The Largest Regional Newspaper Press Association in the U.S.
The South Texas Press Association (STPA) was established in 1927 to promote the welfare of, encourage ethical practices in, and protect the interests of the newspaper publishing industry in the South Texas.
The STPA is a Community of Newspapers and the largest regional press association in the country.
The STPA also sponsors two $1,500 Internship Programs providing eight weeks of on-the-job training for college students with a member newspaper. It also awards two $1,500 Scholarships to a deserving college student pursuing a degree in a journalism-related field and to a college-bound graduating high school senior who is pursuing a career in a journalism-related field.
STPA membership comes in five classes: active, individual, associate, participating, and honorary. Annual membership meeting and convention is held each April. Membership dues are $75 per year.
1) Active Membership is for newspaper as defined in Sect. 2051.044 of the Texas Government Code and that are published at least once a week; and entered as periodcals class postal matter in the county where published for at least three months prior to the date of application for membership.
2) Individual Membership is open to former newspaper publishers or employees. Applications are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
3) Associate Membership is open to firms engaged in the sale or distribution of newspaper supplies or services; to the salesmen working for those firms, to commering printing firms, advertising agencies and to teachers of journalism in recognized schools and colleges.
4) Participating Membership is open to periodicals not qualified for active membership or to bona fide newspapers published outside of the state of Texas.
5) Honorary Membership may be awarded to individuals who have performed dinstinguished service for the Texas press and are nominated by the board of directors. The membership is only granted on approval by the board at its annual convention.
Membership dues notices are mailed before the first of each year to all newspapers that are listed with mailing addresses in the Texas Press Association directory and that fall in what is roughly the South Texas region (that extends to north of Lufkin over to the Austin area and over to the Laredo area. Other qualified membership candidates interested in joining the STPA, but not currently on its mailing list, should contact Jeff Berger, Hondo Anvil Herald at (830) 426-3346, email anvil@hondo.nett, or mail dues payment to STPA, P. O. Box 400, Hondo, Tx. 78861.
Dues for all classes of Membership are the same $75 per year. Only the Active Membership class can participate in official association business (i.e. contest, intern program), voting and holding offices. The convention, however, is open to all dues-paying members.
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