agm 2012 programme - Irish Second

A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
AGM 2012 PROGRAMME
Clock Tower, Department of Education & Skills, Dublin 1.
th
4 April 2012
Chaired by Senator Jillian van Turnhout
10:30am – 11:00am
Registration
11:00am – 11:30am
Introductory Session
11:30am – 11:45am
Team Building Session
11:45am – 12:00pm
Youth Connect Project: An overview of our joint schools’
programme focused on student and workers’ rights
-
12:00pm – 12:30pm
Sally-Anne Kinahan, Assistant General Secretary, ICTU
Keynote Address:
Ruairi Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills
12:30pm – 01:00pm
Review of the current Junior & Leaving Certificate
-
Presentation from Anne Looney, Chief Executive Officer of
the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
01:00pm – 01:30pm
National Student Executive: Nominees’ Speeches
01:30pm – 02:15pm
Lunch
02:15pm – 02:35pm
Voting
-
Election proceedings will be overseen by James Doorley,
Assistant Director of the National Youth Council of Ireland.
02:35pm – 03:20pm
Student Voice/Participation: Discussion Groups
03:20pm – 03:40pm
ISSU Work Plan/Strategic Plan 2012-2013
03:40pm – 04:00pm
Motions to AGM
04:00pm – 04:10pm
Election Results & Close
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
Guest Speakers Biographies
James Doorley has been Assistant Director of the National Youth
James Doorley
Council of Ireland with responsibility for Advocacy and
Assistant Director, NYCI
Representation since 2006. James initially worked in the private
sector, but for the last 13 years has worked in the community and
voluntary sector at local and national level. Prior to NYCI he worked
with early school leavers, unemployed people and people with
disabilities in a number of organisations.
James is a member of the National Economic and Social Council.
He recently co-authored the recent NYCI report “Creating a New
Future for Jobseekers” on youth employment. He is also a member
of the steering group for “JobBridge” the National Internship
Scheme. He is a Trustee of the Carnegie UK Trust and previously
served as Chairman of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland.
He has a BA in Applied Social Studies and a Diploma in Community
and Youth Work from NUI Maynooth and a Higher Diploma in
Corporate Governance from UCD.
Anne Looney
CEO, NCCA
Anne is from Dublin. A former post-primary teacher of Religious
Education and English, she joined the full-time staff of the NCCA in
1997 and was appointed CEO in 2001. She was reappointed to the
post in 2011. Anne holds a Doctorate in Education from the Institute
of Education of the University of London.
She has published on curriculum and assessment policy, school
culture and ethos, and religious education and has presented
papers in Ireland, north and south, in the US, Canada Australia and
China on a range of curriculum and assessment themes and on
issues of school reform.
Sally-Anne Kinahan
Assistant General Secretary, ICTU
Sally Anne Kinahan is currently the Assistant General Secretary of
the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), the confederation body
of the trade union movement in Ireland/Northern Ireland. ICTU is
the largest civil society organisation on the island of Ireland,
representing and campaigning on behalf of more than 50 affiliated
unions and some 820,000 working people. Within her role, Ms.
Kinahan leads the policy, communications and campaigning
functions and has responsibility for general organisation and a
number of designated priority projects.
Prior to joining ICTU, Sally Anne was Marketing Director with
Ireland’s largest development NGO, Concern Worldwide, for five
years. She has also worked as director of development with
Stewarts Hospital, Dublin, and as Head of Oxfam in Ireland.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
Guest Speakers Biographies
Ruairi Quinn T.D
Minister for Education & Skills
Ruairí Quinn, T.D., was appointed Minister for Education and Skills
in March 2011. He has been a public representative since 1974
and a T.D. representing the people of Dublin South-East since
1977.
As Minister for Education and Skills, reform, jobs and fairness are at
the heart of his agenda. Minister Quinn is passionate about
delivering high quality education to our growing population in a fair
and equitable way. Work is progressing on issues such as:

