Big changes are in store for the 2011 Sunshine State Awards competition. We are moving the entire entry submission process online — no more hard-copy entries! This change will eliminate shipping charges for entrants as well as enable us to streamline and simplify the judging process. As an added benefit, we envision being able to host all of the winning entries in an online gallery, increasing recognition opportunities for award recipients throughout 2011.

The following South Florida journalists were elected Thursday, Dec 9 to serve on SPJ South Florida’s board of directors in 2011. The chapter is planning a board retreat to be held on a Saturday in January. All chapter members are invited (details to come).

We are now accepting nominations to fill positions on the 2011 chapter board. The chapter’s annual election meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Maguires Hill 16 near downtown Fort Lauderdale. Election shall be by simple majority vote of eligible chapter members, cast by ballot either in person and/or through electronic means and/or through absentee ballots. A chapter mixer follows the election.

Modeled after the popular storytelling series Lip Service, Off the Record will feature South Florida journalists who have tossed objectivity aside to share their own funny, sad, humiliating, scandalous or uplifting experiences.

Florida Atlantic University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning and Scripps Howard Institute on the Environment are jointly sponsoring a one-day conference in Fort Lauderdale for Florida journalists. Scheduled on Nov. 8…

The SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference will be here before we know it! The event is Oct. 3-5 in Las Vegas, but early registration ends Sept. 8. We hope you can all attend. The convention is a fantastic opportunity for all journalists – veteran or newbie – to learn and stay ahead of the game in this ever-changing climate.

All Sunshine State Awards that were not presented in person at the June 5 event were mailed to recipients last week and should have arrived by Friday. If your organization received multiple awards they were shipped together to minimize cost. Walnut-finish certificate frames ($40) and duplicate award certificates ($10) are available for purchase…

HOLLYWOOD, FL, June 5, 2010 – A team of Miami Herald reporters won top honors Saturday in the 2010 Sunshine State Awards, a statewide competition recognizing Florida’s best journalism of 2009. The awards were presented in a ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. Download the complete winners list.

Please join SPJ South Florida Pro Chapter for the 2010 Sunshine State Awards celebration, to be presented Saturday, June 5 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Hollywood, Fla. The cocktail reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and the seated awards presentation is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 for SPJ members, $39 for non-members and $19 for students.