M I N N E S O T AN E W S  M E D I AI N S T I T U T E

2015 Annual Report

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The Minnesota News Media Institute (MNI) is the 501(c)(3) training arm of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Founded in 2010, our mission is to provide education, training and professional development opportunities for the more

than 330 members of the Minnesota Newspaper Association, their employees, and news media professionals across the state.

We offer training programs, scholarship and internship opportunities to students and other programming to increase the public’s understanding of the role and obligation of a free press in our society. We strive to reach news media professionals with high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities.

Message from the MNI President ................................................................................ 3

Message from the Executive Director ......................................................................... 4

Board of Directors and Staff ........................................................................................ 5

2015 Training Programs ............................................................................................... 6

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program ............................................... 8

Pohlad Internship Program ........................................................................................ 11

Donors ......................................................................................................................... 12

Financial Statement .................................................................................................... 14

MNI at Convention ...................................................................................................... 15

The photos featured in this report were winners in the MNA 2014-2015 Better Newspaper Contest.

About Us

MNI Annual Report printing donated by:

Table of Contents

Mesabi Daily

News

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Thank You!For the past four years, I have served as president of the Minnesota News Media Institute, the nonprofit arm of MNA. MNI has no staff; throughout the day MNA staff put on their MNI hats to do the work of the Institute. MNI has no office; it’s all done in the MNA office.

When I joined the MNA board in 2011, MNI was in its infancy, the work to create a nonprofit entity just beginning, led by Kevin Anderson of the Mille Lacs Messenger, who was the first MNI

president, and MNA executive director Lisa Hills. We built the organization from the ground up in many ways. Since those early days, we have built a very healthy endowment to support the work of MNI and we continue to prudently manage our financial resources.

Most importantly, the goal of MNI is training: to make all the great people working at Minnesota newspapers even better at their jobs. This happens in both large and small ways, from small regional workshops, to big name experts like Kevin Slimp and Ed Henninger, to intense in-depth training experiences like the Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program. MNA training – powered by MNI – helps publishers, editors, advertising reps, reporters, photographers, graphic artists, webmasters, and all newspaper staff – you name the job! – learn new ways to do their jobs better!

Thanks to everyone who has supported MNI over the past five years, through donations large or small. Whether you are a Founders Club or a Legacy Club member, whether you purchased beer or wine at the Wall of Wine during the convention, give a memorial, or donate an additional 10 percent of your MNA dues to MNI, we appreciate your support! Thank you!

After assuming the MNA presidency in January, I will be stepping down as the MNI president this year. Karin Ramige of the McLeod County Chronicle will become the next MNI president. But I want to say thank you for all the support you’ve shown MNI, and I want to urge you to continue that support and to continue to strive to be the best journalist you can be!

Michael Jacobson, Paynesville Press and Eden Valley-Watkins VoiceMNA President 2016-17MNI President 2012-15

Message from the President

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The Minnesota News Media Institute (MNI) celebrated another year of delivering outstanding training and programming for news media professionals. MNI was founded in late 2010 as the training arm of

the Minnesota Newspaper Association. MNI is exceeding our expectations by providing high quality accessible and affordable education opportunities to MNA’s 330 member newspapers. Hundreds of news media professionals have benefited from programs offered through MNI.

The successful Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program modeled after the Blandin Community Leadership

Program and funded by a generous grant from the Blandin Foundation celebrated its 11th year. The E & P program provides editors and publishers with new tools, including the Eight Dimensions of A Healthy Community, to advance the health and vibrancy of their communities as leaders. To date, 159 MNA editors and publishers from communities across Minnesota have participated in this program since its creation in 2005.

In 2015, in partnership with the Pohlad Family Foundation, MNI helped fund summer internships for 56 high school-aged interns at Minnesota newspapers. Combined, the interns worked more than 9,816 hours, and contributed hundreds of photos, stories, columns, blog posts, page designs, Facebook entries and tweets to their community newspaper. 2015 marked the 11th year of this wildly popular program, and over the years, several of these summer internships have resulted in careers in the journalism business for participants.

