Open Letter to the T&T and TJ

Geeks Supporting Single Parents

This past weekend over 350 knowledge industry professionals and their families from around Atlantic Canada converged on the Moncton Sportsplex to participate in the third annual Geeks on Ice hockey and inaugural Geeks Golf tournaments. The tournaments have a purpose to promote networking between IT professionals from around Atlantic Canada and raise funds to purchase computers and peripherals for a non-profit organization.

The event was a huge success and rose close to $7000.00 to benefit Support for Single Parents. This investment will ensure that Support for Single Parents can deliver their services to the community in a more efficient manner. A technology investment can be very expensive for non-profits who must justify the expense. The upgrade will also provide users access to technology that most low-income families cannot leverage today to seek help.

As founder of Geeks, I want to thank the community, volunteers, Dundee Sportsdome and the City of Moncton for embracing the knowledge industry’s effort to improve our community. Events like Geeks demonstrate the city’s commitment and leadership of the knowledge industry, especially the IC2 project that will multiply the amount of Geeks in the city.

Special thanks go to Enterprise Greater Moncton, CompuSmart and Whitehill Technologies for their donations of computers and peripherals to Support for Single Parents. Geeks look forward to 2007!

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf Organizer
Email: tmacausland@gmail.com
www.GeeksonIce.com

Geeks Survey

In order to serve you better in 2007, I would like to ask you and your players to respond to the following informal survey. Copy and paste this post into a new email and send it to tmacausland@gmail.com. If you wish to remain anonymouse, please post the results as a comment to our website (www.geeksonice.com) under the anonymouse alias.

Our committee will take tally the results and report the findings to everyone involved from the committee members to the facility management. Please take a few minutes to help us:

Section 1: Geeks on Ice

1) How was your overall experience? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

2) How were you treated by Geeks on Ice staff? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

3) How was the registration process? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

4) Were the division divided fairly? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

5) Did you like the items in the prize bag? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

6) Do you feel that you received fair value for your registration fee?

Yes/No

If no, please comment:

7) Would you refer the tournament to other companies?

Yes/No

If no, please comment:

8) Would you play next year?

Yes/No

If no, please comment:

9) General Suggestions/Comments:

Section 2: 4Plex

10) How was your overall experience with the 4plex staff and facility? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)

Rate: ___

Comments:

10) Did you receive satisfactory beer delivery service from the restaurant to your locker room? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)

Rate: ___

Comments:

11) Did you receive satisfactory service at the Slapshot's bar? How was your overall experience? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)

Rate: ___

Comments:

12) Was food adequate? How was your overall experience? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

13) Were dressing rooms kept clean?

Yes/No

Comments:

14) Was ice quality satisfactory? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

15) Was the price of "refreshements" adequate?

Yes/No

Comments:

16) Did you encounter any difficulties with the facility or it's staff? If yes, please respond.

Yes/No

Comments:

Section 3: General Hockey

17) Should the slapshot rule be changed?

Yes/No

Comment:

18) Was competion level adequate?

Yes/No

Comment:

19) Was officiating adequate? Please rate on a scale of 1(Lowest) to 10(Highest)
Rate: ___

Comments:

Section 4: General Feedback

Comment:

Thank you for responding to our survey and our committee will analyse the information and make the proper adjustments for next year's tournament.

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: tmacausland@gmail.com
www.GeeksonIce.com

2006 Geeks Photo Album

Below is the link to the Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf photo album. If you have any pictures to add, please forward them to tmacausland@gmail.com

Click Here: http://community.webshots.com/album/549849432dkYVTw

Geeks Raise $7000.00 for Single Parents

PropertyGuys.com walks away with the Whitehill Cup

Moncton, New Brunswick – Property Guys.com are the top Geeks on Ice for 2006, but the real story is how charitable all the Geeks were, raising almost $7,000 in cash and computer equipment for Support to Single Parents in Moncton.

"This has been our best fundraiser, ever!” exclaimed Nancy Hartling, Executive Director of Support to Single Parents. “The support from Geeks on Ice has surpassed our wildest dreams. They were able to help us by obtaining donated computer equipment, and the money raised from the raffle and silent auction were icing on the cake.”

The committee announced on Saturday that they received $4,000.00 worth of computer equipment from Enterprise Greater Moncton, Whitehill Technologies, Inc., Xerox and CompuSmart while another $2,500.00 in funds went to purchase the remaining equipment needed.

“In addition, we have built a network of new community partners in the IT field, which a win/win situation for everyone. The GOI Team are tops and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity!" finished Hartling.

Organizers also named Moncton’s HRDC the “’Rising Stars’ Most Charitable Team” for the second year in a row and awarded Miramichi’s Fatkat Animation with the sportsmanship award.

