COMMUNITY IMPACT

WHY IS YOUR NEWSPAPER IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

Twelve Iowa newspaper professionals completed the Mores Media Fellowship in September, joining roughly 80 other program graduates. The program this year included three intense days filled with training, discussion, networking and of course a little fun in Des Moines! The group heard from twelve speakers over the three days including top trainers in the leadership field as well as several industry professionals. The session kicked off with a dive into strength finders’ assessments and closed with a round of industry related hot topics. Sandwiched in between the group took part in discussions on the five levels of leadership, financial operations for a newspaper, revenue diversification and continuing education. We congratulate this group on a remarkable week focused on professional development and connecting with others in the industry.

CONGRATS, 2024 GRADUATES!

Trevor Babcock, Carroll Times Herald/Jefferson Herald

Nathan Countryman, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Sarah Diehn, Des Moines Business Record

Erin M. Gentz, Eldridge North Scott Press

Megan Gloss, Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Brandon Hurley, Ames Tribune & Iowa City Press Citizen

Rhonda James, Marshalltown Times-Republican

Tami Schechinger, Harlan Newspapers

As the editor of the local newspaper, I can’t think of an outlet where people get as much timely and accurate information as they do from the Humboldt Independent each and every week. We chronicle the happenings of the local community and are a recorder of history as it unfolds. A person can pick up our paper any given week and find out who was born and who died, what real estate deeds were transacted, what the local city council, board of supervisors or board of education did, how the local sports teams fared, the goings on of church and social clubs, see the activities of the police and sheriff’s departments, find out important information affecting people’s pocketbooks, welfare and health, and read features about their neighbors and friends or interesting people they have never met. And, find out about services, sales and commerce from local business advertisers. I was pleased to have a chance to participate in the Leo Mores Media Fellowship in mid-September. The training gave me a much deeper knowledge of my strengths and weaknesses as a manager and how I can use my strengths to help guide employees within our organization.

-Kent Thompson

I believe the newspaper is still a vital part of every community. Keeping readers informed of government proceedings, and featuring the many wonderful people, organizations, and events we all get to experience is a great responsibility and privilege. As one of the “veterans” among the group, it was satisfying to see so many talented, passionate young people ready to take community journalism into a challenging, exciting future.

-Mike Kolbe

"Local newspapers like the Oskaloosa Herald and the Ottumwa Courier are the backbone of our communities. They are not only the primary source for credible news and information, but a watchdog of local government and a preservation of history. If our communities don't have either, they suffer.”

“There are many factors that are necessary to produce a thriving, successful newsroom, and this program helped me realize that empathetic leadership is one of them."

-Emily Hawk

-Kent Thompson

-Mike Kolbe

THANK YOU!

Thank you for support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this {article, book, exhibition, film, program, database, report, Web resource}, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR CORE INITIATIVES

ADVANCING THE PROFESSION

Dozens of expert-led, affordable programs covering topics from ad sales to digital options to photography

INF offers in-person training programs and annually facilitates dozens of webinars serving thousands of newspaper personnel from all across the country

Online Media Campus, our premier newspaper training brand, reaches out to newspapers in more than 40 states

INF underwrites the cost of the INA Convention and Trade Show, which boasts attendance among the highest in the country, with registration fees among the lowest

LEADERSHIP

The Mores Media Fellowship includes three intense days filled with training, discussion, networking and of course a little fun in Des Moines! The group engages with twelve speakers over the three days including top trainers in the leadership field as well as several industry professionals. The session kicked off with a dive into strength finders’ assessments and closed with a round of industry related hot topics. Sandwiched in between presentations, the group participates in discussions on the five levels of leadership, financial operations for a newspaper, revenue diversification and continuing education.

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

Paid internships for students looking for real-world media experience

Our partnership with Media Now, a weeklong journalism camp offering an intense learning experience to ten high school students every year

Scholarships providing funding to college students preparing for newspaper careers

Iowa College Media Association

Iowa High School Press Association

Newspapers In Education

FOSTERING EXCELLENCE

INF Better Newspaper Contests recognize superior work in all areas of the newspaper industry

CHAMPIONING THE FIRST AMENDMENT

The INF strongly supports Freedom of Information (FOI) initiatives. The INF partners with the Iowa Freedom of Information Council to provide training to Iowa reporters and government employees and officials, as well as interested Iowa citizens.