This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on March 9th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Sustainability is something we hear a lot about these days; people are becoming increasingly conscious of how the decisions we make today will have an impact on our future, environmentally, financially and socially.

But what is the best way for a community to tackle such a broad issue? Over the next few weeks, the city’s new business network, Sustainable Saint John, will meet with current and potential members to discuss the issue of sustainibility and identify the best ways for the network to proceed.

“The city can’t do this on its own, so we have to think how do you mobilize the entire community to promote this theme of sustainability,” says deputy city manager Andrew Beckett.

Charting the Path Forward is a two-part workshop event that will examine the key success factors for the network and the best course of action to ensure the factors are met.

Sustainable Saint John is a regional network launched in 2009 by the city’s environment committee, with support from the province’s Environmental Trust Fund and in partnership with the Saint John Board of Trade. The network was formed as a result of feedback from Saint Johners expressing the need to think and act sustainably by balancing the community’s economic, environmental and social needs. Recent community initiatives such as Vision 2015 have articulated this vision for a sustainable community.

“We started to develop the tool kit about a year ago, and there was a great level of interest from the local communities and great stories exchanged between local businesses on how they were promoting sustainability,” Beckett said.

The Sustainable Saint John Business Toolkit was developed to help businesses and organizations create their own sustainable action plan.

“Sustainability is an issue that is gaining momentum across the country,” said Saint John Board of Trade president Imelda Gilman on the business group’s partnership with the Sustainable Saint John network.

“The business case for sustainability is very strong. We look forward to playing a supportive role and helping to promote it to our members and other businesses in the Greater Saint John area.”

In a community like ours, it is crucial that both environment and social sustainability be taken into consideration. Getting businesses and organizations committed by way of an official network gives them the means to share resources, feedback and new ideas that will ensure the city remains on a course that will not simply see us sustain ourselves, but prosper in the future.

Sustainable Saint John’s Charting the Path Forward workshops will take place March 16 and March 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lily Lake Pavilion.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Click here for more information on the workshops.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on March 2nd, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Reasons for volunteering are as varied as the types of organizations that rely on volunteer support to exist.

And while a connection to the cause is crucial, building your knowledge of board development is also an important ingredient for creating a successful volunteer experience. The Saint John Volunteer Centre offers programs that demystify some of the more complicated components of serving on a board or committee, and is helping to produce more efficient, knowledgeable boards throughout Greater Saint John.

The Saint John Volunteer Centre has been a volunteer resource for more than 35 years and has offered an education services program component for the last five years. The purpose of the education services program is to enhance the overall well-being of our community by providing support and resources for board members, staff and volunteers of non-profit agencies. This includes needs assessments, educational opportunities, individual and group consultations and workshops.

“We try to base the workshops on board development and volunteering for different organizations and boards,” says Brian Boudreau, training resource co-ordinator at the Saint John Volunteer Centre. “We get a lot of people who are already involved on a committee but are interested in learning more about what’s required when moving up to the board level. We want to help people know what it’s like to sit on a board or committee.”

Once participants have completed a workshop, they are asked to give their feedback on what kinds of topics they would like to see a session address in the future and this information is used to develop a schedule each year for a program called Noon Nuggets. The volunteer centre’s Noon Nuggets program is a series of one-hour, brown-bag lunch board development and volunteer management workshops offered over the noon hour. The workshops, offered with support from the United Way, take place monthly from September to June and are open to the public. Noon Nuggets draws upon the experience and expertise of community members, who lead the sessions, which cover a range of issues pertaining to work with non-profit agencies.

“When they leave, we hope they are leaving with a better understanding of what they are (or aren’t) doing and how they should operate,” Boudreau said.

The education services program allows volunteers to become more efficient, effective members of their organizations, and also give them an opportunity to share their particular knowledge or expertise with other members of the community. When the “do’s and don’ts” of how a board or committee should operate are clearly and commonly understood, the volunteers are able turn their attention back to the issues or activities at hand, rather than being mired in the organizational details.

