by badminme | May 22, 2018 | Members News, PPN News
Save the Date – Clare PPN plenary meeting 14th June 2018
Clare PPN will hold it’s first plenary meeting of 2018 on Thursday 14th June in Glor Theatre, Ennis at 6.30 – 8.00 pm
In collaboration with new climate change action organisation ‘Future Proof Clare’ following the plenary meeting refreshments and finger food will be served and there will be a talk and discussion with guest speaker from ‘Food and Water Europe’ Andy Gheorghiu who will speak about international campaign to oppose the building of the proposed LNG terminal which is planned for the Shannon Estuary. Clare PPN members who are interested are warmly invited to stay on for the discussion.
What is a plenary meeting?
Plenary meetings (meetings where all the member groups are invited ) are the forum where the main decisions of the PPN are made and they take place at least twice a year. Their role is to direct the operation of the PPN, setting overall PPN policy and processes. Each member group has one vote on any decision at the plenary. They are also an ideal forum for member groups to meet and network and to hear about matters of interest to them. As such it is very important that as many member groups attend as possible.
The plenary meeting on Thursday, 14th June will also announce the results of the three elections for which Clare PPN is currently seeking nominations:
1. Killaloe Municipal District Secretariat Member.
2. Social Inclusion College Representative to sit on Clare County Council’s Local Community Development Committee =(LCDC).
3. Community and Voluntary College Representative to sit on Clare County Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC)
For more details on these elections and who can stand for the positions please see http://clareppn.ie/clare-ppn-notice-of-elections-may-21st-2018/
We look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, if you have any questions or agenda suggestions for the plenary please contact admin@clareppn.ie
by badminme | May 21, 2018 | Housing, Members News, PPN News, SPC for Social Development
Clare PPN Notice of Elections
21st of May 2018
Acceptance of nominations has been extended to Thursday 7th June at 5pm.
Clare Public Participation Network gives notice of its intention to conduct elections from among its membership for the following positions which have become vacant.
- Killaloe Municipal District Secretariat Member.
- Social Inclusion College Representative to sit on Clare County Council’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
- Community and Voluntary College Representative to sit on Clare County Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC)
Clare PPN seeks nominations from its member groups for candidates for each of the above roles.
Election Rules and Process:
- Only groups who were members of Clare PPN on 20th of May 2018 are eligible to vote in these elections.
- No person can represent Clare PPN on more than one external committee or body.
- Only groups with registered from addresses in Killaloe Municipal District may nominate or vote for that Secretariat seat. (Position 1)
- Only groups who are members of the Social Inclusion College may nominate or vote for the Social Inclusion Representative Seat (Position 2)
- Only groups who are members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar may vote for the Community and Voluntary Seat on the Social Development SPC (Position 3)
Each member group may nominate one candidate and may cast one vote in the relevant election- it is each group’s named contact person’s responsibility to consult with their own members in regard to this.
If any group is uncertain about their Municipal District or College they can contact us on 087 1617375 or by email to admin@clareppn.ie
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate must seek their consent first and then must send us an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before Thursday,June 7th at 5 PM :
- Name of Community Group.
- Position number for which they are nominating a candidate.
- Name of proposed nominee.
- Contact details of proposed nominee.
- 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 photo of your nominee which we may share with our members and social media followers.
Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email.
Following the close of nominations Clare PPN will circulate details of candidates to our members and online and voting will be open until June 13th at 5pm.
The names of the successful candidates will be announced at Clare PPN’s plenary meeting which will take place on June 14th 2018. Details to follow.
NB: Even if you have nominated a candidate you will still need to cast your vote to support their election.
Details: Position 1. Killaloe Municipal District Secretariat Member
Clare PPN is managed by a board known as the Secretariat. This secretariat is responsible for running the Public Participation Network in Clare between plenary meetings where the member groups’ views and input are sought. Clare PPN has two part time staff and an annual budget of €80,000 per year in funding which is provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council. The secretariat which is a flat structure meets at least six times per year with those meetings usually taking place in Ennis County Clare. Candidates will also be required to attend events and meetings organised by the PPN itself for the purposes of consulting with our member groups. Clare PPN is currently seeking nominations for a representative from the Killaloe Municipal District. The ideal candidate will be a person who is well connected with community groups in the area and someone who has a genuine interest in increasing participation by local groups in Local Government Structures. Whilst all correctly nominated candidates will go forward equally Clare PPN would particularly welcome women candidates for this role to assist with gender balance on the Secretariat which is currently 7/3 men/ women.
For more details on the current secretariat see here
Details; Position 2. Social Inclusion Representative on Clare County Council’s Local Community Development Committee.
