Civic Engagement Forum Minutes

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 10am , Tuesday 25^th April 2023, A204, Glasnevin Campus + Zoom

Attendance:

Adam Daly, Deiric Ó Broin, Luke Quinlan, Úna Redmond, Justyna Byrzykowska,  Antoinette Patton, Leeanne Hinch, Aisling Mc Kenna, Ryan Carey, Nathan Murphy, Samantha Fahy, Emer Ni Bhradaigh, Deirdre Corby, Grainne Reddy, Natalja Matease, Carine Mambou, Shaun O'Boyle, Agnés Maillot.

Apologies:

Laura Mahoney, Liam Macgabhann, Pádraig Murphy, Siobhán Seoighe, Emma Clarke.

Welcome 

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson) welcomed all existing and new members of the Civic Engagement.

Minutes

The previous minutes were proposed by Samantha Fahy and seconded by Nathan Murphy. Minutes are available online at: https://www.dcu.ie/civic-engagement/civic-engagement-forum-minutes

Matters arising

N/A

President's Awards for Engagement

Deiric Ó Broin provided an overview of President's Awards for Engagement process including judging and flagged that the review of the President’s Awards process is still ongoing.

Deiric thanked everyone involved and congratulated the winners of this year’s President’s Awards for Engagement. 

Civic Engagement forum membership

Deiric Ó Broin briefed Civic Engagement Forum members on the key objectives of the Forum. The University's Civic Engagement Forum has been in operation for approximately 12 years (terms of reference are available at: https://www.dcu.ie/civic-engagement/civic-engagement-forum ) and we are currently seeking nominations to the Forum for the coming 2-3 years.

The Research offices at university and all the schools were invited to nominate a representative to the University's Civic Engagement Forum and we are expecting much broader representation from the research centres and schools for the next meeting.

Reports and updates

Samantha Fahy, Sustainability

• DCU have submitted to the SEAI and HEA the Climate Action Roadmap 2023. The implementation of this plan (i.e. a 51% reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas GHG emissions by 2030) will impact everyone and everything we do
• All senior management in the university is going for climate leadership training
• DCU Green Week was held in March 2023

Úna Redmond, Student Life and  Nathan Murphy, DCUSU

• The semester is finished & student activities are down now
• Preparations for the Darkness into Light event, May 6th. Volunteers are welcome. 
• Club and Societies awards were held on the 31st March 
• SU Elections: a new SU team is taking over in June
• There are 3 DCU students have been elected to USI next year

Aisling Mc Kenna, Quality Promotion Office

Aisling Mc Kenna provided a brief overview of applications and successful QUID Projects for 2023. The QUID funding call was successful and completed.

Justyna Byrzykowska, Volunteering

• A lot of positive feedback received from organizations who participated in the DCU Volunteer Fair 2023 in February
• Our new initiative the Volunteer HUB focuses on delivering volunteering advise, promotions, event assistance and networking opportunities to local communities. The Volunteer HUB takes place every Tuesday morning in DCU in the Community centre in Ballymun.
• There is no active GAISCE Pal at the moment and Justyna agreed to do the training
• There is a national volunteering week in Galway next week

Grainne Reddy, Age Friendly University

• Love of Life Long Learning Programme modules have just finished
• This week is a Global Intergenerational week, and all are welcome to attend
• A very successful 6 weeks paint classes were held in St Pat’s
• AFU Global Network is now moving to Arizona State University

Luke Quinlan, Centre for Engaged Research

• The current lecture series are coming to an end and another lecture series are planned for autumn/winter. 
• Ongoing preparatory work on DCU orientated staff training for Community Based Research 
• PPN summer school organised by the Centre for Engaged Research will take place from 29th May to 2nd June
• A new initiative “Community Research HUB” will start tomorrow in DCU in the Community Centre, Ballymun. It will focus on working with and providing a research capacity for community members and local organisations.

Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge

• Claire Farrell was appointed as an Innovation, Creativity & Innovation (ICE) Project Lead
• Enactus Ireland National Competition 2023 will take place on the 1st of June
• A Revitalize project requires a part-time research assistant asap

AOB

It was agreed to go digital and do not print Agenda & Minutes for the Civic Engagement Forum Meetings from now on.