Upcoming Noon Nuggets topics for the remainder of the 2010 series include: program evaluation, community interfacing, how to read financial statements for the non-profit sector, fitted volunteer recruitment and compassionate communications.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 23th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This week, FUSION is partnering with the International Institute of Business Analysis’s (IIBA) Fundy Region Chapter to host a Party with a Purpose. IIBA International is an independent non-profit professional association that serves the growing field of business analysis. By hosting February’s Party with a Purpose, the local chapter aims to increase the profile of the profession and awareness of their organization.

“We want to bring awareness of the IIBA and our local chapter activities to a broader audience,” says Jeff Sheehan, communications director for the IIBA Fundy Region Chapter board of directors. “Too many people still ask what a business analyst is.”

IIBA was first formed in 2003 and has since become the leading association in the world of business analysis. The organization aims to help business analysts develop their skills and further their careers by providing access to industry articles and webinars, member forums and the opportunity to achieve the professional designations. IIBA has fulfilled its mandate through the creation of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK), a collection of industry knowledge and best practices, and the Certified Business Analysis Professional designation (CBAP).

“Globally, the IIBA has experienced double-digit growth in membership since its launch five years ago. This represents an incredible networking opportunity for business analysts,” says Sheehan of the institute, which has grown to include more than 100 chapters and 10,000 members worldwide.

The Fundy Region IIBA Chapter received its official charter in July 2007, and works to actively promote the business analysis profession in our region. Since its inception, the Fundy region chapter has grown to include more than 50 members, representing the health, energy, information and communications technology, and natural resources sectors. The chapter hosts events and activities monthly, including IIBA Awareness, CBAP designation study groups, networking opportunities and guest speakers. Although there is a membership fee to join IIBA International, people interested in getting involved at the local level can do so at no cost.

During this month’s Party with a Purpose, the IIBA Fundy Chapter representatives will provide an overview of the IIBA and the Fundy chapter, and will highlight their premier sponsor SwiftRadius, a regional IT consulting firm. “We hope to offer a little insight into a role that is becoming more defined as an actual profession, and is becoming recognized around the world,” Sheehan said.

February’s Party with a Purpose will take place this Friday at Lemongrass from 5:30 to 7p.m.

For more information, please visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in Here NB on February 18th, 2010.

SAINT JOHN – A community activist and networking group is spreading its reach this spring, with new chapters set to open across the province.

Members of Fusion Saint John have spent the past six years working to improve the city, offering everything from networking parties to urban planning and development committees aimed at retaining residents and improving life in Saint John. Recent recipients of a $25,000 grant from the provincial Population Growth Secretariat, the group is set to open new chapters and welcome new acolytes in Fredericton and Moncton.

“Fusion Saint John is a successful model because it brings together young professionals and gives them a place where they can take on challenges that are important to their community. We want young people to be involved,” said Phillippe Ouellette, acting director of the Population Growth Secretariat’s retention branch.

Fusion Saint John’s made a name for itself with offerings like Newcomer’s Night and Party With a Purpose networking evenings. The group also hosts Operation Red Nose to fight drunk driving in the winter, and has a host of committees covering everything from immigration to arts and culture.

Ouellette said the great thing about the Fusion model is its flexibility and freedom.

“Members can define it the way they want and choose which committees they want to form so they can mobilize around the important issues.

Leadership opportunities are what these types of initiatives breed, and healthier communities that people want to live in,” he said.

The group has already opened branches in Bangor and Halifax, and expects to see new groups formed in Fredericton and Moncton by spring.

Early meetings in Fredericton saw over a dozen interested citizens show up to discuss the next step, said Oullette.

“Fredericton’s not Toronto; we’re not going to be the next big city, but we can have an exciting culture with lots of arts and a vibrancy in our cities. People with a vested interest in having that are the best people to create that. They can really make that happen,” said Ouellette.

