What’s right with the region? That’s the focus of The Civic League for Regional Atlanta at its annual event on Thursday, Feb. 25. The Civic League’s Annual Event begins with a cocktail buffet at 6 p.m. in the Ballroom at TWELVE in Atlantic Station. Tickets are available at www.civicleagueatlanta.org or by calling 404-413-0331.

Chris Gates, Executive Director of PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement), will be the keynote speaker at this year’s What’s Right with the Region! PACE is a new organization focusing on civic engagement and encouraging members of the philanthropic community to make civic engagement a part of their funding priorities. Gates speaks extensively around the country and the world on civic engagement and education, leadership training, community problem-solving, political reform and democratic renewal. He previously served for eleven years as President of the National Civic League, a national, non-profit organization with offices in Denver and Washington, D.C.

A highlight of the 2010 event will be the presentation of the Founders’ Award to James L. Rhoden Jr. The award recognizes a significant contribution of vision, leadership and action for positive change in the Atlanta Region for many years. Rhoden, a strong believer in regional approaches to solving metro Atlanta challenges, has been a member of the Board and Executive Committee of The Civic League for Regional Atlanta and its predecessor, the Regional Leadership Forum, since 1991. He has lent the services of his privately held company, Futren Corporation, to manage many of the organization’s administrative functions in addition to contributing financially. Involved in many business and community organizations, Rhoden has offered vision, leadership and action for positive change in the Atlanta region for the past 20 years.

The evening also features the Regional Excellence Awards which recognize individuals, organizations or initiatives that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to creating a better Atlanta Region. Nominees must meet a need in the community, create opportunities for positive change, demonstrate innovative solutions, foster regional cooperation and promote stronger communities. This year’s four recipients are:

Atlanta Regional Commission, Area Agency on Aging

• The ARC Area Agency on Aging hosted a nine-day Lifelong Communities Design Charrette, attended by 1,500 people, to explore what it takes to establish a Lifelong Community, where people can live throughout their lifetime, no matter what their age or ability. The agency brought together experts to explore transportation, accessibility, housing, community and urban design, health and wellness, gerontology and to share knowledge and ideas about Lifelong Community. Six model sites throughout the region are now in varying stages of planning and implementation.

Center for Pan-Asian Community Services (CPACS)

• CPACS is the largest and oldest agency providing services to Asian Americans in the South. Now in its 29th year, the agency is a private non-profit organization which counteracts problems faced by immigrants, refugees and racial-ethnic minorities by creating and delivering culturally competent and comprehensive social and health services. CPACS is a nationally recognized leader for Asian American research and policy work in the South, and serves as a central referral and network source. Executive Director Chaiwon Kim has led the organization for 19 years, oversees a staff of 100 full and part-time employees, and has received awards for her tireless work and pioneering spirit. Chairman of the Board Nack Paek, Korean-American civic and business leader, has served on the Board of Directors for more than 10 years and chaired it for six years.

Horace Sibley

• For seven years, Horace Sibley has chaired the United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness. Under his leadership, the Commission created the 24/7 Gateway Homeless Services Center, which annually serves 8,000-plus homeless men and women. The Commission and its community partners have also created more than 2,000 supportive housing units for the chronically homeless and another 600 specifically for homeless women and children. Additionally, Sibley helped the Commission grow to include eight jurisdictions: the City of Atlanta, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. Each jurisdiction works with business, nonprofit and homeless services provider communities—making the Commission a unique example of collaboration. The Commission has also established the innovative Street to Home program which takes homeless people off the streets and places them directly into supportive housing. Eighty percent of participants in this program have remained stable and in housing.

Trees Atlanta

• Marcia Bansley founded Trees Atlanta around 30 years ago and has led its development into one of the premier trees organizations in the country. As the metro area struggles with a need for more greenspace, Trees Atlanta has brought about positive change by planting trees now taken for granted. Trees Atlanta has planted trees in new areas and replaced trees lost to age and storms. Trees Atlanta has also promoted regional cooperation, planting the Arboretum along the BeltLine. Trees Atlanta’s new home is a LEED-certified building which provides meeting space to other organizations.

To join the more than 300 metro influencers expected to participate in this dynamic What’s Right with the Region!, please go to www.civicleagueatlanta.org or call 404-413-0331. Tickets are $125 each or $1,250 for a table of ten. Reservation deadline is Feb. 15. The event will feature a cash bar and dinner buffet at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Honorary Co-Chairs for What’s Right with the Region! are Craig Lesser of The Pendleton Group and Charlie Yates of Zurich N.A. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is chairing the host committee of 19 leaders from throughout the region.

Media contact:

Sarah Douglas
678-521-5289
sarah@sdcllc.net

About The Civic League for Regional Atlanta
The Civic League is a non-profit membership organization created five years ago through a merger of the Atlanta Metro Group, the Regional Leadership Forum and Research Atlanta. The Civic League for Regional Atlanta exists to make the Atlanta region a better place by building consensus, advocating for the greater public interest, and developing social capital in the Atlanta region. As an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organization, it works over a ten-county Metro Atlanta region. The Civic League increases civic engagement by combining research, education, and advocacy, and representing citizens' interests in discussions with business leaders and policymakers, thereby furthering collective decision-making.

General membership in The Civic League for Regional Atlanta is free and open to all interested citizens. Contributing memberships start at $40 per year and these members enjoy access to committee and task force participation and discounts on events throughout the year.

Led by Executive Director Myles Smith, The Civic League for Regional Atlanta is housed at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Lesley Grady chairs the 25-member Board of Directors. Judy Waters serves as Vice Chair, Patty Smitherman is Secretary and James L. Rhoden Jr. is Treasurer. For more information, go to www.civicleagueatlanta.org or call 404-413-0331.