Introduction:

During this one ‐ day intensive workshop, participants will become aware of and understand skills and techniques that have proved successful in helping people achieve their aims at meetings. It is aimed at anyone who has the role of chairperson but would also be beneficial to those who regularly attend as an ordinary member of a group or committee. The course is aimed (not exclusively) at Management in the non‐profit sector.

Objectives:

The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss, tease out and role play the concepts, techniques and skills of communication that are found to be ‘Best Practice" in optimising results from meetings. They will leave the workshop equipped with a skill‐net that will facilitate them in dealing effectively with the wide variety of situations and personalities they encounter at meetings. Participants will also learn how their own individual behaviour can significantly influence the outcome of any meeting or interpersonal situation.

This Skill‐Set will include:

• Confidence in leading meetings

• Assertiveness in making your point at meetings

• Dealing with hostile and conflict situations

• Influencing/Getting "buy‐in"

• Understanding and dealing effectively with different personalities

• Effective negotiation at meetings

• Giving and receiving feedback

• Managing the meeting

Course Cost = 165 euros

Time = 8.30‐1.30

Date = 10 February 2010, Alaymont Training Centre, Pottery Business Centre, Dun Laoghaire

Contact = ken@alaymont.com or 01 2463022

Please visit www.alaymont.com

A new policing unit has been established at Arklow Garda Station to promote better crime prevention within the community and an increased sense of security among residents.

Led by Sgt. Vincent Byrne the scheme introduces Garda Therese Kelly and Garda Paul Hayes as the new community members with responsibility for the South and North of the town respectively.

For the past couple of months Garda Kelly and Garda Hayes have been knocking on doors, approaching businesses and meeting with residential and community groups who are keen to establish neighbourhood watch schemes.

"We have been asking people to get in touch if they would like to set up a scheme in their area. We are more than happy to meet with them and offer advice and support on where to start. Even if they have missed a preliminary meeting they can pick up, from the next one and get involved, explains Garda Kelly.

The Community Policing Initiative aims to revert back to an old style of policing where people knew their local Garda and feel they can approach them.

Having a specific Garda for each side of the town means that people will get to deal with the same person and form a relationship of trust where they can share their concerns in confidence.

Both Garda Kelly and Garda Hayes passed a rigorous interview process to get their places in the new unit and are dedicated to making a difference from grass roots level.

They have both been stationed in Arklow for a number of years which means they are already well equipped with local knowledge and plan to put it to the best use.

They plan to offer victim support, neighbourhood watch structure, personal safety advice and wider information services.

"We are hoping the community will be our eyes and ears. In time we will hope to have some area coordinators who can come to us on behalf of their neighbourhood and discuss any matters of interest.

If they feel anti-social behaviour is becoming a problem we will patrol the area to ensure it dies not continue. In order to make this happen we need the support of the public and for them to call us straight away if an incident occurs," says Garda Hayes.

As the initiative expands a number of community liaison Gardai will assist the new unit and will alternate on a rota basis.

"The liaison members will change from time to time but Garda Kelly and I will be involved permanently as we want people to be able to deal with the same person on a regular basis," adds Garda Hayes.

It’s not just residential areas which will benefit from the initiative as Business Watch has shown.

A meeting has already taken place in Arklow with in excess of 50 local businesses represented.

"We want to make people aware of all sorts of crime and how it can be prevented. With the support of the residential community, local voluntary groups and businesses we hope the initiative will be a very successful one," concludes the team.

To contact Garda Kelly and Garda Hayes please call Arklow Garda Station at 0402 32304.

Arklow Country Markets reopen on Saturday, February 6 between 10.30am and noon in Castlepark. A large selection of farm fresh produce, home baking and crafts on offer. The Christmas raffle winner was Lorcan O’Toole. All welcome.

A GROUP of community-minded Arklow Young people have decided to roll up their sleeves and form a local Youth Council.
Charged with giving a voice to youth in the town a 20 person committee has been in operation since 2009 and hopes that 2010 will see many goals reached.
Running on a modest budget of €2,000 provided by Arklow Town Council the Youth Council is not short of willing and very capable young councillors who have their peers firmly at heart.
We saw loads of things in town that we felt very strongly about and which we believed would  benefit from an input from teenagers.  There were major gaps in services for the youth of the community especially socially, explained PRO Zara Lambert.
Promoting local talent is high on the agenda of the Arklow Youth Council.
With successful “Stamp Out” gig taking place last year a follow up “Off the Record”
Showcase of local bands was arranged for the month of January and attracted huge interest from local young music fans.
The events hosted by the Youth Council are alcohol free and offer local teens aged 14 to 18 a safe and pressure free environment to meet their peers and enjoy a social event in their locality.
“We have been getting loads of feedback from our 20 reps and loads of volunteers and teenagers in the district .  We cover the area by school district so the great thing is that we have all four Arklow secondary schools and Colaiste Bhride, Carnew involved’ adds Council member Aonghus O’Briain.
Enhancing life for the young population in South Wicklow is very important to Arklow Youth Council and they have plenty of big plans for the coming year.
“We hope to see a youth space happen in Arklow so we can hold monthly gigs, art and music workshops and a drop-in centre with IT facilities.  The Skate Park was one of our big interested last year and we are really delighted that it is set to open in a couple of months.
It would be great to hold competitions and outdoor events there in the future’ adds Zara.

LUCKY prizwinners from the Elavon Merchant Services Christmas Draw gathered at company offices recently to accept their prizes.

The competition ran during the month of December and was open to anyone who made a Laser transaction in local shops.

Top prize was won by Heather Lawson who picked up two return flights to the US with Delta Airlines.

Anne-Marie Butler took second prize of a Dell Laptop and Louise Fagan and Liam O’Connor won an LCD television and I Pod Touch respectively Karen Darcy represented Liam O’Connor at the event.

Owner of the local store Bionic Tonic, Oonagh McMorrow won the trader’s prize of an iPod Touch.

Also in attendance at the presentation were Simon Halsam, Elavon Managing Director and Donal O’Sullivan, President of Arklow Chamber of Commerce.