Join

How do I join NINA?

You can register online or contact communications coordinator Shelley Hendricks at 815-753-4239 or shendricks@niu.edu.

Checks written to NINA should be sent to:

Northern Illinois News Association

c/o Shelley Hendricks, Northern Star

Campus Life Building, Suite 130

DeKalb, IL 60115

What does NINA do for its members?

• Provides programs on various topics

• Benefits both veteran and new staff members

• Brings peers together

• Saves travel time and money on staff training

• Provides free critiques for members

• Recognizes achievements

• Introduces prospective employees

• Builds the future through scholarships to student journalists

Please join us by becoming a member of NINA. When your newspaper joins, the entire staff is included in our membership.

We also welcome individuals — freelancers, teachers, college students, faculty, and journalism retirees — who want to learn about and contribute to journalism in northern Illinois.

Members are eligible for our annual contest.

Annual Membership Rates

Individual, including freelancers : $25

Single, nondaily newspapers: $75

Online-exclusive news publications: $75

Daily newspapers, weekly group newspapers

with circulation:

• up to 20,000 : $150
• more than 20,000 : $250

Group publications that share a common newsroom are encouraged to join NINA as one parent company. Group-owned newspapers with separate newsrooms in separate cities should join separately.

For more information, please contact Shelley Hendricks at shendricks@niu.edu or 815-753-4239.

One of my favorite NINA events is the annual Media Conspiracy gathering. It’s been fun to mingle with other journalists in a casual environment, chatting about the business and other topics over great food and drinks.”

— Kathy Balcazar, Editor, Kane County Chronicle, St. Charles

“As a young reporter in the 1970s I benefited greatly from attending NINA seminars and that continues today. NINA has evolved over the years but continues to provide great continuing education for professionals, career guidance and scholarships to students, professional recognition through its annual contest and provides a valuable bridge to encourage professional networking. Our membership in NINA is money well spent.”

— Roger Ruthhart Managing Editor, The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus, Moline

“After spending more than 15 years in a newsroom, I’ve found a soft landing in academia. NINA keeps me in touch with the emerging trends in the industry, which helps me prepare students to work at the very papers NINA represents. On a personal level, I treasure time with my NINA comrades because as journalists, we’re a distinct breed with common challenges and motivations few others understand.”

— Shelley Hendricks Adviser, Northern Star, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

“NINA is a dynamic organization that connects, challenges and celebrates the accomplishments of professionals in this ever-changing industry. There are many opportunities to network and learn then take your skills to the next level. It’s a privilege to be a member of NINA.”

— Patricia M. Szpekowski PR Strategies, freelancer, Elgin

Updated 2015