We are pleased to pass on the enclosed information received from Mary Coughlan, Minister of State, at the Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.

Mary Coughlan welcomes the increase of the remote areas grant by 50%.

Ms. Mary Coughlan, T. D., Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has welcomed the increase of 50% to the remote areas grant which was allocated by the Minister for Education and Science, Dr. Michael Woods, T.D.

From September next, the maximum level of the Remote Areas Grant Payable will be increased by £1,000 from £2,000 to £3,000 benefiting some 100 second level island students and students living in remote areas.  The purpose of the scheme is to give pupils who are educationally disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as other pupils. The grant assistance is available on a national basis but is mainly availed of by pupils on the islands.

Minister Coughlan stated that this was a welcome development for the islands and for those remote areas and said that it was a further indication of the Government's commitment to tackle educational disadvantage by financially aiding school-going students from the islands.

12th July, 2001.

LEGEND

Join the Off The Ground Theatre for four days of workshops on Sherkin Island, culminating in an original, outdoor performance.

This Unique opportunity is available to anyone between the ages of 5 and 18 and costs only £15.  The workshops will take place on 20th - 23rd August with a performance on the afternoon of 23rd.  So join up now and become part of the LEGEND!

Phone the community hall to register, leaving your name and age. Numbers limited.  Please bring a packed lunch and wet weather gear as most activities will be outdoors. 

Meet at The Islander's Rest at 11 am on Monday, Aug. 20th.

Ferry ex: Baltimore            10.30am

Ferry ex. Sherkin             05.00pm

A member of the drama group will accompany children on the ferry and the ferry fares for participating children/teen-agers will be paid by Sherkin Island Development Society Ltd.

This project is part funded by the Arts Office of Cork County Council.

RE: NEW LEADER PROGRAMME

Comhdáil Oileáin na hÉireann has secured approval to deliver the new LEADER Area Based National Rural Development Programme.  We have been allocated a budget of £1,453,055 (We applied for a budget of £2,450,000)  We will not have the LEADER + programme as no group secured both.

Minister O Cuív has granted an additional £30,000 over the period of the programme to help with expenses for travel and meetings.

The operational rules for the programme have not yet been finalised and we therefore have no further information as to the sectors of the rates of grant aid available.  The cap of 15% on administrative costs will need to be looked at if we are to be in a position to deliver the programme effectively.

Bantry Integrated Development Group in association with the VEC and Cork Institute of Technology is promoting a new national certificate in Humanities.  This course is specifically aimed at those who have relevant experience in working within the community/voluntary sector.

The course if of two years duration and is free of charge.  Mature students i.e. those over 23 years of age may qualify for a higher education maintenance grant, this is subject to a means test.

Funding is being sought to assist with travel and childcare  expenses.

The course requires participants to travel to Cork Institute of Technology for only six hours for work and the remainder of the time is divided between placement work and tutorials.

If anybody is interested in this course please contact the community hall for further information or contact Vincent Ahern in the Sutherland Centre in Skibbereen at 028-21537.

THE COURSE

YEAR 1

Material covered includes:-

Career Development, Portfolio, and study skills

·         Documenting prior learning for accreditation via portfolio

·         Defining career path

·         Study Skills

Information and Communication Technology

·         Word processing/spreadsheets

·         Preparation of reports & presentations

·         The Internet & e-mail

Introduction to Adult and Community Education

1.       The difference between adult and community education

2.       Principles of education

3.       Community Education as a tool for change

Social Analysis and Social Structure

·         Social division and inequality

·         Marginalised groups

·         Challenging the social structure

Inter and Intra Personal Awareness

·         Personal life skills evaluation

·         Personal practise ideology

·         Planning a personal development course for a community group.

Group Work and Facilitation Skills

·         Theory and practice of group work

·         Facilitation skills

YEAR 2

Material covered will include:

Community Education and Development - Theory and Practice

·         Philosophy, principles and theories of community development

·         Difference between community education and community development

·         The rôle of the community worker.

Class, Race and Culture

·         History, structure and consequences of class and race

·         A class analysis of own community

·         Imparting an understanding of class or race to own community.

Gender

·         History and principles of feminism

·         Roots, manifestations of women's oppression

·         Equal opportunity legislation

·         Planning a short gender awareness course for a community group

Social Policy/Admin, Social Economy

·         Policy development  within Irish culture

·         The constitution, government, party politics.

·         E.U.

·         How communities can impact social policy.  

Project Management

·         Basic Principles of management and teamwork

·         Statutory framework and legal obligations

·         Basic accounting and budgeting

Applied Research Project

·         Different Research methods/approaches

·         Action Research and Social Change

·         Applied Research Project

EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL FOR GRADUATES

It is envisaged that Certificate holders will be qualified to seek employment in any of the following areas:

Development workers within a Community Education Project.

