Get excited. Get involved. Get in on the action

Le français suit.

Any solution to New Brunswick’s economic and social challenges has to start with people – specifically, with new and emerging leaders.

That’s why we’ve launched a province-wide search for 21 young people, between the ages of 20-35, to participate in our 21 leaders for the 21st century leadership development program.
Get excited. Get involved. Get in on the action. Apply to be one of 2008’s 21 leaders for the 21st century. Visit http://www.21inc.ca/ today.

21inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to creating the capacity for change in New Brunswick by developing the best community leaders in Canada.
***
Toute réponse aux défis économiques et sociaux confrontant le Nouveau-Brunswick doit être fondée sur les gens : spécifiquement de nouveaux leaders et des leaders en émergence.

Nous avons donc lancé une recherche à l’échelle de la province pour 21 jeunes gens âgés d’entre 20 et 35 ans qui participeront à notre programme de développement du leadership 21 leaders pour le 21e siècle.

Passionnez-vous. Impliquez-vous. Participez. Inscrivez-vous au projet des 21 leaders pour le 21e siècle 2008. Consultez : <http://www.21inc.ca/>

21inc. est une organisation sans but lucratif dévouée à renforcer la capacité de changement au Nouveau-Brunswick en développant les meilleurs leaders au Canada.

21 leaders for the 21st century 2008

Original '21' aim to create the capacity for change by developing the nation's best community leaders

Moncton, NB - Together with Premier Shawn Graham, 21inc. today launched a province-wide search for 21 enthusiastic and energetic young New Brunswickers to participate in its renewed 21 leaders for the 21st century program - a unique leadership development exercise designed to give new and emerging leaders the tools, networks and confidence to help advance New Brunswick's self-sufficiency agenda.

Born of UNB's NextNB: 21 leaders for the 21st century initiative, 21inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to creating the capacity for change in New Brunswick by developing the best community leaders in Canada.

Established in 2006 by the original group of 21 leaders, 21inc. Executive Director Tim Coates said: "The 21 leaders experience offered us considerable attention and encouragement. We want to offer other young New Brunswickers the same chance we had to broaden our networks and gain a deeper understanding of our province and its challenges."

Participants in the 2008 21 leaders for the 21st century program will have the opportunity to meet with - and learn from - established provincial and national leaders; accelerate their leadership development by designing and implementing community solutions projects and, importantly, join a dynamic and diverse network of engaged young New Brunswickers committed to their province, and its future.

The 2008 class will be selected by an inter-disciplinary panel of judges. Applicants will be chosen based on a combination of criteria, including: their vision; their academic, professional and extra-curricular contributions; and for their capacity to have an impact on the province and its people. Application guidelines and more detailed program information are available at www.21inc.ca.

"Achieving the kind of large scale transformation we're seeking for New Brunswick means identifying, cultivating and enlisting our next generation of leaders," said the Honourable Shawn Graham, Premier of New Brunswick, acknowledging 21inc. as the first link in this new network of emerging leaders. He said, "21inc.'s 21 leaders for the 21st century program closes an important gap - instilling in our young people a sense of opportunity, community and responsibility here, in New Brunswick. Thanks to 21inc.'s efforts, our province will have a forever-growing pool of promising young people working to ensure New Brunswick remains the kind of place where people want to live, study, invest and raise families."

21inc. is supported by the Government of New Brunswick, the University of New Brunswick, Revolution Strategy, Caisses populaires acadiennes, Major Drilling, Mariner Partners, McCain Foods, Moosehead Breweries, Diversis and the Barrett Corporation.

Event photos and interviews with members of 21inc. and the original '21 leaders' are available.
For more information, contact:

Anne McInerney Tim Coates
(506) 875-4390 (506) 260-8362
anne@21inc.ca tim@21inc.ca

Forbes: Business And Community

Everyone knows by now that I am a big fan of Scott McNealy's vision and ambition to eliminate the digital divide. Since Geeks on Ice has reinvented ourselves based upon the principles of business and community collaboration, I thought I would share the following commentary from the man himself. Enjoy!

~Trevor MacAusland

Commentary
Business And Community
by Scott McNealy
12.14.05, 6:00 AM ET

We're really just beginning to understand the Internet--a phenomenon that has not only changed the way we do business, with more and more of it happening online, but also the way we think about it.