The Local Community Development Committee is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. Among other things LCDC has the job of developing and overseeing the community elements of Clare County Council’s 6 year long Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). This is an important committee for Clare PPN and its members and we have 5 seats on it. The vacancy is for a social inclusion seat and we would encourage nominations of people who have an understanding or experience or interest in any of the following areas; combatting social exclusion, poverty reduction, anti-discrimination policy making, community development, intercultural and anti-racism work. This committee meets 5- 6 times per year and the successful nominee will also be required to participate on occasion in other networking, consultation and policy making events with member groups and Clare PPN secretariat.
For more details on Clare PPN’s representatives on the LCDC see here here
For more details on the Local Community Development Committee itself see here
Details: Position 3. Community and Voluntary Representative on Clare County Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC)
This committee is made up of Elected Councillors, Council Officials and community and social partner representatives. They have the role of helping to form, advise and monitor all policies relating to housing, estate management, culture and sports in County Clare. The task of each SPC is to assist and advise the council in the formulation, development and review of policy. This committee meets approximately 4- 5 times per year. The successful nominee would be required to participate in other events organised by Clare PPN to inform, network and consult with members on the activities of this committee. For this role Clare PPN are seeking a nominee from the community and voluntary college who preferably has an interest in some or all of the following- arts policy and funding and community art, sports and sports development in County Clare and as this committee deals primarily with issues of housing we would welcome someone who would be willing to participate constructively on matters of housing policy in County Clare.
For more details on Clare PPN’s representatives on this committee please see : here
For more details about the SPC itself from Clare County Council please see Here
For any further information about any of the above roles or Clare PPN’s election processes please feel free to call us on 087 1617375.
by badminme | Mar 1, 2018 | Current, PPN News
March 1st 2018
Clare Public Participation Network Statement on the proposal to open a direct provision centre for asylum seekers in Lisdoonvarna
This week Clare PPN received an informal request to provide a chairperson for a public meeting between the community in Lisdoonvarna and RIA the Reception and Integration Agency which has the responsibility for the procurement and administration of state provided services for asylum seekers and refugees. RIA were responsible for the tender process which determined that the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna was a suitable location for a direct provision centre. Following a meeting of the secretariat of Clare PPN which took place on February 27th 2018 Clare PPN turned down the invitation to chair the meeting in Lisdoonvarna which took place last night.
At Clare Public Participation Network’s plenary meeting which took place on November 30th 2017 those attending from Clare PPN’s Social Inclusion College identified ending the system of direct provision and working to support those currently living in direct provision in Clare as one of the priority areas for Clare PPN in 2018. Clare PPN secretariat decided that chairing a meeting between the community and those who wish to open a direct provision centre would compromise the position taken by its social inclusion members which committed Clare PPN to lending its support to efforts to end the system of direct provision in Ireland.
Clare PPN’s secretariat and social inclusion representatives fully recognise and agree with Ireland’s obligations to accept and support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. They furthermore consider that diversity and inward migration are beneficial to host communities and in particular to rural Ireland where populations are declining. Clare PPN secretariat and social inclusion representatives do not however consider the system of direct provision suitable for the needs of asylum seekers. They insist that system of direct provision itself is a barrier to integration, to family life and to self- sufficiency which denies those within it the opportunity to reach their potential and to live safe dignified lives. Clare PPN has previously taken action to support the resettlement of refugees in various areas in Clare and will continue to do so when the opportunity presents itself. Clare PPN will do its best within its resources to ensure that it supports and welcomes the people who come to live in direct provision in Clare and reaches out to those already living in the direct provision centre in Knocknalisheen, whilst continuing to voice its opposition to the system of direct provision which it considers an abuse of human rights and a failure of the state.
Clare PPN would further recommend that communities should be fully informed and consulted on all plans that affect them and notes that consultations with relevant stakeholders such as schools, doctors and other service providers do not appear to have taken place in Lisdoonvarna. Representatives from Clare PPN attended the meeting which took place last night in Lisdoonvarna and noted that many people attending raised concerns that could easily have been addressed through proper planning, information sharing and consultation. Clare PPN calls on RIA and the Department of Justice to act in the interests both of asylum seekers and host communities to ensure that the necessary services, staff vetting and resource provision take place before any attempt to relocate people to any area.
About Clare PPN
Clare PPN is a network of community, voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups from Clare. It exists to facilitate the formal participation by the community sector in Clare County Council’s decision making structures. It is funded jointly by the Department of Housing, Planning Environment Community and Local Government and Clare County Council but is independent and its activities are directed by its members through an elected secretariat.
Clare PPN’s website is www.clareppn.ie and they are on twitter @clare_ppn and https://facebook.com/clareppn/
by badminme | Feb 19, 2018 | Members News, PPN News
Clare PPN Social Inclusion Secretariat member election results
The Clare PPN is delighted to congratulate Padraic Hayes on his election to the Secretariat representing the Social Inclusion Pillar.
As a young man growing up in Shannon with a physical disability Padraic became accustomed to the words “you won’t be able to do that”. When you hear those words often enough you begin to question your own ability. However as he matured Padraic gained a resilience from that doubt and has worked over the last ten years to prove his own ability and the ability of all people with disabilities.
