Program sets young NB's sails for the future
Published Thursday June 4th, 2009
'21 INC' provides leadership training for young professionals, entrepreneurs.
Five years ago, UNB President John McLaughlin initiated Next NB, a unique program designed to produce the next generation of leaders in the province; people who would be able to solve problems and develop policies to improve the quality of life for all New Brunswickers.
Frederictonian Tim Coates was one of 23 young adults who completed the program in 2005.
"It was a profound experience," he says, "so profound in fact, that I and a number of the participants decided to continue this opportunity for others, as there really wasn't any sort of leadership program for people just out of school or university or starting a professional or entrepreneurial career."
Thus, in November, 2007, 21 INC was created with Coates as executive director and Monctonian Matthieu Caissie as chairman.
Now a financial analyst with Atlantic Lotto and working part-time toward his MBA, Caissie describes the NB Next experience as "life changing and incredible."
"When I was just getting out of St. Francis Xavier University with a BBA, the experience opened up my eyes to what's out there and what's possible.
"I met people who cared about changing things when they realized the status quo was not something we have to accept. They were people who were interested in politics and current events and key issues such as out migration and health care and they became my friends as we networked.
"I think the program brings together people who are going to turn the tide with what's happening in the province."
By January of 2008 the first group of 21 participants, aged 21 to 35 years, was ready to embark on a life-changing journey over the next 10 months without ever leaving New Brunswick.
"When I was selected as one of the 21 leaders, I had no idea how deeply my life would be impacted," says lawyer Sarah Price.
"The experience of traveling around the province and meeting with the various stakeholders and community groups was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening endeavors of my life."
The 21 Leaders came from all corners of the province, from St. Jacques to Saint John, from Moncton to Caraquet. They included anglophones, francophones, Chinese-Canadians, native North Americans and men and women from a variety of professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds.
There was a town manager, an oncologist, a business owner, a playwright and several university students. What each member of this diverse and cross-cultural group had in common was the potential to succeed and to make a difference in the lives of New Brunswickers.
Matt Alexander, environmental scientist with Fundy Engineering in Saint John and originally from Salisbury, is a member of this second group and is the current chairman of 21 INC.
"The principal reason I entered the program is that I love New Brunswick," says the holder of a civil engineering Ph D. from the University of New Brunswick.
"I want to stay here and raise a family because of the many life opportunities it offers and I want to see it achieve its full potential."
So exactly what happens in this program, which draws people of Alexander's caliber?
The program has several components and is structured to allow participants to continue working or studying full-time.
There are three intensive, three-day 'accelerators' where the participants develop their leadership skills through training workshops, mentorship, policy dialogues and site visits.
The first accelerator, entitled The Challenge of Leadership, will be offered Fredericton this September, followed by From Success to Significance in Moncton in February of 2010 and finally Putting it All Together in Bathurst that June.
In addition, leadership and skill development is encouraged through a week-long study tour of the province. Participants visit all of New Brunswick's regions and are exposed to varying leadership styles through meetings with established leaders.
"They will see 'cool stuff' that is happening here right now and they will also see challenges," says Coates.
A third component takes place in the leader's home community, where leaders undertake 'community solutions projects' as a tool for developing their skills and making a positive contribution to the province.
In small groups, leaders work with partner charitable organizations to design and implement practical solutions to pressing provincial challenges.
Projects are presented to partners and the community during the final accelerator weekend in June.The experience, however, is ongoing.
There is no fee for the program as the funding comes from corporate sponsors and all three levels of government but competition is tight.
Last year there were 120 applicants for only 21 spaces.
Deadline for applications is Friday, June 10 at 5 p.m. For application details see: www.21inc.ca
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