GCCN Winter Plenary – December 2023

Date: Wednesday, 6 December

Time: from 6.30pm to 9pm

Venue: Menlo Park Hotel

Full-members Meeting. All members welcome!

Invitation to the GCCN Winter Plenary 2023 on December 6 from 6.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel. All members Welcome. The image includes GCCN members attending a previous Plenary.

We are delighted to share with you the wonderful success of our Winter Plenary and Christmas Social held yesterday evening.

It was a truly vibrant and well-attended event that brought our community together in the spirit of celebration and collaboration.

The meeting opened with the beautiful melodies of the Sonke Community Choir which provided a heart-warming start to our gathering, infusing the atmosphere with warmth and joy.

Sonke Community Choir - GCCN Community Celebrations December 2023

Throughout the evening, all attendees engaged in insightful discussions and building connections.

We shared ideas and hopes for the work GCCN can do in the new year and the focus was placed on 2024 being a crucial year due to the local elections taking place then. The energy and participation from all members were truly remarkable.

On this occasion we also welcomed our newest GCCN representative on the Local Community Development Committee, Charlotte May member of Galway Centre for Independent Living.

GCCN Plenary - GCCN Community Celebrations December 2023

The community then came together in GCCN’s call to action in support of the #ScrapTheGreenPaper Campaign requesting for the Green Paper on Disability Reforms to be scraped because it does not align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCPRD).

We encouraged all our members to raise awareness of this campaign and to make a submission on the Green Paper on Disability Reforms Public Consultation before the extended deadline on 15 March 2024.

And as the meeting drew to a close, the event ended on a high note with the joyful sounds of a DJ, mince pies and Christmas drinks and lovely chatter and fun.

GCCN's call to action in support of the #ScrapTheGreenPaper Campaign

Community Celebrations

A big shout to all our GCCN members for their hard work in making Galway a better place for our communities.
Below please find a few snapshots of some of our member’s achievements in 2023. Enjoy!

Galway Special Olympics Kayak Club - Promotes inclusion and empowerment for adults with intellectual disability enabling them to maximise their potential in the sport of kayaking. • GSOKC’s biggest achievement: coaching athletes to a Special Olympics World standard. • In June 2023 GSOKC was represented at Special Olympics World by Michelle O’Keane and Liam Hynes who together won 3 medals; Liam gold in men’s 500 metres and Michelle silver in both the ladies 200m and 500m.
Friends of Merlin Woods Community and climate action in 2023.
Abortion Access Campaign West - In 2023, AAC West held events in memory of the women of the Magdalene Laundries and Galway playwright Patricia Burke Brogan - whose play 'Eclipsed' exposed the inhumane treatment of women in the Laundries. in a remembrance of the deceased women once incarcerated in Galway's Magdalene Laundry, locals laid flowers on graves at Bohermore Cemetery, reigniting annual visits for justice and recognition denied in their lifetimes. Abortion Access Campaign West Abortion Access Campaign West (AACW) is a nonpartisan, non-affiliated women’s collective based in Galway, set up to lobby government on legislation and ensure that abortion access is widely available in the West of Ireland.
Westside Community Organic Garden - An initiative of Galway City Partnership - The team doing spring preparations in the garden.
Galway Traveller Movement - Celebrating the rich tapestry of Traveller culture, identity and heritage in Ireland during Traveller Pride in July 2023.
Galway Cycling Campaign - Advocating for safe cycling in Galway City.
United Women Galway - Three members of United Women Galway and GCCN staff, Rebecca Jackson, meeting Minister Joe O’Brien at the launch of the IHREC ‘Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making’ in February 2023.
Galway Communities Against Racism and Discrimination - In May 2023, a number of organisations in Galway have come together to promote inclusion in our wider communities and oppose racism and discrimination in all its forms. GCARD includes Galway Traveller Movement, Galway City Partnership, GCCN, Galway Council of Trade Unions and groups such as Galway AntiRacism Network, Amach! LGBTI+ Galway, University of Sanctuary and Engage/Community Knowledge Initiative UOG

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the 2023 Winter Plenary and contributed to the success of this event.

And a big thank you to all our member groups and organisations for your ongoing support and participation.

Wishing you and all our members a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful connections.

Meeting Agenda

Please arrive from 6.10pm to sign in and enjoy Sonke Galway Multicultural Community Choir’s songs and a cup of tea/coffee before a sharp start at 6.30pm.

Part I – GCCN Plenary

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Minutes & Matters Arising
  • GCCN Elections
  • Community Discussions – GCCN Representatives’ Updates
  • GCCN Policies and Positions
  • GCCN Work Update
  • AOB

Part II – Community Discussions

  • What impact can GCCN have on local elections 2024?
  • What would you like to see GCCN doing in 2024?
  • Part III – Christmas Social
  • Community Celebrations
  • Mince Pies and Drinks

Download the Agenda HERE.

Meeting Documentation

The meeting documentation is available for download here:

  • Autumn Plenary Minutes – September 2023 – read here
  • GCCN Policies and Positions – read here

This document will be taken as read at the Plenary meeting and then approved.

Please read this document and send in any comments or questions to Oana at communications@gccn.ie before Monday 4 December.

As a member of the GCCN, your voice matters, and your presence at the Winter Plenary is invaluable. We look forward to seeing you on December 6th.

The Plenary meetings are open to GCCN members only, unless non-members are explicitly invited.

For this social event there is no limit on how many members of your group can attend. Coffee/tea and finger food will be served on the evening, so please let us know of any allergies/intolerance you might have, by emailing Oana at communications@gccn.ie

Contact

Galway City Community Network
Westside Community Resource Centre,
Seamus Quirke Road, Galway,

Email: info@galwaycitycommunitynetwork.ie

Social

Quicklinks

Our Funders

GCCN is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Galway City Council.

RCN: 20205749 | CRN:580827 | CHY22774

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