Who would have thought, only a few years ago, that business leaders have a responsibility to their shareholders to build communities and encourage participation?

Read the rest of the commentary here

Geeks on Ice plan to take on the world

Annual Metro Moncton fundraising hockey tourney aims to spread to other countries

By Yvon GauvinTimes & Transcript staff
Published Saturday November 24th, 2007
Appeared on page A4


Geeks on Ice is going global with its campaign to provide non-profit organizations with the tools to become more efficient and effective.

The event, created by information and communications technology professionals to raise money for computers and computer software for United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick member organizations, is widening its scope to include participating of outside firms in the fund-raising and on-ice play in 2008.

Over the past five years, the Geeks on Ice campaign -- which culminates with a hockey tournament in Moncton -- raised more than $15,000 to buy desktop and laptop computers, hardware and software along and offer professional expertise for non-profit groups who might not be able to afford them or the upgrades to help them in their quest.

Among the United Way member organizations that have received help to date include the YWCA, Tantramar Family Resource Centre, Riverview Boys & Girls Club, Moncton Regional Learning Council and Memramcook atelier l'Artisan.

Campaign organizers are calling the 2008 event Skate to Eliminate the Digital Divide where the goal is to close the gap between those organizations with "regular, effective access to digital information technology, and those without this access."

The first step is to rally community stakeholders then work to eliminate this "threat to education, economic development and social services."

Limited access to computers and emerging technologies hamper an organization's efforts to deliver key services, said organizers.

The Geeks on Ice World Championships take place April 17-20 in Moncton and is open to all ICT related firms across the world.

A celebrity player draft for the top four teams will be held. The top teams are those that raise the most money and donates the most expertise to United Way agencies. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers.

The targets for the campaign include traditional ICT market areas in Silicon Valley, New England, Ottawa, Waterloo, Ont., Redmond, Wash., Texas and Europe. Professionals from those areas will be invited to form teams and come to Moncton to play in the tournament or as spectators.

A Geek Week Conference is also planned for the same week with some of the brightest minds around the world expected to attend and discuss such topics as digital divide, web 3.0, economic development, raising venture capital and leadership. Participation to the conference is open to everyone.

The organization describes Geek Warriors as mild mannered ICT professionals who work in consulting, programming, web design, networking, marketing, finance and sales to name a few. Geeks on Ice and the United Way are looking for people to join their steering committee and help with recruiting, fund-raising and the mission itself.
Inquiries should be directed by e-mail to geeksonice@gmail.com

PG Canucks pick Leblanc, Maxwell in first round of Labatt's Blue Line League Draft

ThinkNB Picture Gallery

facebook Trevor MacAusland 11:13am Nov 20th ThinkNB To geeksonice.geeks@blogger.com Trevor sent you a message. To read this message, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=714055090&k=Y6FU4YQ2363MWFMCVKYTS Trevor has shared an album with you. To view the album, follow the link. Are your friends bothering you? You can opt out of emails from friends on Facebook.

From The Press Box

Introducing The Press Box! Your newsletter for everything Geeks on Ice. In this issue:

• Reaching Self-Sufficiency
• Eliminating the Digital Divide
• Answering the Call
• Geeks on Ice World Championship
• 2007 Campaign Update
• Access to Professional Expertise
• Geek Warriors
• Rising Stars
• Help Wanted!

Read The Press Box here

Geeks on Ice Cybersocial Summary

Geeks on Ice readies the community to face-off against the digital divide

Last night I had the privilege to share a sneak peek of the new Geeks on Ice vision at the monthly Cybersocial. We shared the list of symptoms many non-profit agencies in our region face due to the digital divide. For those who are not familiar with the term digital divide, it is best described as the gap between those with physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use and those without this access.

Attendees heard me explain how Geeks on Ice have invested in hardware and software upgrades, however; without the access to professional expertise these agencies struggle to maximize the full extent of the equipment we provide. Digital illiteracy is crippling to organizations that have to correspond, collaborate and request funding through the electronic forum of the participation age.

