FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sydney, NS) – The NextGen Leadership Society, in collaboration with the Cape Breton Partnership, is honored to be hosting the third edition of the Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards on November 24, 2016 at Centre 200 in Sydney. The Vital Awards celebrate individuals between the ages of 16 – 40 who have made a significant impact in their community or workplace, as well as local employers who show a continued effort to give young people professional work experience. The Vital Awards will recognize their achievements and their commitment toward making Cape Breton-Mulgrave a better place to live, work and play.
“We are lucky to have such a vast number of young people living in our community who are, wholeheartedly dedicated to enriching the lives of everyone living on this beautiful island so many of us call home,” says Dawn Beaton, Chair of the NextGen Leadership Society Board of Directors. “The Vital Awards serve as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the integral roles these young leaders play in the continued development of our community. The NextGen Board encourages the public to show their support by nominating those individuals who are passionate about making a vital difference in Cape Breton-Mulgrave and are inspiring others to join the movement.”
Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the Centre 200 main concourse and the award ceremony will get underway at 7 p.m. and wrap at 9 p.m. The Vital Awards will feature live and local entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, as well as an opportunity to meet Cape Breton’s next generation of up and coming leaders and change makers. Early bird tickets are on sale for $25.00 and can be purchased online or reserved by phone at 902-562-0122. After November 15, 2016 tickets can be purchased for $30.00.
Nominations for the Vital Awards are now open. The deadline for submission is November 9, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. Nominations can be submitted online or the submission form can be downloaded from the NextGen Cape Breton website. The forms can also be dropped off in person or mailed to 275 Charlotte Street, Sydney NS, B1P 1C6.
For more information on how to nominate, purchase tickets or other event information please visit http://www.cbnextgen.com/.
Media Contact:
Dawn Beaton
Chair, NextGen Leadership Society
902-595-0391
Contributed by the Cape Breton Partnership
On May 19 and 20, 2016 the Cape Breton Partnership, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities Culture and Heritage teamed up to promote the increasing value of our province’s creative economy. The Creative Economy Conference was built on the themes of creativity, collaboration and change and brought together business leaders, government representatives from all levels, artisans, community activists, not-for-profits, creative thinkers and students from middle school all the way to university.
Nearly 200 people joined the speakers and panelist who spoke of their successes, failures, programs, how to establish partnerships, what is working within the industry and what needs to change. Some of those speakers in the long list that were in attendance included the Honourable Rodney MacDonald of the Gaelic College; Dianne Taylor Gearing, President of NSCAD; Alan Syliboy, celebrated Mi’kmaq Artist; Rachel Bailey, Mayor of the Town of Lunenburg and keynote Janet Seibert of Austin Creates.
The goal of the conference was to leave with an action plan that would set out a path that would enable all of the related parties to come together and build our cultural industry as a priority sector for opportunity and growth. The current surplus of Nova Scotia’s creative economy is the perfect example of how cross collaboration between industry sectors and exports can lead to economic growth and prosperity. According to the most recent provincial study that was published, the arts, culture and heritage sectors contributed $868 million to Nova Scotia’s economy and more than 14,000 jobs (Province of Nova Scotia, 2016).
In the We Choose Now: A Playbook for Nova Scotians report, the sixth action point investigates Going Global: Innovation & Competitiveness, which is directly linked to our province’s vibrant cultural framework and the unique economic opportunities the industry creates. As part of the Now Nova Scotia event series, the Creative Economy Conference made culture a part of the larger Now or Never economic discussion and gave business owners, government, artisans and a range of sector partners the support needed to create opportunities for increased productivity, export and foreign direct investment.
The conversations and action plan developed at the Creative Economy Conference will feed directly into the Culture Strategy that is set to be released this October by the Prosperity Framework. The Framework’s Culture Sector Strategy will be to establish a realistic, practical and achievable strategy that is aligned in the most accurate way to the province’s culture action plan. The plan will highlight the diverse range of economic assets within the sector and how they can be used to their full potential to create new opportunities and more jobs across the region.
Our province is still in a transition phase, but we need to start recognizing the importance of the culture sector for our future economic growth. Currently, culture sits as the eighth largest sector in Nova Scotia’s economy and our plan to advance that placement is to use the resources and partnerships that were made at the conference to build the creative core and additional creative clusters, promote creative places and collaborate to grow creative business and industries.
