Changing, and staying the same

Change is inevitable, they say, and we’ve certainly experienced our share of change lately at The Deerfield Valley News. Most readers will already know that Vicki and Randy Capitani, owners of the valley’s paper of record for 34 years, sold the newspaper to Vermont Independent Media (VIM), publisher of The Commons, in July. Over the last four months, they’ve shared their wisdom and experience with VIM and The Deerfield Valley News staff who will carry their legacy forward. We thank them both for their ongoing advice and support. 
Some of the other changes at The Deerfield Valley News over the last few weeks haven’t been as apparent to readers – or so we hope. We have new technology, including new computers, a new network, and new software. Among other things, this will allow us to work better with our sister publication, The Commons. Soon you’ll also see some minor design changes, including to the fonts we use, and layout tweaks. Altogether, it should result in a better overall experience for readers. 
You’ll soon notice other changes at the Deerfield Valley News. This week, you’ll see more free content on our website. The free content includes things like letters to the editor, This Week in History, community events, the weekly horoscope, arts, and leisure. We’ve also made the obituaries free – for the same reason we’ve never charged for obituaries in the print edition: We think obituaries are news that’s important to the community, and we don’t want to profit from the loss of a loved one. 
Our premium content, including the news and feature articles written by The Deerfield Valley News and The Commons staff, will remain subscriber-only content. That includes the popular pieces by our excellent columnists. 
One of the biggest changes for us at The Deerfield Valley News is the transition from a traditional for-profit newspaper to VIM’s nonprofit model. We’re excited about it. We think nonprofit news is the future of community journalism.
The nonprofit model is going to be a change for the community, too. At least a couple of the changes that come with it may leave some readers who are used to our traditional business model scratching their heads.
Very soon, The Deerfield Valley News will start a fundraising drive. Asking people for donations isn’t something we’ve ever done before. And we know some readers will wonder why a newspaper that charges for newsstand sales, subscriptions, and advertising would seek donations. 
The reality is, our costs have risen dramatically over the last few years. That $1 newsstand price doesn’t cover the cost of producing the print newspaper you’re holding anymore. Our subscription rates don’t come close to covering the cost of postage and production. Our advertising rates are competitive, but we know the businesses who advertise with us are under the same pressures we are. If we raise rates too much, or too quickly, some businesses won’t be able to advertise with us. Businesses that don’t advertise, don’t thrive, and we all need thriving businesses in our community.
It’s not just us. Traditional community newspapers are folding around the world. This is why there are “news deserts” all around the United States; places where the only news available is from large statewide and national media. Small towns like ours are lucky to get a mention, and usually it’s because Farmer Brown’s cow gave birth to a two-headed calf. Interesting, but it doesn’t tell you when the Route 9 bridge is finally going to be fixed. 
Community newspapers need community support. We think we’re lucky to be partnered with VIM and The Commons. They bring a decade and a half of experience in fundraising for nonprofit journalism.
Another surprise you may see soon is a call for volunteers. That’s something we couldn’t do as a regular for-profit business. And we’re not looking to replace paid positions with volunteer staff. But sometimes we have temporary or short-term needs, and we know from The Commons’ experience, there are people who want to help. 
An experience this week provides a good example. The Deerfield Valley News’ regular delivery driver is on vacation this week. A sub who was lined up incurred an injury and could not drive. A last-minute emergency was solved when VIM board member and distribution manager Barry Aleshnick was able to find a volunteer, a community member and supporter of The Commons, who stepped in to help us – including the long haul from the Keene Sentinel, where The Deerfield Valley News is printed, to the valley. We’re so thankful. 
If anyone would like to be a community volunteer for The Deerfield Valley News, please contact us at (802) 464-3388, ext. 1, or mike.eldred@deerfieldvalleynews.org.