“We had a great time at Geeks on Ice 2006,” said Ken Leblanc from winning team, PropertyGuys.com. “I have played in a number of hockey tournaments over the years and this is by far one of the best organized events I have had the pleasure of participating in. It was professional, competitive, entertaining, but most of all fun. I tip my hat to the organizers for a job well done and can’t wait to get on the ice again next year!”

The event has doubled in size within 3 years and organizers look to grow the event for 2007. “Over 350 players and their families attended the event and contributed to the local economy,” says Trevor MacAusland, Geeks on Ice founder. Local economic spin off from the event is estimated to be over $20,000 from restaurants, hotels, ice rental and bar sales. “Geeks work hard, but play harder!” says MacAusland.

Organizers also held a Geeks Golf tournament at the Dundee Sportsdome that featured 11 teams. Plexus Connectivity walked away with the title by defeating the team from the City of Moncton in a sudden death match.

2006 Sponsors included Maritime Cresting, Plexus Connectivity Solutions, Whitehill Technologies, Inc., Enterprise Greater Moncton, RBC Financial Services, the Government of NB, BMG Consulting and Dundee Sportsdome. Prize donors included Via Rail, Investor’s Group, Ramada Crystal Palace, and NRC.

Please bookmark http://www.geeksonice.com/ to watch for further developments and announcements.

CBC New Brunswick - Programs - Information Morning Moncton - Interview Archive

Apr 21, 2006

Trevor MacAusland , an I T specialist, is the organizer of Geeks On Ice and he explains why it's important to help Support for Single Parents. (runs 5:00)

Click here(Real Player): CBC New Brunswick - Programs - Information Morning Moncton - Interview Archive

Special Thanks

The 2006 Geeks on Ice committee would like to extend a special thanks to the following individuals for supporting our great event:













Nancy Hartling, Executive Director of Support for Single Parents
The Hon. Wayne Steeves, Minister of Public Safety




















Jules Leger, Dundee Sportsdome President
Doug Robertson, City of Moncton Councillor
















Moncton Crescent MLA, John Betts (http://johnbetts.blogspot.com/)

Hansen Photo

Rod Poirier, Darryl Leger and Luc Gaudet Pose for the Whitehill Geeks Picture 

Property Guys Capture Whitehill Cup

Moncton- PropertyGuys.com captured the Whitehill Cup on Sunday by defeating Canada Post 4 to 1 in a thrilling final. Matt Leduc of PropertyGuys was awarded the Business NB MVP by BNB representative Mathieu Brideau. PropertyGuys captain Jeremy Dumont was presented the Whitehill Cup by Moncton Crescent MLA John Betts. Each player on the winning team received the official Plexus Geeks on Ice Champions Golf shirt presented by Diane Leblanc of Plexus Connectivity.

In other happenings, HRDC defended their title of the Rising Stars (www.RisingStars.ca) "Most Generous Team" award by donating $401.00 on top of $50.00 in raffle ticket purchases. Miramichi's Fatkat Moose-Touchers were the talk of the tournament and were crowned "Most Sportsmanlike".

Organizers estimate that the event raised $2500.00 in funds that will go to Support for Single Parents while $4000.00 in computer equipement and peripherials were also donated to the non-profit organization by Enterprise Greater Moncton, Whitehill Technologies, CompuSmart and Xerox.

Organizers look to grow the tournament again in 2007.

Most Sportsmanlike

The Miramichi Fatkat Moose-Touchers were named the "Most Sportmanlike" team at the 2006 Geeks on Ice tournament. Geeks on Ice founder Trevor Macausland says: "Fatkat exhibited the true spirit of what Geeks on Ice is all about. Every team in the tournament commented on the positive spirit that the Moose-Touchers demonstrated and definitely merit the honors bestowed on them. They are a class act!".

More pics here: http://fatkatanimation.blogspot.com

More Pics

More to follow...


 

Whitehill Celebrates a Win..

Geeks Pictures One

The Memorial Cup makes an appearance at the Rising Stars nomination kick off.












Brian Coffin and Darryl Leger after their game vs OAOT.








Darryl Leger, the inspiration for the Geeks on Ice logo...







Darryl shows off his Dieppe Industrial league trophy.

Champions Crowned

PropertyGuys.com defeated Canada Post 4 to 1 on Sunday to capture the 2006 Geeks on Ice hockey tournament. Watch highlights from the game on CTV news at 6PM on Sunday.

Plexus defeated the City of Moncton to capture the inaugural Geeks Golf championship in a sudden death matchup.

Congrats to both champs and check the website for updates.

