Report on the Annual General Meeting of the Confederation of Community Groups, Newry & District held on Thursday, 24th October 2024 at Ballybot House , Newry
Introduction
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Confederation of Community Groups (CCG), Newry & District, was held on Thursday, 24th October 2024, at Ballybot House , Newry . The event brought together representatives from local community and voluntary groups, board members, staff and other stakeholders to review the organization’s progress, discuss key issues, and outline strategic goals for the coming year.
The meeting was chaired by Maureen Ruddy who introduced the agenda focusing on community engagement, funding challenges, and the CCG’s future development plans. Maureen welcomed attendees and acknowledged the commitment and contributions of member groups over the past year she said “ I am delighted to present the Confederation of Community Group’s Annual Review for 2023/24. Despite the lack of a Stormont Executive for most of the period, a cost-of-living crisis, and restricted funding issues I am glad to report that we were able to deliver our essential services to local communities. Following a review of our strategic priorities, I can confirm that the Confederation
remains committed to the practice of Community Development. This commitment is evident throughout the report in terms of engagement, participation of local people, addressing inequalities, loneliness, hardship and increasing partnership working and capacity building. We were delighted to retain core funding from the Department for Communities, Newry Mourne & Down District Council, and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. To the DfC, NMDDC, and SHSCT I offer our sincere thanks. Core funding remains essential to support project delivery and underpins our overall sustainability. Sadly, in December 2023 David Cunningham (former CCG Chair, Board member and friend) passed away after a long-term illness. Davy, while always affable, was also a person you could rely upon for guidance, clarity and advice. He steered the organization through some difficult times, showing great integrity and leadership and is sorely missed by all at CCG and in the wider community.
I would like to personally thank my fellow Board members, staff, volunteers and our wider membership for all their support and cooperation throughout the year. Thanks, are also due to our many funders who provide the vital financial support necessary for our work.
In the Chief Executive’s report CEO Raymond Jackson reflected on the 2023/24 year as a particularly challenging yet rewarding year, he said “We continued to deliver an extensive programme while dealing with short-term funding during a time of increasing need for our services. The cost-of-living crisis continued to bite throughout this period and severely impacted those just about managing. We were delighted to assist some of those in most need in our local communities. We continued to build partnerships with local community organisations, with funders and with our colleagues in the Com/Vol sector and were able to support groups in areas such as governance, policy & procedures, charity registration & reporting, training, operational planning, and sourcing of funds. Through the Neighbourhood Renewal programme, we continued to provide practical support to local communities in areas of disadvantage throughout Newry City and have assisted them with community activities, funding applications and compliance with funding requirements. We contributed to social policy development by working with strategic partnerships, attendance at seminars/conferences and by responding to consultations. We contributed extensively to the review of the sectors Regional Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Renewal programmes and strengthened engagement between statutory and com/vol sectors in the Community Coordination Hub and Strategic Stakeholders Forum.
Our Older Peoples Programme was restructured following an amalgamation of health programmes and tendering process and we established new community volunteering hubs for our Good Morning programme. We continued to provide affordable office accommodation, venue hire and back-office support resulting in generated income equating to approximately 53% of “normal income”. Finally, I would sincerely like to thank the staff team, volunteers and board members for their commitment and dedication during the past year.
CCG would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rosemary McDonnell for her dedication and leadership over the past 15 years as a Director of the CCG. Her commitment, and guidance have been invaluable to our organisation over those years.
In addition to her role on the CCG Board, Rosemary’s outstanding tenure as CEO of Community Advice Newry, Mourne & Down has been marked by her tireless advocacy and determination to support those most in need. Her work has ensured that Community Advice Newry, Mourne & Down is very well placed to continue its work of empowering individuals and families and building a stronger, more resilient community. As Rosemary steps into retirement, we wish her all the joy and fulfilment she so richly deserves.
Thank you, Rosemary, for your valued contribution to our sector.
