Jan 28, 2010

SECAD Community Training programme 2010

 

Please find information below on the upcoming SECAD Community Training programme.  This programme consists of a number of workshops aimed at informing community group members on how they can run their community organisations in an effective manner.  Priority will be given to volunteers working with Community Groups in the South and East Cork area, but some of the training may be relevant for staff in Community projects.

 

Topics covered include

  • What is governance?
  • Roles and Responsibilities of the Company Director / Company Structure
  • Financial management of the community group
  • Effective communication within a community group
  • Promoting your community group – PR and Influencing Policy
  • Committee Skills Training and the Roles of Officers
  • Conducting a Needs Analysis and Self Evaluation
  • Practical aspects of fundraising and funding proposal writing

 

The workshops will run from early February to early April, but you are asked to book your place on the workshops of your choice as early as possible as places are limited.  A booking form is attached.

 

These documents are available on the News and Events section of the SECAD website www.secad.ie

 

Please feel free to contact me on 021 4613432 or the trainers on 061 225711 if you have any queries.

 

Kind regards

Nuala

 

PS  On another subject, for those community groups eg Tidy Towns, Community Councils, Community Associations, Residents Associations interested in signing up for the SECAD  Village and Area Enhancement Training programme, please remember that you should register by calling by contacting Rhoda Cronin on 021 4826978 or rhoda.cronin@johncronin.ie before 2nd February.  Details of this programme were sent by email last week and can be viewed on www.secad.ie

 

Nuala O'Connell

South & East Cork Area Development Ltd.,

Midleton Community Enterprise Centre,

Owennacurra Business Park,

Knockgriffin,

Midleton,

Co. Cork.

 

phone: + 353 21 4613432

fax: + 353 21 4613808

website: www.eastcork.com

 

Registered in Ireland No.233937

 


Jan 22, 2010

An Introduction to Irish Wildlife

Wildlife of Ireland


Are you interested in the natural world? Then this introductory evening class is for you!

An Introduction to Irish Wildlife is a 10 week evening course for adults including

  • 9 fascinating evening talks plus
  • a Sunday field trip to look at Ireland's wildlife.


| €230 for 10 weeks | Tuesday 7- 9 pm
|26 Jan - 30 Mar | UCC | Lecturuer: Caroline Hurley.

To book your place contact Regina Sexton at the Centre for Adult Continuing Education in UCC.

Tel: 021-4904717 / 021-4904739 e-mail: r.sexton@ucc.ie

Jan 19, 2010

Energy Family Day (Galway) - participants invited

Dear All,

 

We would like to invite you to participate in an event that NUI Galway is organizing with Engineers Ireland for the upcoming Engineers Week (8-13 February). 

 

The event is called "Re-Energizing Galway", and will be held at the Galway City Museum on Saturday February 13th.  The theme of the day is "Energy", and it has been arranged to have stations (workshops and activities) set up around the museum designed to engage visiting children and their parents on the subject of energy (specifically renewable energy technologies & sustainability), and also a "Parents Corner" for the adults.

 

Where you might come in is with a table/stand, displaying relevant information, in Parents Corner.  In addition, if you do have interactive workshops and/or activities for children that you think might be suitable then that might be another way to get involved.

 

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or want to take part.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

Sarah Knight PhD

Outreach Officer

Environmental Change Institute

National University of Ireland, Galway

Phone: +353 91 495061

 


Launch of new Irish website to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity 2010


Announcement -  Launch of new website on Ireland's biological diversity to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is pleased to announce the release of its new website on http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/ . The revamped website is released to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity 2010, and to mark establishment of the Centre exactly three years ago today.

The website is a national resource presenting data and information on all aspects of Ireland's rich biological diversity.  It also serves as a link between our expanding knowledge base and the need to provide high quality information to improve decision-making.

Some of the main features of the website include:
  • Easy access to 1.07 million observations of Ireland's wildlife,
  • Provisional distribution maps of 8,545 Irish species, presented on a national GIS mapping system Biodiversity Maps http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/
  • An online submission form to enable observers submit sightings of Ireland's wildlife to the National Biodiversity Database;
  • An internet data portal linking the Data Centre with the other key national sighting schemes,
  • A latest news feature to highlight any new developments in wildlife recording and surveying in Ireland,
  • The Centre's calendar of Events for 2010,
  • An on-line library of digital images of some of Ireland's species freely available to download for use in publications, presentations and other uses.