Contact Saint John reporter Paige Aarhus at aarhus.paige@herenb.com

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 16th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

On March 8, KV Networks will host its 5th Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast, one of a number of events taking place across our region to mark International Women’s Day 2010.

KV Networks is a business networking group for women entrepreneurs in the Kennebecasis Valley and surrounding areas. The group was formed five years ago and aims to promote women in business and provide a support network for members to further their business goals.

“When the group started there was only six of us, and it was about support for women doing non-traditional things and being entrepreneurial,” says Janet Kyle, one of KV Networks’ founding members, of the group which has since grown to more than 50 members. “Our approach is very casual, but very worthwhile and effective.”

The group meets twice each month on Thursday mornings. Meetings alternate between roundtable discussion and information speakers, where members and guest speakers discuss their own industry and areas of expertise.

“A lot of women have left 9-5 jobs to do something a little outside the box, while still juggling the other aspects of life,” Kyle said. “We meet to support each other and act as a sounding board. There’s a powerful, positive energy at our meetings.”

New members are welcome. While a membership fee of $2 is collected at each meeting, and donated to local charities or non-profit groups, there is no formal membership process. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and represent a huge range of entrepreneurial enterprises, from financial planning to hypnotism.

“Being new to town, I had explored several other network groups and gone to other meetings, but joined KV Networks because it is an open, inclusive environment for meeting people from a wide range of ages and business areas,” says Teri Woosnam, who has recently relocated to Saint John to operate her own business, and joined KV Networks after it was recommended to her by a customer. “It’s about promoting business, but also network, helping people and sharing information.”

In addition to the biweekly meetings, which are open to anyone interested in attending, KV Networks hosts two public events each year, featuring guest speakers and door prizes. In addition to the International Women’s Day breakfast event, the group also marks Small Business Week with an event.

The 5th Annual KV Networks International Women’s Day Breakfast will take place March 8 from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. at Kings Valley Wesleyan Church. Tickets are $20 each and the registration deadline is March 3. For more information, visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 9th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Next Monday, the Saint John YMCA-YWCA will join its Y counterparts across Canada to kick off the 2010 Strong Kids campaign.

More than 50 YMCAs across Canada participate in the Strong Kids campaign, which is focused on raising funds to support children, teens and families who can’t afford the full costs associated with participating in Y programs or activities.

At the local level, the Saint John Y’s goal is to raise $80,000. Money raised in Saint John will stay in the city and provide financial assistance for children and youths who want to participate in a Y program. The majority of funds raised will be used for “camperships,” which send kids to residential and day camps, membership sponsorships, youth leadership programs, child care support as well as health and wellness sponsorship programs.

The theme for this year’s campaign launch is “Kids Helping Kids,” with walkathons scheduled for six Y locations in Saint John to raise awareness for the campaign and teach those already enrolled in Y programs what it means to help those less fortunate, linking to the Y’s focus on community support and development.

“Each Y is undertaking its own activity to mark the occasion, so we came up with the idea of the walkathon,” says Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John Y.

“It’s a great way for our program participants, children, parents, members and staff to get involved, learn more about Strong Kids, and understand how the funds are used and how important they are to the Y and our community,” Boucher said.

“It’s very powerful as we have over 70 students who come to the Y’s Broadview location every day, many of whom are members themselves, or have children in child care. So it will be an opportunity for these the students to have an impact on their community.”

The Strong Kids campaign also offers an opportunity for people to be a part of the Y beyond making a donation; people are also encouraged to generate support by sharing their “Y story” online, or volunteering at one of the 13 Y locations in Greater Saint John.

“As a charity, we rely heavily on volunteer time and expertise,” Boucher said. “In 2009 we had over 278 active volunteers contributing over 6,500 hours of service.”

Supporting the Strong Kids campaign in Saint John will allow our local Y to continue to maintain a strong presence in the city, in terms of both the programs it offers and the fact that many are offered at multiple locations in the city.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Visit the Saint John Y’s website for more details!

