Halifax, NS -- FUSION Halifax met its first goal by ‘rockin’ the boat’ on Thursday evening by having more than 300 people in attendance at its official launch event. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic was filled with young people intrigued to find out what the buzz of FUSION was all about. The official launch party, sold out in just over 48 hours, confirmed the demand for the group in the community.
“The energy in this room is inspiring,” remarked Peter Moorhouse, chair of FUSION. “I have a great feeling about what this group can bring to Halifax. We can create a city that is truly the envy of the entire world, and we believe tonight we took the first step. A city, that is in touch with its next generation, and makes decisions in consultation with this powerful group of people.”
Over the summer, a group of ten motivated next generation Haligonians met regularly to start forming the foundation for FUSION Halifax. This team, now the founding board members, wanted to create a networking group that would gather together individuals who were inspired to make their city a better and more sustainable place to work, live and play.
A diverse group and inspired by groups of the same name in Saint John, NB and Bangor, Maine, FUSION Halifax is an inclusive and diverse organization for the community. Membership already includes stay-at-home parents, students, military personnel, and young professionals employed in a diverse range of industries. The group is comprised of transplants (newcomers to the region), boomerangs (those who left and returned) and homegrowns.
“Through FUSION, a dynamic new generation of civic-minded leaders, with new ideas and a deep commitment to this community can transform the way we work, play and live together in the Greater Halifax area,” explains Danny Graham, the guest speaker for the evening.
Graham challenged those in the room to truly ‘live’ in their community. To do so, he encouraged attendees to move beyond their status as members of the community to that of an engaged citizen, someone willing to voice their opinions on things that matter to them.
FUSION also received generous support from sponsors in the community who were interested in helping the group get off the ground. The visionaries in HRM who have contributed to this organization include: Greater Halifax Partnership, Extreme Group, ISL, Aliant, Molson, Coke and RIM.
For some FUSION will provide a place for them to meet socially with other inspired people in the community. For others, FUSION will provide a means for them to become involved in issues that matter to them most by joining volunteer committees on a wide range of topics such as Sustainability, Diversity, Arts & Culture, Economic Development, Urban Design, and Business Engagement.
The next generation of Halifax has two choices: either they sit back on the sidelines and talk about the challenges being faced or they do something about it. FUSION is about shaping and creating the future that belongs to the next generation. And that future started Thursday night.
FUSION Halifax will meet every second Thursday of the month. To find out more about upcoming events or to join the free membership, visit www.fusionhalifax.ca
About FUSION
FUSION Halifax is a networking group created by and for young people who are inspired to make their city a better and more sustainable place to live, work and play. Through its members, volunteer committees and dynamic networks, FUSION Halifax showcases existing opportunities – and unleashes new ones—that encourage civic and community engagement. For more information or to join FUSION Halifax, visit www.fusionhalifax.ca
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For more information, interviews or photos from the event, please contact:
Alyson Queen
Director, Media and Strategic Relations
(902) 487-5653
bell.aliant.ca
Christina Biluk
Director, Marketing and Communications
(902) 221-1410
extremegroup.com