Next Meeting

Date of the next meeting: TBC.

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Hybrid Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 12.30 pm, Tuesday 4^th October 2022,

INVENT+ Zoom

Attendance:

Deiric Ó Broin, Luke Quinlan, Samantha Fahy, Siobhán Seoighe, Nathan Murphy, Natalja Matease, Joanna Ozarowska, Aisling McKenna, Emer Ni Bhradaigh, Justyna Byrzykowska, Una Redmond.

Apologies:

Laura Mahoney, Padraig Murphy.

1. Welcome

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson) welcomed all members of the Civic Engagement.

2. Minutes

The previous minutes were proposed by Aisling McKenna  and seconded by Samantha Fahy. Minutes are available online at: https://www.dcu.ie/engagement/civic-engagement-forum-minutes

3. Matters Arising

N/A.  Ongoing review of the President’s Awards process.

4. Reports and updates

Samantha Fahy, Sustainability:

• Sustainability office have moved to All Hallows Campus, Drumcondra house
• Over 70 teams from DCU are participating in Walktober
• They university expects to have carbon budgets by the end of the year
• The green flag has been raised on the All Hallows Campus
• Bike clinics are on Glasnevin Campus on a weekly basis and every second week on All Hallows and St. Pat’s
• Waste prevention and segregation - virtual game is being piloted in DCU, Maynooth and UCD

Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge

• The Revitalize project led by the Wheel moving along nicely
• MSc in management and digital business has the highest numbers ever (22students)

Deiric Ó Broin, Office of Civic Engagement

• The Innovation in Politics Institute is looking for 10 000 members to sit on the citizens jury

Luke Quinlan, Centre for Engaged Research

• The new Centre for Engagement website (https://www.dcu.ie/engaged-research) is up and running
• The online lecture series are ongoing at the moment

Nathan Murphy, DCUSU:

• DCU SU is at the final stretch of Freshers Month 2022
• A national Student Walkout: Thursday 13^th October at 11:11am
• An Irish Officer By-Election is next week

Siobhán Seoighe

• Ongoing work on revitalizing of an Cumann Gaelach
• A diploma through the medium of Irish (level B2) course starts next week on St Pat’s Campus
• The provisions in section 10A of the language act will come into effect on 10th October 2022. More details to be provided.

Aisling McKenna

• DCU Fuse is taking place on Friday 21st October
• Coffee Morning - Thursday 20th October

Joanna Ozarowska, DCU in the Community

• All education programmes are running smoothly at the centre
• DCU in the Community is hosting a Recovery College Programme at the centre
• Many applications were received from newcomers who are now residing near the DCU in the Community centre, but due to the level of English, it was not possible to accept the applications.

Justyna Byrzykowska, Volunteering

• A lot of students’ interest about general volunteering opportunities
• Not much engagement from St. Pat’s students. Any ideas how to get St. Pat’s and All Hallows students more involved are welcome.

Úna Redmond, Student Life:

• An encouraging start for Clubs & societies with lots of new joiners
• Virtual helpdesk & membership are continuing successfully

5. AOB

The Civic Engagement Forum members list is to be updated.

6. Next Meeting

Date of the next meeting: Tuesday 6th December 2022 (All Hallows)

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Hybrid Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 12.00 pm, Tuesday 8^th February 2022, A204 + Zoom

Attendance:

Apologies:

Padraig Murphy, Una Redmond.

1. Welcome

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson), welcomed new and existing members of the Civic Engagement Forum and introduced Laura Mahoney Executive Director of Engagement.

2. Minutes

The previous minutes were signed off by Civic Engagement Forum members. Minutes are available online at: https://www.dcu.ie/engagement/civic-engagement-forum-minutes

3. Matters Arising

It was agreed to move future meeting times from 10am to 12pm to facilitate attendance. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10^th May at 10am.

