Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to dues paying MEMBERS of the North and East Texas Press Association.

2. CONTEST PERIOD: Calendar year 2006. All entries must have been originally published during calendar year 2006, and specifi cally in March or May, where indicated.

3. Except for Column Writing, no newspaper shall be given more than one award in any contest category where points awarded count toward the association’s Sweepstakes Awards.

4. Entries published in more than one newspaper may be entered only one time — in the largest circulation category in which they appeared.

5. ELIGIBILITY: Contests are under the full supervision of NETPA and are open to all daily, semi-weekly, twin-weekly and weekly newspapers that were paid members of NETPA for the year 2006.

a. Combination Dailies (morning and evening publications) are entitled to one entry in each contest, but entry may be made up of material from either or both editions.

b. Semi-Weekly Newspapers (publications carrying one name but published twice each week) must enter the semi-weekly division.

c. Twin-Weekly Newspapers (two weeklies bearing different names but published from the same office and distributed in the same town on different days of the week) must be treated as a semi-weekly and entered in the semi-weekly division.

6. DIVISION REQUIREMENTS: A newspaper must compete in its circulation bracket based on the October 2006 U.S. Postal Service statement of total paid circulation.

7. PREPARATION OF ENTRIES: Only one (1) set of entries may be submitted in each category, except column writing, in which two (2) sets of entries may be submitted.

a. The division number (when applicable) and category must be identifi ed on each entry using the labels provided by NETPA. Failure to do so will disqualify the entry. Please DO NOT use Roman numerals.

b. Entries must be submitted fl at, and folded in either half or quarter page size. Do not roll entries and do not bind copies. Put division number on outside of envelope/package in which entries are mailed.

8. NO EXPLANATION: Letters and memos explaining entries may accompany ONLY Editorial and Community Service entries for which background information may be helpful to the contest judges.

9. JUDGES: Judges will be selected by the Contest Awards Chairman and shall include professional journalists.

10. AWARDS: Awards will be announced Saturday, April 21, 2007, during the North and East Texas Press Association Convention at Crowne Plaza Suites in Arlington “Fun Central,” Texas. First place winners will come forward to receive plaques. Certifi cates will be distributed to second, third and fourth place winners after the awards ceremony. Copies of the Winners’ Circle with comments on each entry will be available at the conclusion of the awards brunch.

11. DISPOSITION OF ENTRIES: All entries become the property of NETPA and cannot be returned. However, the judges will be asked to comment briefl y on each winning entry and such comments will be reprinted for distribution at the annual awards dinner.

12. MAILING OF ENTRIES: Contest entries may be shipped by any means except second-class mail to: Marshall Day, NETPA Awards Chairman, The Gatesville Messenger, P.O. Box 799, Gatesville, TX 76528-0799. Phone 1-254-865-5212.