Kildare young people showcase their talents at In Sync AGM and Showcase Event
In Sync Youth & Family services, based in Kildare and West Wicklow, hosted their Annual General Meeting on Thursday the 15th of June at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane, Co. Kildare. The event provided an opportunity to showcase some of the great work of the youth projects across the organisation but also looked at the on-going challenge of lack of funding.
The event was well attended by 55 people, including In Sync staff, young people and both senior and junior board members. In Sync Board chairman, Ger Conlon, chaired the evening and highlighted some of the fantastic work done by In Sync over the last year.
“The Board are so thankful and appreciative of how everyone involved with In Sync has continued their fantastic work and kept services going for the young people, children, and families we work with. We thank them for their commitment and input, which makes In Sync the success story that it has become.”
He also flagged an issue that community and voluntary sector organisations such as In Sync are increasingly facing whereby statutory agencies provide opportunities for small amounts of short-term funding for issues that require long-term sustained solutions. “Our message to the Departments is that this funding model is just window dressing, it looks great as a photoshoot for the Minister, but it does not fundamentally address the long-term systemic issues at play. This is not good enough.”
In Sync’s young people were also involved on the evening with Kildare Town Young Mens Shed presenting some of the great work they do. The creativity and talent of the young people in the organisation was also recognised with one young person Nicky Koky, of The CAN Youth Diversion Project, showing off his DJ skills on the evening. Attendees were treated to recorded performances of two youth bands supported by Kildare Town Youth Project – Péachán, who performed at the Irish Youth Music Awards in the RDS last month; and Vetocode, performing at the Naas Bealtaine Street Festival a couple of weeks ago.
Cillian Dowling, a member of In Sync’s Junior Board, reflected on the work of the Junior Board over the year and how they are now working more closely with the Senior Board and Senior Management Team, demonstrating how In Sync puts young people at the heart of the organisation.
“The Junior Board are excited about the upcoming year. A member of the Senior Board will now attend Junior Board meetings and from July this year, two members of the Junior Board will take their seats on the Senior Board, said Cillian”
During the AGM formalities, Tom Dunne, CEO of In Sync, flagged that there are a number of vacancies for Board positions.
“The Board is open to nominations at any time for the remaining vacancies and we will endeavour to fill the remaining places during the coming year. We encourage those who might be interested to get in contact for more information, contact tom.dunne@insync.ie
ENDS
For more details or information please contact:
– Beth Keeley In Sync Comms – Phone: 0831763571