4. President’s Awards for Engagement 2022

• Call for nominations was sent in January 2022
• Deadline for receipt of nominations Monday, 14th February
• It will be the in person event and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 27th April

5. Reports and updates

Mariana Colman, Centre for Engaged Research

• Preparation for the lecture series which will be held during April – June period
• Training session for DCU staff will be held this week with over 100 participants registered for the session
• Ongoing work on the preparation for the Summer school with the Public Participation Network (PPN)

Siobhán Seoighe

A Special Screening of the Film Arracht, followed by an interview and Q&A with the film's writer and director, Tomás Ó Súilleabháin has been rescheduled to 16th February 6pm. The event is free and all are welcome.

Ross, DCUSU:

• DCUSU election campaign started yesterday
• Green Week 7 - 11March
• The RAG week is next week
• Clubs and Societies are doing very well with a lot of events on

Samantha Fahy, Sustainability:

• Some Green Week events will be held online and some face to face on campus
• Bicycle workshops and bike safety awareness week is next week, 16th February
• National carbon budgets have been approved by Oireachtas committee
• 2030 target: reduction of energy emissions by 51%

Juliette Kinsey, Age Friendly University:

• A new credit module was set up in January
• Love of Lifelong Learning modules are ongoing
• Organisation of Events for Global Intergenerational week for Ireland, a new website was set up https://giwireland.com/
• Dublin Learning City Festival encouraged by UNESCO
• Traceus Project, COPE project

Liam MacGabhann, Recovery College:

• A well-attended transcultural music and dialogue event was held in DCU SOLAS room in January
• Ongoing work with the EU partners on ERASMUS grant
• Continue to provide normal programmes as usual
• Wider engagement initiative: Community Development Mental Help Network

Joanna Ozarowska, DCU in the Community:

• Continue to provide regular programmes
• Currently recruiting for 3 QQI level 5 and level 6 courses that will be starting in 3 weeks
• Continue to provide education guidance and assistance with college applications to adults returning to education
• Ruth Lynam, Student Volunteer Coordinator moved to the NGO and DCU in the Community is recruiting for paid student internship

Veronica Crosbie, University of Sanctuary

• The outdoor We Are Here|HEAR exhibition is coming to DCU at 11am on 1st March 2022
• Lorraine Mcilrath is a new chair of the University of Sanctuary Ireland
• SALIS continues to support many projects every year

Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge

• The Revitalize project kick off meeting is scheduled for this week, more details to follow.
• Grow it yourself projects: 2 positions are available in the sustainability and data analytics areas

Laura Mahoney, Executive Director of Engagement

Laura provided a brief overview of her new role which she took on 3 months ago and thanked Civic Engagement Forum members for interesting updates and for inviting her to the meeting.

Mary Rose Sweeney, Head of School, School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health  

“As I am edging towards the end of my term as Head of School I hope to have more time to devote to research so am very happy to link in with this group again. Daire has asked me to revaluate the Autism Friendly Project impact for autistic students on the ground at DCU so I hope to start working on this soon. It’s been running for 3 years now so a good time to look at this. We are also planning a new arm of the study to support staff who have family members who are autistic who might like supports”.

6. AOB

Date of the next meeting: Tuesday 10th May at 10am.

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 10.00 am

Tuesday 12^th October 2021, Zoom.

Attendance:

Deiric Ó Broin, Ronaldo Munck, Ross - DCUSU VP C&C, Natalja Matease, Padraig Murphy, Aisling McKenna, Ruth Lynam, Deirdre Corby, Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Bobbie Hickey DCUSU, Patrick Shevlin.

Apologies:

Christine O'Kelly, Laurence van der Haegen, Una Redmond, Samantha Fahy, Elizabeth Mathews, Trudy Corrigan, Joanna Ozarowska.

1. Welcome

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson), welcomed members of the Civic Engagement Forum.

2. Minutes

The previous minutes were signed off by Civic Engagement Forum members. Minutes are available online at: https://www.dcu.ie/engagement/civic-engagement-forum-minutes

3. Matters Arising

N/A

4. President’s Awards for Engagement

The second digital event with largest numbers of nominations was held successfully and it went very smoothly

Medals have just been received from the President’s office and will be distributed to the winners asap

5. Centre for Engaged Research

• The Centre for Engaged Research will be officially launched on 13^th December
• DCU Centre for Engaged Research Lectures Series are going very smoothly
• Everybody welcome to contribute to the Centre for Engaged Research website and submit information about past and ongoing Engaged Research projects
• A new module dedicated to Engaged Research is going very well

6. DCU Volunteer

DCU Volunteer week was a massive success with the online campaigns, information about different types and nature of volunteering work and volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering Newsletter will go out to students in the coming weeks, any information about volunteering opportunities etc. are welcome.