Patronage and pluralism,

Literacy and numeracy

Improving teacher training

Training and re-skilling the newly unemployed

Reform of the Junior Cert, Leaving Cert and points system

Improving our education system at all three levels
Ruairi Quinn has broad political experience, having served as a
Minister in six different Departments, including as Minister for
Finance from 1993-1997. From his time in government to serving
as Leader of the Labour Party between 1997 and 2002, his depth of
experience and political acumen is extensive.
His political memoir, Straight Left – A Journey in Politics, was
published in 2005. Before entering public life, Ruairi Quinn was an
architect and town planner. He is married to Liz Allman. He has
two sons and a daughter.
Jillian Van Turnhout
Independent Senator
Jillian van Turnhout is the Chair of the Independent group in the
Senate, having being appointed as a Senator by the Taoiseach in
2011.
Jillian has previously been Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl
Guides; President of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)
and is currently a member of the National Youth Work Advisory
Committee. She was also Secretary General of the ECB-BEC
(predecessor to the European Youth Forum) and more recently,
Jillian was Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance. Jillian
has also been a member and Vice President of the European
Economic and Social Committee.
The ISSU Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity for second-level
school students from around Ireland to meet and discuss issues and concerns
that are important to them and their schools. Students who attend the ISSU AGM
will get the chance to voice their opinions, create motions during a formal
parliamentary style process and nominate students to represent the school on
the new National Student Executive members for the following year.
WHAT IS AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OR AGM?
Like most companies, organisations and businesses an AGM is the most
important meeting that ISSU will hold every year. The delegates at an ISSU AGM
(representing students in their school) decide the direction the organisation will
take for the following year. New officers are elected to the National Student
Executive (the group of people that run ISSU on a day-to-day basis for the next
year).
WHO IS IN CHARGE ON THE DAY?
An independent chairperson is nominated by the outgoing NSE and they direct
AGM proceedings on the day. Their responsibility at the AGM is to preside over
the AGM and to make decisions that may need to be made in relation to the
AGM. An independent adjudicator is appointed to act as the Returning Officer
who looks after the running of the NSE elections.
WHO DO I GO TO IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
You go one of the event facilitators (who will be wearing RED badges) who
should be able to help answer any query you may have.
WHAT IS A MOTION?
To put forward a motion means to put forward an idea or a suggestion to change
something. Delegates can speak and vote for or against a motion according to
their opinion or that of their Student Council.
HOW DO THE DEBATES WORK? / WHO PROPOSES THE MOTIONS?
The officer or delegate, who put the motion forward initially, normally proposes
the motions in each session. The motions are, however, technically the property
of the AGM, and if the people who initially wrote the motion do not turn up, or do
not want to speak, any delegate can start the debate by proposing the motion.
Once a motion is proposed, it is then open to the floor for discussion.
HOW OFTEN CAN YOU SPEAK?
Unless you are the person who proposed the motion, you can only speak once
on any motion. You can, however, speak on as many motions as you wish during
AGM. If you proposed a motion, you can also sum up before a vote is taken.
HOW LONG CAN YOU SPEAK FOR?
The person, who proposes a motion, can speak for five minutes on why the
motion should be passed. Once she or he is finished, the Chairperson will invite
delegates to speak for or against the motion. Each of these speakers will have
three minutes to outline their reasons for supporting or opposing the motion. The
order of speakers will be as follows: Proposer, speaker against, speaker for,
speaker against, and so on until a vote is called for. Note that you must speak for
or against the motion. Once a vote is called for, the Proposer has the right to sum
up.
WHAT ARE PROCEDURAL MOTIONS?
Procedural motions are motions that can be proposed at any time, except during
the act of voting, a speech or a point of order. They refer to the conduct or
procedure of the debate, and not to the content of the speeches. They require a
proposer and a seconder. They are not valid if the substantive of the motion is
changed.
The proposer can speak for one minute on why the motion should be carried,
followed by a speaker for one minute on why it should not be carried. The
proposer of the substantive motion usually has priority in replying to a procedural
motion. There is then a vote on the procedural motion.
1 MINUTE TO PROPOSE 1 MINUTE TO OPPOSE
WHAT PROCEDURAL MOTIONS CAN BE PUT?
The following are the procedural motions and their effect, if passed:
(A) That the Question now be put
If passed, there will be an opportunity for the Proposer of the motion to
summarise and then an immediate vote will be taken.
(B) That the Question not be put
If passed, prevents a vote being taken on the matter under discussion.
(C) That the Question be taken in parts
If passed, the question will be split into a number of specified parts.
(D) That the Matter be Referred Back
If passed, refers the matter back to a specified time or a specified Officer, or a
specified Committee, or to Council of Schools meetings. It is therefore not voted
upon at the AGM.
(E) A Challenge to the Chairperson’s Ruling
If passed, the Chairperson must change his or her ruling on an issue in
accordance with the motion.
(F) Motion of No-Confidence in the Chairperson
