The Cross Country Journal is completing its 19th year of continuous, nationwide publication from its headquarters in Austin, Minn., USA. It is owned by IDEA, Inc., which produces and markets many items of use to cross country coaches, runners and parents. IDEA, Inc., shares an office with the Cross Country Journal.

In addition to its major involvement with the sport of cross country, IDEA, Inc., has published or is marketing a number of other products.

Staff

Knowles Dougherty
   Founder of IDEA, Inc.
   Chairman of Board of Directors and President & CEO
   Publisher of the Cross Country Journal

Lucy Gotz
   Accountant for IDEA, Inc.

Katie Grev
   Editorial Assistant for the Cross Country Journal

Mike Koch
   Editor of the Cross Country Journal

Michelle Rofshus
   Managing Editor of the Cross Country Journal

About IDEA, Inc.

IDEA, Inc. is the acronym for the Institute for the Development of Educational Alternatives, an educational, non-profit corporation located at 402 5th Pl. N.W. in Austin, Minn. IDEA, Inc., is currently involved in three major projects: the Cross Country Journal, Provoking Thoughts, and other book publishing ventures.

The Cross Country Journal is about to begin its 20th year of continuous, nationwide publication and is the producer and marketer of many related products.

Provoking Thoughts is now in its 14th year of producing and marketing thought-provoking exercises in various forms. The other book ventures have mainly been in the field of nature study. However, IDEA, Inc., is proud to say it published its first novel in the fall of 2001.

A Brief History and Overview

In 1983, Knowles Dougherty (our founder and president) started a small, desktop publishing business at his Sunrise Valley Farm in east central Missouri. Sunrise Valley Press began by launching the Cross Country Journal, a bi-monthly written for, and by, cross country running coaches.

During the ensuing five years, Sunrise Valley Press grew by expanding the line of products designed for Cross Country coaches.

In 1988, Dougherty moved to Austin, Minnesota, where he went into the publishing business full-time. There he launched a second periodical, Provoking Thoughts, targeted to parents and teachers interested in providing thought-provoking experiences for their children or students.

The enterprise in Austin was named the Institute for the Development of Educational Alternatives, Incorporated (IDEA, Inc.). It was incorporated in the State of Minnesota as a non-profit, educational institution. IDEA, Inc., was soon recognized by the U. S. Postal Service as a non-profit mailer.

In 1989, IDEA, Inc., had outgrown the basement of the Dougherty home. It moved to a storefront on Main Street in Austin and simultaneosuly established People's Publishing. This enabled it to cater to anyone needing its services, by proving the affordable use of state-of-the-art computers, printers and copiers, thus enabling the production of anything from a short resume to a large volume.

In 1992, IDEA, Inc., discontinued publication of Provoking Thoughts. However it has continued marketing the 20 published issues as booklets of thought-provoking exercises.

In 1993, IDEA, Inc., was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 (tax-exempt) institution. In addition, the company purchased Sunrise Valley Press and the copyrights to all its products. Until then, SVP was owned by the Doughertys, but operated by IDEA, Inc.

In the summer of 2000, IDEA, Inc., sold People's Publishing and moved to its current location at 402 5th Pl. N.W. in Austin.