Sligo County Community Forum is planning to run management committee training on the evening of the 22nd, 29th and 5th June 6-9pm in the Teeling Centre in Collooney.

The course will cover management committee functions and roles, Establishing structures for your organisation, Developing strategies, plans and policies, Managing staff and managing finances for community group,   Managing communications and relationships with others (delivered in conjunction with social media training) – annual reporting, newsletters, press releases, Fundraising and applying for funding – different agencies and structures.

If you are interested in attending download the reg form management committee training and return it to us by the 15th May 2012. Training is free to members of Sligo Forum.   Apply early as places will be limited.

Sligo County Community Forum has been working to support CE schemes who are facing cuts.  ”CE schemes in County Sligo employ hundreds of CE workers to deliver vital and essential services to our communities, at a minimum cost to the taxpayer.  Over the years, voluntary management committees have given their time freely to oversee successfully the management and delivery of these schemes for the good of their communities“.

Sligo County Community Forum has forwarded a submission to the Minister for Social Protection, asking to protect CE schemes and has suggested alternative savings, following a meeting with CE schemes in March 2012.  To see the outcome of this meeting click here. meeting outcomes with CE 21 march 2012

Management Committee training – starting in May 2012

Forum Elections – September 2012 – to take part you need to be a member for at least 3 months

Elections to the LEADER board – this will happen in 2012 but date is yet to be decided

Community Planning – if you are interested in getting a facilitator to work with your rural community, to make a 3 year plan, contact the forum.

For more information contact 071-9171860 or email sligoforum@gmail.com

The Sligo Forum annual report is now available:  annual report 2011

This report is an examination of the cumulative impact of the cuts in spending on the voluntary and community sector in Ireland over 2008-12, specifically examining their effect on employment.  The voluntary and community sector had, at the start of the financial crisis in 2008, a value of €6.5bn, received about €1.89bn in state funding and employed 53,098 people (full-time equivalents).

DownsizingCommunitySector-1

With elections to the community forum coming up this year it is important to renew your membership.  See our membership form attached.   The cost of renewing your membership is just ten euros, and this will entitle you to attend forum events, training sessions, ask for support and receive information.

Sligo County Community Forum, on behalf of its membership groups, is asking TD’s to use their influence to protect CE schemes in County Sligo:  ”No cuts should be imposed until a thorough review has been carried out.  The maintenance of the materials grant is vital to cover the core costs of running the scheme.  In addition the training needs of each scheme should be examined and funded accordingly”.  Letter to TD’s re CE cuts, jan 2012

We have had a great response from all our membership groups who have chosen to renew their membership for 2012.  We have decided to extend the deadline for renewing your membership until February 2012 to give everyone a chance to get their forms back to us in time.  An election of members to the forum executive will be taking place in 2012 so it is important that you are a registered member to participate.  For more information contact Claire or Sharon at the forum office.

Sligo Forum is a voluntary group established to support the needs of the community and voluntary sector in County Sligo.  As a member of Sligo Forum you receive our monthly e-bulletin service, access to information and support, community based training, access to Sligo County Council community grants and representation at a county and regional level.

Sligo County Community Forum is currently asking all membership groups and E-Bulletin subscribers to renew their membership with us by Feb 28th 2012 (extended deadline).  Just fill in the membership form attached and send it to us at the Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo.  Unfortunately any group that does not renew will no longer be considered a member of the forum.

Group membership brochure

Easy to use Group Membership Form

Find attached our latest E Bulletin!  News on funding, training and events.  Keep up to date with the Sligo County Council Winter Ready Campaign by logging onto sligococo.ie.  December EBulletin pdf