Monica McCarthy has dedicated her 35 year career to ensuring that neighbours and community members have the tools, information and understanding needed for long-term financial well-being. Starting as manager of Riverdale Credit Union, McCarthy settled permanently with the newly amalgamated East Coast Credit Union in 2003. Formerly seven separate Credit Unions, the 2003 merger of Inverness, Richmond, Victoria, Guysborough and Antigonish County branches helped build a stronger organization to better serve its members. Another merger in 2011 with Heritage Credit Union of Dartmouth further expanded the communities served by East Coast.
McCarthy was promoted to Vice President of Service Delivery in 2008 and since that time she has made significant strides towards bettering the services for East Coast Credit Union members.
“The Credit Union is firmly rooted in our communities” explains McCarthy. “Everyone who banks with us automatically becomes an owner. Our focus is with our members, not creating profits for shareholders. By banking with the Credit Union, it keeps their hard earned money at work for them at home, not sent off to be distributed to a small number of shareholders in another province or country.”
East Coast Credit Union serves over 27 thousand members through a 17 branch network across the province. The East Coast branches not only serves local members, but Credit Union members across the country. As Vice President of Service Delivery, McCarthy provides overall leadership and oversight of human resources, accounting, and marketing teams for the 17 branches within East Coast.
McCarthy is a proud ambassador for Cape Breton and is grateful to work for an organization that gives back to the community it serves. Members are guaranteed sound financial advice from experts and Monica leads her team by making sure they take the time to understand member’s goals, dreams and priorities so they can tailor services to meet individual members’ needs.
“Canadian Credit Unions have been ranked number one in overall customer service for the past ten years,” says Monica. “At East Coast Credit Union, we have a great staff of 160 professionals dedicated to helping members reach their goals. The team I work with everyday makes the East Coast Credit Union a great place to work and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues.”
East Coast Credit Union has experienced tremendous growth in the past 12 years, including a recently completed relocation of the Port Hawkesbury Branch in July 2014. The new branch has moved to Reeves Street and employs 20 full time staff, housing financial advisors, teller services, drive thru banking, wealth management, administration and a variety of other member services all under one roof.
Not only has East Coast grown physically in recent years, but advancements in technology have allowed it to keep up with the latest banking trends. “As technology changes so does the way people like to do their financial business, and we are continually upgrading our services to make banking easier for members who can’t make it into a branch,” explains McCarthy. “We have implemented the iPhone and Android mobile banking apps, and deposit anywhere is next, so you will be able to deposit cheques with your smart phone. Flash technology on our cards will follow this initiative – the new tap and go concept. Our goal is to enable our members to do their banking anywhere using any device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” describes Monica.
McCarthy is grateful to be able to continue to work in Cape Breton. Her passion for her community and love for the Island is evident in all that she does both personally and professionally.
“It’s the home of my heart, just like the song. The people are wonderful, family is close, and community spirit is alive and well. All of these characteristics put together makes for a great combination of living and working here,” she says.
For more information on the East Coast Credit Union visit their website.
Despite the stormy weather, sixty women of diverse backgrounds and professions in Cape Breton, came together at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre to attend the Strait-Highlands Women in Business Conference on Friday February 13, 2015.
Eleven business administration student volunteers from the NSCC Strait Campus were invited to partake in the discussions and offer their insights as up-and-coming professionals. While taking notes and keeping speakers on time these young women were given the opportunity to participate and share first-hand experiences with women from a variety of professional networks and community organizations. Work life balance, networking 101, marketing advice for privately owned businesses and funding opportunities for individuals looking to expand their skills were among topics that garnered interest throughout the day.
Abbey Bowles of Antigonish, a first year student at NSCC, found these sessions helped her become familiar with the region.
“They helped me learn more about many of the different businesses around Cape Breton that I previously hadn’t heard of and the range services they provide,” shared Abbey. “The variety of sessions from the day allowed me to see what resources are available for me as a new young professional.”
One session that was a particular hit among the students was ‘Networking 101’ with NSBI’s Tara Milburn. Some of the students noted that they have not had much experience or opportunities for networking and really valued Tara’s advice for making connections and building a personal network of mentors, coaches and supporters.
