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| Issue No.
3 - October 2006 |
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Welcome to ‘The Resource’
The National Forum have had alot of activity since the last edition of The Resource. 'Supporting Families, Building Communities' was launched in June by Minister Seamus Brennan TD, at a very successful event in Buswell's Hotel in Dublin. Over 100 representatives of FRC's around the country gathered to celebrate this significant achievement.
We also held a general meeting in Athlone in September, at which the importance of implementing the plan was stressed. A number of working groups are being set up to ensure this happens, and participation from all members is welcome.
There has also been alot of activiy in the regions. Particular mention must go to the team at the Caha Centre, who hosted a successful conference on the Marte Meo method. It is fantastic to see individual FRC's taking the lead in this way, congrats to all involved.
Our next gathering is for our Annual General Meeting in Dublin on the 11th November. The event is being held on a Saturday, to try and maximise attendance from volunteers, so we look forward to a big turnout on the day.
Best Wishes,
The Resource Editor |
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Launch of 'Supporting Families, Building Communities'
'Supporting Families, Building Communities', the strategic plan of the Family Resource Centre National Forum was launched in June by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Seamus Brennan, TD. The Chairperson of the Family Support Agency, Michael O’Kennedy, also addressed the launch.
Over 100 representatives of Family Resource Centres attended the launch in Buswells Hotel. Clare Cashman acted as Master of Cermonies for the event.
Addressing the launch, FRCNF Chairperson Packie Kelly said "the emergence of family resoruce centres over the past decade is a direct response to the growth in diversity of the family unit in terms of size, structure, supports and needs. It is also a esponse to the pressures that face families in terms of commuting to work, accessing childcare and particpating in training and education."
"Our three-year Strategic Plan sets out key areas of growth and policy development which will give us a much stronger voice at local and national fora.
"Over the coming months, all of the political parties who are considering a possible role in the formation of Government should not ignore the substantial needs of communities and families. To this end, supporting the fole of amily resource centres should be a lynch-pin of community and family policies in political manifestos," added Packie.
In his address, Minister Brennan said, "The Government recognises the critically important contribution that Family Resource Centres make to combating disadvantage and reaching out to the vulnerable and marginalised. The services provided by community resource groups are often emotional and practical lifelines for those who may be going through particularly traumatic situations and experiencing a range of problems that combine to often leave them feeling isolated and powerless. This new strategy examines the rapidly changing environment for families in Ireland today and how best to respond to wide-ranging and diverse needs."
During the afternoon session of the national meeting in Buswells, The afternoon session of the 21st June meeting was addressed by Edel Quinn and Candy Murphy from One Family. Their presentation can be downloaded by clicking here. |
Athlone National Meeting
The most recent gathering of FRC's took place in Athlone on 21st September. Approximatly 50 people attended the meeting, which focussed on the implementation of the Strategic Plan. After an address by Packie Kelly, Clare Cashman reported on developments in the Family Support Agency. Clare has recently been re appointed to the board of the FSA, and she thanked everyone, in particular her own FRC for their support.
Alice Griffin gave a presentation on the implementation of the Strategic Plan. It is vital that the FRCNF work to implement the strategy across the five main areas of: Social Policy; Training & Develoment; Finance; Strategic Planning and Monitoring and PR. Alice's presentation can be downloaded by clicking here.
The meeting then broke into these five groups, where members discussed how each group might progress their work. If you are interested in contributng to any of the five main working groups, please email: info@familyresource.ie
After lunch, Barbara Walshe from the Combat Poverty Agency gave a presentation on the Having your Say programme. Barbara's presentation can be downloaded by clicking here. |
Big turn out from volunteers anticipated at Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Family Resource Centre National Forum will take place on Saturday, 11th November, at 10.30am, in the Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2. This year's AGM is being held on a Saturday to facilitate the attendance of voluntary managment members. The success of the Strategic Plan, and indeed the whole FRC programme is due to the efforts of many volunteers, and therefore it is important that their voices are heard.
Apart from the formal business of the AGM, there will be a workshop on advocacy and lobbying for FRC's. This will be delivered by DHR Communications. The afternoon session will entail a questions and answers style panel, at which public representatives will discuss how FRC's can influence their Councillor, their TD or Senator, and their MEP. Further details will be posted on the website.
