FLORIDA STATE RECORDS

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Public Service Scholarship
by State Records

The Public Sector in Florida

The Florida Public Sector consists of several state-owned organizations, institutions, and agencies charged with the responsibility of providing effective solutions and efficient services that meet the evolving needs of various communities and people within the state. The public sector is also responsible for the implementation of public policies, state government agendas, and legislations.

What is the Purpose of the Public Sector?

The main objective of the public sector in Florida is to accelerate social and economic development in the state as well as achieve goals for efficient public governance because the provision of efficient services and public infrastructure is a prerequisite to development. Governance decisions are an important determinant in the living conditions within the state. It affects the level of comfort and associated rates of utilities, employment, education, production, business and housing opportunities across the State of Florida.

Why Should Young People Take Interest in the Public Sector?

Young people today compared to the older generation have access to public information and therefore more opportunity to contribute to governance. An understanding of the modalities and functions of the Public Sector grants youths an opportunity to evaluate and fully engage in the mechanisms of societal governance. It also provides a clearer appreciation for and ability to navigate the nuanced relationships between the various forms of government and society at large. That knowledge will prove useful in their individual capacities when representing and advocating for their own rights and fulfilling their own obligations. The local communities also benefit from their knowledge and experience of better governance.

Young people are the solution to the challenges they have inherited and currently face. Solving those challenges will require them taking the steps to participate in the governance and decision-making process, to exercise their constitutional rights, including the right to information, a vital tool in achieving efficiency in the service delivery and the public sector.

After taking part in the decision-making process, this generation of college students has the opportunity to also play a role in the implementation of those decisions they were part of, how it works, what new challenges spring up and how to address them.

Other reasons this generation of college students to participate include

  • The ability to devise and apply creative policy decisions - the emergence of young participants in policy and implementation discussions will result in the implementation of innovative ideas and inventive solutions to many traditional governmental and societal challenges.

  • More equal policy considerations – Youths who are more engaged in and cognizant of the public sector can likewise gain an enhanced understanding of pertinent issues such as the environmental impact of such policy decisions as water table regulation, electrical plant siting, etc. Younger participants also gain an increased awareness of their responsibility for environmental challenges.

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

  1. The availability of public records and information is very crucial to a sustainable economy, public safety, access to public services, job creation, and other opportunities. It is the main tool for igniting citizen participation. Public records provide accurate and useful information to individuals, investors, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, companies, small businesses, and the press.
  2. Staterecords.org promotes public access to information by collecting and updating information from open state and local government sources in line with applicable information regulatory infrastructure in each state.
  3. The scholarship program is aimed at inspiring strategic public engagement in young people in college. The $1,000 will be awarded to students who can demonstrate their knowledge of the Public sector and public records system in the state of Texas and who can propose solutions to challenges they have identified in the system and how they intend to contribute to engaging their community in the governance process

THE CONTEST


State Records is pleased to offer a $1,000 college scholarship for the 2024 academic year. The application period commences on September 1st, 2023, and concludes on September 1st, 2024. Interested applicants must complete the application form to enter the contest. The essay component should include a personal statement (explained in the second essay question). Proper citation of all sources used in the essay is mandatory. The preferred writing formats are MLA and APA. Essays must range from a minimum of 1,000 words to a maximum of 1,500 words. Ensure your document includes your first and last name at the top.


Before beginning your essay, it's essential to acquaint yourself with public records.

These records are generated by government bodies to document incidents and events involving government officials and authorities. They encompass court proceedings, police records, property records involving notarization, and vital records detailing marriages as well as related documents. By law, these records are publicly accessible to promote societal transparency and can be accessed online, through local municipal authorities, or via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Essay Questions:1) How can society improve through the use of digital public records?2) As a public employee, how do you believe access to public records can affect you and your community.

Some Topics To Consider
But Are Not Limited To:

  • Public Records
  • Digital Police Reports
  • Background Checks
  • Vital Records
  • Birth Records
  • Death Records
  • Census
  • Court Records
  • City Hall Records
  • Marriage Records
  • Divorce Records
APPLY HEREOFFICIAL CONTEST RULES