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By Muintircork on 08 Dec 2014 09:51 am
The minutes are a permanent record of an Organisation’s activities and decisions.
They should, therefore, be written on a hard backed copy (or typed and then paste the sheets on to the copy).
Loose leaf files are not acceptable because minutes could be altered or removed without this action being noticeable.
This good Secretary will not record every minute detail that went on at the meeting. The following passages illustrate the right and wrong way to do things.
The Chairperson stated that we need to make a decision on whether to have a band or disco at the annual fundraiser for the Community Centre. John Lynch felt that a disco would attract a lot of young people and the possibility of trouble. Mary Dalton thought the disco was very successful last year. Tom Murphy felt we would get wider support from the community if we had a band. Michael Brady agreed with this. Eventually it was decided to get a band.
Accounts like this are too long winded and you lose people’s attention.
It is better to take concise notes at the meeting as follows: Item 7: Fundraiser for community centre. Discussion: Band or Disco? Decision: Band. Prices to be explored. Final decision to be made at the next meeting. Person Responsible: Matt Feelon
Then the minutes can be written as follows: Item no. 7. A decision needed to be made on whether to have a band or a disco for this year’s Community Centre fundraiser. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to get a band. Matt Feelon is to get some prices of bands for the next meeting.
Minutes should be written as soon as possible after the meeting for two reasons.
Firstly, because issues will be fresh in the mind and secondly, a ‘To Do’ list can be compiled and issues can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Duties After The Meeting
1. Write up minutes as soon as possible after the meeting.
2. Send reminder notices of decisions requiring action to the relevant people. A telephone call may suffice. 3. Promptly send all correspondence as decided by the committee.
Writing Letters
When writing letters try to keep them simple, make them short, precise and to the point. If available use headed notepaper, don’t use pages out of notebooks or copies. If you can’t get the letter typed, remember to write legibly.
At the start of the letter identify the group on whose behalf you are the writing. Always remember to give a contact number as well as your address. Keep a copy of the letter sent. Finally, and most importantly, check the letter for accuracy of content and also spelling.
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By Muintircork on 08 Dec 2014 09:36 am
CFRAMS has identified 300 communities (AFAs) threatened by flooding. CFRAMS
is crucial to the medium and longterm reduction/management of flood risk in
Ireland .
. OPW has spent €325m since 1995 to date on flood relief and €225m will be spent
over the next 5 years.
. The OPW has mapped 7000km of river courses in Ireland.
. This mapping has a suite of 13 overlay maps for each community at risk which
outline how many homes/businesses could be at risk ,what depth and the extent
flooding can occur over a range of varied flood events.
. The mapping also includes areas that have been effected by coastal flooding.
. The reason for this mapping is three fold
1.To comply with EU directives.
2.To help plan for and alleviate flooding in communities.
3.To highlight areas which should not be built on or developed.
BECAUSE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE ACCESS TO THESE MAPS THE FORUM IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO LOAD INSURANCE POLICIES OR WORSE REFUSE INSURANCE TO COMMUNITIES WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THESE AREAS.
On the 16/10/’14 a meeting was held in Dublin Castle where the OPW outlined their work to date.The forum has outlined its long standing belief that the government must intervene and stop insurance companies ‘cherry picking’ when it comes to insurance cover.The forum wishes to put the following argument to government.
. Adverse selection (cherry picking) is illegal in many countries in Europe.
. All households/businesses in France and many other countries in Europe must
legally hold insurance and flood cover is automatically included.This has led to a
very broad insurance base where ALL communities have flood cover.
. The crude methodology used by insurance companies has led to many businesses
and householders losing their insurance and therefore becoming worthless .What
will the future hold for these communities?These property owners are still paying
full rates and property tax which is a wholly inequitable situation and unsustainable
going forward.
. Without flood insurance these communities will not be able to invest in their
properties or attract inward investment to these areas .Without insurance these
communities will become the slums of tomorrow.
. What will become of elderly people who have spent a life time paying off their
mortgages ?Will they become more dependant on the state?Will they become the
new poor?With their single biggest asset becoming worthless because they can’t
get flood cover and therefore banks will not grant mortgages to perspective new
buyers.
. What will become of the SME’s and their employees in the cities ,towns and
villages who can’t get flood cover? Loss of jobs and no inward investment ,
even closure and loss of rates.
. The OPW has made communities like Fermoy,Clonmel etc. much safer and has
invested millions of tax payer monies in building magnificent engineering solutions
to prevent flooding in these areas ,yet insurance companies are still refusing flood
cover.This is a wreck-less and anti community stance by insurance companies.
. The Minister for Finance has the power to refuse these insurance companies
a licence to trade in this country and we would ask that he uses his powers to put
an end to this intolerable situation where insurance companies won’t comply.
. There are many other clever solutions that have been introduced in areas where
people haven’t been able to get reasonable insurance e.g. Health Insurance for the
elderly through community rating and the national insurance scheme should
someone be hit by an uninsured driver.
Muintir na Tire Supports the Call by The Irish National Flood Relief Forum for Government action on this issue.
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By Muintircork on 04 Dec 2014 08:24 am
Date/Time Monday 15th to Friday 19th December at 12:00
Event: Festive Tours of Fota House
Location: Fota House, Fota Island, Co. Cork
Additional Information: Come for a festive tour in Fota House to see behind the scenes of the Magic of Santa and the house traditionally decorated for the season. For booking call 021 4815543. .
Date/Time Wednesday 07th January 2015 at 13:00
Event: Fulachtai fia and Bronze Age cooking in Ireland: Reappraising the evidence
Location: Crawford Art Gallery, Cork
Additional Information: Alan Hawkes, Dept. of Archaeology, UCC, will give a talk on Fulachtaí fia and Bronze Age cooking in Ireland – Reappraising the evidence. This talk has been organised by the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. All welcome, no cover charge.