In addition, MNI continues to offer many opportunities to attend quality and affordable workshops, seminars and webinars on a variety of topics that are important to today’s ever-changing media industry.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to support the Institute, please consider joining us this year. Your support through program participation, and financial contributions, make the Institute’s work possible. We are excited and proud of our accomplishments at MNI and value your support as we work hard to support a bright future for the industry.

Lisa HillsExecutive Director,

Minnesota Newspaper Association

Message from the Executive Director

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Message from the Executive Director

Michael Jacobson, Paynesville Press – Chair

Joni Harms, Daily Globe, Worthington – Vice Chair

Chris Schultz, Herald Journal, Howard Lake

Marge Winkelman, ECM Publishers, Coon Rapids

Mike Dalton, Cannon Falls Beacon

Karin Ramige, McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe

Chris Knight, APG Media of Minnesota

Justin Lessman, Jackson County Pilot, Treasurer

Pete Mohs, Pineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot Lakes

Jim Pumarlo, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Keith Moyer, School of Journalism & Mass Communications, University of MN

Lisa Hills – Executive Director

Sarah Jackson – Program Director

Debbie Evans – Accounting Manager

LuAnn Yattaw – Project Manager

Web: www.mna.orgPhone: 612-332-8844Email: member@mna.org

Staff

Board of Directors–2015

MinneotaMascot

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Training Programs–2015

In 2015, the Minnesota News Media Institute’s training program continued to expand. A full array of programs, offered in person and online via webinar, covered a wide variety of issues relevant to news media professionals. Thanks to many

training partners, including the Online Media Campus and Local Media Association, we are able to feature industry experts and timely topics in training sessions. We are proud to offer affordable training options to our newspaper members.

With change as a constant in the media industry, we know that your needs for training are constantly evolving. MNI is always looking for new program ideas. If you have suggestions, or specific needs, please let us know! MNI can also develop individualized programs for your staff or special group training programs, based on your requests.

Reach out to MNA Program Director Sarah Jackson by email (sarah@mna.org) or phone (612-278-0250) with programming ideas and suggestions.

2015 Programs2015 Editors & Publishers Community Leadership ProgramNewspaperbaton: Promoting Newspapers and CommunitiesWhat’s Next for Classified? Making 2015 a growth yearMaking Digital Editions Really Work for Your NewspaperThink Bigger than Native AdvertisingWorking with eDoc: Save time, money and problems with the USPSThe Art of Prospecting: Your Guide to Getting in the DoorSuccessful Interviewing in Emotional SituationsSponsored Contests: Enhance your newspaper’s visibilityMobile Video EditingHow to Use Data Visualization ToolsOut-Servicing the Competition: Adding value for your customersData-Driven, In-Depth CoverageObtaining Government Grants to Help Pay for Staff TrainingArming, Incenting and Organizing Your Sales Teams – And Driving Digital Dollars Too!Adobe Creative Suite Training with Kevin SlimpFootball Polls: Building Ad Revenue with an Engaging Sports FeatureAP style crash courseGetting the Best Out of Yourself and Your Sales TeamCold Calls, Classifieds, and more with Steve GallQuickly Create Slideshows and Galleries: A guide to working with YouTubeSpectacular Special Sections: Revenue-generating ideas for any marketCommunity faces photographyProcessing photos Quickly in Bridge and PhotoshopIncrease Your ROI on Sales CallsPractical use of eDocHow to Craft an Engaging LedeDesign Workshop with Ed HenningerNew Ways to Grow Audience Online: Social Stories for Snapchat, Periscope and FacebookInvestigative Reporting Tools for any NewsroomPhotography for reporters

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Training Programs-Participating Members

