Alliance of Retired Public Servants  - Newsletter 2015

The first Newsletter published by the Alliance is now available.   Click here to read the Alliance Newsletter and keep up to date with pension-related developments.

The first Newsletter of the Alliance was published in January 2015.  To keep up to date on current pension related developments read the Newsletter here:  January 2015 Newsletter

THE UMBRELLA FOUNDATION.  

The Umbrella Foundation is an Irish charity based in Nepal which is seeking volunteers from all backgrounds and particulalrly volunteers with experience in teaching teenagers. Their representative, Jack Hogan, has contacted RSTA and the link below outlines the work of the Foundation and gives links to their website and volunteer programmes.  umbrella.doc

Summer_2014_RSTA_Newsletter.pdf

Alone (www.alone.ie) is a charitable organisation which does wonderful work in "supporting, befriending and providing homes for older people in need".  They are seeking to fill the position of Maintenance Volunteer which "might appeal to someone who is retired and may have an interest in volunteering and DIY."

For full details of the position and contacts click here 

We are seeking a volunteer, ideally a retired teacher, to assist with our weekly quiz/discussion group.  The group runs every Thursday from 2.30 to 3.30 pm.  However, if we had a volunteer involved, we would like to extend the time to 4 or 4.30 pm.  We have a theme every week, however the quiz generally involves geography, history, music etc.  The quiz is relaxed, we promote sharing of personal experiences and memories and having a joke together while being intellectually stimulating for all. We have WiFi computer access which we plan to use more in the future.

We are also seeking volunteers for other groups:

Sonas Music Group for residents with dementia is run three mornings a week from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and on Tuesday afternoons at 2.45 pm.  A program is followed by the trained practitioner who is helped by an assistant.  This is an ideal role for a volunteer.  See www.sonasapc.ie for background information on the Sonas program.

Reminiscence Group on Friday afternoons. This relaxed group promotes remembering events past, general chat and, of course, tea and coffee!  We have various resources such as pictures and newspapers and are looking to build on this.

Other Groups throughout the week include art and crafts activities, a book club, a men's group and baking activities. 

Our timetable is flexible and, if a volunteer had other commitments, we have scope to move an activity time/day if needed.  We are interested in volunteers who would like to come on an on-going basis.  All volunteers would be supported fully by staff.  We would like the volunteer to enjoy the experience in addition to the many benefits they would bring to the lives of our valued residents.

For further information email Anna McMahon at: ot@kiltipperwoods.ie 

Location Information/Map: Kiltipper Woods is situated close to the M50.  Take the Firhouse exit (Junction 12) coming from South or North. It is serviced by the following public transport - Luas Red Line from Dublin city to The Square and the 54A, 49, 49A and 75 bus routes from The Square.

 Contact: Anna McMahon, Senior Occupational Therapist, Kiltipper Woods Care centre, Kiltipper Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Telephone: 01 4683440          Email: ot@kiltipperwoods.ie        Website: www.kiltipperwoods.ie 

Volunteer Ireland is the National Volunteer Development Agency. It provides support for over 20 Volunteer Centres in Ireland.  Their website at www.volunteer.ie provides information about volunteering opportunities and has a full listing of contact details for your local Volunteer Centre.  The local centres match individuals with volunteering opportunities in their area and provide support and training where required.

If you are thinking about getting involved in volunteering but are not quite sure how or where to begin Volunteer Ireland is a good place to start.

The Biennial Conference of the Retired Workers' Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions took place in September in 32 Parnell Square.  A new officer Board and Committee were elected for the next two years.

The Secretary reported on the Biennial Conference of ICTU held in Belfast, 20th July 2013 at which a motion on the status of retired workers in the trade union movement, submitted by RWC, was adopted.  A review is to be undertaken by Congress on the implementation of this motion.  The RWC has been campaigning

Summer 2013.pdf

 Members of the Cork Branch AGM Organising Committee

(L to R)  Back row: Nuala Buckley, Liam O'Longaigh, Pat Browne, RSTA President Henry Collins.  Front row: Treasa Healy, Maire Ní Laoghaire, Rena Hennessy.

The Annual General Meeting of the RSTA took place in the Gresham Metropole Hotel, Cork on Wednesday, May 8th.  It was attended by 72 members.  Many delegates had travelled to Cork on the previous evening and enjoyed a pleasant meal together which set the mood for the following day.

The meeting began on Wednesday morning at 10 am with short talks on behalf of The Global Classroom, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the ASTI Credit Union. This was followed by a coffee break and then the main business of the meeting got under way.

There was a moment for quiet reflection during which the names of deceased members were remembered.  This was followed by the Minutes of the previous AGM, Reports from the Secretary and Treasurer and Election of the Officers and National Committee. Five were proposed, seconded and passed.  The Cork, Mayo and Midland Branches mentioned trips they are planning, details of which would be posted on the website.  The meeting drew to a close at 1 pm.

After lunch, Liam O'Longaigh led a large group on a walking tour of Cork city.  We started out in beautiful sunny weather but had several sleet showers during the course of the walk. Despite this, all who participated thoroughly enjoyed the afternnon.  Liam has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and customs of Cork which made his tour absolutely fascinating.  He was ably assisted by Nuala Buckley who was also an incredible fount of information on all things Cork.  As the tour ended, another downpour of rain offered the perfect excuse (as if we needed one!) to seek refuge in the English Market and indulge in the tempting offerings of the Farm Gate Restaurant.

Later that evening we were joined at the Conference Banquet by our invited guests:

ASTI President Gerry Breslin, Retired TUI Secretary Christy Conville and NASUWT/RMA former President Dr David Mahaffey

Apologies were received from:

ASTI General Secretary Pat King, ASTI Honorary National Organiser Kieran Christy and RTA Secretary Denis Desmond

RSTA President Henry Collins with guests Gerry Breslin, Humphrey Twomey and Dr David Mahaffey

The following morning there was a wonderful tour of Cork University.  The sun came out and the campus looked really splendid.  We had a very comprehensive guided tour of the campus, the Quad, the Observatory and finally the Honan Chapel.  Several stayed on for lunch in the Students' Dining Hall before heading home.

It was a really pleasant visit to Cork and our sincere thanks are extended to the members of the Cork Branch for all their hard work in organising the event.  The warmth of their hospitality and the wonderful fellowship and collegialityexperienced by the delegates as they shared meals and conversation will long remain in our memories.