There will also be a celebratory lunch on the day. This is to acknowledge the work of all FRC's in this most significant year in our development.
The full Agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
The Camden Court Hotel is located very near to the Harcourt Station of the Luas. There is free parking available. The Room Rate for accomodation is €125 for a single, 150 for a twin room. Please note that conference is on the same weekend as a major Rugby match, so please book your room ASAP. The Hotel telephone number is: 01 4759666
Please pass this information to the relevant people in your FRC.
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The Caha Centre host major conference on the Marte Meo Method
The Caha Centre recently hosted a major conference in Killarney on the Marte Meo Method. Helen Quinn, The Caha Centre Project Co-ordinator was instumental in the day's success. You can read a report from Helen on the event by clicking here. |
Getting the most out of www.familyresource.ie
The new website is in operation for some months now, and over 50 FRC's are getting the full benefits. Much of the features, such as the Minutes, Notice Board etc are only accessible to members and need a username and password. If you haven't got your details yet, email info@familyresource.ie If you have any suggestions as to features you would like to see on the website, send us your suggestions |
Upcoming Events
AGM – 11th November, 10.30am, Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2.
Board Meeting – 11.15am, 8th November, Digital Depot, The Digital Hub.
Board Training Days – 29th & 30th November, Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare. This training has been organised for all full and alternate members of the Board. More information to follow by email. |
Is your FRC using Activelink?
Activelink works with non-profit organisations to develop online communications in the public interest, to promote action and participation and to foster the sharing of ideas, experience and information for a better world.
On the Activelink you can browse IrishLinks - an online directory of Irish charities, ngo's, community & voluntary groups and associations listed under various categories
You can access information on seminar, events and general news relating to the Community and Voluntary secor in Ireland;
You can find information on Employment and Volunteering opportunities in the non profit sector and various Training Courses / Workshops.
The website is updated daily and if you have information you would like to share, vacancies and volunteering opportunities you'd like to publicise, please submit the text by sending an email to info@activelink.ie
The latest information published on the website is also circulated once a week by email: Community Exchange. You can subscribe to this free service by registering your email address in the Community Exchange registration page |
Write for 'The Resource'
We are trying to develop news from the regions, and are looking for you with stories to tell to write an article for 'The Resource'. Helen Quinn from The Caha Centre took on the challenge for this issue, with her most informative report on the recent Marte Meo Method conference. If you would like to share your experiences with other FRCs around the country, please email info@familyresource.ie |
Text Alert Service
We are currently using a text message service to alert people with regard to meetings and news etc. If you haven’t already signed up for this service through the Communications Review,
please email mobile phone details to dermot@dhr.ie |
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Event Pics: |
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Clare Cashman, Board Member, Family Support Agency, Minister Seamus Brennan TD, Michael O'Kennedy SC, Chairperson, Family Support Agency and Packie Kelly, Chairperson, Family Support Agency National Forum at the launch of the 'Supporting Families, Building Communities' |
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Representatives of FRC's in the West photographed with Minister Brennan |
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Danny Crowley, Chairperson, The Caha Family Resource Centre, Clare Cashman - Board member Family Support Agency, Helen Quinn, Project Co-ordinator, The Caha Family Resource Centre, Patrick Jim O Sullivan and Micheal D O Sullivan - Management committee The Caha FRC, photographed at the recent conference on the Marte Meo Method, held in Killarney |
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Celene Keogh, Helen Quinn and Clare Cashman, pictured at the Marte Meo Conference in Killarney recently |
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Clare Cashman shares a joke with Michael O'Kennedy at the launch of 'Supporting Families, Building Communities' |
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Representatives of the Teach Oscail Project pictured with Minister Brennan at the launch of 'Supporting Families, Building Communities' |
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Contact Us
For information on the Family Resource Centre National Forum, or to make any suggestions with regard to communication, please email us: info@familyresource.ie |
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Disclaimer
The contents of this Newsletter are provided as an information guide only. While every effort is made in preparing material for publication no responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of the NFFRC for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in this Newsletter or on any site to which this Newsletter connects. Although every effort is made to ensure the reliability of listed sites, most of these sites are not under our control and the NFFRC is, therefore, not responsible for their policies on privacy or their content.
We do not redistribute or sell your e-mail address to any third party. Your e-mail address is strictly for news and updates from NFFRC. |
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