The 2003 Distinguished Leadership Award recipients are men and women who have made significant contributions to their communities. Ms. Marian Augustus, a graduate of Leadership 2000, is one of 63 Distinguished Leadership Award recipients honored by The Community Leadership Association (CLA). A formal international announcement was made at the CLA’s 23rd Annual Leadership Conference Renaissance on the River in Saint Paul, Minnesota, June 5-8, 2003.

CLA, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a membership association of organizations and individuals dedicated to strengthening and transforming communities through leadership development. Members include more than 400 organizations and 19,000 civic leaders in the United States. International representation includes members in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

“Individuals who receive the Distinguished Leadership Awards contribute in extraordinary ways to build more effective communities,” said Harriet B. Harral, CLA Board Chair, “Ms. Marian Augustus’s community service demonstrates an individual committed to initiating positive change and leading the way to a better future for the community.”

As described by Leadership 2000, “Ms. Marian Augustus leads with quiet, confident determination. As a board member, she has chaired just about all of the committees at one time or another. When she chaired the Selection Committee, she was responsible for increasing the size and diversity in the leadership classes. In the last two years, she has spearheaded a new fundraising project. Working with the Kansas Speedway, she is now an expert in all aspects of running a volunteer concession stand—coordinating volunteers—all 100 during a race weekend, slinging burgers, selling beverages and stocking supplies. Her dedication and hard work have raised over $40,000 in just two years. These proceeds go back to Leadership 2000 and help fund scholarships and activities for the program.” 

For more information on this award or CLA’s conference or programs, visit them on the Web at www.communityleadership.org or call (317) 637-7408.