Participants in the 2009 21 leaders 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 selected 21 Leaders join a movement, gathering young leaders who share similar objectives of actively contributing to the development and growth of New Brunswick.

“Through the 21 Leaders program, I found a group of people as ambitious as I am, and around whom my ideas and energy were average! I found it really energizing,” explains Phillippe Ouellette, a 2008 21 Leader.

The 2009 class will be selected by an inter-disciplinary panel of judges. Applicants will be chosen based on a combination of criteria, including: their vision; 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.

21inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to developing and inspiring some of New Brunswick’s most promising young people into the best leaders in Canada. Established in 2006 by the first group of 21 leaders who participated in a UNB program called NextNB, 21inc.

Executive Director Tim Coates said, “The 21 leaders experience offered us considerable education and encouragement. We want to offer other young New Brunswickers the same chance we had to develop as effective 21st Century leaders, broaden their networks and gain a deeper understanding of our province and its challenges.”

The 21 Leaders program is made up of three accelerators of days each in Fredericton, Moncton and Bathurst, where Leaders develop specific skills and engage in policy dialogues while also contributing to their personal and professional goals. A one week study-tour of the province allows participants to deepen their understanding of the province and its strengths and weaknesses. The Leaders hone and refine their skills by executing a Community Solutions Project, in partnership with charitable organizations around the province. Projects will be presented at the final accelerator in June 2010, in Bathurst.

The 21 Leaders program is increasingly proving itself as one of the country’s preeminent leadership development programs. It is demonstrating that building a learning environment where young people develop the skills, abilities and meaningful relationships with peers and established leaders, fosters dynamic and committed leaders.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on June 10, 2009.

The goal of the event is to not only reward three members of the community in the area of community development, entrepreneurship, and profession or trade, but also to celebrate MYPIE’s accomplishments to date on the River.

The awards presented that evening comprise the following  categories:
MYPIE Entrepreneur of the year, MYPIE Professional of the year, and MYPIE Community Champion of the year.

To be eligible, candidates must have been residents of the Miramichi or surrounding areas for at least two years and be preferably under 36 years old. Each award has other specific criteria that must be met. Winners will receive a plaque as well as a significant package prize deal.

The selection committee, which will be specially put together for this event, will consist of representatives from the business community and organizations on the Miramichi. All eligible candidates can submit their applications through an open-nomination process (they can nominate themselves or a third party can on their behalf) and complete all required forms and documentation before April 6th 2009.

Nominations forms can be obtained at on the MYPIE website (mypie.ca), Enterprise Miramichi, CBDC Northumberland, Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Miramichi.

Nomination forms can be submitted to:
Enterprise Miramichi/MYPIE GALA 2009
Attn: Selection Committee
158 Wellington Street
Miramichi, NB E1N 1L9
Fax: (506) 622-2160
Email: galanominations2009@mypie.ca

The gala will start off with cocktails 6-7pm followed by a dinner with musical entertainment and the award ceremony. Deanna Graves, past president and current treasurer from MYPIE’s sister organization, Fusion Saint John, will be the guest speaker of the evening.

Table sponsorships are currently available and tickets for the event can be purchased through Enterprise Miramichi at the cost of $25 each; please contact Nadine Duguay or Kelly Sherrard at (506) 622-7890.

MYPIE Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and success found within our younger demographic on the River. Determination, dynamism, and innovation are all words that represent well the young people involved in the business community of the Miramichi.

MYPIE Professional of the year
This award recognizes a young civic-minded person that has excelled in their career or industry to date. Whether the achievement touched the lives of a few in your office or of many in the community or in the field of work, this person has the dynamism, positive attitude, and drive to excel at what they do on a daily basis. This person is simply put an example to all in their fields.

MYPIE Community Champion of the year

Community Involvement is a trait that we find in all demographics; this award has been created to specifically recognize the drive, generosity, and commitment displayed by a young person in their community. Whether you are a high school student or a professional with 10 years of experience, you must have shown outstanding community involvement, leadership, and a civic-minded attitude. You are one of the “doers,” a mover and a shaker that embraces community spirit and to whom the word volunteer really comes as a second nature.

MYPIE Summit Host, Chris Savage, & Organizer, Nadine Dunn

The network of Miramichi Young Professionals and Involved Entrepreneurs (MYPIE) hosted an interactive supper workshop entitled “The Summit Experience” at the Boulevard Pub in January. Over 55 people from all sectors registered for the event featuring guest speaker Paula Morand with the goal of learning how to change their attitudes to reach their altitude!

Paula Morand is a renowned guest speaker and executive coach whose mission is to help people improve their lives and reach their goals. When approached in October by MYPIE’s network, she immediately jumped on the opportunity to return to the Miramichi to speak to professionals, entrepreneurs, and citizens, and created a whole new workshop just for the occasion. With tips on how to achieve goals, heart-touching stories, laughter, video clips, and games, Paula engaged the crowd for over 90 minutes.

“It was awesome,” said Patsy Martin, job training coordinator for the Schizophrenia Society, who had spread the word of the workshop through her own network. One of the participants at her table even got up in front of everyone to “yodel” and show what she would yell when she reached the top of her mountain.

“A well invested five dollars,” echoed Bruno Doucette, instructor at NBCC-Miramichi. Several people from the real estate industry attended as well and their laughter could be heard throughout the night. Some attendees traveled as far as from Moncton and Bathurst to participate in the event.

Chris Savage, owner-operator of The Boulevard went all out for the special occasion, providing a full buffet meal and maximizing seating space for everyone. Even his mother chipped in, helping with the food preparation! For over half of the attendees, this was their first time at the pub and many expressed their intent to return in the near future.

“This is what it is all about,” said Nadine Duguay, Job Liaison Officer at Enterprise Miramichi and MYPIE instigator. “Giving professionals and entrepreneurs an opportunity to mingle, to learn about one another and to give tools that will inspire them and help them to work and live beyond the survival mode. I think we are achieving this goal through our efforts on a monthly basis with these activities. This event is one of the best turnouts thus far and we have our funding partners and sponsors to thank for helping make it a success including Enterprise Miramichi, Atcon Group, Dew Engineering, Northumberland Co-op ltd., The Boulevard, NBCC-Miramichi, CBDC Northumberland and the Rodd Miramichi.”

The MYPIE network was created by the joint forces of the CBDC Northumberland and Enterprise Miramichi. It targets Miramichi’s young professionals, entrepreneurs, or simply “young at heart” citizens, who wish to connect with others, provide their input and help instill a sense of pride, belonging, and familiarity on the river. For more information about the MYPIE network and its upcoming activities, visit their website at www.mypie.ca.