Loughrea Youth receives

Standing Ovation at Best Practice Meeting

In Sheraton Hotel - Athlone

Naomh Breandain Credit Union, Loughrea was proudly represented by its Youth Advisory Council at the National Best Practice meeting for youth held in the Sheraton Hotel last weekend. It was a special moment when 4 members of the YAC presented their work in the form of a PowerPoint presentation to a crowded room, people from all over Ireland - North, South, East and West.

Representatives from credit unions throughout the nation of Ireland sat in silence for thirty minutes desperately seeking ideas on youth development to take back to each of their own individual credit unions. They were not left short of ideas and enthusiasm from this vibrant group of young people.

The presentation was opened by Siobhan Casey, a Leaving Cert student at St Brigid’s Vocational School in Loughrea. Siobhan spoke about the setting up and workings of this very special group of young people calling themselves the Youth Advisory Council or in short “The YAC”, it’s benefits to the group and the benefits to the credit union. She mentioned how the YAC was established in 2006 and how it had grown from strength to strength. Ciara Brown, a TY student from St Raphael’s College took over from Siobhan and discussed many of the wide range of projects undertaken by the group from one year to the next. A sample of the work undertaken included the group’s favourite - the annual CU-Factor Talent competition which is a huge success story for Naomh Breandain and the town of Loughrea. So successful indeed that it has gone on to the Galway region. Kelvin Moran, studying English and Media & Communications at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, the third speaker of the day talked about the DVD - Community Unity and the vast experience he gained in the group from the making of this DVD. He also showed a series of short ads recently launched by Naomh Breandain Credit Union and the YAC which are currently being used to promote various loans in the credit union. Karen Fahy, a Science student at NUIG concluded the presentation by speaking about her involvement in the YAC and the many benefits she has gained from it especially in the areas of communications, personal development and organisational skills.

The success of the day was also attributed to three other YAC members all of whom played an important role. Eimear Moran and Eimear Donoghue, both students at St Raphael’s College controlled the workings of the presentation and the distribution of literature to those attending. The final guest of the day - the surprise visit of the credit union mascot namely Beirín Brendí. This was worn by Thomas Fahey, a Leaving Cert student at St Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea and very active member of the YAC.

There is no doubt but many credit unions around the country have gone away with a host of brilliant ideas that can be now implemented in many credit unions both large and small within our communities.

The presentation concluded with a standing ovation from the crowd.