Vacation Time

 Planning a vacation?  Please make sure you share the dates with payroll after your team leader has approved. Remember to enter the dates as VACTION on your timecard. 

Take a break

 

Upcoming holiday Monday, October 14, Columbus Day.  Remember to use HOLIDAY as the pay code when entering the hours you take off on your timecard. 

Trivia #1 The Sun and the Daily Mirror are popular tabloids that are both based out of what European capital city? 

CORPORATE SERVICES COMPANYWIDE CONTACTS:

 

CORPORATE SERVICES COMPANYWIDE CONTACTS:

 billteam@iniusa.org – This team handles the following companywide business functions:

Ø All advertising billing matters (i.e., classifieds, display/ROP, inserts/preprints)

Ø Questions/issues related to rates, adjustments, advertising invoices, credit cards, checks, daily deposits, daily cash receipts (DCRs)

Ø Payment posting and related issues (advertising and circulation)

Ø Circulation related issues for billing (carrier, single copy/store, and subscriber).

 businesssystems@iniusa.org – The team handles the following companywide business functions:

Ø Problems related to companywide systems such as Brainworks advertising/Xpance, CircSmart, SBS

Ø System set ups --- publication/rates/section in advertising and circulation systems .

Ø Employee related set up in Brainworks, Xpance, CircSmart and SBS

 CreditDept@iniusa.org   - The team is responsible for the following companywide business functions:

Ø All advertising, commercial printing, and single copy (store) collections and credit matters

Ø Credit (AIF) reviews to determine approval or denial of credit line

Ø Review and release of ad(s) in the hold queues

Ø W-9 requests

 iniaccount@iniusa.org – This team is responsible for:

Ø All accounting and audit-related duties

Ø Accounts Payable (i.e., vendor invoicing, approval)

Ø Banking

Ø Business taxes, licenses, and postage

Ø Inventory

Ø P&Ls (Financial Statements)

Ø Review of company productivity and profit

Ø 1099 Forms

 inicorporate@iniusa.org – This team is responsible for:

Ø Cost justifications

Ø Asset disposals

Ø Contracts or agreements for purchases, leases, and significant service agreements

Ø Legal issues including any threats of lawsuits

Ø Company Handbook and company policy questions

Ø Requests or notices from government agencies

Ø Safety violation or safety policy issues and questions

 

inipayroll@iniusa.org – This team is responsible for:

 Ø All ROUTINE payroll-related questions  (i.e., payroll deductions, timecard, performance evaluations, status change, terminations)

Ø Personnel forms, auto logs, direct deposit, employee application, employee sign up and orientation, employment verification

Ø Company benefits:  401K deferral, PHO, benefit questions (i.e., health, medical, life, short- and long-term disability)

Ø Event checklist

Ø Unemployment benefits

Ø W-2 forms

Ø ADP and Concur Expense Manager system related questions

Ø Accidents (i.e., company property,  workers compensation, company vehicles)

Ø Requests or questions about the INI Company Library

 inirecruit@iniusa.org – Responsible for: (1) Personnel recruiting/interviewing/job postings on social and job sites and  (2)  HR issues (i.e., employee morale, retention)

 presslines@iniusa.org – This team is responsible for Independent’s company newsletter ---  Presslines (i.e., receipt of articles/notices, photos, and postings)

 NOC@it1.com – Independent’s IT Company is responsible for ALL computer, hardware, software, network, connectivity, VPN, upgrade, licensing, emails, telephone system questions, problems and set up.

 

 

Revised 10/26/2023

Konrad LaPrade Named Delmarva Group Publisher

 

Konrad LaPrade has accepted the position of group publisher for the Delmarva group. Darel La Prade retired Jan. 30, 2023, after serving INI for nearly 26 years.

Konrad has been in digital sales and management for more than 19 years. His experience helping clients spans markets of all sizes, including Dover, Salisbury, Easton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Albany. His passion has always been for small to mid-sized businesses.

Throughout his career, he’s worked in large and small companies with a focus on digital media and events.

“It’s an honor to lead the Delmarva Group,” Konrad said. “I’m glad I got to spend some time with Darel before he retired. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a publisher and I’m thrilled to lead these publications into the future.”

 

Work From Home Guide for Employees

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ar86PobrlFu35t2mKpESxLkAU-CaVt7C/view?usp=sharing

Happy 20th

Darel La Prade, senior vice president for News Media and publisher of the Delmarva weeklies, entered the Delaware State News conference room June 8 for a surprise reception in honor of his 20^th anniversary with the company.

Shown in the first photo is Delaware State News Publisher Tom Byrd welcoming Darel.

And, in the second photo, Delaware State News managing editor Andrew West offers a congratulatory handshake. 

