NICVA's AGM and Annual Report
The Annual General Meeting for the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action took place on Friday 7 December 2007.
NICVA's AGM saw the election of a new Executive Committee, the adoption of the Annual Report and Accounts, a review of the year from the chief executive and a report from NICVA Chair, Bob Stronge.
Chair's report
Bob reported that the challenges we face are the same for society as a whole - how do we develop a modern, inclusive and effective sector that is able to drive forward social change; to contribute to a prosperous and dynamic society where citizens are valued and inequality and sectarianism become things of the past? As a sector providing employment for over 25,000 people (State of the Sector IV) we have a pivotal role in shaping a new modern Northern Ireland.
He said:
At times NICVA has to sit in an uneasy place between government and the sector, particularly with regard to policy comment and campaigning but also in terms of the modernisation and change agenda. In my time as chair I have begun to appreciate what a delicate balancing act this can be! We have a leadership responsibility to the sector; we exist to work for positive social change, to promote our collective values and protect vital services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
He also highlighted a number of key milestones for the organisation and thanked Seamus McAleavey, the chief executive, his fellow Executive Committee members and all the staff in NICVA for their individual and collective achievements in implementing the development plan.
New Executive Committee
Members elected onto to the executive committee at this AGM were:
Michael Briggs, East Belfast Community Development Agency (already served three years and re-elected) Isobel Loughran, Women Into Politics, Ricky Rowledge, Council for the Homeless Margaret Ward, Women's Resource and Development Agency
