Ballinora/ Ballincollig
Red Cross Branch
2014
Branch
Secretary’s Report
Agenda
- Chairperson’s Welcoming Address
- Apologies
- Minutes of Previous AGM
- Matters Arising
- Hon Secretary’s Report for 2013
- Matters Arising
- Hon Treasurer’s Report 2013
- Matters Arising
- Chairperson’s Address
- Election of Branch Officers And Committee
- Presentation of Certs.
- Election
·
Patrons
·
Chairperson
·
Vice-Chairperson
·
Secretary
·
Treasurer
·
PRO
·
Youth Officer
·
Emergency
Medical Officer
·
Community
Officer
·
Two Delegates
to Area Committee Meetings
·
Committee
Members
Introduction
Tá áthas mór orm
an Tuarascáil Bhliantúil seo do 2013 a chur ós bhur gcomhair inniu. Bhí
imeachtai na brainse go h-iontach arís i mbliana agus táimid thar a bheith
sásta le cúrsaí go h-áirithe an fhoireann
Shinsearach a chuaigh go dtí Wels san Ostair 2013 do na Comórtaisí Eorapacha.
Membership
In 2013 membership for the Ballinora /Ballincollig
Branch reached over 75 members. This number is an accumulation of 30 active
unit members, 29 community emergency care members,8 visitation/hand care &
8 youth members.
Throughout 2013,
our Senior Unit was active in providing first aid at various sporting and
entertainment events in the local area.
Total duties for 2013: 48
Total
Ambulance duties: 25
GAA
duties & Cul Camp:18
Equestrian
events: 9
Sports/Athletics
etc.: 6
Others
(processions, concerts etc.): 10
The branch would
like to extend its appreciation to all those who give up their time to go on
duty. Also, the branch would like extend its thanks to Denis Murphy and family
for housing the ambulance throughout the year.
The Ambulance passed its audit this year. A list of equipment in the
unit was sent to HQ for insurance purposes. Thanks to Eddie Fitzgerald and
Imelda O’Connor for all their help.
Courses
·
2 Intermediate courses were delivered to
unit members in 2013.
·
A Cardiac First Responder course &
two Cardiac First Responder Advanced courses were delivered to unit members.
·
A Practical First Aid course was
delivered in Bishopstown Community School.
·
A Practical First Aid course was delivered
in the Cadet Unit.
All
these courses were delivered by branch instructors. Thanks to all who delivered
assistance.
In-service Training & Seminars
Attended
Training for
Team Ireland continued, under the stewardship of Imelda O’Connor, in
preparation for the European Competition in June in Austria.
In addition to
local training, 2 boot-camps were attended by the team: 20 Apr in Skibbereen
hosted by West Cork Civil Defence and 27 Apr at the National Red Cross Senior
Team/ Presidents Trophy Competition in Athlone.
Some notable
dates and events include:
16 Feb ’13: 4 branch
members, Imelda O’Connor, Aileen Murphy, Geraldine Cronin and Eddie Fitzgerald
attended an EMT study day in Skibbereen . This was a joint initiative between
Red Cross and Civil Defence and organised by Jonathon Tyner (Bandon).
Apr ’13: Aileen
Murphy & Marie McSweeney were instructors on an EFR course in Bandon.
12 May ’13: Tom
Horwell, along with his wife Bernie, hosted a training session in Ballinora for
Team Ireland.
18 May ‘13:
Imelda O’Connor & Geraldine Cronin attended an EMT Study Day in Kilbehenny.
10 July ’13: 8
members attended an Ambulance Induction Training session in Ballinora,
delivered by Aileen Murphy.
17 July ‘13: 10
members attended an Unit Induction Training session in Ballinora, delivered by
Aileen Murphy
Nov ’13: Karen
O’ Sullivan successfully passed her EMT and also attended Geriatric Emergency
Medicine course on 9th Oct ’13, hosted by Cork City Red Cross.
Nov ’13: Aileen
Murphy and Imelda O’Connor instructed on EFR course in Bandon.
23 Nov ’13: EMT
Study Day in Clonakilty, attended by Imelda O’Connor, Geraldine Cronin &
Aileen Murphy
25 Nov ’13: EFR
Study Night in Bandon, attended by Mary Keogh & Cecily Lyons
In addition,
throughout the year Unit Training continues on Wed nights (7.30 -9.00pm),
co-ordinated and delivered across three groups by Imelda O’Connor and Aileen
Murphy.