Padraic graduated with a Masters in Marketing from Limerick Institute of Technology and has worked since then in the area of administration and finance. His real passion however lies in advocacy and he is the current Chairperson of the Clare Leader Forum, which is an independent group of people with disabilities who work to create a voice on disability issues in Clare. Padraic has helped the Forum grow from strength to strength and with his support the Clare Leader Forum has now become one of the key cross-disability representative groups in Clare. At a national level Padraic has also continued to promote the rights of people with disabilities through his work with the Center for Independent Living and more specifically through his role on the Value for Money (Transforming Lives) committee.
In a personal capacity Padraic has been an advocate for people with disabilities for a number of years and has work one-on-one to promote self-esteem and confidence where people require assistance to use their voice. As a Personal Assistance Service (PAS) user he is a Leader and strong believer in the Independent Living philosophy. Padraic is currently working to further his independence through direct payments and believes that the appropriate supports are the lifeblood of independent living and vital to any progression for people with disabilities.
Padraic is delighted to be nominated onto the Clare PPN Secretariat as he believes he has the skills and experience necessary to fulfil the role. He is passionate about ensuring the voices of all people who need support to participate fully in society are heard and looks forward to the continuing growth of the Clare Public Participation Network.
WELL DONE TO ALL CANDIDATES.
by badminme | Feb 13, 2018 | Members News, PPN News
Here are the candidates for the Social Inclusion Secretariat member election (listed in alphabetical order). Well done to all candidates for putting themselves forward. There is a wealth of experience and expertise here.
How to vote:
- Send an email with the subject line Social Inclusion Election to admin@clareppn.ie stating the name of your chosen candidate
- Voting is only open to Social Inclusion groups.
- Only one vote for one candidate is allowed for each Social Inclusion member group.
- You must vote even if you nominated a candidate.
- Cut-off for voting is Monday, 19th February at 5pm
- The winning candidate will announced on Monday, 19th February
THE CANDIDATES
Nike Adesiyan
Nike is a teacher by profession. She has taught at Ennis Community College since 2001. She is also a sign language interpreter and works with deaf students through the medium of sign language.
Nike also founded the Gathering of Godly Worshipers in 2011 where all people irrespective of their status, gather together once in a year to refresh, renew, reorient, refill their mind, rejoice together in full spirit She is looking forward to this challenge.
Nominated by: The Gathering of Godly Worshippers
Padraic Hayes
Padraic graduated with a Masters in Marketing from Limerick Institute of Technology and has worked since then in the area of administration and finance. His real passion however lies in advocacy and he is the current Chairperson of the Clare Leader Forum, which is an independent group of people with disabilities who work to create a voice on disability issues in Clare.
Padraic would like to be nominated onto the Clare PPN Secretariat as he believes he has the skills and experience necessary to fulfil the role. He is passionate about ensuring the voices of all people who need support to participate fully in society are heard and looks forward to the continuing growth of the Clare Public Participation Network.
Nominated by: Clare Leader Forum
Emma O’Brien
Mother, feminist and former investment banker, Emma is currently on the steering group of Clare Women’s Network and is passionate about social justice issues, particularly women’s equality. She works in Ennis and enjoys volunteering her financial and social media skills in her spare time.
Nominated by: The Clare Women’s Network
Maeve O’Sullivan
Maeve has worked tirelessly in the community and voluntary sector for many years and has campaigned for mental health, disability and gender equality. She is interested in the Clare PPN and it’s capacity bring many different voices to the decision making table. To date, her official roles have included:
- Board member of the Clare Women’s Network
- National Board Member of Clare Network of People with Disabilities
- Co-ordinator of Women Together Network (for women with mental health difficulties)
Nominated by: Clare Network of People with Disabilities NCPD
by badminme | Feb 8, 2018 | Members News, PPN News
Date: Saturday, February 24th, 2018
Time: 10.30am to 4.00pm
Venue: Clare Local Development Company, Westpoint Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis
Cultivate of Cloughjordan will be delivering a workshop on group facilitation for members of the Clare Public Participation Network. This full-day course will provide participants with the skills and processes to better host meetings, enable dialogue, and facilitate participative events. This training is aimed both at those who have no background in facilitation and also those who are experienced seeking to enrich their skill-set. The work shop will focus on skills for encouraging participation and managing meetings and hosting events.
‘Established in 2000, Cultivate has played a key role in furthering the profile of sustainability in Ireland over the past decade through the research, development, sourcing and publishing of both online and printed informational resources, education programmes and networking events. With offices in Dublin and Cloughjordan, offering both urban and rural reach, the organisation has built an unrivalled nationwide network of partners working in the Green Economy.’ – www.cultivate.ie
To book your place at this event please book at this link or call Sarah on 087 -1617375
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/facilitation-skills-training-for-community-groups-tickets-42716053867
