AGM and Activists planning Day 2010

UNISON’s community and voluntary branch recently held its Annual general meeting followed by our activists planning day which began the process of dividing the branch into common divisions which can in turn organise and impact positively upon the sector as a whole.

Elections and reports

Dessie Donnelly, also a project worker within the participation and practice of rights project was elected as Branch chairperson. Niall Enright, of Falls Community Councils’ community drugs program was elected as branch secretary, replacing his father, Terry Enright, who has been a dedicated branch secretary for over 25 years. Barry Fegan and Nuala Mc Gurk of An Munia Tober Traveller support network were jointly elected as Finance officers. Elizabeth Berry, of New Life Counselling, Armagh, was elected as equality officer, and Marie Quiery was elected as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) officer within the branch.

The project worker, Seán Brady, delivered the annual branch report on developments over the last 12 months, and praised the good work of the branch, its ativists and regional officers for increasing recruitment, representation and the overall capacity of the branch to impact on the working lives of its members and their communities.

Community activists planning for the future.

In the first planning session of its kind, Branch activists from across the sector representing childcare, housings, small community groups, large voluntary organisations and the Irish language sector met to plot a course for the branch over the coming weeks, months and indeed years.

This network of activists, each accomplished within and driven by the issues affecting their specific fields, will now act as a think tank in the background of the branch, helping to develop and deliver specific campaigns and strategies to increase both the service and the organising potential of the UNION within each division.

The day was facilitated by Marie Quiery, and was very well attended, with others equally interested in participating being unable to attend this time round. Sub groups tackled the micro and macro issues impacting upon the member, they’re workplace, they’re community and society as a whole to join the dots between the issues that affect us all.

Old members met with new to create a new energy and willingness to tackle the issues we all are soon to face, if not already enduring.

Funding constraints, terms and conditions inequalities, government policy, social and economic exclusion, workplace issues, community campaigns, councils, the Assembly, Westminster – all were discussed, links drawn between them, and naturally ideas were abound as to how we as a branch and a UNION can use our strength to face down the sectors detractors and better the lives of our members.

The day was concluded by agreeing that it should not be the last time we as members, dispersed over a massive sector with influence and agency punching far above its weight, come together. There was a feeling of urgency in the room in relation to some campaigns and the needs of members in individual workplaces.

As ever there was not enough time to address all of the issues we face as a Branch, as individual members and as community activists. However, there was a resolve to use our time, energy, collective experience and the punching power of UNISON as whole, to begin the fight back against unfair conditions in the workplace, cuts in services, attacks on community groups, social and economic exclusion, deprivation and marginalisation.

The UNISON community and voluntary branch activists forum has been established. It’s now time for it to make an impact...

If you wish to join the activists forum or contribute online to the debates contact Seán Brady UNISON organiser on 07595219591 – unisoncv@googlemail.com