There are many ways to join Michigan Press Association, each one suited to the needs of the individual or business. For more information contact Lisa McGraw at 517.372.2424 or lisa@michiganpress.org.
Active Membership
Active membership is limited to Michigan newspapers and is defined by the state of Michigan:
- Newspaper must be published in English.
- Newspaper must have a list of paying subscribers and have been circulated at not less than weekly intervals without interruption for at least one year; or if free circulation, must have been published at no less than weekly intervals in the same community without interruption for at least two years.
- Newspaper annually averages at least 25 percent news and editorial content (any printed matter other than advertising) per issue.
Active Members are approved by the MPA Board of Directors and are entitled to all member services listed on this Web site, one vote at a meeting of the general membership and eligibility to serve on the MPA Board of Directors.
Active Members of Michigan Press Association are also members of MPA’s advertising affiliate, Michigan Newspapers, Inc., and are entitled to consideration for advertising placed through MNI’s various programs. Dues for MPA Active Membership are based on the National SAU inch rate provided to MNI at which MNI is allowed a commission.
Daily and tabloid-sized weekly newspapers pay a full page of advertising annually, broadsheet weekly newspapers pay one-half page of advertising annually.
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Specialty Publication Membership
Specialty Publication Membership may be accepted from publications other than newspapers that are published at least quarterly without interruption for at least one year and annually average 25 percent news and editorial content per issue and have a list of paying subscribers. Otherwise, without the bona fide list of paying subscribers, it must have been published at no less than quarterly intervals in the same community without interruption for at least two years. Specialty Publication Membership shall be held only in the name of the publication, and shall entitle any person active in its publication to represent it and participate in Association meetings and activities; provided, however, that each membership shall have only one vote in Association meetings. Newspapers that qualify for any other membership cannot hold membership as a specialty publication.
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OnlineMembership
Online only membership may be accepted from any general interest online publication, which meets the following qualification standards:
- News published or posted regularly and updated a minimum of every seven days
- Maintain at least 25 percent non-advertising locally produced material
- Abide by intellectual property laws
- Electronic media must publish an “about” section and /or mission statement and contact information, including a list of staff and a Michigan phone number and address reachable during normal business hours by MPA staff and members, readers and advertisers
- Must be in the English language
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Associate Membership
Associate membership is accepted from those who wish to keep in touch with newspaper industry happenings by receiving the weekly Bulletin and attending conferences at membership rates. Associate Membership is limited to authorized representatives of trade journals, advertising agencies, public relations firms, printing supplies manufacturers or jobbers, and schools or departments of journalism. They are approved by the MPA Board of Directors and are eligible for a listing in the annual Michigan Newspaper Directory and are offered many opportunities for event sponsorships.
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Emeritus Membership
Emeritus memberships shall be conferred only by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors as a special honor to those considered deserving of same for special services to the profession. Emeritus members shall have no voting rights at meetings of the Association. Honorary memberships are voted by a majority of the Board of Directors as a special honor to people in the newspaper industry considered deserving for special services to the profession.
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Student Newspaper Membership
Student Newspaper Membership is limited to publications from colleges published in Michigan. MPA Student Newspaper members can enter a newspaper contest, have access to our legal/libel hotline, attend MPA conferences at special reduced rates, network with other students who aspire to become journalists, access the Free Member Exchange to find a career in the newspaper industry, and have plenty of opportunities to keep in touch with member newspaper seeking new talent as students enter the workforce.
There is also a special section in our annual Michigan Newspaper Directory that lists contact information, key personnel and circulation information for each student member newspaper.
All members of the Michigan Press Association and Michigan Newspapers, Inc. are published in the annual Michigan Newspaper Directory. The directory is sent out to advertising agencies, public relations firms, state government representatives and all others interested in contacting newspapers in Michigan.
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