           INDEPENDENT’S MEDICAL PLAN TO SEE
           INCREASE  FOR UPCOMING PLAN YEAR


As you may be aware healthcare costs on a National level are continuing to rise with unprecedented levels of claim dollars.  The claim dollars are now going toward prescription drug expenses for employees and their dependents with the advent of new specialty drugs and many brand name drugs blocking the introduction of generic equivalents.

The increases have become slightly less volatile over the last couple of years, but Independent’s health plan is still outpacing general inflation. Many companies continue to be faced with double-digit increases every year!  We were fortunate that Independent’s plan saw no increase in premiums during the previous renewal.  

Independent’s insurance committee has been working very closely along with our health and welfare consultants at Wells Fargo to negotiate and reduce the increase that Highmark is requiring for the upcoming renewal.   Unfortunately, the same trends being seen nationally on prescription drug claims appears to be impacting Independent’s increase as well.

We hope to have more information to share in the upcoming weeks on how this may impact you so you have time to make a more informed decision when the Annual Enrollment meetings take place in July.

 

Excellence Awards Recipients

Excellence Award Recipients for 2016 will be announced in Press Lines Wednesday, March 30.

Need a W9 for a Customer

When requesting a W9 for a customer, please make sure that you send your request to iniaccount@newszap.com.

Information to complete the request should include:

1) Customer Name

2) Contact Name

3) Customer Address

4) Customer email address or Customer fax number

5) Customer number in Brainworks, Circulation, or Media Plus.

The W9 will be sent to the customer within 24 hours.  If sent by email, a confirmation to the requester will be sent for verification of completion.  If you need any further information regarding this request please contact iniaccount@newszap.com.

Excellence Awards

OH who could it be?  I cannot wait to find out!

The list of Excellence Award recipients will be published in Press Lines Wednesday, March 25.

Don't miss it!

Last Week for Excellence Award Nominations

EXCELLENCE AWARDS:  Nominations for Independent's annual Excellence Awards must be submitted by Friday, February 28.   Nominations may be made by any employee.  The nomination form and more details are available at http://www.newszap.com/excellenceawards/nominationform.html

Nominations Sought

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Nominations sought

It's that time again to recognize those persons who have proven their excellence in helping Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA fulfill its mission to the communities we serve. Employees are invited to nominate coworkers for the annual Excellence awards. These awards honor persons and teams whose practice of our core values have moved Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA closer to its goal of publishing purposeful newspapers. In the past, honorees have come from every facet of our operation - advertising, distribution, production, administration and news. They have been team leaders and team members, new employees and veterans. Their common quality is that each has been a model of excellence.

 Nominations may be made by any employee. A nomination form is available at http://www.newszap.com/excellenceawards/nominationform.html. All submissions should be made using this form.  Deadline for nominations is Friday, of February 28.

A list of previous winners can be found at Excellence Awards link at Press Lines and can be a useful reference tool when preparing a nomination since previous winners cannot win more than once in the same category. Winners will be announced in late March or early April.

Below is the list of traditional categories for these awards.  However, this year we will allow employees to submit new categories they feel may also be appropriate in keeping up with our changing industry.  For example, suggestion might to create an award for "Digital Transformation," to recognize a leader in improving our web sites and helping to build a larger online audience for newszap.com.

Do We Have Your Correct Address?

We are only days away from the end of 2013!  In order to receive your W-2 in a timely manner, please review your mailing address in Ceridian Self Service and make any necessary changes.

Tech Notice

CryptoGuard will protect your files from being encrypted if you are hit by the ransomware called Cryptolock.

Everyone… please click on this link.  http://www.surfright.nl/en/cryptoguard

Go down the page until you see the Download BETA button.

 
Click on Download BETA and click on Run.

Click on Install

 

Click on Close

 

 

When you open your browser, a green box will display on the top right for a couple of seconds… it looks something like this:

 

 

 

It's Time For Your Annual Flu Shot

It is that time of the year when we begin getting our flu shots.  This year, flu shots in the Highmark Delaware area has changed.  While members of the health plan can still go to their local pharmacy (i.e. Walgreens, Rite Aid), they will be required to pay out of pocket & then submit the receipt with a claim form for reimbursement. However, members who go to their physician’s office and receive the flu shot will continue to pay the office visit copay.  The claim form can be downloaded through Self Service>BENEFITS>Medical Claim Form @  https://sourceselfservice2.ceridian.com/en-us/empowerment.asp?FormID=FrmFormData&CompanyName=independentnewspapers&NtFlxID=36287307

Or the form can be downloaded from the Highmark DE member portal at www.highmarkbcbsde.com.  Completed claim forms and receipts must be mailed to the following address for reimbursement:

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware

P.O. Box 8831
Wilmington, DE 19899-8831.

Please contact inipayroll@newszap.com should you have any questions.