Adams Publishing Group-MNAitkin Independent AgeAlbert Lea TribuneAlden AdvanceAnnandale AdvocateAnoka County RecordAskov AmericanBemidji PioneerBussler Publishing, Inc.Cannon Falls BeaconCarver County News, WatertownCrystal-Robbinsdale Sun PostDaily Globe, WorthingtonDetroit Lakes TribuneDuluth News TribuneEcho Press, AlexandriaECM Publishers, Inc.Eden Valley-Watkins VoiceExcelsior Sun SailorForum Communications CompanyFranklin Newspapers, Inc.Grand Rapids Herald ReviewGrygla Eagle Herald Journal Publishing, WinstedHinckley NewsHutchinson LeaderKanabec County Times, MoraLitchfield Independent ReviewLong Prairie LeaderMcLeod County Chronicle, GlencoeMesabi Daily News, VirginiaMille Lacs Messeger, IsleMinnesota LegionnaireMN Women’s PressMontgomery MessengerMorrison County Record, Little FallsNew Prague TimesNewsleaders, St. JosephNortheaster, MinneapolisNorthfield News Owatonna People’s PressPark Rapids EnterprisePaynesville PressPine City PioneerPineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot LakesPost-Bulletin, RochesterRiverTown MultimediaSauk Centre HeraldSouthwest News Media, ShakopeeSt. Cloud Times

Standard-Gazette & Messenger, FairfaxSun Newspapers/ECMThe Associated PressThe Daily Journal, Fergus FallsThe Free Press, MankatoThe Jamestown SunThe Journal, New UlmTri-County News, KimballWadena Pioneer JournalWaseca County NewsWest Central Tribune, Willmar

MorrisSun

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Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program celebrated its 11th year in 2015. The program empowers editor-publisher teams to develop their community leadership and vision skills. Participants came from newspapers

across the state, from Albert Lea to Grygla.

Cohort 11 identified many issues in their communities where they could make an impact. From working to develop the local workforce, to shining a light on difficult community issues like the state of mental health resources in the county or working to make sure there were educational and social opportunities for senior citizens in the community, this group of editors and publishers was very dedicated to fostering vibrant and inclusive communities. The group of 12 individuals from seven newspapers took the skills they learned in several intensive leadership workshops and began working to identify issues where they could lead the charge for change in their communities.

Not only does the program help editors and publishers realize their potential as newspaper professionals and community leaders, it allows individuals to hone personal leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Thanks to generous support by the Blandin Foundation, the Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program is funded through 2016.

Sarah Jackson, Program DirectorMinnesota Newspaper Association

Mankato Free

Press

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2015 Participants Albert Lea Tribune

Annandale Advocate

Detroit Lakes Tribune

Echo Press, Alexandria

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Grygla Eagle

Park Rapids Enterprise

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

Left to right, front row: Paul Downer (Annandale), Steve Prinsen (Annandale), Britta Arendt (Grand Rapids), Mary Brenk (Detroit Lakes), Jody Hanson (Alexandria). Back row: Kevin Cederstrom (Park Rapids), Mirja Hanson (facilitator), Crystal Miller (Albert Lea), Sarah Stultz (Albert Lea), Pippi Mayfield (Detroit Lakes), Kari Sundberg (Grygla), Mark Roy (Grand Rapids). Not pictured: Tara Bitzan (Alexandria).

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“The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program re-emphasized to me how important our role as a newspaper is in our community and how our coverage can change outcomes. We hope that the stories in our final project for the program [about developing the local workforce] will ultimately lead to changed legislation on the state level. I also greatly enjoyed meeting other editors and publishers from across the state.”

Sarah Stultz, Editor, Albert Lea Tribune

“The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program was an outstanding opportunity to explore a variety of ways in which our newspaper can best serve our community. Launching our own leadership initiatives, identifying the dimensions of healthy communities, collaborating with counterparts from other publications and stepping back to take a deeper look at what we do and why – all of these things combined to make the program one of the most edifying experiences of my professional career. One of the biggest takeaways for me is that newspapers around the state – large and small – deal with similar issues and challenges, and have similar opportunities to serve their

communities well. Concepts like the ‘road to Abilene,’ and the spectrum of how change is accepted and adopted were enlightening encapsulations of human nature.Having completed the course, I feel better equipped to do my job effectively and in a way that is most beneficial to our community.”