Date/Time Thursday 08th January 2015 at 20:00
Event: Illustrated Lecture – Families of Blarney Castle -The Jefferyes & The Colthursts
Location: Blarney Secondary School (Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál), Blarney
Additional Information: Blarney & District Historical Society presents an illustrated lecture titled “Families of Blarney Castle -The Jefferyes & The Colthursts”. Margaret Lantry will give this fascinating talk on the night. Everybody Welcome. Enquiries to Brian Gabriel 087 2153216
Date/Time Monday 19th January 2015 at 20:00
Event: Massacre in West Cork
Location: Ballincollig Rugby Club, Co. Cork
Additional Information: Barry Keane will give a fascinating talk detailing what happened in Ballygroman, Ovens and in and around Dunmanway in 1922.Attendance on the night is €3 (annual subscription for all lectures €10). Event organised by the Muskerry Local History Society, for more information contact Rod MacConaill (086 1089524) or Dermot Lucey (087 9331135).
It is hoped that these news items and events are of interest.
Have a wonderful December and Christmas and all the very best for now.
Le meas
Conor Nelligan
Heritage Officer
Heritage Unit, Planning Dept. Floor 3,
County Hall, Carrigrohane Rd. Co. Cork
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By Muintircork on 04 Dec 2014 08:22 am
EC NATURA 2000 AWARDS 2015 – NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The European Commission’s Natura 2000 Award opens for a second year of applications. The aim of the award “is to bring the success of Natura 2000 network to the public’s attention and to demonstrate its importance for protecting our valuable natural heritage.
The annual award is open to any entity involved in activities related to Natura 2000. Local and national authorities, businesses, site managers, land owners, NGOs, educational institutions and individuals from all 28 EU Member States are all eligible to apply”.
The call for applications has very recently been launched and the deadline of 21 January 2015 has been set.
“The winners will be announced at a high level ceremony in Brussels on Natura 2000 Day – 21 May 2015. We would greatly appreciate your support in raising the profile of the Award and reaching out to all those involved in the Natura 2000 network. Please spread the word to ensure as wide a range of potential applicants as possible are informed. For more information on how to apply, please consult the website.
Welcome to the Natura 2000 Award
This pan-European Award recognises excellence in the management of Natura 2000 sites and conservation achievements, showcasing the added value for local economies, and increasing public awareness of Europe’s valuable natural heritage.
The Natura 2000 network covers an enormous variety of different sites across the continent. It preserves and enhances Europe’s biodiversity, safeguarding it for future generations, and it provides a range of important benefits, helping nature to help us.
But despite its size and its many benefits, many people have never even heard of it. According to a recent survey, only 27% of respondents have heard of Natura 2000, and only 11% really know what it is.
Celebrating a shared objective
This is why, in 2014, the European Commission launched the annual Natura 2000 Award. The aim of the award is to demonstrate what the network is, what it does to preserve Europe’s biodiversity, and how it benefits all of us. The award recognises good practice at Natura 2000 sites in five different categories: Communication, Socio-economic benefits, Conservation, Reconciling interests/perceptions, and Cross-border cooperation and networking.
Anyone directly involved in Natura 2000 – businesses, authorities, NGOs, volunteers, land owners, educational institutions and individuals – can apply for the award. Applications for the 2015 award can be submitted between 24 November 2014 and 21 January 2015. They will be assessed by a team of independent experts. The finalists will be invited to a high level ceremony in Brussels when the winners will be announced. In addition to receiving their trophy, the winners will receive support in organising local events to highlight their achievements.
What does nature do for you?
A lot! Did you know, for example, that healthy freshwater ecosystems provide clean water and help remove pollutants from the surrounding countryside? That peat bogs help store carbon and forests improve air and soil quality? Natura 2000 protects these functions and many more besides, as well as providing space for sustainable recreational activities such as hiking and fishing, and economic opportunities such as eco-tourism and the production of timber and food.
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By Muintircork on 04 Dec 2014 08:21 am
HERITAGE HOUSES OF COUNTY CORK – OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Heritage Houses of County Cork
The official launch for “Heritage Houses of County Cork” takes place on Friday 19th December at 10am in the County Library, with County Mayor Cllr. Alan Coleman and Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey. All are welcome to come along to the launch on the morning of the 19th, with copies of the publication available for sale. Please rsvp to conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie as space is limited.
The publication tells the story of Heritage Houses in the County of Cork, from earliest times, right up to the recent past. Over 150 houses are noted in the publication with features made of 30 of these. In addition the publication contains over 200 maps, photos and illustrations and provides a background to all Heritage Houses in County, both big, small and everything in between.
This publication has kindly been supported by the Heritage Council and has benefited greatly from the input of numerous heritage groups. The project was undertaken by the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council in consultation with Tobar Archaeological Services and Blue Brick Heritage and all involved are most grateful for the input from the public, in particular the house owners who kindly consented to Cork County Council featuring their homes in the book.
The publication is at present being distributed to a number of book outlets and is to date already available in select bookstores in throughout the County (including Cork City) with many more to be added by the end of the week.
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By Muintircork on 03 Dec 2014 12:18 pm
CONFERENCE
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday , 28th January, 2015
NEMO RANGERS CONFERENCE CENTRE
[OFF THE SOUTH DOUGLAS ROAD CORK CITY]
10.00am – 5pm
Conference FINDING OUR COLLECTIVE COMPASS
Learning from Experience at the Personal, Family, Community and Global Levels is FREE.
Light lunch provided with optional contribution of €5 on the day.
Detailed conference programme available later. Inquiries please by email or 021-4666180.
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