TJ: 21 leaders program gets started

Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday January 19th, 2008
Appeared on page A2

Twenty-one promising community leaders will begin a 10-month training program this weekend.

21 Inc., a government-sponsored non-profit firm, will bring this group of young New Brunswickers through a leadership development program.

This year's program launch will begin this evening at the Fredericton Delta with workshops and a dinner with Andrea Mandel-Campbell, an author and journalist specializing in international business and global competitiveness.

"Truly moving forward as a province means identifying, cultivating and enlisting the contribution of new leaders," Tim Coates, 21 Inc.'s executive director, said in a release. "We had a great response and have assembled an incredibly talented group of young people ready to take up the challenge."

The winners are:

Elaine Albert, a 33-year-old accountant from St-Jacques, focuses on the importance of family.

Patrick Albert, a 28-year-old business development specialist from Moncton, says New Brunswick is due to be reborn.

Matthew Alexander, a 32-year-old environmental scientist from Saint John, says New Brunswickers must work together to preserve the province's fresh water.

Julie Breau, a 23-year-old political science masters graduate from Saint John, is questioning whether she will leave the city to find work.

Scott Brittain, a 29-year-old Saint John lawyer, wants all New Brunswick-born residents to remain in the province.

Diane Carey, a 26-year-old youth development officer from Tracadie-Sheila, says now is the time to address the "brain drain" affecting the province.

Andrew Clark, a 34-year-old legal affairs executive from Fredericton, says New Brunswickers must take pride in who they are, rather than what they are not in comparison to the rest of the country.

Nathalie Cyr, a 34-year-old probation officer in Edmundston, says the province must work with its young people to ensure they are ready to take the torch when it's handed to them.

Marc Duguay, a 31-year-old business director from Caraquet, says New Brunswick must focus on boosting its exports in order to enhance the provincial economy.

Ryan Griffith, a 29-year-old Fredericton playwright, wants the province to become a thriving centre of cultural significance within the Maritimes.

Jessica Guimond, a 30-year-old oncologist from Saint John, says the New Brunswick of tomorrow is made up of healthy, vibrant, empowered communities.

Christopher Lane, the 28-year-old executive director of Opera NB, is working to ensure culture takes a leading role in the development and growth of New Brunswick.

Tao Tao Liu, a 25-year-old Saint John entrepreneur, says New Brunswick has to position itself as a global village and brand itself to the world.

Phillippe Ouelette, a 25-year-old policy advisor in Fredericton, says it's time for New Brunswick to begin fulfilling its potential through the dedication and ambition of those who choose to contribute.

Trevor MacAusland, a 28-year-old social entrepreneur from Moncton, says New Brunswick must empower its people to overcome the digital divide by rewarding creativity in our education system.

Jason MacLean, a 31-year-old Saint John entrepreneur, wants to help New Brunswickers lead happier, healthy lives.

Kamal Mahmud, a 34-year-old Moncton entrepreneur, says if New Brunswick is to move forward as a province, people have to learn to stop competing and learn how to work together.

Kalin McCluskey, a 21-year-old university student from Bloomfield, says New Brunswick has the potential to transform itself from a "have-not" province to a have one.

Jennifer McCumber, a 23-year-old social worker from Fredericton, says her vision for New Brunswick is an inclusive province that is non-judgmental and barrier-free for every single person.

Alycia Morehouse, a 24-year-old climate change coordinator in Fredericton, says New Brunswickers must work toward reducing their carbon footprint.

Nathan White, a 26-year-old Telegraph-Journal reporter from Moncton, wants more educated and ambitious New Brunswickers to build a more diversified economy, with companies competing on a global scale.

Links: http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/actualities/article/187327

Geeks on Ice Fan Mail

I love getting mail! Especially when it isn't from VISA, NB Power or Aliant... Over the last week I have received very touching messages of thanks from community leaders concerning our 2007 Geeks on Ice campaign.

This is the time of year to reflect and be gratefull that we live in a compassionate community like the maritimes. The messages are addressed to me, but emcompass anyone who volunteered, played or sponsored Geeks on Ice over the last 5 years.

Happy Hollidays to everyone!

LETTER 1:

Mr. Trevor MacAusland;

On behalf of the Association Integration Communautaire de Memramcook Inc. and L'Artisan worshop I would like to thank you Mr. MacAusland for providing our organization with such a great computer equipment. It will be put in good use. It is all set up in my office and it is quite a good change. It is very much appreciated.

Thank you for your time and effort in helping organizations like ours.

I am truly grateful and may God Blees You,

Anita LeBlanc

manager of l'Artisan Workshop

LETTER 2:

Dear Trevor,

I am writting to thank you on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Riverview. The Geeks On Ice fundraiser was like a Christmas come earlyfor us. To receive computers like we did was very much needed at our center.

The computers and general office equipment we have at the Club are often donated and not necessarily up to date. This was an amazing donation for us and one that will really benefit the day to day computer needs of the organization.

The programs we offer at the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview would not be possible without the generous community support we receive from organizations such as yours.

Thanks from all of us at the Boys and Girls Club of Riverview and to all of you a Happy Holidays and Wonderful New Year.

Thank you,

Greg Hickox
Executive Director