Please find attached ITM weekly update 30th April 2009.

1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: ITM AGM & AFFILIATION
2. Collective Space for ITM coordinators
3. ITM Discussion to develop a collective analysis on Conflict 28th May
4. Partnership and Supporting Meaningful Traveller Participation within the Irish Traveller Movement
5. Training for Traveller Representatives on LTACCs in May 2009
6. ITM Collecting Information on Local Traveller Accommodation Programmes
7. The experience of multiple discrimination for Travellers with disabilities
8.   ITM Upcoming dates: ITM AGM, South East Regional meeting, Southern Regional Network meeting, Mid West Regional Meeting, North West Regional meeting; Dublin/ NE Regional meeting; ITM Accommodation Working Group, ITM Youth Working Group; ITM Education Working Group
9.  Minceirs Whiden Press Conference May 11th
10. Yellow Flag Debating Event - 11th May 2008 & Quiz May 20th 
11. ITM Youth Group Event ?The Way Forward for Young Travellers? ? 16th May and pre-event Planning Meeting Tuesday 7th April
12. Conference on 'Changing Schools, Travellers, Nomadic & Migrant Education, Trinity College Dublin Mon 11th 2-5) & Tues 12th May (9.30-12.30pm), Trininty College Dublin.
13. Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project invites applications for position of Coordinator
14. Tullamore Travellers Movement Position Available
15. Waterford Traveller Community Development Project Ltd Job Opportunity
16. Fingal Travellers Organisation (Northeast) Ltd Job Opportunity
17. Community Work in Challenging times: Maintaining Quality Principles & Standards
18. ITM newsletter
19.  Use the ITM Email update to get your message across!

 
1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: ITM AGM & AFFILIATION
The ITM AGM for 2009 will take place on June 15th and 16th in the SAS Radison in Athlone.

Please find attached registration forms, Central Group nomination forms and forms for proposing motions at the AGM. The fee for attending is ?50 per person and places will be limited to 6 per group. Groups and individuals who wish to attend this year must have affiliated to the ITM by the end of April.

Membership development workers will be in touch with all members about the AGM in terms of motions, nominations and getting involved in the AGM- which is the key gathering of the membership during the year.

If groups would like additional information on the role of the AGM, how to nominate a representative onto the Central Group or the purpose of motions, the Membership Development Workers can be contacted to be involved in discussions in order to support membership engagement at the AGM.

The agenda will follow shortly.
2. Collective Space for ITM coordinators-

The ITM is seeking the development of a peer support programme that would be designed to promote and support a culture of learning among coordinators of Traveller organisations.

The structure would look to ascertain the experiences of coordinators of member organisations to see what experience can be shared among people with longstanding commitment and experience within the Movement.

In a safe collective space, it would engage coordinators from member organisations to see what meaningful supports could be identified to strengthen the capacity of coordinators within the Movement (and hence strengthen the capacity of the Movement itself) in various areas. It would also provide a forum for discussion on the specific issues that coordinators face in a very pressurised environment.

How can the Movement facilitate a discussion on how coordinators, with various levels of experience, can come together as peers within the Movement, to collectively share these experiences, analyse the key issues facing coordinators.

The ultimate aim of this space would be to collectively develop practical guidelines and measures for coordinators within ITM, with identified supports and greater links between coordinators locally, regionally and nationally so that learning is shared and that with further supports the Movement continues to grow and become stronger.

If coordinators of Traveller organisations are interested, please contact Damien Walshe on dwalsheitm@gmail.com or phone 01-6796577 to look to bring people together in the near future.

3. ITM Discussion to develop a collective analysis on Conflict 28th May

ITM invites members interested in developing ITM's response to conflict to a strategy seminar on 28th May.  The ITM has been working internally with staff and Central Group on how the Movement can manage conflict and we are inviting members to develop this strategy.  Four key themes are emerging,

1. Identity - Building a strong identity
2. Addressing conflict - Building the capabilities within the community to solve differences through non violence.
3. Relationship with the settled community - working together and developing spaces for dialogue
4. Media and portrayal of Travellers - creating positive stories about Travellers

Members are invited to discuss these themes and prioritise which ones, if any, ITM can progress.  This will inform our work for the coming year.

If you are interested in attending the meeting in the Carmelite Centre, Aungier St, Dublin from 10.30-2pm, please let Damien Walshe know on dwalsheitm@gmail.com or 087-2858485 in order to book for lunch etc.

4. Partnership and Supporting Meaningful Traveller Participation within the Irish Traveller Movement- discussion on Friday 8th May.

The 2nd Partnership & Participation meeting took place on Friday 17th April and will meet again on Friday 8th May to finalise the draft prior to the AGM.  Any member willing to join the task group can contact Rose Marie Maughan or Damien Peelo.