Geeks on Ice: Friday Night Games

C 5:00 PM Assomption Vie vs. Evolving Sol'ns(Puck Drop)
D 6:00 PM HRDC vs. Plexus
C 6:15 PM Dovico vs. Beauséjour Health
D 7:15 PM SDI vs. Xerox 1
C 7:30 PM PropertyGuys vs. Spielo
D 8:30 PM Xerox 2 vs. Brovada
C 8:45 PM OAOT vs. Whitehill
D 9:45 PM Canada Post vs. Fatkat Animation

QUATRIÈME ÉVÉNEMENT ÉTOILES MONTANTES

Date : le 27 septembre 2006

En ligne sur le site www.risingstars.ca



Une fois de plus, le Réseau de l’industrie du savoir du Grand Moncton parraine l’événement néo-brunswickois « Étoiles montantes » visant à mettre en valeur les travailleurs du savoir.

Il y a des « étoiles » parmi nous et nous avons besoin de votre aide pour les dénicher! « Les gens que nous cherchons sont les héros méconnus de l’industrie du savoir du Nouveau-Brunswick », a déclaré la coordonnatrice de l’événement de cette année, Stephanie Turner. Et nous ne parlons pas uniquement des développeurs de logiciel ni même des gens qui travaillent dans des firmes traditionnelles de TI. Au Nouveau-Brunswick, des centaines d’entreprises emploient des travailleurs de la haute technologie. Nous voulons trouver ces travailleurs et célébrer leur apport à l’industrie du savoir du Nouveau-Brunswick. »

Prenez l’exemple de Gino Legacy, qui a été choisi Étoile émergente en 2005. Gino est l’analyste principal en TI (Atlantique/Québec) pour Pepsi Bottling Group. Il a dit : « Le programme Étoiles émergentes m’a aidé à agrandir mon réseau de contacts liés à l’industrie du savoir. Comme je travaille pour une firme non axée sur les TI, je n’ai pas autant d’occasions de socialiser avec des personnes de

l’industrie du savoir. Les nombreuses activités organisées dans le cadre du programme Étoiles montantes m’a justement offert cette possibilité. Le programme de mentorat Étoiles montantes m’a ouvert les yeux sur de nombreuses possibilités futures que je n’aurais peut-être pas pu connaître autrement. »

La soirée de gala de cette année aura lieu le 27 septembre. Après avoir été choisies, les étoiles montantes de cette année se joindront aux 37 étoiles émergentes des années précédentes dans le cadre d’un programme de mentorat de huit mois.

Le programme Étoiles montantes a été créé pour reconnaître le talent que nous avons dans la province et pour offrir une possibilité de perfectionnement professionnel et de réseautage grâce à l’apport de collègues de l’industrie du savoir. Si ces personnes talentueuses sentent que leur apport est apprécié, elles seront plus susceptibles de demeurer dans la province et de contribuer à la prospérité à long terme de la province.

L’appel des candidatures commencera le 21 avril à 16 h dans le cadre d’une cérémonie officielle durant le tournoi Geeks on Ice.

Événement : Lancement de l’appel des candidatures Étoiles montantes 2006
Date : Vendredi 21 avril 2006
Endroit : Slapshot Bar and Grill (Patinoire du Centre 4-glaces Tim Hortons au Sportplexe du CN).

Le Réseau de l’industrie du savoir du Grand Moncton (RISGM) se compose d’entreprises du secteur privé de la région qui se sont réunies (avec l’aide d’Entreprise Grand Moncton) d’une manière organisée afin de promouvoir le secteur.



Pour obtenir de l’information au sujet des candidatures ou des possibilités de commandite, visitez le site www.risingstars.ca


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Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements ou pour obtenir une copie anglaise du présent communiqué, veuillez communiquer avec Stephanie Turner, Coordonnatrice du Comité des étoiles montantes. Tél. : (506) 867-0926, poste 106; stephanie.turner@greatermoncton.org

FOURTH ANNUAL RISING STARS EVENT

Event date: September 27th, 2006

On-line at www.risingstars.ca


The Greater Moncton Knowledge Industry Network is once again hosting the New Brunswick Rising Stars Recognition Event for Knowledge Workers.

There are “stars” living among us and we need your to help to find them! “The people that we are looking for are the ”unsung heroes” of New Brunswick’s Knowledge Industry.” says this year’s event Chair, Stephanie Turner. “And we are not just talking about Software Developers or even people working in traditional IT firms. There are hundreds of companies in New Brunswick employing high tech workers. We want to find these workers and celebrate their contribution to the Knowledge Industry in New Brunswick”.

Take for example Gino Legacy, who was chosen as a Rising Star in 2005. Gino is the IT Senior Analyst (Atlantic/Quebec) for Pepsi Bottling Group. “The Rising Stars program has helped me expand my knowledge based network. Working for a non-IT firm, I don't have as many opportunities to socialize with people in the knowledge industry. The many networking activities organized by the Rising Stars program have given me that opportunity. The Rising Stars mentorship program has opened my eyes to many potential future opportunities I may not have realized where available otherwise.”

