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The 25th annual Christian Management Association (CMA) conference was held recently in Anaheim, Calif. During the keynote session two special awards were made honoring The Salvation Army.
Former National Commander Commissioner Robert A. Watson received the 2002 Christian Management Award, which is given annually to a Christian leader who exemplifies excellence in both leadership and carrying out the mission of the organization. Watson joined a very select group as a leader among leaders.
The second award was the first of its kind, a Christian Management Award given to an entire organization–an honor they do not intent to ever repeat. CMA holds The Salvation Army in the highest regard as an organization committed to carrying out its mission, and doing so effectively.
This first-of-its-kind award was prompted by the extraordinary service rendered, and still continuing, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Commissioner John Busby accepted the award on behalf of the entire Salvation Army in the United States. A moving video of tributes from firefighters and emergency services workers set the stage for this award which brought a standing ovation from the attendees.
Over 1,800 delegates from all denominations and many Christian nonprofit organizations attended this year’s conference. Fifteen percent were Salvation Army delegates from all over the US. The conference provides professional training tracks in Finance, Legal, Fund Raising, Church Administration, CEO track, IT, working with boards, Human Resources, and many other topics.
Joint sessions included keynote speakers like Ken Blanchard (author of the One Minute Manager) and Rick Warren of Sadddleback Church.
At the 25th Anniversary Banquet 35 children from the Tabernacle Children’s Choir (from the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps) provided the musical entertainment, wowing the crowd with several musical items. These youngsters, under the leadership of Barbara Allen, received a well-deserved standing ovation.
The next CMA conference will be held at the Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, Colo., February 24-27, 2003. For more information visit CMA’s website at www.cmaonline.org
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