 

Independent Extends Period for Employees

Independent’s insurance committee has heard the ongoing concerns by employees due to the increase in dependent rates; and, small window for open enrollment. Many are saying the open enrollment period did not allow enough time for researching alternate plans for dependent coverage. After consultation with Independent’s broker, we are extending that period to August 23  that will allow you time to research other plans and make final adjustments to your selection.

We will be closing off any requests for changes on August 24.  Any changes thereafter would only be allowed due to a qualified life event.  Keep in mind that the extended period will not stop the new premium rates that go into effect August 1; which you will see on your next August paycheck.   We hope this extended period will give employees time to research plan options. If there any questions; please email inipayroll@newszap.com .

 

Open Enrollment July 21-27

Independent rolls out new plan structure for open enrollment:  July 21-27

 This year Independent is facing a significant increase in our medical insurance rates.  These  increases will result in added costs to the employees so that we can continue providing quality healthcare benefits to our employees. .  With that in mind, we determined it best to view our health insurance benefit for what it is intended to be -- an employee benefit and not necessarily a "family" benefit.   The factors which contributed to the increase by the insurance carrier are:

∙ Increase in incidences of major claims

∙ Aging of our overall population

∙ Cost increases due to changes in the health care regulations

∙ Standard Medical/Pharmacy trend increases

We did our best to implement a solution so that our employees who require family coverage could take advantage of  an option that is close to what they are paying today.

Many employers are changing their plan options to include “employee only coverage” and “employee plus child/ren coverage” while excluding  “spousal (family) coverage” altogether.  We hope to be able to continue providing affordable coverage for our employees while providing them with the opportunity to buy coverage for their dependents.  Independent will continue to subsidize employee only premiums at a significant percentage to allow for high quality coverage for our employees; while the employee absorbs more of a cost share for dependent coverage.  .

To help employees become better consumers in the health market, Independent will be offering a NEW plan as well as reconstructing the employer and participant cost share. The two plans offered are: (1) the current EPO Plan; and,  (2) a  Consumer Directed (Low premium option) Plan.  The change makes the plan affordable and in compliance under the Health Care Reform Act.

1. The Consumer Directed (Low premium Option) Plan is an EPO plan with a $2,500 employee only deductible and a $5,000 family deductible.  This plan’s design is to foster better understanding of medical costs and the value of discounts prior to making our health care choices. Preventative care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible will not apply. (See the plan benefit bulletin for details) The per pay cost for this plan, in most situations, will be a significant decrease from what the plan would otherwise cost.

COST for the Consumer Directed EPO plan:

·        Regular per pay period premium for medical & prescription coverage will be $74 for a single only per pay period; $325 for Employee + Child(ren) ; $475 for  Employee + Spouse; and, $578 for Family.

·        There is a 25% discount for non-tobacco users (up 5% from the prior year).  Those per pay period premiums will be $59 for single; $260 for Employee + Child(ren), $380 for Employee Spouse; and, $463 for Family.

2.The Current EPO plan has a deductible of $500 and $1,500 family deductible.  Preventative care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible will not apply.

Cost for the Current EPO plan will change to: 

·         The regular per pay premium is:  $116 employee only, $400 for Employee + Child(ren), $578 for Employee +spouse; $715 for Family. 

·         The tobacco-free discount (25% discount) per pay period will be $93 for single, $320 for Employee + Child(ren), $462 for Employee + spouse, $572 for Family.

 *****************

Dental:  The Plan’s carrier is United Concordia, a subsidiary of HighmarkDE and coverage remains the same.

The bi-weekly premium for the optional Dental plan will also change to the tier structure:  $13 - Single/employee only, $20 - Employee+Child(ren), $29 - Employee+Spouse, $35 – Family

 

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability – There are no changes in the costs for life and long term disability insurances.

To help control your out-of-pocket costs, we encourage employees and dependents to take advantage of the Plan’s preventive benefits. Your annual physical, for example, is 100% covered --- with no co-pay or deductible cost to you. Schedule your annual physical and follow the plan’s guidelines for staying healthy. (See the plan documents for details).

Independent’s benefit brokers will be conducting webinars during the week of July 15^th, to help employees understand the changes and options available to them in the upcoming Plan Year.  Please review the webinar schedule and click the session that best fits your schedule:

 

                                Webinar Schedule:

Date	Tuesday July 16th	Wednesday July 17th	Thursday July 18th	Friday July 19th
Time: PLEASE CLICK ON THE TIME TO CONNECT TO THE WEBINAR OF YOUR CHOICE.	2:00pm –3:15pm       Eastern Time	10:00am - 11:15am 12:00pm –1:15pm 4:00pm –5:15pm   Eastern Time	12:00pm –1:15pm 2:00pm - 3:15pm 4:00pm –5:15pm    Eastern Time	10:00am - 11:15am       Eastern Time

 

 

All eligible employees must re-enroll, and non-smokers must submit an affidavit to qualify for the non-smoker discount.   The Self Service Open Enrollment site will be available from July 21 - 27, 2013.