This year’s gala evening event will take place on September 27th. Once chosen, this year’s Rising Stars will join the 37 past winners of the program in following an 8 month long mentorship program.

The Rising Stars program has been developed to recognize the talent that we have here in the province and to offer an opportunity for professional development and networking with Knowledge Industry peers. If these talented individuals feel their contribution is valued, they are more likely to remain in the Province and contribute to the long term prosperity of the province.

The call for nominations will open on April 21st at 4 p.m. at an official ceremony during the Geeks on Ice Tournament.

Event: Kick off of the 2006 Rising Stars Call for Nominations
Date: Friday April 21st, 2006
Location: Slapshot Bar and Grill (Tim Hortons 4Plex Ice Rink at the CN Sportsplex).

The Greater Moncton Knowledge Industry Network (GMKIN) is a group of private sector companies in our region that have come to together (with the help of Enterprise Greater Moncton) in an organized fashion to help promote the sector.

For information regarding nominations or sponsorship opportunities visit www.risingstars.ca


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For further information or for a French copy of this release, please communicate with Stephanie Turner, Marketing Coordinator, Rising Star Committee Tel: (506) 867-0926 ext 106 stephanie.turner@greatermoncton.org

Geeks Golf media release

Moncton

The City of Moncton entry in the inaugural Geeks Golf tournament
expressed satisfaction after registering an opening round -10 62. The
team, comprised of Don "Digger" MacLellan, Steve "Scooter" Trueman, Doug
"The Deemer" Robertson and Steve "Sweet Swingin" Mitton appeared relaxed
and in solid early season form as they played the tournament's first
round. Said Robertson, "expectations for our team were somewhat tempered
so, despite our limited pre-season play, we felt relaxed and under no
particular pressure."

Scooter Trueman was in rare form, stroking the ball with particular
authority and following it up with solid and confident putting. The team
got off to a somewhat sluggish start, but once the first birdie was
registered, they found their groove and rolled eight under par in the
last ten holes.

Speaking after the match, Mitton said that it was the most satisfaction
he has had in months, but would not colourize the comment with further
clarity. The team was pleased with their effort, and said " we are happy
to lay down a respectable score for the other teams to go after". The
team was obviously pleased to, at least temporarily, hold the position
of clubhouse leader. Said MacLellan " we wish the other teams well over
the next two days and hope the prospective frontrunners are duly
challenged by this score". Robertson added " the playing conditions were
challenging tonight, with swirling winds and a lot of crowd noise so we
were happy with our result".

The team will now sit back and await the final results and hope to be a
factor come. Saturday's sudden death playoff. "We'll be ready, if we
have the chance to be in the playoff" said Mitton "and will be happy to
face any of the other Geek teams under any set of sudden d eath rules".
He added, "we've seen it all before so frankly little out there will
rattle us".

Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf organizer, Trevor Macausland, takes out his frustration on Oops.

Here’s a little known fact…
- 87% of all Mascot injuries are related to getting kicked in the groin. Also 92% of all statistics given are made up on the spot!

From left to right: Jules Leger (Golf Geeks Chair and Dundee SportsDome President), Oops (Dundee Mascot) and City of Moncton Councillor Doug Robertson.

GOI: Thursday Night Results

HRDC 2 vs PropertyGuys 4

Dovico 1 vs OAOT 4

Beauséjour Health 6 vs Whitehill 3

-------------------------
Michael Nied

Geeks on Ice Prize Bags

Geeks on Ice is proud to announce that all registered players in this year's Geeks on Ice hockey tournament will receive a Rising Stars Prize bag filled with plenty of goodies.

Each bag contains:

1. Official Geeks on Ice T-shirt sponsored by Maritime Cresting Company
2. Official Geeks on Ice puck sponsored by Whitehill Technologies
3. Official OAOT key chain provided by OAOT
4. Captain Sub Coupons

To get your bag, drop by the registration table in the Slapshots bar at the Moncton 4 Plex begining on Friday at 6pm.

Here are some pictures of Geeks committee members and Support for Single Parents staff stuffing the 300 bags:

First Drive Tonight

The first annual Geeks Golf indoor tournament kicks off tonight at 7PM. The event is held at the Moncton Dundee Sportsdome and will run from Thursday thru Saturday featuring 11 teams. Some teams that are participating represent knowledge industry organizations like the City of Moncton, Enterprise Greater Moncton, OAOT, Whitehill Technologies and Plexus Connectivity.

The official "First Drive" will be held tonight at 7pm with City of Moncton Councillor Doug Robertson doing the honors of hitting the first drive. Admittance is free and the public is invited to attend at any time. The sudden death final will be held on Saturday evening at the Sportsdome where the winning team will be crowned and someone might walk away with $10,000! There are also raffle prizes and a silent auction.

Proceeds of the event go towards Support for Single Parents. For more details visit www.geeksonice.com.