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It's Time to Build
on Something Good

I'm trying to think of a catchy slogan that would describe the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association's goals for the coming year.

"ReMEMBER the Maine." "NINA 2000: Membership to Infinity and Beyond!" "2000 New Members!" "2000 disMEMBERED journalists!"

I'm not having much luck.

You're probably thinking right now, "So this is the guy who's responsible for leading NINA into the 21st century? How much were those dues, again?" Stop it right now. I have a plan, I tell you. And it goes something like this: My lofty goal as president of NINA is to take over the world. Ba, ha ha ha ha!

• Assuming that doesn't work, I'd like to carry the torch Cheryl Wormley lit in 1999, namely to focus our energy on increasing NINA's membership.
  
  "Wonderful," you're saying. "So what's in it for me?" Well, how about this, Mr. or Ms. Professional Cynic: Low-cost training for staff members. Seminars on topics you care about and conferences featuring big-name speakers right here in northern Illinois. Scholarship opportunities for high school and college journalists in your area. A plethora of plaques, stacks of certificates, and at least two chances a year to knock off work and hobnob with fellow ink-stained wretches.
  
  In order for us to do that successfully, of course, NINA needs resources, it needs the volunteer time of its board members. It needs good people. (How's that for a bright new concept in the world of community journalism?) What I propose for 2000 is that we launch a real honest-to-God membership drive. The components of that drive include the following:
  
• A revised dues structure that will encourage membership in a variety of size and frequency categories and give Jan Larsen, our second vice-president and Membership Committee chair, the information she needs to approach new members.
• An accurate and accessible list of existing members.
• A list of potential member organizations in northern Illinois.
• An effort to think outside the box (call the Cliche Patrol!) for individual members, members from the education community, publications other than newspapers, plus high school and college newspapers.
• An aggressive effort to invite potential members to attend our seminars and programs.
• Marketing of NINA via active use of our Web site, newsletter and press releases that can be run within our member publications.
• World domination!

Sorry, I'm getting all excited again.

Probably the best thing I can do as president is to encourage your excitement, as well. To draw new members, we first must put together programs that delight our active members. We must provide convenient, affordable and valuable training that helps working journalists recharge their batteries ... and we must turn these events into opportunities to bring in new members.

During the past 2 1/2 years, we've reshaped the organization and brought a new energy to NINA. Now we just want more people to join the fun.

The printed newsletter will be mailed to NINA members and potential members, as well. It is our first opportunity to reach out, and we don't want to miss a trick. To become a member (or to suggest one), contact Jan Larsen.

Rick Nagel is Managing Editor of Press-Republican Newspapers in St. Charles.

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