Colynda Pelley, another first year student really took to Tara’s advice. “Before today I hadn’t realized the importance of networking,” said Colynda “Not only is it a crucial part of work life but it can help you create new opportunities in your personal life along with your career.”
Conference attendees as well as family and friends welcomed home keynote speaker Deborah Gillis, CEO of Catalyst. A native of Port Hood, passionate womens’ rights activist and business leader, Gillis shared her journey of professional success and obstacles she faced in a male dominated environment. Gillis also spoke about the power that role models, male and female, had in building her career.
As soon-to-be professionals, Gillis’ speech resonated with many of the NSCC students in the room. Carissa Gillard, a second year NSCC student, felt that Gillis’ speech helped her realize how important it is that women work together for universal success. “We as women need to start looking out for one another instead of trying to outdo each other in certain situations. This is especially true in the work place where women can face a lot of discrimination,” explained Carissa.
“I will now try to be more supportive and helpful towards women in my future workplaces instead of basing decisions on first impressions. We may have to face unexpected challenges and we don’t need fellow women creating more obstacles.”
A noteworthy statistic from Gillis’ keynote address is that by 2028, women will own more than half of the world’s businesses, and be in control of the discretionary spending of the majority of organizations. Conferences such as Strait-Highlands Women in Business are crucial in helping women consider leadership while encouraging young professionals such as Abbey, Colynda and Carissa.
Sitting in the new administration office at 70 Dodd Street, Steven and Katherine van Nostrand reflect on the past year and the process of moving Belmac Supply Ltd. to their new location.
Initially, moving locations had not been considered as an option for the business. Their central location on Welton Street had allowed them to grow in a high profile area. As Belmac continued to flourish, their need for more space became apparent. Kubota, their tractor provider, required more space for sales and repairs, something that their building on Welton Street did not have. Plans for a much needed addition to the building were in motion when they were approached by Floyd MacCauly the previous owner of the Dodd Street building in January 2014.
The building size and price range that McCauly was offering was worth exploring, and the van Nostrands took a number of tours of the facility before making the decision to purchase the building.
“We did all our own drawings and measurements, envisioning the space as Belmac and imaging the possibilities that would be open to us with this space” says Steve.
“Steve’s vision was a lot clearer than mine in the beginning months” explains Katherine. “It’s difficult to imagine, but these administrative offices were once wash bays for the old dealership.”
Once the renovations were completed the building was transformed from the dealership showroom and mechanic shop to a modern, wheel chair accessible building accommodating uniforms, lawn and gardening supplies and commercial tractor sales. It was important to the van Nostrands that Belmac maintained the integrity of a locally owned business serving the local community. With a staff of 26 employees, including a seamstress, they have spent the last 20 years building their loyalty and capacity to look after all of their customers’ needs to the best of their ability.
Belmac Supply is a destination store for a wide range of Cape Breton’s diverse work force. To stand out amongst their competition, Belmac has developed an operating philosophy that has grown with them in their past twenty years of operation.
“We try to identify categories and lines that are not being serviced well by other businesses in the area, and then find a manufacturer within that category that not only has a high profile, but a genuine interest in the satisfaction of consumers” explains Steve. “It makes it easier for us as the distributors when the manufacturer has a real interest in the needs of their consumers, and isn’t solely concerned with the distribution and sale of their product.”
Despite the challenges that are faced when moving a business, Katherine and Steve van Nostrand have had an excellent first month in their new location, even with losing a week and a half of business due to the move as well as unforeseen snow days.
Belmac has received a lot of visitors in their new location, noting many new faces along with the familiar ones.
“I think a lot of people had it in their minds that Belmac was a whole sale provider and only certain people were welcomed to shop,” Katherine shared. “But everyone is welcome to drop by and enjoy the Belmac shopping experience we have to offer.”
Prior to the move, they had a large amount of inventory that couldn’t be displayed due to space restrictions. Katherine enjoys the large amount of space the building provides with the ability to move around and change the floor displays to showcase different products and seasonal supplies.
Belmac will be celebrating their move to Dodd Street with an official grand opening celebration that will take place the weekend of May 30, 2015. There will be a barbeque, promotions and giveaways, along with a visit from the Kubota Truck. With two acres of land and excellent parking, everyone is welcome to join the Belmac team in celebrating the new location and the start of the summer season.
For more information of Belmac visit their website or phone (902)539-6006.