Cadet
Section 2013
The members
of the Ballinora/Ballincollig cadet unit have had a very busy and productive
year. The cadet section currently has 8 members who train each Wed from 6 30 to
7 30. The children have worked hard learning practical first aid skills and
dealing with real life scenarios throughout the year. The children have also
trained and participated in area and national competitions in addition to attending
many national events and activity days. Eileen Kelleher, Amy Kelleher, Amy
Brennan and Gemma Dineen have now progressed to novice level and are now
undertaking the intermediate course.
Options
OPTIONS
is a structured awards programme for all Irish Red Cross Youth Members aged 5 -
25 years.
The youth
members have been working hard on completing modules of the Options Programme
over the last number of months and have focused on the
1.
Communication,
2.
Sports, Leisure and Health,
3.
Outdoor pursuits,
4.
Community service,
5.
International and Cultural Understanding and
6.
Disaster and First Aid Training
We have
now completed our work at Bronze level and hope to continue on to Silver in the
New Year. Our final Bronze session was celebrated with a cupcake event. Thank
you to Orla Murphy for organising this treat. We have submitted our work to
head office and are eagerly awaiting our bronze certificates.
Kitty Kelleher Experience
We hosted
our annual Kitty Kelleher First Aid Experience in Ballinora hall on the 6th
of April 2013. We had seven cadet members who took part in two teams and a
great learning experience was had by all.
National Youth Challenge April 2013
10
cadets attended the Youth Challenge in April 2013 (along with leaders Orla
Murphy and Karen O’ Sullivan) and enjoyed a day of meeting youths from other
branches and engaging in fun outdoor activities. The challenges comprised of
‘It’s a Knockout’ style games, including: Parachute Games; Toxic Waste; Buzzer
Games; ‘Skiddy Penalty shootout’, and a Grand Finale – where nobody managed to
escape with dry clothes! In addition to sporting challenges the day also
presented wonderful opportunities to make new friends and to develop teamwork
and strategic thinking skills. This year’s challenge also had an extra dance
and music experience where the youths were shown how to recreate the popular
‘Gangnam style’.
Anti- Bullying Sub
Group
The
Anti-Bullying Sub group was newly established this year. The group consists of
seven youth members including Ballinora/Ballincollig members Gemma Dineen, Amy
Kelleher and Eileen Kelleher. They came together in Merrion Square last May for
their first meeting chaired Karen O’ Rourke & Catriona Finn. In June, the group addressed the youth
leaders at a leadership weekend in Horse and Jockey represented by Eileen and
Amy Kelleher. The group had a second meeting in Merrion square designing t-shirts
posters and leaflets for the campaign. The group’s hard work was then showcased
by a soft launch at the bi-annual youth forum in November and the all-important
launch of the campaign in Mansion House in December. We are very proud of our
members’ involvement in this important campaign.
National Youth Camp August 2013
7 youth
members attended a Youth Camp in The University of Limerick in August 2013.
Gemma Dineen, Amy Kelleher, Eileen
Kelleher, Aisling O’Donovan, Laura Cahill, Aoife Fitton & Jessica O’Shea
enjoyed a fun-filled weekend of water activities, orienteering, land
activities, presentations and dancing. Gemma Dineen was nominated for the Croí
na n-óg award at the camp. Well done Gemma. Orla Murphy accompanied the camp
and participated and supported the children as a leader throughout the event.
Cadet Involvement in FACE 2013
The
cadet unit were very helpful and supported the senior team by acting as
patients during training sessions for the FACE in Austria. A big thanks to them all for their
time and kind words.
Cadet Competitions
Oct 2013 Dublin
We were truly delighted for both our team (Amy
Brennan, Leader, Aoife Fitton, Laura Cahill and Alice Farell)
and individual (Gemma
Dineen) who did the branch proud in representing the Cork area in the All-Ireland
competitions in Dublin in October. Well done to them on all their hard work. A
big thank you to all the patients, trainers and adjudicators who helped to
prepare the girls for this event.
Youth Forum Nov 2013
The
Youth Forum 2013 was held in Athlone Springs Hotel on Saturday 9th of November
2013. The theme of this years’ one day conference was: ‘An equal world through
young people’s eyes’. Nine young members
from the Ballinora/Ballincollig branch (Gemma Dineen, Eileen Kelleher, Aoife
Fitton, Laura Cahill, Sarah Kelleher, Jessica O Shea, Amy Kelleher, Alice
Farell and Leah Mc Garry) along with two leaders (Karen O'Sullivan and Jacqui Mc Garry) attended this
event and enjoyed a great day of activities. Youth members were supported and
encouraged in expressing their views and opinions at the Forum and the
highlight of the day was the opportunity to vote on the various motions. There
was a wide range of workshops and demonstrations on offer at the conference and
both leaders and young people had a fantastic opportunity to network, build
friendships and learn new things.
