Eligibility period: September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ENTRIES: Friday, December 4, 2009

Awards to be presented at the Top of the Rockies awards reception – Thursday, February 26, 2009

Location: in Denver – to be determined

Contest rules:
1. Entries may be submitted by an individual or a news organization. No entrant may submit more than 5 entries per category.

2. Only material published between on or after September 1, 2008, and up to and including August 31, 2009 may be entered.

3. Any story may be entered in up to one writing category and one photography category. Judges are not allowed to move entries to other categories. Entries should be a tear-sheet or photocopy. Photo category entrants must submit a tear-sheet and may submit a slide or print if they choose. For online categories only, please provide the URL and make sure your entry is submitted electronically, by emailing it to damon_runyon@hotmail.com.

4. IMPORTANT: Please copy the supplied entry form, for each entry, in full page only. Each entry must be accompanied by TWO COPIES of the entry form.

5. ENTRY FEES: · Members of Society of Professional Journalists may submit one entry free of charge. Beyond that, entries are $10 for members, $15 for non-SPJ members. A check for the fee must be enclosed when the entry is sent. Please make checks payable to Colorado SPJ. Online payment alternative at Blacktie: Link under construction.
Entries MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
Mail or FedEx* entries to:
SPJ Colorado- Top of the Rockies
c/o John Ensslin
1803 N. Franklin St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

* Note: if you send entries by FedEx, UPS or any other overnight delivery service, be sure to waive the signature requirement.
You may send an email to damon_runyon@hotmail.com if you want to verify your entry was received.

8. Winners will be notified within approximately two weeks before the February 26th reception. Winners attend at their own or their company’s expense.

9. Entries will be judged on overall excellence, service to the community, and contributions to the public understanding of issues and events. Judging criteria may also include depth of research, quality of presentation, and difficulty in obtaining information. Deadline pressure is a factor only in those categories identified as “deadline.” If, in the opinion of the judges, none of the entries in a given category meets the standards of excellence, no award will be made in that category. The judges’ decisions are final.

10. All entries must include the name of the person or persons who wrote it. Questions should be directed to John Ensslin at 303-726-9213 or damon_runyon@hotmail.com.
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Print Divisions:

A. Publications with circulations of more than 75,000 (newspapers, magazines, wire services).

B. Publications with circulations of 10,000-75,000 (newspapers, magazines).

C. Publications with circulations of less than 10,000 (newspapers, magazines).

Online Divisions:

D. News websites for media organizations that employ 25 or more newsroom employees. Note: This number includes the entire newsroom, not just online staff.

E. News websites for media organizations that employ 24 or fewer employees. Note: This number includes the entire newsroom, not just online staff.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES: General News:

1. News Reporting, Single Story — Spot or Scheduled. Single news story (and related sidebars if applicable). This includes all but sports, education, political, legal affairs and business reporting.

2.  Breaking News Story – A single story or package of a breaking news event occurring over a 24-hour period.

3. General Reporting, Series or Package – A series of stories on one topic or a package of stories that runs simultaneously (submit all stories).

4. Investigative/Enterprise Reporting — An article, or a package or series of stories on one topic that demonstrates exceptional enterprise or investigative effort.

5. News Feature — Includes profiles, analysis and other news stories written in a feature format.

6. Personal Columns – Submit 3 columns per entry.

7. Editorials — Submit 3 editorials per entry.

8. Headlines — Can be news, sports or other. Clear, concise and witty headlines with emphasis placed on original or striking quality. Submit 5 headlines per entry.

9. Education Reporting — News or Feature. Single education story.

10. Political Reporting — News or Feature. Single political story.

11. Legal Affairs Reporting — News or Feature. Single legal affairs story.

12. Science/Environmental/Health Care Reporting — News or Feature. Single story, package or series on science, environmental, or medical issues.

Sports Reporting:

13. General Reporting – Single story.

14. Feature Writing — Single story, including profiles.

15. Columns — Submit 3 columns per entry.

Business Reporting:

16. General Reporting – Single business story.

17. Feature Writing – Single story and sidebars, including profiles.

18. Investigative/Enterprise Reporting — An article, or a package or series of stories on one topic that demonstrates exceptional enterprise or investigative effort.