If you are interested in attending the next task group meeting (Friday 8th May 11.30-1.30 in the ITM offices), or in contributing to the document contact Rose Marie Maughan on rosenorthwestitm@gmail.com or Damien Peelo on dpeeloitm@gmail.com

5. Training for Traveller Representatives on LTACCs in May 2009 

All local authorities have to adopt their Traveller Accommodation Plan (TAPs) by the end of April. After the adoption of the TAPs there will be a new term of office for members of the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees.  It is at this stage that Travellers and local Traveller organisations consider their nominations for the process of selection of Traveller representatives.  

Under the guidelines for the operation of LTACCs it states:  ?It is important that Traveller representatives on the LTACC are in a position to adequately represent the overall Traveller population in the local authority area.?

With this in mind ITM will run four separate training days for Traveller representatives on LTACCS.  If there are any issues that you would like addressed on this training please contact Colette Spears or Biddy Connors on itmaccommodation@gmail.com or at 01 6799 6577

The dates and locations are (exact venues TBC)

Carlow 13th May
Sligo 19th May
Dublin 27th May
Cork 3rd June

Please find attached the booking forms for LTACC training. Please fill in for the date you wish to attend with required dietary requirements (if any) and return to Colette Spears/Biddy Connors at itmaccommodation@gmail.com or ITM, 4/5 Eustace Street, Dublin 2.

6. ITM Collecting Information on Local Traveller Accommodation Programmes

The ITM is calling on members to notify the accommodation team if there are any concerns around the Traveller Accommodation Programmes; such as indigenous clauses, quota systems, policy statements that need to be logged and challenged etc. If ITM members have relevant information regarding the TAPs please contact Biddy Connors or Colette Spears on 01-6796577 or email itmaccommodation@gmail.com

7. The experience of multiple discrimination for Travellers with disabilities?

Below is a letter from Rosaleen McDonagh to all ITM Members in relation to ethnicity and disability. Please circulate as widely as possible.

Ethnicity and Disability

Dear Members, Colleagues & Friends,

The Irish Traveller Movement with The Equality Authority wants to explore the experiences of Travellers with multiple identities.

We would like to invite you to an open session where we could explore the issues for Travellers with a disability.

This invitation is for:

• Travellers with a disability,
• Traveller parents/siblings of children with disabilities & vulnerable adults.
• Traveller representatives from Traveller groups.
• Representatives from disability organisations and service providers.
• Representatives from local family resource centres.

This session is not restricted to particular people with specific impairments or conditions.

Everybody is welcome.

Expected Outcomes:

• Raise awareness of the concept of multiple discrimination among the Traveller Community.
• Explore the experiences of multiple discrimination among the Traveller Community in relation to membership of the Traveller Community in relation to membership of the same and Disability (focus on mental health issues, older Travellers, etc)
• Collect case studies and document Travellers? experiences for further events/tools for service provider/training session.
• Raise awareness among service providers of barriers in access to services for Travellers with disabilities.
• Possible design of a training tool to be used by Travellers.

 

Main Events:
 

• The meeting will attempt to document Travellers? experiences of multiple discrimination in relation to disability and collect case studies to influence service providers.
• Meeting of Travellers? organisations to present document and possibly some disability organisations) to try and present the case for culturally appropriate services for Travellers? with disabilities.
• Training session or information session with a range of service providers from relevant areas/communities.

 
For example Travellers who are disabled have a particular experience within the community but also have an experience while dealing with service providers. Often Travellers with a disability are forced into hiding or denying their Traveller identity in order to access services relating to their disability.  

If you are interested in attending a meeting or know of some body who might be please let Damien Peelo know by contacting him on 01 6796577 or by email dpeeloitm@gmail.com

The meeting will be held in Dublin on Monday 25th May.

8. ITM Upcoming dates for your Diary!

The Date for the ITM AGM has been set. It will take place on Monday 15th and 16th June in the SAS Radison, Athlone. Speakers, agenda etc. to follow in due course.

Only registered members of the ITM will be able to attend the AGM. Membership Workers will be contacting groups in due course in relation to the AGM and supporting members? involvement.

ITM Mid-Western Regional Network (Limerick City & Limerick County, North Tipperary and Co. Clare) met this Tuesday 28th in the space provided by Ennis CDP and the Primary Health Care Programme. The next date is 26th May again in the Ennis PHC office.

