The Ontario Community Newspapers Association is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Executive Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for achieving the goals and objectives of this $6 million non-profit association representing more than 300 community newspapers.

Application deadline February 20, 2015.

Click here for full details.

By John Foust
Raleigh, NC

Movie production crews include continuity staff members who make sure things are consistent within each scene. Even with their trained eyes, mistakes happen. If you look closely, you may notice a clock in the background that changes time dramatically during the same two minute scene. Or you'll see changes in the liquid level in a glass.

Every community has young stars, and while they may not quite have celebrity status, they deserve to be in the spotlight for all they have accomplished. Who are they? They are our future leaders - Ontario's youth. They are the final 12 recipients of the 2014 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award.

The Department of Canadian Heritage has now released the 2015-2016 Applicant's Guide and Application Form for the Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). 

To download your application form, click here.

The ATP component of CPF provides financial assistance to paid-circulation community newspapers. Eligibility and funding amounts are being calculated using a circulation-based formula. 

All OCNA members are encouraged to enter their best work from 2014 in the upcoming Canadian Community Newspaper Awards. 

The deadline to submit entries is Friday, January 30. 

This prestigious program honours publications in a diverse range of categories covering all facets of the industry, including editorial, photography and multimedia.  

Newspapers Canada CEO John Hinds recently met with representatives from Canadian Heritage and they have confirmed that there are no issues with the program or the amounts, the application process is just delayed.

They have not released the guidelines and application forms for 2015-2016 yet but hope to have them out before the end of the year. They will be providing 4-6 weeks for completion. The delay may mean that funds will be sent later. 

Congratulations to Louise Sproule, publisher of the Review in Vankleek Hill who was one of 13 honoured with the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship. The event took place on November 5 at Queen's Park and medals were presented by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor. 

The award acknowledges citizens who have made long-term contributions to the quality of life in communities and in the province. 

The OCNA is pleased to announce a new feature for this year's Junior Citizen Award. Nominators can try using our online form at www.ocna.org/en/node/jncitizenaward. Please note: users must create an account before accessing this page. This will allow the nominator to leave and return to their nomination at any time. 

The deadline for nominations is November 30, 2014. 

The Ontario Community Newspapers Association is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Newspapers Toolbox to offer you a new online entry platform to make your submission process quicker and easier!!

The Competition website is now open for entries. Submit your entries in PDF format by visiting the OCNA BNC Competition website at 2014 OCNA Awards. 

By John Foust
Raleigh, NC

One of the most impressive bridges I've ever seen is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It is four and a half miles long and connects the eastern and western shores of Maryland. Rising high above the waves, it enables travelers to cross the bay in a fraction of the time the trip would take by boat. 

Although most bridges aren't quite as dramatic, they all serve the same purpose. They help us move from Point A to Point B, usually over water. 

Words can be bridges, too.