7. Reports and updates

Deirdre Corby, DCU Ability

DCU Ability have been successful with an application to the Dormant Accounts Fund - Measures to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities and have been awarded €199,973. This award will again be administered by Pobal.

This means that DCU Ability will be able to continue for a further 16 months from September 2021 to December 2022.

The next group of students is starting in 2 weeks and going to be online until Christmas.

Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge

'From Passion to Action' is a resource hub for social innovation and social entrepreneurship education.  There are different resources , podcasts and videos are publicly available at https://www.dcu.ie/socialentrepreneurship. Contributions for the website are welcome.

Any queries about our Social Entrepreneurship website, contact Emer NíBhrádaigh or her colleague Donnchadh Kindlon, https://www.dcu.ie/socialentrepreneurship/people. Donnchadh has a particular interest in green/sustainability issues.

Padraig Murphy: DCU FH&SS

Prof Sharon O’Brien, Assoc Dean for Research and Padraig Murphy organised an event in Sept to respond to DHFERIS ‘Creating Our Future’ campaign and also responding to new framework consultation doc for Irish research. Community partners also took part on submission to the day. Mini report due soon and will be sent to the Dept.

Christine O'Kelly, Age-Friendly University

AFU had a very busy summer, a good few presentations.  Positive Ageing Week was from 27th September - 1st October which was very successful, AFU had over 600 hundred people signed up to attend.  AFU had Dr. Vânia de la Fuente WHO leads on the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism and Prof. Mark Brown doing excellent presentations. Vânia's was on Global Campaign to Combat Ageism and Mark's was on "The challenge of Digital Equity - an age-inclusive approach".

AFU Love of Live, Long Learning Programmes are all starting this week.  Which consists of Genealogy, Choir, Life Writing, Botanical Art, Series of Lectures from the School of English and Dr Tony Foley is doing a series of 3 lectures.

AFU have an International Conferences on from 1-3 November 2021 on The Future of Ageing and the Silver Economy. All welcome to register for it https://engagingageing.com/.

AFU have also have partnership up with Fingal County Council and Mark Philbin from School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health DCU to run a Cycle Without Age Programme. 

8. AOB

Items to be added to the formal agenda:

• Briefing on Campus Engage
• SMART-ER Project (Padraig Murphy)

Next meeting date: 7th December 2021

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Zoom Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 10.00 am on

Tuesday 2^nd February, 2021

Attendance:

Deiric Ó Broin, Ruth Lynam, Úna Redmond, Natalja Matease, Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Deirdre Corby, Dylan Mangan, Joanne Ozarowska, Laurence van der Haegen, Samantha Fahy, Caitriona Mordan, Susan Hawkins, Colm Kearns, Dean.

Apologies:

Trudy Corrigan, Carmel Andersen, Aisling McKenna, Christine O’Kelly, Padraig Murphy, Ronnie Munck, Mary Rose Sweeney, Eleanor Healion, Anne O'Connor, Eilish McLoughlin, Karen Johnston, Daniel Kyne.

1. Welcome

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson), welcomed members of the Civic Engagement Forum.

2. Minutes

The previous minutes were proposed and seconded by Ruth Lynam and Natalja Matease respectively. Minutes are available online at: https:www.dcu.ie/community/Civic-Engagement-Forum-Minutes.shtml.

3. Matters Arising

N/A

4. President’s Awards for Engagement

Civic Engagement Forum members were briefed about 2021 event as follows:

• Call for nominations was sent to all staff and students and the nomination form is available on Office of Civic Engagement website:  https://www.dcu.ie/engagement/presidents-awards-engagement
• Deadline for receipt of Nominations: 24^th February 2021
• Event Date: 12^th May 2021
• The event will be held on Zoom, as a Zoom meeting to enable staff & students to enjoy an opportunity to connect online on this celebratory occasion, and of course it is good to be able to see the awardees.
• 5 nominations received to date
• The judging panel is secured and it consists from the colleagues who represent an academic community, the professional support community, student community and an external partner.

