NewsBeat

October 2018 NewsBeat 17 c. Serve newsrooms and the public by maintaining the highest standards of credible, ethical and independent journalism across platforms. Q: Is this simply a merger of the two organizations? A: In a legal sense, we''l be combining the two organizations. But our goal is to create a new membership organization focused on serving the needs of leaders at all levels in newsrooms and on all types of journalism platforms. The News Leaders Association will have a broader membership structure than either ASNE or APME has now. We'll be working on the details in the coming year. The ASNE Foundation and APME Foundation will not be merged at this point and remain independent of each other. Q: What is the timeline for creating a new organization? A: Our tentative schedule is based on formally completing a merger in about a year. Here are some of the key milestones: August 2018: Completed a detailed merger and governance plan, as well as a combined budget, that formed the basis for a formal memorandum-of-understanding between ASNE and APME. Each board approved the plan. With feedback via a survey of both organizations' members, we adopted the name News Leaders Association and began work on a logo and other branding. September 2018: The full membership of each organization approved the plan at the joint News Leadership Conference in Austin. Legal work begins in earnest. September 2019: The News Leaders Association is expected to be fully operational by the News Leadership Conference in New Orleans. Michael Days, currently secretary of the APME board, will become the first president of the new organization. George Stanley, currently secretary of ASNE, will become the vice president. Q: What are the next steps? A: Both ASNE and APME will continue to exist in 2018-19, working together closely on our top journalistic priorities, details of the merger and the 2019 conference planning. Four committees, composed of board members from ASNE and APME, are mapping out details and recommendations on key areas, such as governance, finances, membership and recruiting, marketing, contests and other areas. We will create bylaws for the News Leaders Association and target key areas of leadership emphasis for our first year. On the legal front, our lawyers are working out the many details involved in combining our two nonprofit organizations. That includes filing certificates of merger and getting approval in Virginia and New York, where ASNE and APME, respectively, are incorporated, and a filing certificate of incorporation in Delaware, where the new organization will be formed. Q: How does the merger affect my membership in ASNE or APME? How can I become a member of NLA? A: Current members of both ASNE and APME will become members of the News Leaders Association. We will be working out details of dues and membership structure going forward for NLA, once it's formally in place. If you're not a member yet, you can sign up now at asne.org or apme.com, and your membership will be transferred to NLA when the new organization is legally established. We encourage everyone to join us now, rather than waiting, to help us all fully leverage our strength in numbers. Q: Who can become a member of NLA? A: For more information on how to become a member of ASNE or APME, please contact us. Q: What will the governing structure look like? A: The News Leaders Association will begin in 2019 with a board of 22 members, with a plan to gradually reduce that number to 15. The initial board will consist of officers of each organization. In addition to the officers, ASNE and APME will each select six at-large board members for the new organization. Additionally, The Associated Press will nominate one at-large board member, and ASNE will nominate a former member of the Association of Opinion Journalists as an at-large member. (AOJ merged into ASNE in 2016-17.) We have also discussed potential board seats for other nonprofit journalism organizations or foundations, as well as how best to ensure that newsrooms of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest, are represented. About the American Society of News Editors The American Society of News Editors focuses on leadership development and journalism-related issues. Founded in 1922 as a nonprofit professional organization, ASNE promotes fair, principled journalism; defends and protects First Amendment rights; and fights for freedom of information and open government. Leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion in coverage and the journalism work force, opinion journalism, news literacy and the sharing of ideas are also key ASNE initiatives. About the Associated Press Media Editors The Associated Press Media Editors advances the principles and practices of responsible journalism; supports and mentors a diverse network of current and emerging newsroom leaders; and champions the First Amendment and freedom of information. APME trains journalists to thrive in a rapidly changing environment and promotes forward-looking ideas that benefit news organizations and the communities they serve. The organization works closely with The Associated Press, the largest independent media operation in the world. — Reprinted from ASNE.org

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