Looking forward to the next conference in 2015 already!
Area Mass of Remembrance Nov 2013
The Cork
area organized the annual Mass of Remembrance in the SMA Hall on November 29th
2013. Five cadet members (Eileen Kelleher, Sarah Kelleher, Leah Mc Garry,
Aisling O’ Donovan and Amy Kelleher) took part in the opening of the ceremony
by carrying candles to the altar and parents were also on hand to offer their
assistance with readings and bringing up offertory gifts. Well done to all
involved especially Marie Mc Sweeney on co-ordinating a lovely evening.
Cadet Day Out
The
Cadet Section experienced a very enjoyable day trip to Cork on Ice in December
2013 to celebrate a year of hard work and dedication to the branch. A great day
was had by all.
Many
thanks to all who have supported and helped with the cadets throughout the year
and a special word of thanks to Clair Dineen, Marie Mc Sweeney, Jacqui Mc
Garry, Eddie Fitzgerald, Betty Brosnan,
Eileen Sheehan, Mary Keogh, Claire Beasley and Karen O’Sullivan for their assistance on Wednesday
nights.
Cadet
Recruitment
Clair
Dineen, branch PRO, together with youth members, spearheaded a recruitment
campaign in Ballinora National School in Sept ’13 which resulted in new cadet
recruits.
Well
done to all.
Bantry’s
Youth group
Pat O’Connor (Cork Area Chairman) &
Geraldine Cronin (CSW Youth Working Group) attended the launch of a Red Cross
Youth group in Bantry. We wish the youth group every success.
Herzi Camp 2013
Geraldine
Cronin attended a youth camp in July in Finland representing Irish Red Cross
Youth. (Full report on Herzi Camp is attached)
International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Conference
Oct
’13; Orla Murphy. Youth Officer & member of Irish Red Cross International
Advisory Board gave a presentation at the ICRC Conference on Contemporary
Challenges in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. Her topic was titled ‘Internally
Displaced Persons & International Humanitarian Law. This year 2013 marks
the 150 yrs of Red Cross & development of international humanitarian law.
This presentation followed on from research she undertook as part of her MBS in
International Public Policy and Diplomacy, which she completed in UCC in 2013
and will be published in a forthcoming volume by ICRC.
Cross Border
International Humanitarian Law Residential Course
In October 2013 Orla Murphy assisted in
the delivery of a Cross Border International Humanitarian Law Residential Course which was
held in the Share Village, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. This course provided
young people from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland the opportunity to
learn about International Humanitarian Law and see how it is relevant in their
own communities, organised by the British and Irish Red Cross.
FACE
2013
Congratulations
to our Senior team who represented Ireland as “Team Ireland” at the First Aid
Convention of Europe (FACE) this year.
On Thursday 13th June the Senior team
representing Ireland (Team Ireland 1) of Aileen Murphy (leader) Mary Keogh, Sarah
Vaughan, Deirdre Brosnan, Geraldine & Orla Murphy, along with trainer
Imelda O’Connor, official photographer Cecily Lyons and adjudicator David
O’Sullivan (Mallow Branch), departed Cork airport for Wels, Austria.
A farewell party was organised by the Cork Area
Committee, with representatives from the Committee, Ballinora/Ballincollig
Branch and others from the South-West units, who met them at the airport (a
full report by leader Aileen Murphy is attached).
The competition was held on Saturday 15th
June, and the team achieved 4th place in FACE in Wels, Austria. This
wonderful feat surely is a reflexion of the superb skill level of all team
members, learned over the years of training & commitment in the branch, all
under the watchful, encouraging and dedicated trainer, Imelda O’Connor. This
was the second time our branch was in the European Competitions, the first time
the team achieved 1st place in Ghent in 2001. Three members of the
original team were also on the 2013 team. Together, these represent the
continuing high aspirations and standards within the whole branch.
The team expressed their sincere gratitude and
appreciation to their trainer Imelda O’Connor– without whom there would be no
team! As well a míle buíochas to all the unit and branch members who acted as
adjudicators, patients, agents for hiring patients and fed us throughout the
two years training for FACE 2013. It was a wonderful experience for the team
and would not have been possible without all of you.
