Sheila Reckseidler

I would like to congratulate the organizers and volunteers for the amazing effort they put in to run a very efficient and top notch convention in Halifax. Everything about the event was amazing from the M.C.'s (Marshall Button and Martin Latullippe), to the venue, the entertainment and the food. The logistics of a conference of this size must be overwhelming. General Rick Hillier gave a very memorable speech with a lot of food for thought and all the group discussions were well run and enjoyable. I have to say the M.C.'s were the best I have ever encountered at a convention and they certainly made the difference in the level of enthusiasm in the crowd. It was certainly beneficial to share thoughts and ideas with so many people from right across Canada. Your efforts were certainly appreciated by the delegated who attended, Thanks to the city of Halifax also. A very beautiful city to visit. Sheila Reckseidler Community Futures East Parkland Mirror, Alberta

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• Marshall Button Understands the value of community
• Take a bow Marshall Button
• 2011-09-22, Times and Transcripts
• When the Order of New Brunswick was presented in 2008, Marshall Button was among those recognized. Most recipients had been nominated by their peers. "Your peers see something in you so outstanding, so important and so crucial to life here in this place." noted Lt.-Gov. Hermenegilde Chiasson. After the ceremony Marshall, a playwright, actor, teacher and artistic director, said he wondered how he came to be nominated. The award was no surprise to the people who know him. "Marshall understands the value of community and the inherent benefit of "paying it forward," says Robert Gallant, President of Raven's Sun Management Inc. "Working with Marshall has afforded me the opportunity to observe his tireless efforts to make our community a better place." Many people know Marshall as his onstage alter-ego "Lucien", the province's Acadian blue-collar philosopher. While Lucien has a talent for making people laugh, Marshall has a talent for making his community better, stronger and more vibrant through his volunteer efforts. Marshall is the Capitol Theatre Artist in Residence and serves on the Theatre's Board of Directors. He's also the founder of the Capitol Theatre's School for the Performing Arts. The School offers the only year-round theatre training program in New Brunswick. The program develops local artistic talent in both official languages. He's brought other talent to the stage too, in the HubCap Comedy Festival. The Festival showcases the best Canadian comedy in both official languages. It's been a winter highlight for Maritimers for more than a decade, and we have Marshall to thank for it. "It was his vision over 10 years ago to have a comedy festival in Moncton," says Kevin Robart, Mentalist, emcee and keynote speaker. If Marshall can't find the person for the job, he will do it himself. Marshall has pretty well done everything at the festival: creator, performer, emcee, advertising, printing, booking talent, stage hand, booking hotels, flights, transportation, food." The festival recently secured funding from the Government of Canada. Acknowledging the impact of HubCap, James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages noted, "By supporting these celebrations, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support arts, culture, and heritage." Marshall may be used to being centre-stage as Lucien but some of his volunteer efforts - like his role with the Peter Gzowski (PGI) Golf Tournaments for Literacy - have him working with a large cast of like-minded volunteers. The PGI tournaments have been the primary fundraiser for literacy across Canada since 1986. The New Brunswick tournaments have become the most successful in the country thanks to the forming of a "PGI cabinet" of local community and business leaders to bring the event to life. Marshall is a longtime cabinet member. Marshall Button as Lucien regularly plays to packed audiences across Canada. But in this case, the spotlight is on Marshall Button, the volunteer. To his community, he's the real star.
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