ITM NORTHWEST REGIONAL NETWORK UPDATE:

The ITM  Northwest Regional Network met  in Sligo  April 21st to plan our regional promotion of our Ethnicity Campaign. The following has been decided as actions to be rolled out by the region during the week of 25th -29th May: 

• Organise and host focus group/seminar in your area to create awareness and seek support  amongst all  local community and voluntary groups
• Local press release promoting the campaign- same press release(draft to follow shortly)
• local radio interiews
• outreach to Travellers through phc and staff of your group
• Develop a chain email petition
• Lobby candidates for election to include recoginition of Traveller ethnicity in their manifesto.

We also decided to meet 15th May at 11am-1pm  to discuss these actions further. Venue Northside CDP, Sligo.

For more details contact Rose Marie Maughan, Membership Development Worker for the NW Region on rosenorthwestitm@gmail.com or 087-623 9792.

ITM Northwest Regional Network are presently encouraging Travellers in the region to register to vote if not registered to date. Below is how Travellers can register to vote now.

Vote http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/government-in-ireland/elections-and-referenda/voting/registering-to-vote

If your name is not on the Register of Electors when it comes into effect in February, you may still make a "late" application to be included in a supplement to the Register. You can make this application at any time, but in order to be included in the supplement used at an election, your application must be received by your local authority at least 15 working days before polling day.

If you are applying for inclusion on the supplement as a result of changing address you can use form RFA3 (pdf). This will also remove you from the register for your previous address.

Dublin/NE Regional Network Meeting: Thursday June 4th, 10.30am-1.30pm, TRAVACT, Coolock

A draft agenda and notes from the meeting on April 23rd in relation to strategic planning will be sent in due course. The next meeting will return to collective analysis on Interagency Committees and experience of groups in the East/ North East.

More details to follow to ITM members in Meath, Monaghan, Louth, Cavan and Dublin. For more information please contact dwalsheitm@gmail.com

The ITM Mid West Regional Meeting (Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary) will take place on Tuesday 28th April at 10.30am in the offices of Ennis CDP. Please contact Brigid Quilligan on 0876111034 brigidquilligan@gmail.com for information

The next ITM Education Working Group Meeting is on the 7th May @ 11am in Tallaght Travellers CDP.

For more details, contact Paula Madden on 01-67965777 or mobile 087-2410258 or educationitm@gmail.com

South East Regional Network Meeting: May 26th Kilkenny

Including ITM members from Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Offaly, Kildare. Agenda and venue to be forwarded in the near future. For more details, contact Thomas Erbsloh on itmmembership@gmail.com or Margaret O?Leary loughmartin@gmail.com

9. Minceirs Whiden Press Conference May 11th

Minceirs Whiden will be holding a press conference on May 11th from 10am -11.30 am Bruswells Hotel, Kildare Street, Dublin. The purpose of this press conference is to lobby local election candidates and their relevant parties.

If you require further details please contact Rosaleen McDonagh on 0867391988.

Minceirs Whiden thank you for your support to date.

10. Yellow Flag Debating Event - 11th May 2008 & Fundraiser 20th May

The ITM will be holding debates between the 4 schools that are participating in the Yellow Flag's programme on the 11th May from 1-4pm in the GMB (graduate memorial building) in Trinity College Dublin. Everyone is welcome. It will give people a chance to hear more about the ITM Yellow Flag intercultural pilot, as well as to hear the schools involved in the Yellow Flag debate against each other.

The debate will be chaired by David Norris. For more details, contact Aoife Titley, Yellow Flag coordinator on yellowflagprogramme@gmail.com

The Yellow Flag will be holding a fundraising pub quiz on Wednesday 20th May at 7.30pm in the Russell Court Hotel, all are welcome. For more details contact Aoife Titley, Yellow Flag coordinator on yellowflagprogramme@gmail.com

11. ITM Youth Group Event ?The Way Forward for Young Travellers? ? 16th May

The ITM are organising a Youth Event on the 16th of May (Venue TBC), which aims to bring young Travellers together from all around the country to explore 'The Way Forward for Young Travellers' with a particular focus on Education as well as supporting Traveller Leadership & Participation.

If you have any suggestions for the event and or need any further information, don't hesitate to contact Paula Madden on 087-2410258 or educationitm@gmail.com

12. Conference on 'Changing Schools, Travellers, Nomadic & Migrant Education, Trinity College Dublin Mon 11th 2-5) & Tues 12th May (9.30-12.30pm), Trininty College Dublin.

This conference was inspired by issues raised in a recently published book 'Traveller, Nomadic & Migrant Education. It dealt with the educational experience of nomadic groups including Travellers and Roma, circus & fairground peoples and other migratory groups in a number of countries.

Alice Binchy one of the contributors to the book & one of the organisers of the conference is really anxious to ensure that Travellers are involved in the conference and contributing at it on how Travellers had to change to adapt to school, & how schools should change to adapt to facilitate nomadism. It would be great if projects could support Travellers to attend. STAG (Southside Traveller Action Group) will be making a presentation on the Tuesday morning. (Further info on conference contact Paula Madden at educationitm@gmail.com or 0872410258).

13. Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project (BTAP) Invites applications for a Project Co-ordinator (Full-time)

The project co-ordinator is responsible for the overall co-ordination, day to day management and implementation of the workplan of BTAP.

The successful candidate should have:

Essential

• A recognised qualification  and experience in Community Development or related field
• A minimum of  three  years experience in project and/or organisational management
• A knowledge and understanding of Traveller issues

 
The salary for this position will be in line with the Community Development Programme guidelines circa point 1 ? 6 (?35,321 - ?46,359) commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application by  APPLICATION FORM ONLY. For further information, and application form please email adminbtap@eircom.net

Closing date for applications is Friday 8th May  at 5 p.m

Interviews will take place on Friday 15th May 2009: (Candidates need to be available on that day)

Ballyfermot Travellers Action Project is an equal opportunities employer.  This position is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Community Development Programme 2007 to 2013.

14. Tullamore Travellers Movement Position Available

Tullamore Travellers Movement invite applications for the following position: Community Development Worker/ Health

Tullamore Travellers Movement wish to recruit a Community Development Worker in the area of Health to implement a strategy for Traveller health in Co. Offaly. The Community Worker will have responsibility for the co-coordination of the Primary Health Care Programme. It is expected that the Community Worker will engage in direct work with Travellers in the area of Health and link with statutory and voluntary bodies as appropriate. The candidate should have:

• A background in community development/ equality/ rights based work
• An understanding of Traveller culture and issues affecting the Travelling community

Salaries will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

Please apply in writing enclosing C.V. to:

THE CO-ORDINATOR
TULLAMORE TRAVELLERS MOVEMENT
HARBOUR HOUSE
HARBOUR STREET
TULLAMORE
CO. OFFALY

Please Note Change of Deadline for Applications:
Applications By Thursday, 14th May 2009 at 5 pm.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 19th of May 2009.
This post is funded by the Traveller Health Unit (Health Service Executive, Dublin Mid-Leinster

15. Waterford Traveller Community Development Project Ltd Job Opportunity
Is seeking to appoint the following post: A Part-Time Project Co-Ordinator (Job share post) to work with and support the voluntary Management Committee to carry out the aims, objectives and actions of the project?s work-plan.

Essential requirements for the job:

At least 3 years experience of working from a community development  approach
Experience of involvement in managing a community project
Proven track record of development work with socially excluded groups
Salary for the above position will be commensurate with experience. Applicants will be short-listed

Please post C.V. to:
Waterford Travellers CDP, Parish Centre, Ballybeg, Waterford

Deadline for this post is Friday 1st May at 5pm

Further information and job description are available from:
The Administrator at 051 357016 (Mon-Thur. 2pm- 5pm)

16. Fingal Travellers Organisation (Northeast) Ltd Job Opportunity

Fingal Travellers Organisation (Northeast) Ltd invites applications for the position of full-time Programme Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover) to the North Fingal Primary Health care programme.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the co-ordination and day-to-day organisation of the North Fingal Primary Health Care programme.

The successful applicant will have

• Experience of working in community development, in particular work with Travellers.
• Knowledge of issues relevant to Travellers in areas including health, education/training and accommodation.
• Excellent communication & organisational skills
• Good report writing & computer skills.
• Experience of developing/implementing training programmes.
• Experience of training delivery in IT Skills desirable.

 

Previous experience of Co-ordination of a similar programme will be an advantage.

The post will be offered on a full-time temporary contract for a period not to exceed 26 weeks, the exact period of contract to be notified on commencement, commencing in April 2009. The successful candidate will be based in Matt Lane Resource Centre, St Macullins Park, Matt Lane, Balbriggan.

To apply for this post, please forward a copy of your CV to

The Manager,
Fingal Travellers Organisation (Northeast) Ltd
The Resource Centre, Matt Lane, Balbriggan
01-8020504
before 5pm on Thursday 30th April, to the Resource Centre.

All applications are treated in confidence.

Co-operation Fingal is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

17. Community Work in Challenging times: Maintaining Quality Principles & Standards

CWC Regional Workshops & National Seminar

Community work in Ireland is at a critical interface. The process of Cohesion saw the Local Development and Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) merging with LEADER Companies in rural areas, as well as structural changes to all Partnership Companies. In addition, it is now confirmed that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs have requested the Centre for Effective Services to re-design the Community Development Programme and the LDSIP. Budgetary cuts to the sector are having, and will continue to have, major implications for the work being carried out at local level. In light of these challenges, maintaining the focus on quality community work and social exclusion is more cr