It’s all systems go for Down Syndrome Ireland Laois branch.
Between Easter camps, summer camps and building a Field of Dreams – it’s an incredibly busy time for the Laois group.
The branch held their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 6 in the family centreat Gort Na nOir, Abbeyleix.
The well-attended event saw new officers elected to different roles.
Secretary Myra Drennan was congratulated on all the hard work she did over the past year, and read out the previous year’s minutes which were proposed and seconded on the night.
Chairperson Margaret Miron gave an overview of the previous year’s activities and thanked the whole committee for all their hard work over the last year.
As well as providing another huge amount of heavily rebated therapies and supports to our members, Margaret gave an overview of the exciting plans for the coming year.
Young adults Maryclare Shaughnessy and Emer Sinnott were congratulated on their undertaking training with Alphaparf as hairdressers and will then receive training at hairdressers in Abbeyleix and Mountmellick.
This adult training was organised as part of our national office, current concentration on adult employment training. It also proves the value of being part of the Down Syndrome Ireland organisation, which boasts 26 branches around the country.
PRO Michael Gorman then gave an overview of the ‘Laois Field of Dreams’ project which is being developed as an Employment Training Centre of Excellence for adults with an intellectual difficulty, after leasing a four acre site in Abbeyleix from Laois County Council.
The families were very excited about these plans which will help to deliver the ‘Cradle to Grave Philosophy’ adopted by the Branch some years ago.
Branch treasurer Michael Greene produced an excellent set of accounts for the previous year.
A new committee was elected by all members present as usual, with two committee members stepping down due to other commitments. However both assured the meeting that they would continue to be available when required.
The new committee voted in is as follows:
Karen Walsh (Committee member)
Michael Greene (Branch Treasurer)
Ashley Whelan (Committee member)
Michael Gorman (PRO)
Kevin Lawlor (Committee member)
Kathleen Maher (Vice secretary)
Ray Harte (Vice PRO)
Margaret Miron (Branch Chairperson)
Jackie Whelan (Committee member)
Amy Lalor (Committee member)
Antoinette Dowling (Vice Treasurer)
Myra Drennan (Branch Secretary)
Conor Glynn (Vice chairperson)
Laois branch of Down Syndrome Ireland are hoping to progress ‘Field of Dreams’ over the coming months and get some traction in terms of raising funds and moving the programme forward.
This will be the main focus of their efforts through the year. The Branch have plans to host talks on numerous topics of interest for members at the Family Centre, Gort Na nOir Abbeyleix. throughout the year, in conjunction with our numerous heavily rebated therapies and supports.
A planned an Easter camp, a Summer Camp and a camp at Halloween are also in the pipeline. The annual Santa Train will also be up and running again this year.
On the fundraising front, Annual Church Gate collections will be running on August Bank Holiday weekend.
Following this, there is an annual Tractor Run in Ballacolla in September, then a Halloween Party followed by the Christmas Santa Train and Christmas Party in the Manor Hotel Abbeyleix.
“We are also very proud of the fact that all funds raised in Laois, stays in Laois , for the benefit of our members here in Laois, so people in the county can be assured that all funds are spent on our children and adults in the county,” said PRO Michael Gorman.
He continued: “So, all in all, another very busy year ahead for the Branch. We also hope to be in a position to make a very significant announcement for the Branch later in the year, which will be hugely beneficial to our membership.
“Down Syndrome Ireland ‘Laois Branch’ continues to be the Principal organisation looking after the interests of people with Down Syndrome in Laois. The Branch was so proud in 2018 to win the Community and Voluntary Award in the social Inclusion Section in recognition of all the Branches hard work over last year.”
Chairperson Margaret Miron then closed the meeting leaving good time to have a cup of tea and a chat among the members.
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