Paul Downer, Managing Editor, Annandale Advocate

“2015 was my second Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program experience, the first being in 2007 with a different editor. It was a great refresher for me, and a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with our editor. The take-aways are many, including the confirmation and realization that the issues we give attention, we give power. It’s nice knowing that our paper is spending time and resources on issues that matter in our community. Thanks to MNA and the Blandin Foundation, the program is community-centered, and that is very refreshing. I recommend the program for any publisher and editor who wants to make even more of an impact in their community.”

Steve Prinsen, Publisher, Annandale Advocate

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

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The Pohlad Internship Program, funded for MNA members since 2005, is designed to provide a wage subsidy to newspapers that hire high school-aged interns over the course of the summer months. This program was created to provide a meaningful employment experience for youth

in their communities. This special opportunity is available exclusively to MNA member newspapers, funded generously by the Pohlad Family Foundation. MNA member newspapers have hired more than 650 interns over the past ten years thanks to this program. Many interns have gone on to seek degrees and find careers in journalism, advertising and related fields.

If you would like to participate in the Pohlad Family Foundation Summer Youth Employment Program, contact LuAnn Yattaw at 612-278-0235 or by email (luann@mna.org).

Pohlad Internships–2015

2015 Participating NewspapersAitkin Independent Age Albert Lea TribuneEcho Press, AlexandriaAskov American Austin Daily HeraldBarnesville Record-ReviewBattle Lake ReviewBemidji Pioneer Steele County Times, Blooming PrairieBryon Review Caledonia ArgusIsanti-Chisago County Star, CambridgeIndependent-News Herald, ClarrisaPine Journal, CloquetCrookston Daily TimesDuluth Budgeteer News The Exponent, East Grand ForksEden Valley Watkins Voice Standard Gazette & Messenger, FairfaxFarmington Rosemount Indepedent Town PagesFergus Falls Daily JournalThe Gaylord HubLeader Record, GonvickMeadow Area News, Grand MeadowGrand Rapids Herald ReviewGranite Falls Advocate TribuneGrygla EagleThe Hawley HeraldCitizens Advocate, HenningTri-County News, Heron Lake

Hutchinson LeaderTri-County News, Kimball Maple Lake MessengerVoyageur Press of McGregor McIntosh TimesMiddle River HonkerMontevideo American-NewsThe New Prague Times New York Mills DispatchOklee HeraldProctor JournalPost Bulletin, RochesterThreeSixty Journalism, St. Paul Tracy Headlight-HeraldLake County News Chronicle, Two Harbors Verndale SunWest Central Tribune, WillmarDaily Globe, Worthington

Kanabec County

Times

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MNI Founders Circle: Founder Circle members pledge $10,000 to support the training and resources provided to all MNA members by the Minnesota News Media Institute.

• Forum Communications Company

MNI Donors: The following individuals and organizations donated to the Minnesota News Media Institute in 2015.

• Associated Press• Blandin Foundation• Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation• Kevin Anderson• Jake Benson• Julie & Rollin Bergman• Linda & Kurt Falkman• Jody Hanson• Joni Harms• Lisa Hills• Michael Jacobson• Chris Knight• Justin Lessman• Matt McMillian• Pete Mohs• Karin Ramige• Chris Schultz• Chuck Wann• Wade Weber• Marge Winkelman

MNI Legacy Club: Legacy Club members pledge $1500 to support the trainings and resources provided to all MNA members by the Minnesota News Media Institute.

• Bruce Fenske • Joni Harms • Lisa Hills & Rick Fiman• Michael Jacobson • Peter & Lynn Jacobson• Don & Carole Larson• Don & Nancy Smith • Marge Winkelman

Donors

Mesabi Daily

News

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Donors

MNI Pages Program: The Minnesota New Media Institute Pages Program asks participants to contribute the net proceeds of one page of advertising at the general rate once per year.

