Update re:National Association

(The AWNA Board of Directors met recently as a follow-up to both the Publishers’ Roundtable discussion held at the association’s convention in Edmonton on May 28th and a meeting held in early July with Postmedia and Newspapers Canada. An update on these meetings from President Dave Bruha follows.)

Update – National Association:

Following a conference call meeting with Newspapers Canada CEO John Hinds and Craig Barnard of Post Media to clarify some points of the proposed Newsmedia Canada association, the AWNA Board of Directors voted in favour of the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association continuing to be involved with the process of forming a new national association. According to Barnard and Hinds, there is no initiative to develop a national sales arm, and no expectation that Regional/Provincial associations would give up their autonomy under the proposed plan.

It was explained that although several different ideas and documents have been circulated during the discussions that have taken place, the only change being considered at this point is the merger which would have daily and community newspapers unified in one national association. Effectively, nothing would really change for AWNA and our members. The AWNA Board will continue to be part of the process and will review the practicality of further involvement and assess the benefits to our members after one year.

Members who wish to discuss this action, or have any questions, can contact me – information is available through your AWNA website:   (http://www.awna.com/board-of-directors-and-committees).

Dave Bruha, President