Fusion: Bangor gives awards to community members By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com BANGOR – Networking has long been the way to do business in Bangor, but for young people just starting their careers in the area, or who have located here from out of state, that can seem like a daunting task. At least it was until a group of young professionals, inspired by Fusion: St. John, established in St. John, New Brunswick (Bangor’s sister city), created Fusion: Bangor, a networking group designed to connect young professionals with each other. Members of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, including Ben Morse and Emily McIntosh, would travel to New Brunswick and Stephanie Bell of Enterprise New Brunswick would come to Bangor to help launch the program. Fusion: Bangor falls under the Bangor Region Community Council, which also includes programs like Building Bridges, the Wellness Program and the Bangor Region Leadership Institute. When it came time to host the first event, a social where guests participated in meet and greet mixers, the turnout exceeded expectations. “They were amazed at the turnout they got and they were amazed at the need in this region for it. And Fusion was born,” said Candace Guerette, the executive director of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce. “It became very quickly a vibrant, healthy networking program for young professionals.” Fusion is about more than just networking, it’s about young people getting involved in the community and getting involved in the way the city evolves and changes. Instead of sitting back and wishing there was more to do, Fusion members get together and bring things to the area, volunteer for causes they believe in, and connect young people with the resources they need to make the differences they crave. Fusion’s monthly Noontime Networking allows members and guests to hear about events, listen to speakers, and learn about activities in the community through guest speakers (not to mention enjoy a delicious lunch catered by Ann Marie’s Kitchen). Members can also attend Fusion Forward, which consists of networking seminars that address timely issues facing young professionals today. Now with more than 400 official members, Fusion: Bangor is a force to be reckoned with. And, it’s free to join. You don’t have to face the somewhat daunting task of trying to network alone, because the groundwork has already been laid. “I feel Fusion is starting to function as a ready-made network for young professionals in the area,” said Tanya Pierra, a member of Fusion: Bangor and Brewer Assistant Director of Economic Development. She said that Fusion is really for everyone – the only thing most members have in common is being young and employed. Who has a FLAVA? For the past three years, members of Fusion: Bangor have been recognizing members of the community, individuals and businesses that meet and carry out the vision of Fusion by giving out the Fusion Leadership and Vision Awards (FLAVA). This year’s FLAVA Award Banquet on Oct. 18 will recognize three new winners. Colonel Jack Mosher, chief of operations for the Maine National Guard, will be the featured speaker that evening along with Craig Gunderson, president of Oxford Networks. “This is the third year of the dinner. It’s a gala    that comes together in October of every year not only to celebrate the past year of Fusion,” said Cary Weston, founder and past chair of Fusion: Bangor, “but to recognize the award winners and to chart the course for the coming year.” The venue for this year is daring and innovative: a hangar at Bangor International Airport, with catering by the Penobscot Job Corps. This choice was made to recognize the vitally important role the airport plays in Bangor as well as bring the professionals to a unique and edgy locale vastly different from the convention halls of the past. The event will honor three award winners from the community. Two were nominated by their peers in fusion for the Horizon and Partnership awards, while the steering committee chooses the recipient of the Fusion Leadership and Vision Award. Horizon Award Winner: Hillary Roberts, Director of Emergency Services for the Pine Tree Chapter of the Red Cross The Horizon Award is given to a young professional who has demonstrated not only leadership but great activity in the community. “The Horizon Award is our way of recognizing someone [who is] an up-and-coming leader,” said Weston. “We look for a young person who is active in the community, that’s representative of what we think we want our young professionals to be doing.” He said that Roberts was chosen from many active people in the community who are striving to make Bangor a better place to live and work. “The application that was sent forward just shows a track record of not only commitment to a cause or causes she [Roberts] believes in, but a commitment to serving and bettering the community,” he said. In her work with the Pine Tree Chapter of the Red Cross, Roberts manages disaster response. She works with and trains volunteers while coordinating with the state and local government as well as the media in helping communities prepare for the worst. She’s also involved in The March of Dimes; Paws on Parade, a fundraiser for the Humane Society; Hearty Girls, Healthy Women, which promotes positive self-image and explores non-traditional roles for women and girls; and she’s also actively involved in community theatre. “I think our communities are what we make of them and people have a responsibility to become part of the groups they want to be involved with,” said Roberts. “There are so many things to give back and finding something you have a connection to and seeing what you can do is one of the most rewarding things you can do.” Roberts said she was humbled and surprised when she learned she was receiving the award, and feels that Fusion is bringing young people together. “I really appreciate it, and I’m really honored to be in a community that honors young people who do good work,” she said. “I’m just excited to be part of a group that is volunteering and giving back.” Partnership Award Winner: The Maine Edge Weston said that the Partnership Award is given to a business or organization that meets Fusion: Bangor’s vision of making the community a better place to live, work and play. “We want to recognize the niche we feel has been filled by the publication’s attention to the arts and culture as well as the overall business and calendar happenings,” he said. “We think there is an attitude that is being filled by that particular paper that best serves our mission of keeping everyone involved. The Maine Edge was founded by Michael Fern, publisher, in October 2006, and covers local arts, entertainment, business and lifestyle news to Penobscot and Hancock County. Leadership and Vision Award Winner: Andrew Hamilton, Partner of Eaton Peabody Hamilton helped bring Fusion to Bangor, said Weston. “Ben Morse and Emily McIntosh got some folks together, seven to eight people, and the group came to the Sea Dog, and we refer to it now as the ‘First Beer,’ because it was just a couple of people having a beer saying ‘wouldn’t this be cool?’” he said. “Andy Hamilton was one of them. He was active from the beginning and always very supportive.” Hamilton was touched by the award. “I was delighted. I certainly think that the Bangor area has done a lot for me,” he said. “I was pleased that folk think I’ve returned something to the community.” In addition to Eaton Peabody, Hamilton is also on the Board of Trustees for John Bapst Memorial High School, part of the United Way of Eastern Maine, involved in the Bangor Y, and has served on the board of the Boy Scouts of America’s Katahdin Council. “I’ve been in Bangor since 1984,” he said, “and I find it to be a very warm, open and vibrant community that provides a lot of opportunity to young professionals.” Wanna help? The Steering Committee is still looking for some hands-on volunteers for the FLAVA Awards Gala at the Bangor International Airport. If you want to lend a hand the day before and day of, Oct. 17 and 18, e-mail info@fusionbangor.net or call 947-0307. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For more information about Fusion and the FLAVA awards, visit their Web site at www.fusionbangor.com or visit the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce’s Web site at www.bangorregion.com.