• Delano Herald Journal• Enterprise Dispatch, Cokato• Herald Journal, Howard Lake• Isanti Chisago County Star, Cambridge• Kanabec County Times, Mora• Paynesville Press• Pine City Pioneer

Memorials: Donations to MNI in memory of those we’ve lost.• Mike Dalton – in memory of Patrick Mohs• Joni Harms – in memory of Patrick Mohs• Lisa Hills – in memory of Patrick Mohs & Dave Pyle• Michael Jacobson – in memory of Patrick Mohs• Chris Knight – in memory of Patrick Mohs• Justin Lessman – in memory of Patrick Mohs• Dan Lind – in memory of Patrick Mohs• LuAnn Yattaw – in memory of Patrick Mohs

In-kind Donations: • Better Business Bureau• Forum Communications Printing• HJ Marketing, Howard Lake• St. Cloud Times

Thank you to all of our MNA Members that have generously donated 10% of their annual dues to MNI. For a complete list of donors, please visit: http://mna.org/minnesota-news-media-institute/mni-donors/

There are many ways you can contribute to MNI. Contact LuAnn Yattaw to learn more; 612-278-0235 or LuAnn@mna.org

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Revenue Contributions $18,954.00 Blandin Grant (Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program) 00.00* Pohlad Internship Grant 54,680.00 Convention 10,545.00 Training Registration 7,765.00 In-Kind Revenue 2,380.00 Interest/Dividend 25,501.00 Investment Gain/Loss (Net) (49,230.00)Total Revenue 70,586.00 Expenses Pohlad Internships 49,815.00 E&P Expenses 32,778.00 Administrative 46,950.00 Professional Services 9,638.00 Training 10,824.00 Convention 1,844.00Total Expenses 151,848.00

Change in net Assets (81,263.00)

Net assets, beginning 1,126,580.00

Net assets, ending $1,045,317.00

*$126,000 in revenue from a three year grant was recorded in 2013 and provides funding for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 E&P programs.

Financial Statement-2015

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Not only does the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention offer great sessions, speakers, networking opportunities

and keynote speakers, there are also many opportunities to support the work of the Minnesota News Media Institute. From the longtime favorite silent auction, to the raffle, there are many options for contributing to MNI at the convention.

The Silent Auction is an opportunity for convention goers to support the work of MNI by bidding on a wide

variety of items donated by MNA leaders, friends, staff and members. The 2015 Silent Auction featured items created by some very talented member-

artisans as well as locally crafted treats and timeless art pieces. Many Minnesota sports teams, theaters, hotels, and resorts also donated items to the auction.

The Wall of Wine (And Beer!) is a crowd favorite at the MNA

Convention. Those who step up to the Wall have the opportunity to choose excellent bottles of wine and beer while making a donation that directly supports MNI programs. Bottles of wine and beer,

from wineries and breweries in the State of Minnesota and beyond, are donated by MNA members and friends. All proceeds benefit the

Institute.

The MNI Raffle is another opportunity to support MNI at the Convention. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the convention by MNA board members and staff to convention attendees who buy a chance to win big! In 2015, the winner took home $500 cash. Previous raffles have featured iPads, free convention registrations and more. All funds raised in the sales of raffle tickets are donated to MNI.

Heads or Tails is a fast and fun game played during the MNA BNC Banquet. For a small donation, participants purchase festive Mardi Gras beads and a chance to win a cash prize on stage in front of the more than 400 contest winners and members! Proceeds raised support the Institute.

MNI Goes to Convention

MINNESOTA NEWS MEDIA INSTITUTE • 10 South Fifth Street, Suite 1105 • Minneapolis, MN 55402Phone: 612-332-8844 • www.mna.org

The Forum of Fargo/Moorhead

Park Rapids Enterprise