June 22nd 2020 Notice of elections for six seats on Clare PPN Secretariat
Nominations are open for six voluntary positions on the Secretariat of Clare PPN until July 3rd at 5PM. The secretariat is a group of people elected from PPN member groups who manage the Public Participation Network in Clare on behalf of all its members.
Six of our current secretariat members are due to step down or have recently stepped down and so we are opening nominations for their replacements. They have been absolutely brilliant and have brought Clare PPN from an idea to a network with 280 member groups, 3 staff and its own premises.
We are looking for nominees to carry on their work of building Clare PPN into a thriving network which is inclusive and has the capacity to engage with all local government and national decision making bodies that affect the wellbeing of people’s lives in County Clare.
Only groups who were members of Clare PPN on or before June 22nd 2020 are eligible to vote in these elections.
The secretariat must keep to the following composition:
One representative for each municipal district in the County – there are currently four municipal districts in the County – West Clare, Ennis, Killaloe & Shannon.
Two representatives from each ‘college’ of the Clare PPN – there are three colleges in the PPN – Environmental, Social Inclusion and Community & Voluntary.
Each of our member groups is part of one ‘college’ of the PPN and so they can nominate people for any representative seat belonging to that college.
What are the vacancies we have at present:
Election 1:
This seat is open to all member groups from the Ennis Municipal District to elect whatever college they are in. Nominees for this position must be a member of a Clare PPN member group from any college that has an address in the Ennis Municipal District. They must be nominated by a member group of Clare PPN with an address in the Ennis MD. Every member group of Clare PPN with an address in the Ennis MD can nominate and vote in this election.
Election 2:
This seat is open to all member groups from the Shannon Municipal District to elect whatever college they are in. Nominees for this position must be a member of a Clare PPN member group from any college that has an address in the Shannon Municipal District. They must be nominated by a member group of Clare PPN with an address in the Shannon MD. Every member group of Clare PPN with an address in the Shannon MD can nominate and vote in this election.
Election 3:
This seat is open for the Community and Voluntary College member groups from every area of Clare to nominate and elect-. If your group is a member of the Community and Voluntary College you can nominate and vote this position. Nominees must be members of a community and voluntary group that is a member of Clare PPN and the must be nominated by a Community and Voluntary group that is a member of Clare PPN. People can nominate themselves so long as that decision is agreed by their group. Every C&V member of Clare PPN can nominate one candidate for this position.
Election 4&5:
Environmental College Representatives x 2
Each environmental Secretariat seat is open only for member groups of the Environmental College to nominate and elect. Nominees for this position must be members of an Environmental member group of Clare PPN and must be nominated by an Environmental member group of Clare PPN. Each environmental member group of Clare PPN can nominate one person for each of these two roles.
Election 6
Social Inclusion College Representative x 1
Each Social Inclusion College seat is open only for member groups of the Social Inclusion College to nominate and elect. Nominees for this position must be members of a Social Inclusion College member group of Clare PPN and must be nominated by a Social Inclusion College member group of Clare PPN. Each Social Inclusion member group of Clare PPN can nominate one person for each of these two roles.
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate must seek the candidates consent first then must send us an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before July 3rd at 5 pm:
-Name of Community Group.
-Position number for which they are nominating a candidate.
-Name of proposed nominee(s).
-Contact details of proposed nominee- phone and email.
-A short paragraph (up to 200 words) detailing the nominees’ suitability and experience for the role- this will be shared on social media and on our website in advance of voting.
-A digital photo of your nominee which we may share with our members and social media followers.
-Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email.
Elections will then be held by survey with online voting open until Monday July 13th These surveys will be circulated to all eligible groups via our mailing list once nominations are complete.
*Please note that irrespective of how many groups a person is a member of, no individual may vote more than once for any single position. No individual can hold more than one secretariat position.
What is involved?
A minimum of six meetings per year held usually in Ennis or online
Email or phone contact for decisions in between meetings – please note that secretariat members will need to be comfortable working online or via email.
Willingness to be a director of Clare PPN (company)
Attendance at other PPN events depending on availability and interests.
Willingness to work in a ‘flat structure’ with decisions taken by consensus or by vote
Possibility of being part of financial subgroup or staff liaison sub group.
What are the benefits?
Opportunity to be a part of a growing positive movement in Clare.
Opportunity to help grow participation and civic engagement in Clare.
Opportunity to help provide valuable support to the community and voluntary sector.
Out of pocket expenses paid.
Training opportunities.
Diversity: Clare PPN is committed to working to represent all communities in Clare and as such we would especially welcome nominations to our secretariat from communities who are under represented. We particularly welcome nominations of young and older people for any of the above roles (the majority of our representatives are between 35 and 65), members of the Travelling Community, those who might themselves experience social inclusion, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, and ethnic minority groups. All nominees who step forward will be subject to election by the relevant PPN member groups.