidates seeking political offices. Taking a strict non-partisan role, advertising staff members contact candidates for public office to secure advertising for member newspapers. Statewide Classified Advertising
TexSCAN, the association's Texas Statewide Classified Advertising Network, places classified ads into a network of participating newspapers. Advertisers use TexSCAN for recruitment advertising or to sell products, real estate or business services. TexSCAN is available statewide or by three geographic regions. Texas 2x2 NetworkThe Texas 2x2 Network is a statewide service for 2-column by 2-inch ads placed in participating newspapers. The service is available statewide or in three geographic regions. Network member newspapers keep half the revenue from ads they sell and all participants share in an annual rebate incentive program. Rate InformationTexas Press Service (TPS) maintains a database of up-to-date advertising rates for daily insertions as well as special weekend or Sunday rates. A complete listing of ad rates is available to advertisers and ad agencies upon request. TPS also can provide deadline schedules, shipping addresses, advertising contacts, size requirements and other information necessary to assist in advertising placement. EducationComputer Lab & Online Training
The primary non-profit purpose of Texas Press Association is education. The Mobile Lab travels to locations throughout the state to reach even more members. The lab provides on-demand hands-on training. Registration is free to member newspapers. An experienced and knowledgeable instructor leads students step-by-step through various software programs covering Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Acrobat, QuarkXPress, and other topics. TPA also has free online computer training modules on newspaper software and workflow hosted by Russell Viers' digiversity.tv. The online episodes are password-protected and members can contact a member of the TPA staff for the login. Regional Workshops & Sales Training
TPA offers training workshops on-demand. Workshop topics vary depending on the request from the newspaper. Member advertising departments also can take advantage of the "Sales Up" video training tapes featuring sales and marketing guru Mitch Henderson. Members can check the tapes out from TPA for several weeks at a time and view them at their leisure. ScholarshipsEach year TPA helps young, aspiring journalists reach for their dreams through a scholarship matching program. TPA provides matching funds for each of the five state regional press associations' scholarship programs and TPA's contribution allows the association to double the amount awarded to each recipient. TPA Online Academy TPA offers free online training through a partnership with the School of Journalism of the University of Texas at Austin through the Division of Continuing and Extended Education. The four-week programs are offered on News Writing, Headline Writing, Sports Writing and Feature Writing. Government AffairsCapital Highlights Capital Highlights is a weekly column that reports news of state government and its officials. Newspapers who subscribe to the service receive camera-ready copy each week by mail, fax, e-mail or by downloading it from TPA's web page. Many smaller papers that lack wire services or cannot afford a capital correspondent have come to rely on Capital Highlights as a valuable source of information for their readers. Legislative Support
While TPA remains proactive throughout the year on all legislative issues that affect newspapers, the staff works even harder when the Legislature is in session. Taking on a watchdog role, TPA has successfully defended bills that would have chilled freedom of the press and access to public information. TPA works closely with Texas Daily Newspaper Association and together the two associations have a joint legislative advisory committee, comprised of members that meet and establish priorities for each legislative session. TPA staff remain in contact with key legislators and legislative committee chairmen to ensure newspapers have a voice in legislation that affects the industry. During the sessions, TPA regularly posts legislative updates on pending legislation to its Web site. Grassroots Legislative Action TPA has created a network of publishers statewide that will shift into immediate action when notified of pending legislation that may impact freedom of the press and the public's right to know. These publishers will personally contact their respective legislators to either lend supprt — or ask them to change their position — regarding pending legislation. Legal Library
The TPA Office houses a comprehensive Law Library with a complete set of Vernon's Texas Statutes. Staff members frequently refer to these documents, as well as a file on attorney general opinions, while fielding questions from members. FOI HotlineMembers needing assistance with open government issues can contact the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas legal hotline. TPA provides financial support to FOIFT so members can use this service for free. Attorneys who specialize in media law are on call to answer a variety of questions to ensure reporters know their rights regarding open government issues. Libel HotlineTPA provides a libel hotline for its members. When questions concerning libel issues arise, TPA members can receive advice from attorneys who volunteer their time to help protect the interests of Texas newspapers. VoteTracker.com TPA members can find out how their congressman votes on issues with just one click to VoteTracker.com. The Web site tracks federal legislation and voting patterns. The service helps community newspapers keep track of important issues. The service is password protected and members can contact TPA for the login. ContestsTexas Better Newspaper Contest
Each spring member newspapers are eligible to submit entries into the prestigious Texas Better Newspaper Contest. Winners are announced at the much-anticipated annual awards breakfast, which has become a highlight of the summer convention. Members of other state press associations judge the annual contest. The special tabloid Winner's Circle lists winners and sample entries and is published every year. Lone Star Journalism Writing Awards
Directory Photo Contest The Directory Photo Contest is open to TPA members and the winning photo is printed on the annual Newspaper Directory cover. Monson FOI Award The Monson FOI Award recognizes member newspapers and staff members for their contributions to open government and First Amendment issues. The award, cosponsored with the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, is given annually to one daily and one weekly or semiweekly newspaper. Other ServicesTPA Newspaper Exchange The TPA Newspaper Exchange (PDF) is a statewide peer publication swap for members. Participants may a small annual fee to be included in the Exchange and receive a different newspaper from a different part of the state each week. The Exchange is a great way to get new ideas and see what others are publishing. Online Services TPA's web page provides a wealth of information just a click away. Members can download many services, such as TexSCAN, Texas 2x2 and Capital Highlights. Users find a searchable database of TPA newspapers with detailed information and links to individual publication's web sites. Other information about the association is only a click away. Members also communicate via the TPA List Server. Job Bank & Buy Sell or Trade
Transition is a given in the newspaper business and TPA strives to help members ease through staff changes by offering the most comprehensive newspaper-specific job bank in the state. The job bank serves two purposes. Members can use this free service to place employment ads and journalists can place work wanted ads. The job bank updated daily on our web site. Buy Sell or Trade is a free service for member newspapers to list industry classifieds such as newspapers for sale and equipment wanted. Annual ConventionsTPA sponsors two annual conventions that rotate throughout major cities in Texas. The Midwinter Conference and Trade Show in January is business-oriented, focusing on training, brainstorming and information exchanges. It includes a trade show with a growing number of vendors every year. The vendors are showcased year-round in the TPA Buyer's Guide. The summer convention has a family-oriented focus. In addition to informative newspaper sessions, it includes outings to theme parks, entertainment venues and recreational areas. Board members are elected at each summer convention and winners in the Texas Better Newspaper Contest are announced. Conventions represent more than the business side of TPA. They are social gatherings where members meet and greet old friends and discuss problems and solutions with their peers. Golden 50 Awards
Golden 50 Awards are presented to men and women who have logged at least 50 years of service in the newspaper industry. The prestigious awards are given at each summer convention. The winners' accomplishments and their life's stories are told in a special brochure that is distributed at the convention awards ceremony. Lone Star News ServiceLone Star News Service is a valuable source of statewide news. Various agencies and companies contract with the service to deliver news releases to all Texas newspapers. Clients can choose regular mail and newspapers can download releases from the Web site. Profit Recovery Service TPA members can take advantage of this reduced fee profit recovery service through Transworld's Green Flag recovery service. The company will handle collections for member newspapers professionally and without pressure. Contact Karina Castano 512-244-9400 for information. Newspaper Electric Coalition Texas Press Association and Fox, Smolen & Associates have created the Texas Newspaper Electric Coalition, an aggregation service designed to get better utility rates for newspapers.
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