What is TCNA?

Texas Community Newspaper Association is a network of free distribution newspapers or shoppers throughout Texas.

The purpose of the TCNA?

To have one voice speaking for FREE publications in Texas, to share ideas toward the betterment of the industry and for mutual encouragement.

What is TEXCAP?

TEXCAP, Texas Classified Advertising Network, is a simple way to reach over 1.8 million Texans with your classified ad for a surprisingly low rate.

Who is invited to join?

Any person, firm or corporation who publishes a free-circulation community paper or shopping guide is eligible to belong to TCNA provided they abide by the Code of Ethics, Objectives and Policies.

The following basic membership requirements must be met by all member's free-circulation papers:
• Free Circulation
• Published at state intervals
• Continuity as to title and general nature of content from issue to issue
• Advertising from numerous and unrelated advertisers in each issue
• Editorial/Features/Community Data may be in each issue
• All Free Papers owned by the organization and parent corporation/organization must be included
• Code of Ethics/Ethical Business Practices subscribed to as state by TCNA
• Distribution/Circulation separate and not a part of an insert in paid-circulation paper.

Purposes of TCNA. The purposes of this Association shall be as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation; and
1. To bring into one regional organization local and independent free community papers and shopping guides for their mutual encouragement, for the exchanges of ideas toward the betterment of the industry and such other purposes as may from time to time be determined by the membership and the officers and directors.
2. To publish information pertinent to the membership and prospective members.
3. To maintain and advance the standard of practice in the industry with respect to the highest concepts of business practice and ethics.
4. To acquire and hold such real and personal property as may be necessary for the full and proper execution of these purposes.
5. To promote the distribution and publication of publications containing advertising and public information which are distributed to a community on a community-wide basis, with such publications being published at stated intervals and having continuity as to title and general content from issue to issue, and each issue of which contains community notices or editorial content or articles by different authors or advertising from numerous unrelated advertisers.
6. To carry out such organization functions and activities as are deemed necessary to accomplish these purposes.

CODE OF ETHICS . . .Unethical Business Practices
As a member of the Texas Community Newspaper Association, members pledge themselves and/or their organization to:
• Observe the highest standards of honesty in all business transactions and avoid the use of any and all unfair business practices.
• Advertise and publish only such circulation and distribution figures as can be satisfactorily substantiated.
• Advertise and publish current advertising rates and furnish rate cards to any legitimate business firm upon request. Quote no rate that cannot be earned by any or all advertisers and will not indulge in the practice known as "double billing."
• Subscribe fully to the copyright principle and will respect the copyrights of others to the same extent which we expect others to respect our copyrights.
• Not knowingly permit the use of any false titles, confusing technical data, descriptions, misleading or inaccurate terms or claims in any ad copy.
• Maintain a spirit of friendly cooperation and assistance toward fellow craftsmen and hold out a helping hand whenever possible.
• Continually endeavor to raise and enhance the quality level of the profession and maintain a dignity of manner in the craft and services connected with it, and in the appearance of places of business and all other forms of public contact.
• Recognize and subscribe to the authority of the officer and directors of the National Association of Advertising Publishers in all matters of interpretation of this Code of Ethics.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation of a matter of ethics conducted by the TCNA.

Members of the Texas Community Newspaper Association agree that the following are unethical business practices and pertain to all publishers and education, paid and free circulation, that are a part of my organization:
• Deliberately setting advertising rates below cost.
• Making false statements about circulation figures.
• Requiring false statements about circulation figures.
• Requiring advertisers to purchase in combination only.
• Charging rates that are not available to all advertisers.
• Double billing.

TCNA Membership Advantages
• Have one voice speaking for FREE publications in Texas since 1964.
• Attend informative semi-annual conventions, trade shows, and seminars at very low cost.
• Exchange ideas with fellow FREE paper publishers.
• Compete for annual awards in a wide range of advertising and editorial categories.
• No cost to join the Texas Classified Advertising Network (TEXCAP) and reap its many benefits.
• Lobbying efforts on vital issues pertaining to the FREE paper industry.
• Optional insurance and other plans available only to members.
• Participate in forming policy and Vote and hold office in TCNA and/or TEXCAP.
• Have a full time office and Executive Director to manage TCNA and TEXCAP operations.
• Receive periodic newsletter and other information mailings on your industry.
• Special discounts on vendor-member goods/services.
• Free subscription to Free Paper Publisher national magazine for TEXCAP members.