About Us

Who we are

Cavan Community Forum is a network made up of approximately  400 community organisations in the County. It is managed by  30 community representatives from the member organisations from the 4 electoral areas  (Cavan, Ballyjamesduff, Bailieborough & Belturbet who are elected on an annual basis.  (See County Forum list below).

If you would like to register as a member of the Forum fill in the registration form below.

Current Community Forum Officers 2010

Chair: Stephen Shannon (Belturbet)

Vice Chair: Bob Gilbert (Cavan)

Secretary: Olive Hannigan (Cavan)

Asst Secretary:  Nellie Smith (Bailieboro)

Treasurer; Declan Fitzpatrick (belturbet)

Asst Treasurer: Madeleine Ui Mhealoid (Ballyjamesduff)                   

PRO: Jackie McKenna (Bailieboro)

What we do

Forum meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis. At the Annual General Meeting, representatives are elected onto a range of county wide policy making bodies such as the:

• County Development Board
• Breffini Integrated
• Council Strategic Policy Committees
• County Childcare Committee
• Regional Drugs Taskforce
• County Council led Task Force
• Social Inclusion Working Group
• Regional Community Fora
• National Community Fora
• Peace 3 Partnership
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• Cavan Area Rural Transport
• Sports Partnership
• Heritage Council

 

Benefits of Joining the Cavan Community Forum.

 

All Forum members are eligible to apply for a community grant (up to 800).

 

All Forum members receive 6 editions of Forum News which highlights and promotes the work of the Forum and the activities of its members

 

All Forum members with email addresses receive and can put information into the monthly email digest of news, Cavan Community Exchange

 

All Forum members can have free websites on the Cavan Community Forum website www.cavancommunity.ie

 

All Forum members vote as an organisation to elect members on the countywide steering group: Cavan Community Forum.

 

All members can participate in training courses and workshops organised by Cavan Community Forum

 

All members can engage in the wide variety of activities organised by Cavan Community Forum

 

All members are a recognised member of the network of community organisations in Cavan and may be consulted and involved in county wide work plans and initiatives that may take place.

 

Key Issues/Community Forum Workplan 2009

The proposed work plan for the next year of the Cavan Community and Voluntary Forum has been developed on the basis of the discussions at the four electoral area forums, a listening survey carried out by members and local experience.

Information and Communication

To publish a bi-monthly newsletter, a regular newspaper column and effective community email list to enable positive sharing of information and promotion of the work of the Forum and the good practice within the community sector.

To further develop and promote the Cavan Community Forum website and support local groups to develop web pages on the site.

We are establishing an on-line forum that will discuss key issues in Cavan. Make sure you let us know what you think.

 

Sustaining Cavan Initiative

See link on home page

Participation and Volunteering

To continue thecounty wide development network by community workers to support and encourage information sharing, participation and volunteering across the county.

Community Road Show - community organisations exhibit and show off their work

Training - To establish and support a training programme and mentoring supports. We are involved in a leadership training programme funded by IFI

 

Work to Date

To date the Community Forum has been involved in a number of initiatives:

• An audit of community groups and their needs in Cavan
• A survey of non Irish national residents living in Cavan
• The development of Cavan community website
• The production of bi-monthly newsletters
• A monthly email bulletin
• Festival Workshops
• Peace  Workshops
• 2 x Community Show
• Schools organic go and grow programme
• training and mentoring programmes
• Funding handbook
• Publication of statistical research - Puting us all on an equal footing
• A walks brochure of Cavan Walks
• A CD of Cavan stories by local people
• 10 days of mental health activity
• Active representation on county wide bodies
• Sharing Power Conference
• County Wide Produce Show
• Community Cook Book
• Community Gardens
• Cavan Energy Team
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