Newspaper members in cities of 3,000 or less
$40.00

Newspaper members in cities over 3,001
$50.00

Associate Members
$100.00

(Dues are for membership from January 1 to December 31 each year. Dues must be paid by March 15 to be eligible to participate in Better Newspaper Contest.)

There are four classes of membership in the association:
Active, Individual, Associate and Honorary.

Active Membership is limited to newspapers or periodicals, provided they are printed in the geographic area concerned, issued at least one each month, and circulated through second class mailing privileges for a period of at least three months prior to date of application for membership. Amount of dues is
determined by city's population.

Individual Membership in the association is extended to newspaper people working for a member newspaper, and to former newspaper publishers or employees, with applications subject to approval of the board of directors. Dues shall be set by the board of directors.

Associate Membership is extended to firms engaged in the sale or distribution of newspaper supplies or services; to salesmen working for those firms, providing that the specific house out of which the salesman works holds at least one plant membership; to advertising agencies and their employees; to bona fide public relations firms representing more than one client, their employees; and to teachers of journalism in recognized schools and colleges; dues are $100 per year.

Honorary Membership in the association may be awarded to persons who have performed distinguished service for the association or the press of Texas. The board of directors may nominate persons for membership, but the membership is granted only on approval by the members in annual convention. This is a lifetime membership and no dues are charged.

The WTPA Better Newspaper Contest gives each newspaper a chance to compete with other publications of similar size and frequency of publication. Judges' comments and critiques are provided to all who enter. This is a valuable tool for improvement as well as validation for a job well done.

Named for the former publisher of the Hamlin Herald who died in 1981, the Bob Craig Memorial Scholarship is given to two college students. Applications are solicited from high schools and colleges in the membership
area. One scholarship is given to a graduating senior and the other to a college junior or senior who is pursuing a career in print media. The WTPA scholarship of $1,000 per year, paid $500 each semester, is matched by Texas Press Association, so that the students receive $1,000 each semester. Deadline for scholarship applications is June 15 each year.