To respond to an obvious gap to the Geeks on Ice mandate, our vision committee reinvented the mission to purchase computer equipment and software using funds raised through the annual hockey tournament, offer professional expertise to member agencies and promote community collaboration. In short, Geeks on Ice will not stop skating until the digital divide is eliminated!

In order to fill the need for professional expertise, the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB was on hand to collect names of volunteers ready to be Geek Warriors who will serve on the front lines in our battle to defeat the digital divide in our communities. These heroes, individuals and organizations, will provide a few hours of their time to lend their professional expertise to local member agencies.

Participants were also very enthusiastic to hear that Geeks on Ice wants to see the group of volunteers evolve into a formal committee which will work towards the creation of a Geek University where not only the non-profit sector benefits from workshops and mentoring, but where small to medium sized organizations can also participate in the process to help our entire economy overcome the challenges caused by the digital divide.

If you are interested in learning more about the Geek Warriors or Geeks on Ice, please send all inquiries to geeksonice@gmail.com.

Click here to download a copy of our Cybersocial presentation.

Do Not Miss Tonight's Cybersocial!

When: Wednesday, November 14th, 2007, 5-7pm
Where: City Hall, 655 Main St, 6th Floor
Who: Geeks on Ice / McKenzie College

"The gap between organizations with regular access to digital and information technology, and those without this access is growing larger in our community. The digital divide encompasses both physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use. For years, Geeks on Ice has invested over $15,000.00 in hardware upgrades for United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB member agencies in order to overcome this gap while providing ICT professionals an organic way to network through sport.

The Geeks on Ice presentation at the upcoming Cybersocial will focus on the group's plan to build a volunteer group of ICT professionals called Geek Warriors who are willing to assist in the fight to eliminate the digital divide for member agencies by developing their skills and resources to leverage the use of the annual Geeks on Ice hardware investment. On hand will be Trevor MacAusland (Founder of Geeks on Ice) and Micha Fardy (United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB)."

Lead The Fight Against Digital Illiteracy

When the province released its much anticipated Non-Profit Task Force report, few who have volunteered for non-profit agencies were surprised by the findings. Access to consistent funding, professional resources and cost overruns have long been issues that have limited the efficiency and productivity of organizations whom provide key services to the community. Services offered by New Brunswick’s non-profit sector are keys to creating an environment of support to our workforce which results in a positive contribution to the province’s economy.

Among one of the key findings in the report was the topic of illiteracy and the challenges this epidemic posses to our economic development. While illiteracy in our province must be addressed in order for this province to reach its goal of self-sufficiency, there is another obstacle that will hinder our role in the global economy if it not addressed. Digital illiteracy is caused by a digital divide between those with physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use and those without this access.

Through a partnership with the United Way of Greater Moncton and Souhteastern NB region, Geeks on Ice has invested in over $15,000 in member agencies in an effort to help close the gap caused by the digital divide in our region. Other organizations, Like the Rogers call center, have donated refurbished computer equipment no longer being used to assist in the fight against a growing divide.

While investment in computer equipment and software has provided agencies a level playing field in relation to technology hardware investment there still remains a knowledge gap for their volunteers, employees and customers to leverage the investment. Digital illiteracy exists among all sectors of our economy and threatens our economic competitiveness on a global stage.

If we confront digital illiteracy, a domino effect will take place in the province that will encourage organizations to embrace the participation age. One digitally literate the community will be able to collaborate with their peers across the globe and reduce operating expenses through the use of open source technologies which enhances our economic competitiveness.

Identification of a digital divide has led Geeks on Ice to challenge the ICT sector to play a front line role in combating this enemy of self-sufficiency. We are asking professionals and organizations who can contribute to the fight to eliminate the digital divide to attend the upcoming Cybersocial this Wednesday evening at City Hall beginning at 5pm. With your knowledge and resources we can bridge the digital divide in our community and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

Trevor MacAusland

Founder

Geeks on Ice

CyberSocial: Nov.14 - Geeks on Ice / McKenzie College

This month you'll be hearing from...

