Discover innovative business strategies, practical ideas and creative ways to serve and connect with your community - all at the 2015 National Conference. 

The Insurance Bureau of Canada Community Award in Memory of Mary Knowles was created by the Ontario Community Newspapers Foundation, the charitable division of OCNA which provides funding for industry and educational endeavours. 

Mary Knowles was a dedicated newspaper employee, and an active community member who died from breast cancer in 1996. This award is presented each year to recognize volunteer contributions and involvement of dedicated newspaper staff within their community.

OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding quality work produced each week by its member community newspapers and showcase it to readers and advertisers. 

The top three finalists of the BNC Awards have been announced in alphabetical order. Visit http://ocna.org/2014_BNC_Awards_Finalists to see the complete list of results.

Take advantange of some of the most competitive rates available on shipping services with the UPS Members Benefit Program.

Members of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) can receive up to 30 percent off domestic and international small package shipments, brokerage and freight shipments. It's free to sign up and there are no minimum shipping requirements. 

The Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association is searching for judges to fill several categories of their BNC Awards.

General Excellence Circulation Categories:

Class A under 1299
Class B 1300 - 1999
Class C 2000 - 3499
Class D 3500 - 6499
Class E 6500 - 12,499
Class F 12,500 and over

Awards of Excellence:

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.