Regional Leadership Forum’s 10th Anniversary honors vision
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

“It’s not easy to create a citizen’s league, a Regional Leadership Forum in a town that hasn’t had one, when no one knew what it was about,” said speaker Harry West at the RLF’s annual meeting in October. The RLF has been a full partner with the Andrew Young School since October 2004. (“Rieck heads Regional Leadership Forum,” The Briefing, Spring/Summer 2004)

West, the former director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, co-founded the Regional Leadership Institute with the late Manual Maloof, former chairman of the DeKalb County Commission and the late Gov. George Busbee. The event paid tribute to “the visionary leadership and passionate commitment” of these leaders to celebrate RLF’s 10th anniversary.

Chairman Doug Hooker confirmed that more people are learning what a civic league is about when he presented the RLF annual report. He announced that membership and dues for the previous year grew 34 percent and 37 percent, respectively, to 373 members who contributed more than $40,000. Corporate support is growing, with BellSouth joining Georgia Power, Georgia-Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Northside Hospital and other major corporate sponsors. He listed RLF’s many forums, which are attracting growing audiences. His report reflected the success of the new strategic plan RLF began implementing in January 2004.

“RLF has never been in a better position,” said Hooker, “and I think these facts support that assertion.”

In his speech, West told how he approached Maloof and Busbee about strengthening the role of the civic sector, which he calls “one leg of a threelegged stool that includes business and government.” He closed by encouraging the more than 200 members present to get even more involved. “You’ve come a long way,” said West, “but you’ve still got a long way to go. We’ve got to see all three legs of the stool working together to promote regional cooperation. … Be bold, not reticent. Take on issues. Slug it out, occasionally.”

Harry West cared about the region, said RLF member Wayne Hill who, with Robert L. Brown, Jr. and Ann Cramer, paid tribute to the honorees. “He brought us together as a board, and he brought us together as a region,” said Hill. “Many of you are here because of Harry West.” Cramer reminded the audience of one of Busbee’s favorite sayings, “I’m proud to be the work horse, not the show horse.” And Brown said that Maloof was an effective public servant because he “loved government for what it could do for the people.”

In closing the meeting, Hooker announced that the board had created the RLF Founders Award as a lasting tribute to the night’s honorees. The award recognizes individuals who have effected long-term, positive change in the Atlanta region. RLF founder and former chair Dick Myrick presented the inaugural RLF Founders Awards to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and RLF member Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Get the latest information on the events and activities of the Regional Leadership Forum at www.rlfatlanta.org or contact RLF’s Executive Director Steve Rieck at srieck@gsu.edu.