Hi C-C
I have not read all postings.
There may be an option to also acknowledge complementary re-invented notions of Heroes and Leaders.
We definitely need examplars of civic courage in the short and medium term.
Democracy will also doubtless benefit from understanding processes of civic catalysis over the longer term (civic courage and civic catalysis may not be closely linked).

In a networked world where complex wicked problems are often not amenable to simple one-off solutions it may be that proactive community activists working to facilitate change through protracted efforts aimed at fostering connectedness, capacity building, enabling approaches, catalysing action etc etc are more alligned with Lao Tzu's leadership mantra "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse still when they despise him....but  of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, people will say, "We did it ourselves" than western individualism.

Note - Lao Tzu also said - "facilitating what is happening is more potent than pushing for what you wish were happening. <<See comment by Philip Sutton >>Demonstrating or modeling behaviours is more potent than imposing morality. Unbiased positions are stronger than prejudice. Radiance encourages people, but outshining everyone else inhibits them."

This style of civic and community leadership and its associated longer term process rather than action - oriented heroics is much harder to track and hence acknowledge. It may also be less easily identifiable with any one individual, with significant achievements more likely to be the long term outcomes of a network, team, alliance or coalition. Significant outcomes may reflect the efforts of a procession of like minded collaborative activists. Historical case studies and deep network analysis may be the best way to capture the learnings, values, levers, operational principles, vision and intelligence inherent in successful networked civic activism.

We should celebrate and be inspired by the incredible bravery of civic heroes. We have an opportunity to also recognise the heroic foresight and patience of constructive activists who have been able to facilitate change by staying with and seeing through highly uncertain and very fragile processes?.. one baby step at a time.

Cheers, Daryl Taylor
Community Capacity Building
Economic, Cultural and Community Development
Shire of Yarra Ranges
Phone: 9294 6247
Fax: 9294 6239
Email: d.taylor@yarraranges.vic.gov.au