Success with 11 Minutes / 11 Muscles
The recent 11 Minutes/11 Muscles event organized by our own MBA professional development class was a huge success, raising thousands of dollars to support Muscular Dystrophy Canada. The event, which saw 280 people in attendance, took place on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the brand new Fredericton Convention Center.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides help and support for the estimated 50,000+ Canadians living with neuromuscular disorders. Over time, persons with neuromuscular disorders may lose the use of their hands, feet, legs, speech and eventually their ability to breathe. These disorders can be fatal and there currently is no cure. As a result of the generosity of donors, Muscular Dystrophy Canada is able to make a real difference in the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy.
The evening was inspired by the TED talks featured on ted.com and gave some of New Brunswick's most interesting people 11 minutes on stage for a series of captivating talks that ranged from local to international and even galactic issues.
Among the speakers were: Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick; Freeman Patterson, photographer and writer ; Rachel Pulfer, international program director, journalists for human rights; Stanton T. Friedman, nuclear physicist, ufologist and one of the original investigators of the UFO Roswell incident; Brian Duplessis, executive director, United Way; and David Adam Richards, author, playwright and St. Thomas University writer in residence.
As the idea for 11 Minutes/11 Muscles was conceived and developed, students set out to provide support to MDC on three levels: first, they wanted to raise financial support for people in the community living with neural muscular disorders; second, they wanted to create more awareness of muscular dystrophy outside the normal circle of MDC supporters; and third, they wanted to provide MDC with an action plan to implement the event in other locations across Canada. Through ticket sales and a silent auction students raised $8,500 for local clients of MDC and, because of the diversity of the speakers, they were able to draw a crowd of just over 280 people, all of whom were intrigued to hear what the different speakers would say in their 11 minutes. At the end of the term, the class presented MDC with a report and list of recommendations, enabling them to take the 11 Minutes/11 Muscles concept to other locations if they choose.
All in all, the entire event was an inspiring evening, bringing the community together to increase awareness of a worthy cause and raise support. It emphasized the importance of social responsibility and made everyone rethink how they should be using their muscles.