When: Wednesday, November 14th, 2007, 5-7pm
Where: City Hall, 655 Main St, 6th Floor
Who: Geeks on Ice / McKenzie College

"The gap between organizations with regular access to digital and information technology, and those without this access is growing larger in our community. The digital divide encompasses both physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use. For years, Geeks on Ice has invested over $15,000.00 in hardware upgrades for United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB member agencies in order to overcome this gap while providing ICT professionals an organic way to network through sport.
The Geeks on Ice presentation at the upcoming Cybersocial will focus on the group's plan to build a volunteer group of ICT professionals called Geek Warriors who are willing to assist in the fight to eliminate the digital divide for member agencies by developing their skills and resources to leverage the use of the annual Geeks on Ice hardware investment. On hand will be Trevor MacAusland (Founder of Geeks on Ice) and Micha Fardy (United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB)."

Wanted: IT professionals

N.B. companies on recruitment mission with jobs in hand

By Kate Wright
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday November 3rd, 2007
Appeared on page B1

OTTAWA - Over a dozen New Brunswick companies will descend on the nation's capital later this month with jobs in hand, looking to repatriate skilled New Brunswick IT workers.


In a joint effort by the New Brunswick's Enterprise Networks and the province's Population Growth Secretariat, New Brunswick companies will host an IT recruitment job fair Nov. 15 in Ottawa.

The fair will be in Montreal on Nov. 14.

Employers will have jobs in hand for IT professionals interested in coming to the Maritimes -- or coming back home.

John Thompson, executive director of Enterprise Greater Moncton, said Enterprise Networks across the province were hearing from member companies that recruiting skilled IT workers was becoming increasingly difficult.

Through consultation with employers, Montreal and Ottawa were identified as destinations with the greatest number of potential candidates for recruitment to the New Brunswick IT sector.

Through this mission, employers will have the opportunity to promote themselves and speak directly with experienced IT professionals, alumni and recent graduates.

"These companies have real jobs available now and by filling them now, we're also opening opportunities for future investment," he said. "If we could fill those, there is the potential for other investments to come into the region."

After a lull in the IT sector over the past few years, the industry has rebounded. In New Brunswick, the IT sector has grown rapidly, leaving a number of new positions to be filled.

While the industry is booming and the province is experiencing healthy growth in new start-ups, Thompson said recruiting bright minds from central Canada, and encouraging New Brunswickers to reconsider work in their home province sends a strong message to the rest of the country.

"We're here in New Brunswick, we have jobs available, there are opportunities here and we want you to have another look," he said. "Even if we recruit one or two people, it's a success.

"There are areas where we can help companies grow and create long-term viability within the region."

Thompson said the mission will be set up like a job fair, with employers eagerly looking to hire.

"I think people will be pleasantly surprised," he said.

Atlantic Lottery Corporation spokeswomen Paula Dyke said many companies in the region are struggling to fill their labour requirements and the company jumped at the chance to expand their recruitment base by looking outside the province.

Like many New Brunswick companies, she said there are challenges in recruiting strong IT professionals and going directly to the talent pool is the best way to recruit the brightest minds.

"Going there means we are able to answer questions first hand and sell the advantages of our company," she said. "At the end of the day we are able to look at pockets of talent and are able to recruit people who have maybe never been to New Brunswick, or are New Brunswickers interested in coming home."

But the mission is also being treated as a way to grow the province's population and encourage New Brunswickers to reconsider employment in their home province.

Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne, who also head's the province Population Growth Secretariat, will also be participating in the job fair.

He said there is major potential in bringing skilled New Brunswickers back home, for both employers and for the province's economy.

"This is the first mission undertaken by the government where we will provide potential recruits and former New Brunswickers with actual job opportunities within a booming sector," Byrne said.

"We expect it to have significant benefits for the province's population growth efforts, which are a key component of our plan to make New Brunswick self-sufficient by 2026."

Byrne is hoping to remind expatriates of the major advantages of living and working in New Brunswick and use that as a selling point.

"It's one of the lowest cost areas to live in terms of housing and amenities," he said. "There are quality of life issues in terms of the amenities we have. We have recreation -- you can be at a beach or on a trail in an hour. We can sell New Brunswick as a good place to do business."

The IT recruitment mission will be held on Nov. 14 in Montreal at the École de technologie supérieure at the Université du Québec and Nov. 15 in Ottawa at the Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Dr. The event will run from noon until 7 p.m.