Further information contact: Dr. Liam Lysaght, Director. National Biodiversity Data Centre, Carriganore, WIT West Campus, Waterford
Phone: 00 353 51 306240
Email: info@biodiversityireland.ie




Jan 14, 2010

Volunteer Project with Birdwatch Ireland in Feb 2010


Volunteer Project with Birdwatch Ireland in Feb 2010

The recent ezine from BirdWatch Ireland indicated that they hope to run a volunteer project in February in the Shannon Callows. 

A minimum of 1 week commitment is required and work seems to mainly involve repair of predator proof fencing around the reserve.

The link for information is http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Publications/eWings/eWingsIssue4January2010/VolunteersneededforBreedingWaderSurvey/tabid/976/Default.aspx

Accomodation is provided for the duration of the project.




Rx3 Sustainable Innovation Forum



Rx3 has been created as the new name for the Market Development
Programme. Rx3 "rethink recycle remake" works with a range of partners
and stakeholders to create markets for recycled materials.

Rx3 are running a Sustainable Innovation Forum on 27th April. This will
highlight thinking around sustainability and design, showcase recycled
products and ideas that unite social, economic and environmental values.
It will also highlight opportunities and provide information and support
to stakeholders and people who have an interest in the waste
marketplace. As part of the forum Rx3 are hosting two competitions.

60 Green Minutes
Participants need to demonstrate how waste can be recycled to make new
products. The core task is to demonstrate a business idea that takes
something disposable and transforms it into something of greater use and
value.

Turning Trash into Cash
Student competition for artwork, products and business ideas working
with waste materials.

To find out more see http://www.rx3.ie.


Jan 12, 2010

Review of the Electoral Area Local Area Plans

Review of the Electoral Area Local Area Plans

 

Cork County Council has commenced a review of the 10 Electoral Area Local Area Plans originally adopted in 2005 that together cover the entire County.

 

It is the Council's intention to prepare a new draft Local Area Plan for each electoral area and to make these available to the public for comment during the Autumn of 2010 so that the new local area plans can be completed before September 2011.  It is envisaged that the new plans will replace the Special Local Area Plans prepared in 2005 for Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Blarney – Kilbarry.  The Special Local Area Plan for Mallow adopted in 2007 will not be affected.

 

At this initial stage, to help explain the planning issues that the electoral areas will face, a series of Outline Strategy documents are being prepared and the County Council intends to make these available for public consultation between Monday, 4 January 2010 and 4.00 pm on Monday, 1 March 2010.  Copies of the Outline Strategy will be available to inspect and/or purchase from the Planning Policy Unit from 4 January 2010.  Copies will also be available for inspection at Council Offices, libraries and at www.corkcoco.ie from the first day of the consultation period.

 

Any member of the public wishing to make a written submission can do so during that period either in paper format or by e-mail.  Written submissions may be addressed to The Senior Planner, Planning Policy Unit, Floor 13, County Hall, Cork.  E-mail submissions may be sent to lapsubmissions@corkcoco.ie and must include the full name and postal address of the person/organisation making the submission.

 

A series of Public Information Events will be held throughout the county during January and February and a schedule of these workshops is detailed below.



Date

Electoral Area

Venue

Time

7 January

Midleton

Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal

4 – 8 pm

12 January

Blarney

Commons Inn, New Mallow Road

2 – 8 pm

14 January

Midleton

Midleton Park Hotel, Midleton

2 – 8 pm

21 January

Midleton

Commodore Hotel, Cobh

4 – 8 pm

26 January

Carrigaline

Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas

2 – 8 pm

2 February

Midleton

Community Centre, Carrigtwohill

4 – 8 pm

4 February

Macroom

Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig

2 – 8 pm

9 February

Blarney

Blarney Castle Hotel, Blarney

4 – 8 pm

11 February

Carrigaline

Carrigaline Court Hotel, Carrigaline

4 – 8 pm

16 February

Blarney

Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire

4 – 8 pm

18 February

Macroom

Castle Hotel, Macroom

4 – 8 pm

SECAD Village and Area Enhancement Seminar & Training commencing 21 Jan 2010

Final details of the upcoming SECAD Village and Area Enhancement Seminar which will be held at the Radisson Hotel,Little Island on Thursday 21st January 2010 can be found at

http://www.secad.ie/index.php/news/story/village_and_area_enhancement_seminar_21st_january_2010/



Representatives of any community or voluntary group involved in Village and Area Enhancement work in the South and East Cork area are invited to attend.



