MINNESOTA

NEWS MEDIA
INSTITUTE

2015 Annual
Report

Table of Contents
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

About Us

he 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 publics 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.

MNI Annual Report printing

donated by:

The photos featured in this report were winners in the

MNA 2014-2015 Better Newspaper Contest.

Mesabi
Daily
News

Message from the President

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; its 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 youve 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 Voice
MNA President 2016-17
MNI President 2012-15

Message from the Executive Director

he 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 MNAs 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 todays ever-changing media industry.
If you havent had the opportunity to support the Institute, please consider
joining us this year. Your support through program participation, and financial
contributions, make the Institutes 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 Hills
Executive Director,
Minnesota Newspaper Association

Board of Directors2015
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

Staff
Lisa Hills Executive Director
Sarah Jackson Program Director
Debbie Evans Accounting Manager
LuAnn Yattaw Project Manager
Web: www.mna.org
Phone: 612-332-8844
Email: member@mna.org

Minneota
Mascot

Training Programs2015
I

n 2015, the Minnesota News Media Institutes 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 Programs
2015 Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program
Newspaperbaton: Promoting Newspapers and Communities
Whats Next for Classified? Making 2015 a growth year
Making Digital Editions Really Work for Your Newspaper
Think Bigger than Native Advertising
Working with eDoc: Save time, money and problems with the USPS
The Art of Prospecting: Your Guide to Getting in the Door
Successful Interviewing in Emotional Situations
Sponsored Contests: Enhance your newspapers visibility
Mobile Video Editing
How to Use Data Visualization Tools
Out-Servicing the Competition: Adding value for your customers
Data-Driven, In-Depth Coverage
Obtaining Government Grants to Help Pay for Staff Training
Arming, Incenting and Organizing Your Sales Teams And Driving Digital Dollars Too!
Adobe Creative Suite Training with Kevin Slimp
Football Polls: Building Ad Revenue with an Engaging Sports Feature
AP style crash course
Getting the Best Out of Yourself and Your Sales Team
Cold Calls, Classifieds, and more with Steve Gall
Quickly Create Slideshows and Galleries: A guide to working with YouTube
Spectacular Special Sections: Revenue-generating ideas for any market
Community faces photography
Processing photos Quickly in Bridge and Photoshop
Increase Your ROI on Sales Calls
Practical use of eDoc
How to Craft an Engaging Lede
Design Workshop with Ed Henninger
New Ways to Grow Audience Online: Social Stories for Snapchat, Periscope and Facebook
Investigative Reporting Tools for any Newsroom
Photography for reporters

Training Programs-Participating Members

Adams Publishing Group-MN
Aitkin Independent Age
Albert Lea Tribune
Alden Advance
Annandale Advocate
Anoka County Record
Askov American
Bemidji Pioneer
Bussler Publishing, Inc.
Cannon Falls Beacon
Carver County News, Watertown
Crystal-Robbinsdale Sun Post
Daily Globe, Worthington
Detroit Lakes Tribune
Duluth News Tribune
Echo Press, Alexandria
ECM Publishers, Inc.
Eden Valley-Watkins Voice
Excelsior Sun Sailor
Forum Communications Company
Franklin Newspapers, Inc.
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Grygla Eagle
Herald Journal Publishing, Winsted
Hinckley News
Hutchinson Leader
Kanabec County Times, Mora
Litchfield Independent Review
Long Prairie Leader
McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe
Mesabi Daily News, Virginia
Mille Lacs Messeger, Isle
Minnesota Legionnaire
MN Womens Press
Montgomery Messenger
Morrison County Record, Little Falls
New Prague Times
Newsleaders, St. Joseph
Northeaster, Minneapolis
Northfield News
Owatonna Peoples Press
Park Rapids Enterprise
Paynesville Press
Pine City Pioneer
Pineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot Lakes
Post-Bulletin, Rochester
RiverTown Multimedia
Sauk Centre Herald
Southwest News Media, Shakopee
St. Cloud Times

Standard-Gazette & Messenger, Fairfax

Sun Newspapers/ECM
The Associated Press
The Daily Journal, Fergus Falls
The Free Press, Mankato
The Jamestown Sun
The Journal, New Ulm
Tri-County News, Kimball
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Waseca County News
West Central Tribune, Willmar

Morris
Sun

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

T

he 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 Director
Minnesota Newspaper Association

Mankato
Free
Press

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

2015 Participants
Albert Lea Tribune
Annandale Advocate
Detroit Lakes Tribune
Echo Press, Alexandria
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Grygla Eagle
Park Rapids Enterprise

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).

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program reemphasized 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

10

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. Its
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

Pohlad Internships2015
T

he 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).

2015 Participating Newspapers

Aitkin Independent Age
Albert Lea Tribune
Echo Press, Alexandria
Askov American
Austin Daily Herald
Barnesville Record-Review
Battle Lake Review
Bemidji Pioneer
Steele County Times, Blooming Prairie
Bryon Review
Caledonia Argus
Isanti-Chisago County Star, Cambridge
Independent-News Herald, Clarrisa
Pine Journal, Cloquet
Crookston Daily Times
Duluth Budgeteer News
The Exponent, East Grand Forks
Eden Valley Watkins Voice
Standard Gazette & Messenger, Fairfax
Farmington Rosemount Indepedent Town Pages
Fergus Falls Daily Journal
The Gaylord Hub
Leader Record, Gonvick
Meadow Area News, Grand Meadow
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Granite Falls Advocate Tribune
Grygla Eagle
The Hawley Herald
Citizens Advocate, Henning
Tri-County News, Heron Lake

Hutchinson Leader
Tri-County News, Kimball
Maple Lake Messenger
Voyageur Press of McGregor
McIntosh Times
Middle River Honker
Montevideo American-News
The New Prague Times
New York Mills Dispatch
Oklee Herald
Proctor Journal
Post Bulletin, Rochester
ThreeSixty Journalism, St. Paul
Tracy Headlight-Herald
Lake County News Chronicle, Two Harbors
Verndale Sun
West Central Tribune, Willmar
Daily Globe, Worthington

Kanabec
County
Times

11

Donors
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

12

Mesabi
Daily
News

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 weve 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

13

Financial Statement-2015
Revenue
Contributions

Blandin Grant (Editors & Publishers Community
Leadership Program)

Pohlad Internship Grant
Convention

Training Registration

In-Kind Revenue
Interest/Dividend

Investment Gain/Loss (Net)
Total Revenue
Expenses

Pohlad Internships

E&P Expenses
Administrative

Professional Services
Training
Convention
Total Expenses

$18,954.00
00.00*
54,680.00
10,545.00
7,765.00
2,380.00
25,501.00
(49,230.00)
70,586.00
49,815.00
32,778.00
46,950.00
9,638.00
10,824.00
1,844.00
151,848.00

Change in net Assets (81,263.00)

Net assets, beginning 1,126,580.00
Net assets, ending $1,045,317.00

14

*$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.

MNI Goes to Convention

N

ot 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 memberartisans 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.

15

The Forum of Fargo/Moorhead

Park Rapids Enterprise

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