This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on May 4th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
This Friday, FUSION will celebrate local leaders and FUSION’s role in cultivating leadership in the next generation at the 6th Annual Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION networking dinner.
This year’s theme, Inspiring Leadership, reflects the willingness of many Saint Johners who have taken on leadership roles to bring progress and positive change to the city.
This event will focus on the future leadership capacity that’s necessary to move our community forward and will feature a keynote address from Gemini-winning CBC news anchor Diana Swain.
By “inspiring leadership,” FUSION hopes to help lay the foundation for a culture of mentorship to allow the city’s emerging leaders to grow and eventually take on the new responsibilities that will be required to sustain our current rate of growth.
“Leadership is an important part of FUSION Saint John,” said Shawn Peterson, chairperson of FUSION Saint John. “Our members show leadership every day through their ties to the community, be it involvement on boards, committees, or in organizing events. These are leaders who want to live here and make things happen, which is vital not only to FUSION, but to the entire community.”
With issues associated with the aging population and demands to be a more sustainable society top of mind, FUSION’s focus at this year’s event will be on the future of leadership in our community, and new ways to engage prospective leaders to encourage progress and growth.
“Saint John is a city on the move, and it is because of the leadership that individuals are providing to community initiatives – both big and small,” Peterson said. “If we want to keep moving in this direction, we need to make sure we are inspiring the future leaders in our community. To me, the best way to become inspired is to get into a room with many other established leaders to see what they are doing, and how they are doing it.”
Saint John is a city brimming with potential; fortunately, there exists a large pool of established leaders, individuals who are willing to offer their time, energy and expertise to ensure the next generation is poised to face challenges and move the city in a positive direction. With Faces of FUSION 2010, the organization hopes to create an opportunity for both emerging and established leaders to share thoughts and ideas, and instill a passion for creativity, change and action in the city.
Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 will take place this Friday at the Saint John Hilton Trade & Convention Centre. Tickets are $60. For more information please visit www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
More information on Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 can be found on FUSION’s website!