5. Reports and updates

Samantha Fahy, Sustainability:

• DCU signed MOU with the Climate Action Regional Office for the Dublin Metropolitan Area
• Ongoing project (a pocket park) on the All Hallows Campus
• DCU were funded under the SFI plastic challenge
• All suggestions are welcome for an all-Ireland Green Week which will be held on 8-12^th March

Susan Hawkins, Learning and Development

• All participants are encouraged to engage online
• Feedback shows the sense of connection with students and colleagues

Ruth Lynam, DCU Volunteer

• Community Organisations projects are at the standstill due to the nature of their work
• Successful work with students who are doing individual projects themselves, pen pal projects with local nursing homes, community clean up.

Joanna Ozarowska, DCU in the Community

• DCU in the Community actively delivering courses online including college preparation and education guidance service
• A lot of CAO applications submitted during January-February period
• 10 years of the successful operation of DCU in the Community will be marked in the annual 2020-2021report
• Campus Engage Community Engaged Teaching and Learning course starting this week

Úna Redmond, SU

• Societies are still engaging very well online with students & external groups
• Clubs are still struggling as most of their activities are based around sport, no activities on campus at the moment

Laurence van der Haegen, Access Outreach Officer

• Engagement activities at the school level are increasing and collaboration taken to a higher level
• A lot of collaboration and it is buzzing
• Successful provision of online mentoring and tuition, a large team of ambassadors, online training
• Very well attended virtual information sessions with local partnerships

Deirdre Corby, DCU Ability

• DCU Ability is a 3-year project and due to finish in a summer time,
• Preparation for finishing mode (survey, publications, legacy), the winding down process will begin from March until June
• DCU Ability is shortlisted for AONTAS award
• Project Manager Toff Anderson is leaving for the position in Pobal

Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge

• Ustart 2021 programme (DCU Ryan Academy): https://ryanacademy.ie/uncategorized/ustart-programme-schedule-2021/. For any questions in relation to growing your own business/any entrepreneurial activity in DCU please reach out to: Terence Bowden (DCU UStart & HUB Coordinator for the Campus). Zoom clinic Wednesdays from  2pm – 4pm, Zoom link:   https://dcu-ie.zoom.us/j/99265936013
• 47 high calibre applications received for the research assistant job in social innovation and social entrepreneurship

Dean and Dylan Mangan, SU

• SU will be collaborating with Clubs & Societies and promote students’ opportunities
• Lots of events are planned including weekly get together events and workshops
• Well received students’ feedback forms (1800 responses) will help in the preparation for the new semester
• Two students’ advisory groups (black students/students of colour and students with disabilities advisory group) have been established and should continue at least for the next 3 years
• Elections coming up in a few weeks

Caitriona Mordan

• Highlighted an increasing interest around social innovation and importance of the engaged research in Ireland and across Europe
• The Campus Engage new engagement model for research was launched last week
• ADAPT SFI centre launch yesterday
• Horizon Europe was officially launched on 2 February 2021

Colm Kearns, Centre for Engaged Research, DCU

• The Centre for Engaged research will be established soon and it will focus on community, social, civic and enterprise engagement
• The centre is aiming to support, organise and foster collaboration between academics around DCU. All suggestions and ideas are welcome.

6. AOB

Zoom Chat Notes:

• Deirdre Corby: Inclusive Education webinar 10th Feb at 3pm all welcome, registration and details https://www.iassidd.org/webinars_main_page/
• Emer Ní Bhrádaigh: ‘Cake Mix’ https://vimeo.com/450039459. Relevant part starts at 1:30 or so. Most of the students had fun creating their own versions as part of a pre-recorded video assignment. 1st yrs; 1st semester.
• Caitriona Mordan: https://youtu.be/R9WDQT2NzxA Link to the Horizon Europe launch webinar