If passed, the Chairperson will vacate the Chair for the remainder of the session
and will be replaced by another member of Steering Committee.
WHAT ARE POINTS OF ORDER?
Points of Order refer to the conduct of the debate, and arise if a delegate feels
that something is happening that is not allowed for within the rules laid down for
the conduct of debate. A Point of Order does not relate to the motion being
discussed, or any arguments for or against the motion. If you want to raise a
Point of Order, you simply state that you are doing so and specify what point you
are making. A Point of Order takes precedence over all other business except
the act of voting, unless it refers to the conduct of the vote.
WHAT ARE POINTS OF INFORMATION?
If there is a factual piece of information you feel a speaker should be informed of,
you may rise while she or he is speaking and state that you are raising a Point of
Information. The speaker may decide whether or not he or she wishes to accept
your Point of Information. If they do, you may speak for 15 seconds on this point.
If they do not, you must accept this decision. If a speaker accepts a Point of
Information, the person requesting same has 15 seconds on this point.
HOW IS VOTING CARRIED OUT?
Voting on motions and amendments is carried out by show of delegates’ cards,
which you must not lose because they cannot be replaced for any reason during
the AGM. Delegates are NOT allowed to leave/enter the AGM whilst a vote/count
is in progress.
NSE elections are done by secret ballot using the proportional representation
single transferable vote system.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
Only registered delegates are entitled to vote. If a delegate is temporarily absent,
she or he may deputise a registered observer. Accredited observers are entitled
to speak at the AGM. Invited guests are not allowed to speak in debates.
Steering Committee will then recommend a course of action to the AGM, who will
either accept the ruling or object to it. If there is an objection, there will be a vote
and the AGM can only overrule the recommendation of Steering Committee by a
two-thirds majority.
CAN THESE RULES BE CHANGED DURING THE AGM? WHAT ABOUT
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA?
The method of raising items not on the agenda is to propose the suspension of
Standing Orders (items that are on the agenda). This is done by proposing a
motion to that effect, stating why you want standing orders suspended and for
how long you want them suspended. Standing Orders may only be suspended in
exceptional circumstances. The Chairperson will put the matter to an immediate
vote and to be carried, it must receive the backing of two-thirds of those present
and voting. Only that business for which Standing Orders are suspended can be
discussed during the suspension.
WHAT IS THE ISSU WORK PLAN 2012-2013?
As the name suggests, the ISSU Work Plan 2012-2013 is a plan of the main
work that ISSU will undertake as an organisation for the 2012-2013 year. This
work will be mainly led by the National Student Executive but will also include the
National Council, Regional Council of Schools and Student Council members at
grass roots level. It is important that the ISSU Work Plan includes everything that
members feel should be ISSU’s main priorities for the year.
During the AGM, you can propose additions to or amendments to the work plan.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
NSE Nominees Biographies
Name:
Claire Stone
School: Meanscoil Mhuire
School Year: 6th Year
Executive Position: International Officer
Biography: Hey everybody, my name is Claire, Im 17 and I am from Galway. I
have nominated myself today because I feel that I have a lot that I can bring to this
job. I am very passionate about expressing young peoples rights. I have plenty of
experience in representing young people at both an international and an national
level. I was on the Dail na nóg council in 2009 and was part of the team that
published an official report on the implementation of SPHE and RSE in second level
schools in Ireland. I spoke at an Oireactas commitee meeting on behalf of the
council, and asked them to make youth mental health a priority in the schools
curriculam. We also helped get the cervical cancer vaccine free to all first year and
6th year girls in Ireland. I currently represent the voice of the young people in
galway city on Comhairle na nóg and I have been on the council for four years. We
regularly meet with local politicans and recommend to them how they could improve
the lives of the Galway youth. Currently we are working on a youth freindly award
for business in Galway to help combat youth stereotyping. I have also been on my
student council for four years. I have taken part in the European Youth Parliament
Ireland. All my experience means that I am confident when I say that I am well able
to represent all your views and opinions on schooling in Ireland. Please vote for
me, I promise I won't let you down.
Name:
Seppie Lysaght
School: Colaiste Pobail Osrai
School Year: 5th Year
Executive Position: Irish Language Officer (Oifigeach na Gaelige)
Biography: I am a fifth year student in colaiste pobail osrai , an irish speakinbg
school, I came into the school from an english primary school. My main interests are
motorsport and athletics.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
NSE Nominees Biographies
Name:
David Minihane
School: Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh
School Year: 5th Year
Executive Position: Irish Language Officer (Oifigeach na Gaelige)
Biography: Secretary of the Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Student Council;
passionate Irish speaker; frequent visitor to Cape Clear Gaeltacht (Oilan
Name:
Dylan Grace
School: Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh
School Year: 5th Year
Executive Position: President
Biography: I was born 22/11/94. I attended an all Irish primary school and currently
