Members of Community and Voluntary groups in County Monaghan recently took part in two training courses – “Sustainable Development Training for Community Groups” and “Community Infrastructure Management Training”.

Both courses were jointly organised by Cavan Monaghan Rural Development and County Monaghan Partnership as a direct response to the training needs identified in People Power, a Profile of the Community and Voluntary Sector in County Monaghan 2005.

People power, a base line study of community and voluntary groups in County Monaghan which was published late in 2005, is very much a working document and the needs identifies are guiding agencies in supporting the community and voluntary sector.

The Sustainable Development training course delivered by McCready, Donnelly Lowry Ltd was conducted over 6 evening workshops in the Enterprise Centre in Castleblayney. The course covered issues pertaining to sustainability for community groups and included sessions on group dynamics, developing strategic plans, fundraising, project appraisal, sustaining a committee and human resource management.

The Community Infrastructure course was run over 5 evening workshops in the Iontas Centre, Castleblayney by Training Initiative. The course covered issues such as managing overheads, managing staff, decision making models and procedures, cost control and financial management and support and networking mechanisms.

The level of participation on both courses once again highlights the dedication of community and voluntary groups in continuing to better their communities. Further training for community and voluntary groups in Monaghan is planned to take place in September / October of this year. The training will take the form of a second Sustainable Development Training Course and Website Design / Internet Training for Community Groups.

Pictured below are participants on the Sustainable Development Training.