19. Columns – Submit 3 columns per entry.

Arts and Entertainment:

20. Arts and Entertainment Reporting – News or Feature. A single story or a series on film, television, music (classical or popular), art, architecture, theater or dance.

21. Arts and Entertainment Reporting — Criticism. Submit 3 columns or reviews.

22. Arts and Entertainment Reporting – Features in Food/Beverage Writing and Reporting. A single story, package or series.

Photojournalism:

23. Spot News Photography — One or more photos on a breaking news story.

24. News Photography – One or more photos on a news story.

25. Feature Photography — One or more photos where original subject matter is enhanced by the presentation or imagination of the photographer.

26. Sports Photography – One or more photos on a sports subject.

Online:

Please Note: Online entry forms should be transmitted electronically, with URL included, to damon_runyon@hotmail.com

27.  General Reporting, Series or Package – A series of stories on one topic or a package of stories that runs simultaneously (submit all stories).

28. Breaking News Story — A single story or package of a breaking news event occurring over a 24-hour period.

29.  Business Breaking News — A single story or package of a breaking news event occurring over a 24-hour period.

30. General Website Excellence — Judged on the excellence of content, interactivity, design, navigation, multimedia and community tools.

31. Blog — Honoring an important or insightful perspective unique to the Web. Three submissions per entry.

32. Website Design — Submit the URL for judging.

33. Online Interactive — Best Website that encourages viewer involvement. Submit URL for judging.

34. Feature Story – Utilizing the best of journalism and the best of the online medium.

35. Photo Slideshow – a photo story on one topic.

36. Video story – a video story on one topic.

37. Best use of an interactive database.

38. Best use of a social networking tool.

39. Best live blogging of a trial, a sports game, a political rally or any live event. Include all blog entries.

40. Best Citizen Journalist — Best general reporting by an individual working outside of a traditional news organization.

Entry Form

PRINT FULL PAGE to accompany entry

2 copies of form per entry

Division: A___ B___ C____ D______E______

Category Number: _______________________________

Category Name: ________________________________

Name of publication, wire service or website _______________________________

Title of entry:____________________

Publication Date: __________

Entrant’s name(s):________________

Person to notify if entry wins: ____________________________

E-mail: ______________________

Phone: ___________________

FEES

____ first entry –free- for SPJ members

____ entries at $10 (SPJ members) = $____________

____ entries at $15 (non members) = $____________

TOTAL $______

Make checks payable to Colorado SPJ. Online payment alternative at Colorado Black-Tie (Note: link under construction)
________________________________________________________________

Remember:
• 2 copies of the completed entry form
• 1 copy of the entry

Mail entries to:
SPJ Colorado- Top of the Rockies: OR FED EX entries to:
John Ensslin
1803 N. Franklin St.
Colorado Springs CO 0907

Questions? Write us at damon_runyon@hotmail.com

Special Awards:

Submit the names of individuals you recommend for the Special Awards on this form –

• Keeper of the Flame Award:For extraordinary dedication to ethical, responsible journalism and professional integrity.
• First Amendment Award: In recognition of strong and continuing efforts to preserve and strengthen freedom of the press and the First Amendment to the Constitution.
• Palmer Hoyt Journalist of the Year Award:In recognition of sustained and significant contributions to a print or broadcast organization, particularly during 2008-09.
• Journalism Educator of the Year Award: In recognition of accomplishments in training students, in research or in service to the profession.

BEST OF SHOW –

The Best of Show winner is chosen from among first place winners in all divisions, presented for exceptional and original reporting by an individual or team, with special consideration given for tenacity, thoroughness and impact.
________________________________________________________________

Name of nominee ___________________________

Award you are nominating this person for: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________

Name of nominating organization or individual ___________________________

Contact information: ________________________________________

To nominate someone for these awards (except the Best of Show), please send this form along with nomination letter and/or any additional documentation, postmarked no later than Nov. 20, 2009 to SPJ Awards Committee, c/o John Ensslin, 1803 N. Franklin St., Colorado Springs, Co. 80907

Questions? Contact us at damon_runyon@hotmail.com or 303-726-9213