New Hampshire Press Association Meeting
The annual meeting of the New Hampshire Press Association was held, with the president reporting on various activities including committee work, legislative monitoring, and upcoming events. The Education Committee organized a student awards event at New Hampshire PBS in Durham, and the president had testified on several bills in Concord, particularly regarding right-to-know and public records issues. There was discussion about needing more members to help with legislative tracking, with suggestions made about potentially involving Paul Kino Bluth as a freelancer and having a conversation with Anne-Marie about expanding the committee’s involvement.
Mugshot Legislation Tracking Discussion
The discussion focused on tracking legislation related to mugshots and police booking photos. One participant located the relevant bill number (HB1302) but confirmed it was deemed “inexpedient to legislate.” The group discussed the need for better tracking systems and potentially hiring lobbyists to represent their interests on various bills. They also addressed a specific example of legislation regarding special town meeting warrants, which had undergone changes in both the House and Senate committees before being defeated.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Review
The meeting focused on reviewing financial matters and discussing a budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. The group noted they had $5,107.37 in the bank account and discussed the need to approve the budget at the meeting per bylaws requirements. They also reviewed an “Entry Planner” spreadsheet on the content page which helps track contest submissions, and briefly touched on ongoing challenges with meeting logistics and volunteer coordination.
2025 Budget and Membership Review
The discussion focused on reviewing the 2025 budget and membership numbers, with particular attention to contest entry fees and membership goals. While the organization experienced some membership losses, including some members taking breaks or not qualifying for contest participation, there was an increase in contest entry fees from approximately $4,200 to over $6,000. The discussion also touched on potential growth opportunities with smaller community papers and the need to identify new members who meet the criteria for contest participation.
Banquet Budget and Contest Fees
The discussion focused on budget considerations for an upcoming banquet and contest platform fees. The current contest platform fee is increasing to $2,300, and there was discussion about potentially raising annual dues from $75 to $80 or higher to cover these costs. The group also discussed the possibility of exploring alternative contest platforms, as the current system was described as difficult to use and prone to technical issues.
Event Cost-Saving Strategy Discussion
The discussion focused on exploring cost-saving options for event management, particularly regarding ticket sales and venue costs. The speaker mentioned considering alternatives to Eventbrite due to high fees and discussed the possibility of using Squarespace or PayPal for ticketing. They also explored the idea of seeking a donation from Steve Duprey to offset venue costs, though challenges with venue hard costs were noted, as demonstrated by the example of a $10,000 cost for one show at the Capital Center for the Arts.
Event Cost-Saving Strategies Discussion
The discussion focused on event costs and potential cost-saving measures, including negotiating with vendors and reducing ticket prices. Participants compared their event to another organization’s declining event, suggesting that removing dinner and reducing seating arrangements may have contributed to the decline. The conversation also touched on tensions with other media organizations, particularly regarding award eligibility and funding allocation.
Budget and Dues Discussion
The group discussed the organization’s budget, noting they ended the previous year $280 short and examining how increased contest fees helped address this gap. They calculated that raising membership dues to $100 for small organizations and $250 for large organizations could generate approximately $1,250 in additional revenue, which would cover a small salary increase for the executive director and other expenses. The conversation ended with a motion to accept the submitted budget, with a separate process planned later to formally implement the dues increase, which is required by bylaws to be effective July 1st.
May Event Planning and Dues
The group discussed plans for an upcoming event in May and approved a $25 dues increase across all membership levels, which is expected to increase membership to approximately 7,000. They explored venue options, including potentially switching to Bank of New Hampshire Stage, and discussed alternative catering arrangements to reduce costs. The group also considered exploring restaurant venues for future events, particularly for 2027, noting that such venues could offer more cost-effective options while maintaining essential event elements like food, drinks, and photo opportunities.
Annual Event Cost and Logistics
The group discussed the cost and logistics of their annual event, particularly focusing on the $5,000 food and catering costs at their current venue. They explored alternative venues and formats, including restaurants and theater-style events, though they acknowledged that finding significantly cheaper options would be challenging. The discussion also covered the need to clarify their non-profit status, which appears to be unclear or potentially lapsed. Additionally, Judy presented information about the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, which offers six $25,000 cash prizes across different reporting categories with no entry fees, though integration into their platform would need to be explored further.
Event Planning and Collaboration Strategies
The meeting focused on planning for upcoming events and initiatives. The group discussed preparations for a student event the next day, including awards presentation and logistics. They explored opportunities to collaborate with the Center for Integrity in News Reporting for professional development programs, including potential speaker initiatives and workshops on developing core values statements. The discussion also covered membership and sponsorship strategies, including pricing adjustments for different membership tiers and the possibility of adding a PR firm award to next year’s contest. The group considered offering stipends to encourage media professionals to attend events, particularly student events, and discussed challenges in reaching editors and reporters through current mailing lists.