Development worker within a Community Resource Centre

Worker within a Community Development Project (CDP)

Summer Project Organiser

Co-facilitator in group work

Skilled worker in Adult Literacy, women's health and women's development projects.

It is envisaged that Degree holders will be qualified to seek employment in the following areas:

Co-ordinator of a Community Education Project

Co-ordinator of a resource Centre

Co-ordinator of a Community Development Project.

Group Facilitator

Management for a FAS Community Employment Project

VTOS Co-ordinator

Manager of a Community Workshop.

For any more information on the above contact Dolly or Breda at the Community Hall @ 028-20336.

Sherkin Island Rowing Club.

It hasn’t been the easiest of years for rowing, but it has been made easier with the help of everyone.  I would like to thank Niall Hurley for his great efforts in training us.  Martin O Driscoll for his shed and his patience with me for borrowing his car.  To Mark and Maureen O’ Neill for their continuous help.  To the Jolly Roger and The Islander’s Rest for their support of the raffle.  To all the members of the club for their continuous patience.  Also, this year, Sherkin Island Rowing Club will be holding what will hopefully become an annual event, a Dinner Dance at The Islander’s Rest.

Tickets are £15 per head.  The evening will consist of a main meal and dessert which will be followed by music and dancing.   Tickets can be booked through Maureen O’Neill at the Post Office: 028-20181.

Seats are limited so please book early.  We hope this event will be well supported.

Again, thanks to everybody who has helped and supported us over the last season.

Gary Martin.

Sherkin Island Regatta did indeed go ahead this year. It was held on Sunday, July 29th and the crowds were larger than ever.  The weather was beautiful, in keeping with tradition, and a great day and even better night was had by all, or almost all.  Here is a breakdown of the figures:

£-in-jar                            £270

Pick'n'win                        £269

Food Stall on Pier             £462

Face Painting                     £52

Kid's Field Food stall          £100

Drawing competition          £18

Splat the Rat                     £35

Sponge Throwing              £62

Lucky Dip                        £50

Total                            £1,331

There is also a list of donations which will be printed in next month's Headline.  Many thanks to all those who organised this year's regatta and to those who helped make it so successful.  Thanks to Lorcan O Connor, Treasurer, SIDS Ltd for these figures.

Dolly O Reilly.

The following extracts are from a copy of a letter which I received from Nuala Norris on June 29th, 2001 for  publication in Headline. The letter is addressed to the Honorary Secretary of Sherkin Island Development Society Ltd, dated June 24th, 2001, requesting the Management Committee of SIDS Ltd, to invite a representative of the Irish Cooperative Organisation Society Ltd., to attend a Special General Meeting, to address the following issues:

1.       The Rights of ordinary members of sub-committee and working groups, under SIDS Rules.

2.       The specific treatment of a member recently "suspended" from a working group apparently operating outside the Society's Rules and with the approval of the outgoing and present Management Committees.

3.       The proper calling and conduct of meetings.

4.       The difference between a public meeting and a Special General Meeting of the Society.  How members are safeguarded at a Special General Meeting.

5.       The role and function of a secretary and the legal importance of proper minute-keeping.

The resignation and replacement of officers of the Committee.  Procedures.  The recording of such events; the meaning of the word "quorum".

Correspondence - How to deal with, file and preserve copies of letters.  The fact that every note, letter, report and invoice sent to the Society is the legal business of the secretary.

The role and function of the Development Officer and staff. 

An examination of the statement (yours of 18.6.01) that "all who volunteered were accepted", in relation to the formation of an Art and Cultural Centre Committee. 

An examination of the meaning of the words "advisory role", as they relate to the Art and Cultural Centre committee.

Testimony from former members of last year's committee and committees of other years regarding their educational experiences in the Hall.

Yours faithfully,

Nuala Norris.

On Saturday August 18th, a composting bin sale was held in Skibbereen.  If there are any remaining bins and people wish to buy them, go to the Courthouse in Skibbereen or executive engineers office, Cork road, pay the amount, get a chit and pick up the bin at the County Council storage depot.

ISLAND POETRY COMPETITION DETAILS

ENTRIES of original poems on any theme will be welcomed from islanders or persons who have been living on an island for a period of not less than six months.  Work must not have been previously published and a copy should be kept by the author.

Entries may in Irish or English.  The competition is only open to islands off the coast of Ireland.  One poem in each language is the maximum allowed for submission. Entries must be submitted to the following address:

Olwen Gill, 
Comortas Filiocht Oilean,
Cill Ronain, 
Inis Mor, 
Arainn, 
Co. Gaillimhe.

Entries must be received no later than October 15th and will be passed on with an identity number only, for adjudication to poet Mary O' Malley.  Winners will be published in the following edition of Saol na nOileán.  Judges decision is final.

So islanders, take this chance at being heard and start writing!

This Newsletter was compiled and edited by Dolly O' Reilly.

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