[Click HERE to log onto Ceridian Self Service for open enrollment. The ENROLLMENT flag that appears at the top will continue to display until open enrollment ends.]

Employees who do not have access to a computer should contact inipayroll@newszap.com or call 302-741-8259.

 

Need A W9 For A Customer?

When requesting a W9 for a customer, please make sure that you send your request to iniaccount@newszap.com.

 Information to complete the request should include:

1) Customer Name

2) Contact Name

3) Customer Address

4) Customer email address or Customer fax number

5) Customer number in Media Plus or Circulation system.

 The W9 will be sent to the customer within 24 hours.  If sent by email, a confirmation to the requester will be sent for verification of completion.  If you need any further information regarding this request please contact iniaccount@newszap.com.

 

Lack of Network Speed Is A Problem

As many of you are already aware, we are experiencing severe network slowness from time to time. In an effort to remedy the problem, we are asking that everyone please refrain from streaming music and videos unless it is work related. Also, if you are not using Facebook for work purposes please do not leave it open on your computers all day.

We will be monitoring the network to see if we gain network speed by being more mindful of music, videos and Facebook.  Hopefully this will help us in the interim as we continue to look for options to help in the long term.

Thanks so much for your help in this matter.

Danielle Musser

Business Systems Manager

 

Chuck Matthews Newest INI Non-Profit Member

Chuck Matthews


 

Jim Binns

 

Chuck Matthews has been elected to a five-year term as a member of INI’s non-profit holding company.

Chuck, 50, is the chairman and CEO of WGM Associates LLC, a Scottsdale-based company that provides small and medium sized businesses a wide range of managed services and software solutions designed to transform information technology into a core strategic asset.  His background includes 26 years in management, finance, real estate and technology, as well as extensive volunteer community service. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from the University of Arizona.

He replaces James H. Binns, 67, whose five-year term as a non-profit member expired.  Jim was one of the original founders of INI’s non-profit holding company in 1991 and served three non-consecutive terms as a non-profit member.  A former lawyer and corporate CEO, he serves as chairman of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, a federal advisory body mandated by Congress and appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

On behalf of the other non-profit members as well as the company’s board of directors, INI CEO Joe Smyth presented a plaque thanking Jim “for his years of trusteeship, inspiration and dedication to preserving a vigorous and independent press as the bastion of a free society”. 

“Jim has been a terrific non-profit member and we hate to lose him,” Joe said, “but we were fortunate to be able to replace him with another very accomplished person in Chuck Matthews.”

The non-profit members serve staggered 5-year terms. They cannot serve consecutive terms, so at least one member is replaced each year. The four other non-profit members, in addition to Mr. Matthews, are:

 

·         Jody Brannon, a digital media pioneer who is director of The Next America, an initiative at NationalJournal.com exploring the impact of shifting demographics on policy and politics. Previously, she was national director of the Carnegie-Knight News21 journalism initiative at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

·         Gary Edens, owner of The Hanover Companies, Inc. and former CEO of Edens Broadcasting, which owned radio stations in San Diego, Phoenix, Richmond, Newport News and Tampa.

·         Dick Gottlieb, the civic-minded former Wisconsin newspaper publisher who rose to CEO of Lee Enterprises, chaired the Newspaper Association of America and was a director of The Associated Press.

·         Karny Stefan, of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona, who has worked with a number of other non-profits, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  She has a master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management, from the University of Missouri. 

INI (Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA) is a normal tax-paying company that is owned by a unique non-profit holding company. There are no stockholders, and all after-tax profits are reinvested in the company. The non-profit members pledge not to profit personally from their involvement. They don’t have responsibility for running the company, but they elect the directors who bear that responsibility.

Reelected as directors were:

·         Richard Bricker, an independent business consultant with a strong background in finance, law and real estate.

·         Pete Eyerly, chairman of Press-Enterprise, Inc. of Bloomsburg, Pa.  The family-owned company publishes a daily newspaper in Bloomsburg, developed a significant web offset commercial printing business and has operated business journals and an advertising agency in Pennsylvania.

·         Joe Smyth, INI Chair and CEO and author of Newsroom Guidelines for Independent Newspapers and Fixing America’s Broken Politics: A Citizens Handbook, who transferred ownership of INI in 1991 to the non-profit holding company he had created for that purpose.

·         Alicia Wadas, the chief operating officer at The Lavidge Company, a full-service advertising, public relations, communications, consulting and interactive marketing agency in Phoenix. She is also an active volunteer in several community organizations.