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 2nd, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

FUSION is currently seeking Saint Johners interested in becoming a part of its government relations committee, which is being revitalized after a two-year hiatus.

“In past years, the government relations committee primarily focused on municipal, provincial and federal election engagement strategies, and since the last provincial election the committee has been inactive,” says FUSION board member and committee co-chairwoman Jane MacEachern.

The committee is non-partisan, and is reorganizing with the goal of establishing a network for Saint Johners who have a strong interest in public administration and the political process. Committee members will be working to keep the lines of communication between political parties and FUSION members open, and to find ways to create feedback among members, elected officials and government staffers.

“Right now we think of the committee is going through a bit of a renaissance, but we need the support and help of the community to rebuild our membership and help us define a role for the committee,” says committee co-chairman Eric Savoie. “We are also welcoming feedback and input from political parties and government officials on how we can work together. This needs to be a real partnership if it’s going to work.”

During past elections the committee co-hosted a Campaign on the Clock event with the Saint John Board of Trade, a type of political speed dating allowing Saint Johners an opportunity to meet and interact with all municipal candidates in one stop.

“Government relations extends well beyond elections, and to keep FUSION members engaged in the political and civic process we need to focus on more than just getting people out to vote,” Savoie said. “It’s equally important to have a sustained dialogue between our members and elected officials so they will be more aware of the challenges facing our community and identifying possible solutions.”

We are once again in a political election year, with the province going to the polls in September, so it is particularly timely that FUSION’s government relations committee has resurrected itself, since voter turnout continues to be an issue not only in New Brunswick, but across Canada. If the successes of past Campaign on the Clock events are any indication, Saint Johners are keen to know more about the people they will elect to represent them at each level of government.

The government relations committee will serve as a forum for members to become aware of, and involved, in the political process in our city and province, and will create a connection between members and the people and parties we elect to represent our best interests. This, in turn, will hopefully make people feel more connected to the political process, addressing the issue of voter apathy in our community.

FUSION’s government relations committee is currently seeking members and is planning its first meeting of 2010. For more information, please visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

More great coverage on the Municipal Plan today in the TJ, be sure to check it out!

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 29th, 2010:

A committee of 13 people from diverse backgrounds will help guide common council through the next two years as the city embarks on rewriting its yellowing municipal plan.

“It’s really to bring that community voice and consensus to the work we’re doing,” said Jacqueline Hamilton, deputy commissioner of planning.

Council has appointed all but one of the members based on recommendations from council’s nominating committee. The 13th member is expected to be appointed next week.

Ten members are Saint John citizens, two are city councillors and one comes from the city’s planning advisory committee.

The city had an overwhelming response of applications for the citizen spots – with nearly 80 submitted, Hamilton said, which slowed down the hiring process.

“I think that just goes to the interest in the work we’re doing,” she said, adding it’s four-times the number of applications the city would normally get.

The citizen members come from all corners of the city and represent different social, economic, cultural, and environmental interests. Some are newcomers to the city and others are long-term residents.

Hamilton said some cities rely on their planning advisory committees to assist with a new municipal plan, but city staff wanted a focus group with a more diverse makeup.

“Certainly, this model is more unique,” she said.

The group will meet monthly in the city’s new storefront for PlanSJ in Brunswick Square, which was unveiled Wednesday.

The committee members will review what work has been done by staff and consultants, Urban Strategies and ADI, and will provide feedback, often presenting recommendations to council, Hamilton said.

“We want their feedback on what we’re presenting and whether it reflects on what the community has told us.”

The committee will elect a chair and vice-chair from its non-council members. It will make decisions by consensus, and if necessary, by a majority vote.

Coun. Carl Killen, who sits on the committee along with Coun. Peter McGuire, said the committee does not have the same kind of power as council.

“But as far as input goes, the committee’s impact will be huge,” he said.

The people on the committee will have the chance to set the direction the city goes in terms of green spaces, landscape, industrial zones and many other areas, Killen said.