In addition, others within the Red Cross who
provided great support to the team:
-
Cork Area Committee,
especially Former Secretary Ms Carly O’Donovan who arranged media coverage
(Evening Echo 15/6/13).
-
Mr Ger McAuliffe, for
his advice and recommendations on patient handling and supplies.
-
Mr Jonathan Tyner, for
his constant encouragement and advice to the “ducks”.
-
ADU, Mr John Joe Lyons,
RDU Mr Ted Noonan and Barry O’Donovan National Secretary.
Other organisations which provided invaluable
support:
-
Members of Ballinora
Venture Scouts, Camogie Club, ICA and GAA (Michael Twohig) who all acted as
patients over the past six months.
-
West Cork Civil Defence
who provided a training day in Skibereen in April.
-
Equipment sponsors: Mark
O’Sullivan (Irish EMS); Mark Fleming (Fleming Medical); Kieran Egan (Eirmed –
(Safety-Tec); Trevor Mulcahy (SP Services).
On the 26 Sept the
senior team visited Aras an Uachtaráin to be presented with the President’s
Trophy by President of Ireland, Micheal D. Higgins. This was in light of
winning All Ireland Senior Competition in 2011. The President gave an
encouraging & inspiring speech on the work of the Red Cross & commended
all volunteers. The speech also included the history of Trophy itself, which
was commissioned by past President Douglas Hyde.
On 23 Nov,
a Social event was held in the Rendezvous to acknowledge all those in the
branch and unit for their support in preparing for FACE. Members of the area:
Chairman Pat O Connor & Treasurer Jonathon Tyner, RDU
(Ted Noonan) & National Secretary (Barry O’Donovan) also attended. The team
were presented with a beautiful glass globe (from the Cork Area) & a framed
photo (from the Branch) from their visit to Aras an Uachtaráin. In addition,
the team presented trainer Imelda O’Connor with a token of their appreciation
Community Services Officers Report 2014
1)
Nursing
Home Visitation & Hand Care
The nursing home visitation group in Ballinora
continues to provide hand care to patients, and it is coordinated by Mary
Murphy. Feedback from staff and patients is always positive, and they
appreciate this valuable social service provided by our Red Cross members.
2) Skin Camouflage Report:
Skin Camouflage is the application of
special cover creams to improve the appearance of scarring and other
disfiguring conditions. Correctly applied, these creams are waterproof and may
be safely left for two days on the body and for 12-18 hours on the face. They
disguise conditions such as vitiligo, rosacea, lupus, birthmarks, thread veins
and much more. Clients are extremely pleased with the results of the service.
Monthly clinics are on-going at West
Gate Foundation Centre Ballincollig. Promotion of this service is most
important, and members of each Red Cross branch should be aware of same.
Brochures are handed out at Area Meetings, and full information is available on
the Red Cross web site.
The three voluntary programme managers
(Pam Binks Cork, Sheena O Callaghan Donegal, and Marie Mc Sweeney Cork) are in
regular contact with Head Office arranging clinics throughout the country. An
up-skilling day was held on September 29thin
the Hilton Hotel Dublin. This offered an opportunity for skin camouflage
practitioners to gain further training to ensure a high standard of care and
professionalism in the provision of the service. In total 9 clients were
treated at this clinic. Further practitioners may be trained for Galway/
Roscommon and Dublin in 2014.
A client must have a Doctor’s referral
letter to attend a clinic. Sixteen clients were treated at our Cork clinic for
2013. Thanks to Westgate Foundation Centre for use of their premises.
3)
Ballinora Emergency Care initiative
Monthly training of members continues
and starting January 2014 we plan to change the training rota to facilitate all
trained people. Two options are available – Tuesday or Thursday nights on
alternate months.
Membership list has been updated, and
all have been Garda vetted.
We have 29 Community AED members plus 10
members from our branch. Some members were up-skilled during the year. Members
living near the 6 AED boxes in the parish are taking responsibility for
checking same regularly and a record is kept.
4)
Remembrance Mass
Members attended an Area Mass of
Remembrance on Friday November 29th in SMA Church Wilton. The St
James’s Church Choir with many Red Cross members performed at the Mass under
the direction of Cecily Lyons. Thanks to all for making this a very special
event to many people.