attend an all Irish secondary school. I have been captaining debating teams since
1st year and currently run the debating society in my school. I have reached
national finals in various competitions. I am a very ambitious enthusiastic person
and I am the type of person who leads from the front. One of my traits is
determination. I have achieved quite a lot over the last couple of years, I won the
national student enterprise awards final in 2008 as part of a team and I came 3rd in
BT Young Scientist Chemical , Physical and Mathematical Sciences Category in
2009 by myself. I believe that I am a teamplayer and that I work well in groups
winning a plethora of debating competitions as said above. I am driven to success
and I always listen to the views and opinions of others. I have appeared on RTÉ
series MIssion Beach USA last summer which was a wonderful experience and has
given me a lot of confidence and experience in dealing with people. I am very
meticulous with work and always complete it to a high standard. I have been
Chairperson of my student council for the past three years in a row and would love
the opportunity to represent the students of Ireland on the council and to give all
students a voice. I am a Very friendly and chatty person so feel free to talk to me at
any stage :)
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NSE Nominees Biographies
Name:
Mark Caffrey
School: Ratoath College
School Year: 2nd Year
Executive Position: Equality Officer
Biography: I represent my class group on our school's student council. I have a
great interest in politics and the environment, I represented my school in the BT
young scientist competition this year with a project related to young people and their
political opinions and the factors that influence their opinions. I have also done
courses on politics and international relations and the law with C.T.Y.I. in D.C.U. I
believe I am a voice for morality and fairness in my community and I want to help
the young people of Ireland to get their voice heard.
Name:
Ger Quinn
School: Mountmellick Community School
School Year: 5th Year
Executive Position: President
Biography: My name is ger quinn, im 17 and im from Laois. I am currently
chairperson of laois comhairle na nóg and i sit on dail na nog and many other
committees so i have alot of confidence and experience, i have alot of experience
working in a team like 'vote@16', i can also work on my own if required. If i am
elected i will do my best to represent your views. So vote for Ger Quinn
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
NSE Nominees Biographies
Name:
Nathan O Connor
School: Colaiste Eamoin Ris (Wexford CBS)
School Year: 5th Year
Executive Position: Public Relations Officer
Biography: I am in 5th year in Colaiste Eamoin Ris Wexford . I am the treasurer of
my students council and have been a member of the council since first year. I am
also a keen volunteer with the Order of Malt with 6 years experience of thinking on
my feet with the Ambulance if you choose me i will get my voice heard by anyone
who needs to hear .
Name:
Asha Aisling Doris
School: Confey Community College
School Year: 2nd Year
Executive Position: International Officer
Biography: At fourteen I am the Vice President of the student council in my school.
I am in my local comhairle and have been on the County Panel (made up of three
elected delegates fromm each local comhairle in kildare) for two years now. I
chaired the Q&A session and acted as MC at our AGM. I am on the Vote@16
steering committee. I have experience doing public speaking and I am involved in
the debating in school. As a second year I have plenty of free time and am able to
commit and devote to any role I am given.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
NSE Nominees Biographies
Name:
Emmet Clarke
School: Colaiste Eamonn Ris (CBS Callan)
School Year: 6th Year
Executive Position: Welfare Officer
Biography: I am the chairperson of the student council. Worked as chairperson of
Kilkenny Comhairle na nÓg. Worked as PRO and volunteer recruitment officer for
local festival. I am extremely well spoken, confident and have good knowledge of
current affairs.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
Motions to AGM
Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine
Motion 1: The ISSU should activly oppose cuts to guidance counselor's hours
Motion 2: The ISSU should promote the use of continuous assesment in both the
Junior and Leaving Certificate exams
Motion 3: The ISSU shouls promote the splitting of Irish into two separate subjects,
a written course and a spoken course.
A FORUM FOR STUDENT VOICE
Motions to AGM
Ratoath College
Motion 1: That the government would award points in junior and leaving certificate
exams in P.E. to promote physical fitness amongst young people.
Motion 2: That the government would introduce a new system for learning and the
examination of modern languages.
Motion 3: That the government would enhance the quality of the teaching of
C.S.P.E. in second level schools and also to have it introduced to students in 5th
and 6th class in primary school.
Motion 4:
Motion 5:
Coláiste Éamann Rís (Callan CBS)
Motion 1: ISSU should support, encourage the use of modern technologies to
assist learning in second-level schools. More online resources should be made
available for students to post homework and teachers to make notes availbale
online.
Motion 2: ISSU should liaise with the Department of Education & Skills on
researching the benefits of a performance appraisal system for teachers,
incorporating student feedback on teachers.
Motion 3: System where notes and homework would be available to students who
were out where they have a username and password. Sharepoint could be used.
Motion 4: System where notes and homework would be available to students who
were out where they have a username and password. Sharepoint could be used.
Motion 5: I rith ranganna Gaeilge, ba chóir go mbeadh an Ghaeilge an teanga is
mó a úsáidtear.
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Motions to AGM