“This is not a simple, ‘What are we going to build in a certain place?’ This is a plan that’s intended to last and endure for at the very least a quarter of a century.”

It’s why Shawn Peterson, who is also the chairman of FUSION Saint John, thought it was important to get involved.

“A lot of times stuff goes on with the city and the average person doesn’t get to give their input,” said Peterson, 25, who works at a software company.

“I’m a real firm believer this process is going to be a lot different.”

He said he wants to reach out to not just youth, but the whole community, in whatever way he can – including Facebook and Twitter.

It’s important to get young people’s input because this plan will set the city’s growth for their future, he said.

“It’s going to be us kind of running the show at the point,” he said. “As much input we can get in now will ensure we’ll be all happy with it.”

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 26th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

In an effort to help propel the city’s future leaders on the road to success, local participants from the province’s 21 Leaders for the 21st Century program have joined with the Saint John YMCA-YWCA to help identify new ways to get youth involved at the Y.

The Saint John project team has chosen to evaluate youth engagement at the Saint John Y in an effort to help increase programming options and participation. It is one of a number of community projects being led by 21inc. participants across the province,

“We selected the Y because we were interested in the project they proposed to us to work on youth engagement, and because of the increasing leadership role they play in being an inclusive organization, open to all regardless of social or economic background,” says Eric Savoie of the decision to work with the Y on this initiative. Savoie is a member of the project team, which also includes Christina Taylor, Janet Thompson-Price and Scott Walton.

The 21inc. program is a leadership program for New Brunswick young people aged 20 to 35. During the 10-month program, participants are encouraged to make a positive impact on their community.

As part of this initiative, the Saint John project team has developed an online survey and is seeking feedback from young people and parents in Greater Saint John. The aim of the survey is to collect information and input on topics related to youth programming at the Y, ranging.

“We believe the 21inc. team will help us connect in new innovative ways with youth,” said Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John YMCA-YWCA. “We want to better understand their needs, allowing an opportunity for them to help us design new programs.”

Survey findings will be presented this spring to Saint John Y management, who will determine the next steps based on the recommendations and resources available for implementation.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 19th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This Friday, FUSION will host its first Party with a Purpose of the new year at the Thistle St. Andrews Curling Club. This month’s “purpose” is to learn more about the club itself and one of the country’s most popular winter pastimes.

“Ultimately, what we’re hoping for is to get some more exposure for the club and for the sport,” said Sarah Dickson, a members of the Thistle St. Andrews’ board of directors on why the club is opening its doors to FUSION this month.

“Despite the popularity that curling seems to be gaining in our culture, especially this year with the Olympics coming up, it has still been tough to get people out to the clubs to actually try the sport.”

Party-goers will have a chance to check out the facility, which, in addition to the ice surfaces, includes an upstairs hall and main lounge, and offers an in-house catering service – Jeremiah Jacobs Catering – which is sponsoring this event.

This season, Thistle St. Andrews has hosted a handful of curling events, including the women’s provincial final eights and the men’s preliminaries this past weekend.

Curling club representatives will be on hand at the party with information on the programs, leagues and memberships that are available.

As part of its ongoing mandate to serve as a catalyst for engagement through networking, partnerships and events, FUSION aims to introduce Saint Johners to the places and activities that are available and accessible in and around the city.

“We hope that through the FUSION network to be able to expose the sport to people who may not have ever had an opportunity to give it a try and demonstrate through the Party with a Purpose that curling is also a great way to get together with friends that can actually be active as well,” Dickson said.

Physical activity is often a casuality of winter, but January is the perfect time to pick up a new activity to make the most of the season. FUSION invites those who may have let their New Year’s resolution to get active fall by the wayside, to join us on Friday and learn more about a great way to gather up a group of friends and take up an activity that will get everyone moving during the winter months.

January’s Party with a Purpose will take place this Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Thistle St. Andrews Curling Club, 49 Dufferin Ave.

All are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. She can be reached at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Check out the Thistle St. Andrews Curling Club website for more information!