Places are limited, so please register by Friday 15th January using the application form, or contact Rhoda Cronin on 021 4826978 or rhoda.cronin@johncronin.ie for more details.




Jan 11, 2010

Grow It Yourself Launch, Midleton

Happy New Year to everyone!

While getting out to work in the garden may be the last thing on our minds
during this cold snap it is a great time of year to start  planning for the
gardening year ahead and sharing ideas can be a great source of
inspiration.

One way of meeting like minded growers or would-be-growers is to join a
Grow it Yourself Ireland group.  On Thursday 21st January Midleton
Transition Town are hosting a launch meeting in association with Grow It
Yourself Ireland to set up a Midleton GIY group.  The launch is taking
place at 6pm in Midleton Library.

We are lucky to have Mick Kelly of GIY Ireland coming to talk about the
organization and what the groups are all about.  More information about GIY
Ireland can be seen on the website at http://www.giyireland.com/home.php

I hope to see you at the launch and please pass on the details to anyone
you know who may be interested.

Best Wishes,
Louise Baker

Press Release: Big Freeze Threatens Ireland's Wildlife

From the Irish Wildlife Trust...

Press Release

8th Jan, 2010
 
Big Freeze Threatens Ireland's Wildlife
 
The Irish Wildlife Trust urges you to do your bit to help Ireland's wildlife through the winter freeze. At extra cold times of year wildlife may not have access to water, food and shelter. To do your bit you can put out fresh water every morning, this could greatly help wildlife in your area. Also supplies of natural food like last year's berries, seeds, fruits and insects are at their lowest level. You can help by supplementing with seeds, suet and nuts in bird feeders, which may save small birds and mammals from starvation. Your Christmas tree can be left in your garden for the winter to provide shelter for small birds and mammals too.
 
For longer term wildlife conservation you can provide food with a variety of native plants, trees and bushes. Make a family project designing a native garden to plant in the spring to provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Contact the Irish Wildlife Trust for information on how to get started or visit www.iwt.ie for tips.
 
Irish Wildlife Trust, Sigmund Business Centre, 93A Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 Ph: 01 860 2839 / E-mail: enquiries@iwt.ie
 
ENDS
 
Contact:
For further information please contact Joanne Pender
IWT Development Officer Ph: 01 860 2839 or E-mail: enquiries@iwt.ie
 
Editors Notes:
The Irish Wildlife Trust was founded in 1979 as a charitable conservation body. We provide the public with information about wildlife, run education and training programs like SAC Watch and the Outdoor Classroom Programme, carry out habitat and species surveys like the IWT National Lizard Survey, campaign and lobby around biodiversity issues, restore natural habitats, consult with industry, agriculture and Local Authorities to maintain our natural heritage and contribute to national and international forums for the protection of biodiversity. The IWT is a nationwide organisation with a strong membership base, staff and Board of Directors, with branches in Dublin, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford and Cork.


Joanne Pender
Development Officer

Irish Wildlife Trust
Sigmund Business Centre
93A Lagan Road
Dublin Industrial Estate
Glasnevin
Dublin 11
Ph: 01 860 2839
Fax: 01 830 8914








Windows 7: Simplify what you do everyday. Find the right PC for you.


Jan 8, 2010

Student placements available - Fair Trade and Sustainability


6 Placements available in the framework of GEO FAIR TRADE

The Gers CCI, coordinator of the EU research project « GEO FAIR TRADE » (FP7 Environment) and CIRAD are offering six student placements in each of the case studies, which will contribute to the definition of relevant geo-indicators regarding the Fair Trade sustainable.



The six selected case studies in six different locations:

    * Handicraft (Panama hats) in Ecuador
   * Coffee in Minas Gerais state - Brazil
   * Shea Butter in Burkina Faso
   * Tea in Uganda
   * Vanilla in Madagascar
   * Cashew, coffee, and spices in Kerala state - India


The main focus of the work will be to collate and organise in digital form existing socio-economic and environmental data related to the fair trade activities.

More information about the placement is available : Internship opportunity offer

More information about the GEO FAIR TRADE project is available in the project's website