Clare PPN Secretariat meeting minutes 6th June 2024

Clare PPN Secretariat meeting minutes 6th June 2024

Clare PPN Secretariat meeting minutes

Thursday 6th June 2024

Present:
Damon Matthew Wise Âû
Dermot Hayes
Elaine Dalton
Mary Coffey
Mary O’Donoghue
Monica McKenna
Sarah Clancy
Sarah Ferrigan
Theresa O’Donohoe
Tracy Watson
William Hederman

Apologies:
Padraic Hayes

Minutes:
William

REPORT ON RECENT WORK
• Despite our limited resources, Voter Registration drive went well, registered many people, got media coverage. Also did some election training sessions, including with people from Ukraine and in Direct Provision.

• We are creating a new website. There have been technical problems with the old one.

• We held elections for new Clare PPN Reps. We now have three new Reps:
– Bernie O’Gorman and Tracy Lynch were both elected as Community & Voluntary Reps on the Clare LCDC (Local Community Development Committee).
– Kieran Burke is on the Joint Policing Committee.
They will be ratified at/after first meeting of new County Council in July. We didn’t yet manage to find a new Environmental Rep for the LCDC.

FINANCE UPDATE
Sarah Ferrigan gave an update on Finances. Secretariat members can contact Sarah for a copy of the management accounts and for any transaction queries.

It was agreed to retain Cuddihy & Co as auditors for the 2023 accounts.

ENVIRONMENTAL COLLEGE EVENT
Planning a networking day for Environmental Reps and groups. Agreed to try to hold it during the summer, ideally August. Could include a picnic.

FUNDING
No updates from Dept of Rural & Community Development on funding. Situation is still as it was when discussed in January.

COUNCIL LIAISON
Catherine O’Hara is our new direct liaison person at Clare Co Council, she reports to Bernie Haugh. Catherine has taken over from Brendan Boyce.

FURTHER SECRETARIAT MEETINGS IN 2024

Thursday 11th July

Thursday 5th September

10th October

7th November

28th November or 5th December:
Secretariat & Plenary

Agreed that in future Zoom links for Secretariat meetings will be sent via both email and WhatsApp.

ENDS

Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) representative election

Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) representative election

Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) representative election

Clare PPN is delighted to announce that we have four excellent candidates for two Clare PPN Community & Voluntary representative positions on the Clare Local Community Development Committee.  Clare PPN Community & Voluntary member groups are eligible to vote for their preferred candidate at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/PntPL97A4j

  • Only registered Community & Voluntary member groups can vote.
  • Each group has one vote
  • Closing date for voting is Monday, 1st April 2024
  • As there are two seats, the candidates with the highest and second highest number of votes will be deemed elected, with their consent and subject to them agreeing to abide by our Representatives Charter Clare PPN 2024

 

The candidates are as follows (in alphabetical order):

NOIRÍN LYNCH – CLARE SOLIDARITY NETWORK

Noirin Lynch is a Limerick woman who has made her home in Clarecastle for almost two decades now, and who works in Spanish Point in west Clare.
She is nominated as a member of Clare Solidarity Network, a network of individuals who work in solidarity with people who come to live, work and integrate in Co Clare.  She is also an active advisory committee member of Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare.  In her work as pastoral coordinator for several Irish RC diocese’ and as pastoral worker with the Irish parish in Munich, Noirin developed, with others, grassroots programs, courses, and events in areas of welcome/hospitality, inclusion/engagement, pastoral and faith development and diocesan planning.

Noirin strongly believes expertise in communities lies with those living the issues and is willing to use her voice to relay and advocate the lived experience of people in communities experiencing an intersection of challenges and disadvantages. She is deeply committed to the concept that each person’s dignity is rooted in respect for all people’s dignity, and believes Clare PPN offers a practical, inclusive model that allows the voice of the whole community to be heard, in a constructive way, by those who are making decisions on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the whole community.


TRACEY LYNCH – LOOP HEAD TOGETHER

Tracey is currently the manager of Kilkee Waterworld Clg. Since her appointment, she has secured 2.3 million in funding to provide an energy upgrade to the facilities. Additionally, she has moved the social enterprise from loss-making to profit-making. More importantly, she has introduced a timetable that is inclusive and engaging across the community to develop programs and provide school swimming lessons and training programs. Previously, Tracey worked in the private sector as the Quality Manager for CRH’s insulation division in Ireland. In 2008, she moved into the non-profit sector and has successfully managed several non-profits for over 20 years, including Tait House Community Enterprises. Under Tracey’s leadership, it grew to 16 social enterprises and 160 employees with €1 million in reserves when she stepped down to care for a family member in 2020. During her tenure as CEO, Tracey managed the development of many social enterprises from inception to operation, including Southill Children Nursery, Tait Afterschool, Hairdressers, Mr. Tait’s Café, Computer Training Centre, Treaty Steel, Community Action Centre, Beauty Salon, Phoenix Counselling Services, SDC Environmental Retrofitting Services, Urban Farm and Garden Training Programs, and a Community Garage. Tracey also managed the Limerick Mental Health Association. She also co-ordinated Limerick Mental Health Week 2021.

 

BERNIE O’GORMAN – QUARE CLARE

Originally from Dublin, Bernie has been living in Co. Clare since 2007. She worked as Parish secretary in Kildysart and coordinated the KildysART! Community Gallery . She was a member of the Peadar Clancy Festival Committee in Cranny/Coolmeen for 7 years and was involved in many community activities during her time there. She has always been actively involved in whichever community she lives in.  Since moving to North Clare she has been lucky enough to spend time in a Direct Provision Centre doing activities with the children there and is grateful for the welcome she has received. She currently sits on the board of QuareClare , an LGBTQIA+ County wide community group where she regular leads out social events and organises fundraisers. She is a member of Clare Solidarity Network and other voluntary groups.  She is in awe of the incredible community spirit and activism in Co. Clare and realises the need for individual groups to come together in solidarity and strength to make the changes for inclusion for those who have been systematically ignored and neglected by policy makers.  She has a keen interest in social and environmental issues. She loves a good tune and a bit of craic.

 

IFY UGWUERU – ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN COMMUNITY IN CLARE

Mrs. Ify possesses a remarkable combination of passion, empathy, and leadership that sets her apart as an exceptional candidate for this role. Through her unwavering commitment to social justice and grassroots activism, Ify has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the needs and challenges facing our community.

One of Ify’s most notable achievements is the ability to mobilize resources, engage diverse stakeholders, and effect positive change speaks volumes about her effectiveness as a community leader. Furthermore, Ify embodies the core values of integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration that are essential for successful community activism. They consistently advocate for the voices of marginalized groups, strive to build bridges across divides, and inspire others to join in the collective pursuit of a more just and equitable society.