CLON YOUTH CAFÉ AGM

YOUTH CAFÉ AGM

The AGM of Clonakilty Youth Café project took place recently at the Parish Centre with a good crowd in attendance. The Chairperson, Anthony McDermott welcomed everyone, with Secretary Valerie Hurley detailing a very busy year in her report. She traced the formal establishment of the group to the public meeting early in 2009 which saw nearly 100 people attending. Prior to this a small group of people were working away with not a lot of success on trying to put a youth café in place. Throughout the year, Denis O’ Brien regional manager of Foróige had been a great support. The group were determined from day one to find suitable premises that could be rented in the town to host the café, and a number of sub committees were put in place with certain responsibilities. During the year, the group had received offers of premises from a number of people, these had all been examined as to their suitability. After much investigation, one was agreed upon and the process of converting into a youth café commenced. However, there was great disappointment when it was learned that there had been a third party planning objection, and after an emergency meeting, the group decided to investigate alternative locations. The involvement of Foróige was very important as it has experience in setting up Youth Cafés already, and would also organise insurance would and investigate grants, etc. Throughout the year, there was great goodwill towards the café with many individuals and groups donating finance from events they had organised or participated in. But as the year ended, the group still has no premises in which to set up the café, and this is the biggest challenge facing the group. Following on from the secretaries report the financial report was gone through, and while the end of year balance is positive, it was stressed that ongoing fundraising would be necessary if the ultimate aim of getting a fully functional youth café up and running in a suitable location in the town is to be realised. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairperson: Anthony McDermott; Secretary: Valerie Hurley; Treasurer: Kevin O’ Regan; P.R.O.: Aisling Harte; Vice Chairperson: Anne Cullinane; Asst. Secretary: Paul Hayes; Asst. Treasurer: James White; Asst. P.R.O.: Louise Hackett; Committee Members: Josh Henry, Mary O’ Driscoll, Marian Lynch, Chloe Burke. After the election of the new committee it was stated that with 24 trained members ready to go, the priority must be to find a suitable premises as soon as possible that would act as a temporary arrangement until something more long-term could be found.