NINA president looks back at 2009

Here's a column by Pete Nenni, outgoing NINA president, that will appear in our print newsletter soon:

The most challenging year in recent memory for the news media in general, and newspapers in particular, was equally as challenging for NINA board members.

Our newsrooms suffered through the same tight budgets, staff and expense cutbacks and advertising revenue declines. Our employees, like yours, scrambled to create products in print and online that would make us useful, relevant and necessary to readers. In short, we shared your pain.

Sadly, we have no magic bullet to combat the weak economy and ongoing shifts in readership.
And, like you, NINA was forced to think out of the box in 2009. Our mission was to identify different approaches to training and conveying critical information to meet the needs of our members.

Some of those efforts included:

• The Spring Conference, which focused on “The New Basics” and featured a panel discussion aimed at showing journalists what they can do to save and advance their career.
  The Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long talked about how he uses social networking Web sites to promote his work and build audience; Barbara Vitello of the Daily Herald discussed her switch from the features desk to the courthouse and how it has made her a more valuable asset to the newspaper; and Denise Schoenbachler, dean of the Northern Illinois University College of Business, brought a business perspective about adapting to an uncertain career path.
• NINA communications coordinator Jim Killam, the adviser for NIU’s daily student media, the Northern Star, expanded the use and reach of Digital Ink, NINA’s blog. There, he created and fostered discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing our industry. For the first time, NINA also offered free listings on its Web site for job seekers.
• NINA offered a Webinar training for the first time when we arranged a discounted fee for members to participate in the Poynter Institute’s NewsU Facebook for Journalists discussion. It provided insight into using the popular social networking tool.
• Recognizing the cost and time constraints facing our members, NINA changed the traditional format of our Fall Conference. Instead of a half-day training program, the event featured an evening dinner and keynote speaker George Papajohn, of the Chicago Tribune, who discussed the critical need for the media to continue its watchdog role.

While we sought new approaches to training and presenting information, we didn't abandon our most important traditions.

We again honored great journalism in the annual awards program, and we continued to support the future of the industry by helping high school journalists pursue their careers. NINA honored five talent high school journalists in its 12th annual scholarship competition. A total of $1,400 in scholarships was awarded.

And, that leads us to 2010.

To be sure, the New Year will be no less challenging. Our members will still be required to be vigilant in finding ways to provide meaningful coverage to communities and reach out to readers.

The NINA board, under new president Mike Cetera, will use responses to a 2009 survey of members to develop programs to help support you in the effort.

It’s an exciting time and we want you to look to NINA as a resource in meeting that challenge.

Pete Nenni, NINA’s 2009 president, is the Lake County editor of the Daily Herald in Libertyville.