By DAVID LEDFORD
APME President

David Ledford

For journalists, it's the best of times and the worst of times.

It's best because we have more tools than ever before to connect with readers. It's worst because our mission constantly expands while resources constantly shrink. In this environment, editors need help.

APME has always been focused on practical tools to help working editors, and that's never been more relevant as we move into the digital age.

Even if you didn't attend the 2007 conference in Washington, D.C., you will soon receive in the mail an electronic version of our "Great Ideas" book, with more than 350 ideas to help you in print and online.

On the same CD we've loaded up our diversity toolkit, suggestions for helping retain journalists of color during a difficult period in our industry. The toolkit, produced jointly with UNITY, springs from roundtable discussions in 2007 held in four U.S. regions.

Former journalists of color were candid about why they left the industry and what could have been done to keep them. Those remaining on the front lines shared what it will take to help them achieve better job satisfaction. With newsrooms downsizing nationwide, this issue takes on newfound urgency.

We hope these fresh discussions give you new ideas for taking action. And in this, the 75th anniversary of APME, we also are planning another season of training for midlevel editors – at the extraordinary rate of $50 for two-day sessions – that soon may be coming to a city near you. Our respected NewsTrain program is now in its fifth year and has reached nearly 4,000 journalists in all 48 states of the contiguous U.S.

While our feet are solidly planted on the bedrock of investigative and enterprise reporting, good writing and an innovative mix of storytelling techniques, we're also focused on the future.

In Milwaukee and Tampa, for example, 2007 NewsTrain courses included "Leading in a Time of Change, "Story Planning for Multiple Media," "Ethics and Values in the Digital Age," databases and maps, and "Interaction Drives Readers to Your Web Site."

Last year APME leadership put enormous energy into writing a blueprint for the future of this volunteer organization, a strategic plan that called for more financial stability, stronger administrative ability and more partnerships to foster the science of journalism.

Recognizing all that we do, the membership voted unanimously in Washington to approve a $150-per-editor dues structure for APME members. It's modest compared with dues for some journalism groups, but the money will bring much needed stability – and allow APME to give you the practical tools and training you've come to depend on. (For further amplification on the dues proposal, please see the Q&A at www.apme.com).

Helping us help you are our partners:

► The Donald W. Reynolds Institute at Missouri's School of Journalism worked with us to survey editors and citizens nationwide on how anonymous online posts and other initiatives are affecting our credibility online. An executive summary of the report was showcased at the conference, and a final, formal report will soon be loaded onto a CD and mailed to you.

► In November, we collaborated with the Online News Association to produce a special edition of NewsTrain in Tampa.

► For the first time, APME will hold a joint conference with the Society of Newspaper Design. It happens next September in Las Vegas and will put more than 1,000 journalists under one roof.

► Early in 2008, APME will work with the Sunlight Foundation and Taxpayers for Common Cause to bring you databases detailing earmarks in congressional districts nationwide. Sunlight also will provide tutorial assistance. The Associated Press will provide a national overview to give the local stories you generate the needed context.

Yes, times are tough. But it's still an honor to be a top editor. And as we move forward, I say it's time to stop talking about what we used to be, and start putting our hearts, energy and brainpower into what we can be – because what we can be is nothing short of spectacular.

David Ledford is executive editor of the News Journal of Wilmington, Del. He can be reached at (302) 324-2860 or by e-mail at dledford@delawareonline.com.