5
Community Based Health &
First Aid Prison Programme
As Cork Area Community Officer, Marie Mc
Sweeney attended a presentation of projects and certificates in Cork Prison on
June 19th2013. Projects were undertaken by the Irish Red Cross
Volunteer Inmates, and the programme is a unique approach to raising community
health and hygiene awareness and first aid in prison communities through peer
to peer education. (Ireland was the first country in the world to introduce the
Community Based Health and First Aid in Action programme through special status
Irish Red Cross Volunteer Inmates in a prison setting).
Marie Mc Sweeney (Community Services Officer)
Area
& National Appointments
1)
Imelda O’Connor was appointed Deputy
Area Director Of Units
2)
Imelda O’Connor is a member the National
Working for Integration of Cadets & Youths
3)
Pat O’Connor was appointed Cork Area
Chairperson.
4)
Pat O’Connor is also the Cork
Representative on the Commercial Training
Forum
5)
Marie McSweeney was appointed as Area
Community Services Officer & is also a representative on National Services
Working Group.
6)
Geraldine Cronin was appointed Cork Area
Secretary.
7)
Geraldine Cronin continues to be a
member of the National Youth Working Group.
8)
Orla Murphy continues in her role as
National Youth Representative Red Cross International Advisory Group.
Branch
Media
Thanks to our PRO Clair Dineen and Youth
Officer Orla Murphy for setting our Blog page which is
ballinoraballincolligredcrossblogspot.ie.
Clair Dineen, in conjunction with the
Unit Officers, supplies details of all the branch activities along with photos
to the Bishopstown & Ballincollig News, our local monthly publications. Thanks
to all contributors.
Fundraising
Income from courses and duties has proved very
beneficial to the branch.
Throughout 2013 church gate collections
also continue to be a good source of fundraising. This would not be possible
without the hard work of our chairperson Mary Murphy who organized permits and
schedules. Thanks to all volunteers who collected in all kinds of weather.
Members of the branch helped with the
collection for Cork Area Disaster Fund and Ballinora Emergency Care Initiative at
Ballincollig Vintage Rally in July ’13.
Ballinora
GAA
The branch would
like to thank Ballinora GAA for use of their premises for storage and training.
The branch provided the GAA with first aid cover for over 20 duties at matches
and at Cul Camp.
Charity Donation
The branch donated €500 to the Haiyon Typhoon
Appeal (Philippines) which was nominated as our charity for 2013. Members of
the branch attended the Tesco collection for the same appeal on 1st
Dec in Wilton, which was part of the national fundraising activities for the
appeal.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Deirdre Brosnan and Brian Moloney
who tied the knot in The Algarve in Aug ’13.
Best wishes also to Anthony McSweeney son of member Marie McSweeney and Jessie who
got married in New York in June.
Congratulations to Gavin Keogh son of Mary Keogh who got
married during the year.
Looking forward to the wedding bells of Aileen
Murphy and Shane Barry on 13 June 2014.
Ballinora Environment Project
The branch donated €120 to Ballinora
Environment group, a project undertaken by The Ballinora Community Association in
association with SECAD to help purchase plants, flowers & equipment with an
aim to enhance our local environment,
Bereavements
Votes
of sympathy were passed to our members who lost loved ones during the year
1) Desmond
O’Loughlin, grandfather of Cormac O’Shea.
2) Mrs O
Riordan, grandmother of Katie O’Riordan.
3) John
Sheahan, brother of Imelda O’Connor.
4) Eileen
Kendal, sister of Pat O’Connor.
5) Ita
Keogh ,mother in-law of Mary Keogh
6) Eileen
Harrington, aunt of Geraldine Cronin
Conclusion
May I
take this opportunity to thank my fellow officers on the committee who worked
hard behind the scenes to make 2013 a very successful year.
Thanks
to Senior Unit Officer (Aileen Murphy), Cadet Unit Officer (Geraldine Cronin)
& Community Services Officer (Maire McSweeney) for their comprehensive
reports.
I
would like to congratulate branch members who have advanced to positions at
Area & National level & wish them the best of luck in their new roles.
It’s
extremely encouraging to see such a wide range of activities being done with and
by the youth of the branch (as witnessed from cadet report), learning valuable
skills that extend beyond the realms of first aid and delving into the wider
community thus enriching & touching the lives of many.
On
behalf of the outgoing committee I would like to wish all our members and
guests a happy, safe and healthy 2014.
Betty
Brosnan (Hon Branch Sec)
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