Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Community and Voluntary Forum
About Us
History of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Community and Voluntary Forum
The Government recognised (Task Force Report, August 1998) the importance of Community and Voluntary organisations in the context of the development of Social, Economic and Cultural policy during its review of Local Government local development systems. It particularly wanted local development plans and strategies to be responsive to the needs of local communities. As a result Community Forums were established in each County to ensure that the community voice was adequately and effectively represented.
Each Forum is entitled to nominate representatives from among their members to sit on the County Development Board and other relevant structures, which are responsible for or contribute in a significant way to the overall development of the County.
The first meeting of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Community and Voluntary Forum was held on the 18th April 2000.
Each year the membership elects a Working Group or Executive of 20 members
to progress the aims of the Forum and to represent its interest on various
bodies. Two representatives of the Forum Working Group sit on the County
Development Board which is responsible for the implementation of the county's
ten year Strategy for Social, Economic and Cultural development in the
County.
Seven members nominated by the Forum membership sit on the Strategic Policy Committees whose role is to help formulate Council policy.
This widespread representational role provides the Forum and its members significant opportunities to influence policies and plans that shape their communities.
In its yearly work plan the Working Group gives priority to the consolidation
and development of the Community and Voluntary Spirit in the County by
providing opportunities for Forum members to network, build linkages with
other interested bodies and to voice their views on matters that affect
them.
Composition of Working Group
To ensure that all groups within the Community and Voluntary sector are represented on the Working Group, each member organisation of the Forum is entitled to participate in the annual election of a representative to their relevant group.
To facilitate this democratic representation the total membership is classified under groups or clusters as follows:
Cluster 1 focuses on economic, social development, and anti-disadvantage measures.
Cluster 2 focuses on cultural, sporting, environment, youth/other and resident's interests.
*Platform members, Deal with Anti-disadvantage measures.
*Non-Platform Members, Deal with economic and social development.
If you want your voice to be heard on matters that affect your organisation you should register as a member of the Forum (application form here) and take an active part in the Annual Elections of the Working Group. For more information email wmorton@dlrcoco.ie
The elected members of the Working Group
Member |
Organisation |
Damien O'Sullivan – Chairperson |
Scouting Ireland |
Mary Collins-Vice Chairperson |
Eye Contact |
John Nolan ( Treasurer) |
People with disabilities in Ireland-P.W.D.I |
William Ievers |
Schizophrenia Ireland |
Carol Connors |
Southside Travellers Action Group-S.T.A.G. |
Patrick Long |
Dun Laoghaire Marine Probus Club |
Billy Kelly |
Ballyogan Environmental Group |
Theresa Waters |
Parents Making Children Aware-PMCA |
Anne Traynor |
Shanganagh CDP |
Kay Gleeson |
Sandycove & Glasthule Residents Association |
Catherine Collins |
Money Advice & Budgeting Service-MABS |
Seamas O’Neill |
Clonskeagh Residents Association |
The County Community and Voluntary Forum is supported by DunLaoghaire/Rathdown County Council,
the lead agency for the County Development Board.