Award Name:  Marcus Colbert Outstanding Citizenship Award

History: Marcus Colbert was a lifelong resident of the City of Laurel.  He attended Laurel High School, graduating in 2005.  He began with the City in the Parks and Recreation Department as a summer auxiliary employee and was hired by the Department of Public Works as a laborer on September 19, 2005. Tragically, the City of Laurel family lost Marcus while on the job on the morning of January 23, 2017. Marcus will be remembered for his smile, his willingness to help people, his strong work ethic, and just being a kind person who was always willing to help. He touched the lives of many in the Laurel community. 

Purpose: An award given to a City of Laurel stakeholder(s) that honors a wide range of service, dedication or commitment to enhancing and/or improving the Laurel community.

Award Summary: The City of Laurel has launched a program to recognize and honor exemplary Laurel citizens who add to creating a community that people are proud to call home and who embody the spirit of the City of Laurel. 

This honor will celebrate citizens who have, or are leading the way to selflessly add to the richness of our City; citizens who through their service and dedication, enhance the quality of life of our residents; Laurel citizens who bring ideas and solutions to the City. Recipients of this award will be recognized as those who have the best interest of our community in mind.

Whether it is through public comment, participation, or direct service in the community, we aspire for this initiative to be a catalyst of motivation for Laurel citizens to become engaged with their communities.

Eligibility: Individuals or businesses who give back to their community through volunteer services, charitable or civic contributions that assist in creating a community that residents are proud to call home and or have made the lives of others better.  An eligible candidate does not have to live in or own a business in the City of Laurel corporate limits. Honorees who have made a positive impact on the community may be living or deceased.

Some examples of eligibility criteria are listed below:

• Significant contribution to the local community

• Demonstrated leadership on a community issue resulting in the enhancement of community life

• A significant initiative which has brought about positive change and added value to community life

• Inspiring qualities as a role model for the community

Nominations: Nominations can be submitted in the following manner:

• Completing the fillable form and submitting it via the City’s website below.
• Printing and mailing the completed nomination form to:

City of Laurel
Marcus Colbert Outstanding Citizenship Award
C/o Office of the Mayor
8103 Sandy Spring Road
Laurel, Maryland 20707

• Nomination forms can also be dropped off in the drop box at the Laurel Municipal Center

While we know there are many citizens giving back to the community every day, up to ten (10) recipients will be recognized annually. Completed nomination forms shall be accepted until November 20th of each year. However, for the first year (2020) twelve (12) recipients will be chosen by a City selection committee, and then up to ten (10) recipients each year thereafter. This year’s awards will be announced at a special virtual meeting.

Award Coordinator: Mayor’s Chief of Staff

Award Selection Committee: The Mayor shall appoint a City of Laurel Citizens Recognition Committee.  The duty of the committee is to review all submitted nominations for the Marcus Colbert Outstanding Citizenship Award and recommend to the Mayor up to ten (10) eligible recipients.

• Six (6) members shall be appointed by the Mayor
• One (1) member will be appointed by the Mayor to serve as Chair of the committee
• Committee make up: 
  • Three (3) members from City Staff
  • One (1) member of the Laurel City Council
  • One (1) member from the Laurel Historical Society
  • One (1) member from the Business Community
• The Chair shall only vote in the event of a tie vote
• The Committee may set up guidelines and procedures for the actions of the Committee
• All members shall serve for three (3) years and may be reappointed 

Criteria for Selection:

• The nominee performed, created or developed an activity and/or public service (volunteer or other) that positively enhanced and/or impacted the Greater Laurel Community.
• The nominee contributed to the community through an act, achievement or service that directly or indirectly advanced the opportunities and/or benefited others in the Greater Laurel Community.
• The nominee has demonstrated a clear commitment and/or civic pride by performing an outstanding act or achievement or by rendering distinguished service to the improvement of the Greater Laurel Community.

Award Acknowledgement: The award recipients will be announced at the Mayor’s Annual Holiday gathering or at a Mayor and City Council meeting. Each award recipient will receive a plaque and have their name placed on the Marcus Colbert Outstanding Citizen Award Tree of Life located in the Laurel Municipal Center.