By PHYLLIS BRITT

In establishing a Leadership North Augusta program, the goal of North Augusta 2000 was to "identify, develop and cultivate the next generation of leaders" in the city.

And the inaugural class, which graduated from the 9-month program last Wednesday in the Palmetto Terrace, is working to prove that the goal has been accomplished.

Graduates included Cindy Arrant of Community Foundation of the CSRA, Bobby Bagwell of North Augusta Riverfront Development Corp., Shelley Craft of Men's Hair Refinery and Special Effects, Tom Dunaway of W.R. Toole Engineers Inc., James Gay of First Bank Mortgage, Patricia Lee of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Catie McCauley of the Family Y, Kristi Poss of Shannon Rollings Realty, Verne Sadler of the City of North Augusta, Kevin Toole of First Citizens Bank, Brian Tucker of North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Zier of Zier Law Firm.

More than just graduating, this group of 12 is taking on the organization and running of Leadership North Augusta for the 2010-2011 year. "We are passing the gavel to the Leadership North Augusta board of directors," said Lee, who pointed out the group will now be led by Zier as president, Craft as vice-president, Dunaway as secretary and Toole as treasurer.

The board is charged with taking applications, interviewing and selecting the succeeding class, in addition to writing bylaws for the group, setting the agenda, establishing the budget and running the program next year.

Lee said applications will be available this month with a deadline of Aug. 15. Representatives of the board of directors will then interview the applicants and make the selection early in September.

Lee noted that the program next year will include many of the features of this year -- orientation, art and history, economic development, government, community, education, health and quality of life. "In addition," the graduate said, "we will be hosting a regional leadership forum." Lee explained the program was inaugurated this year by Leadership Columbia County, and will now collaborate with other leadership groups.

As various graduates of Leadership NA spoke, they thanked North Augusta 2000 for its efforts in forming the program. In addition, Dunaway singled out the employers of the class members, who allowed the 12 to take a day out of each month from October through May to become much more educated on the problems, issues and opportunities in the community,

Zier and Poss gave a quick run-down of their fact-filled days during the year -- from the ropes course at Camp Gravatt to a trip to the State House in Columbia.

Former Mayor Tom Greene, chair of North Augusta 2000, reminded the group that his first experience in North Augusta with public service was when he was 25 and asked to help map out water and sewer lines in North Augusta. Since that time, he went on to assist in establishing a two-party system in the city, spent 25 years on City Council (14 as mayor) and 11 years with North Augusta 2000.

"It feels good to be a part of watching the city grow ... You become a stakeholder," said Greene, who then challenged the Leadership NA graduates. "You have the same opportunity to do this ... You have a choice to get involved."

He said as he sees members of the class already migrating into leadership positions, "you've got to be proud of yourselves."

Greene presented Mayor Lark Jones with a plaque, which features a photo of the inaugural Leadership NA class and is suitable for hanging in the municipal center.

Jones likewise challenged the group, saying "Now the burden is on you as leaders." Suggesting leadership takes a lot of different forms, he added, "Use the skills you've developed as you go out into the community ... I'm glad to see the future of North Augusta in good hands."

Class members received a graduation plaque commemorating their accomplishment.