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FAQs
How do
you know the Shadow Council is listened to?
Young volunteers report that they feel listened to. The number
of consulting organisations is always increasing because of
a new emphasis on youth consultation. As users of services young
people can communicate what works and what doesn't so organisations
can plan better informed projects.
Why haven't the Shadow Council done what I asked them to?
Shadow Councillors and Delegates must prioritise all information
and projects coming into the Shadow Council as it is impossible
to do it all. Even on the issues they choose to pursue a lot
of time is needed to plan, persuade, raise funds and implement
projects. Often there is no guarantee of success and patience
and persistence is needed. Also time needs to be spent on the
development of the Shadow Council as an organisation.
How is information shared in the Shadow Council?
Every month (apart from during the summer) there is a full Shadow
Council meeting. At this meeting all information an opportunities
coming into the office are outlined to Shadow Councillors and
Delegates present. Future meetings are shared out on the basis
of interest and availability. Where places are restricted names
are put in a hat and the first ones drawn out go. At each monthly
meeting there is a summary of what happened at meetings shared
out in the previous month and management issues. All these are
detailed in minutes circulated to all Shadow Councillors.
Why is information sent to the office and not Shadow Councillors'
home address?
The Shadow Council is open to contact from all organisations
and individuals. Information is sent to the office to protect
Shadow Councillors and Delegates from possible harassment.
Why don't Shadow Councillors get a copy of all correspondence?
There are 29 Shadow Councillors and consulting organisations
would have to sent 29 letters. Shadow Councillors' addresses
would have to be public information. There is no point in Shadow
Councillors receiving detailed information in projects they
are not interested in. Summaries of correspondence received
are detailed in monthly diaries and are available on request.
Summaries of information detailed in correspondence are given
out at monthly meetings.
Why don't Shadow Councillors do all the office work?
Shadow Councillors are volunteers and their time is best spent
representing the views of young people in Fermanagh and planning
projects. Shadow Councillors may do as much of the office work
as they have time for but they also have school, work and social
commitments. As a countywide organisation many Shadow Councillors
live a long way from the office and it may be difficult to come
in.
What is the role of the Project Worker?
The Project Worker facilitates communication within the Shadow
Council, relating information to the Shadow Council to prioritise.
He/she checks that policies relating to the Shadow Council are
being implemented and provides adult accountability in the organisations
day to day operations. The Project Worker is answerable to the
management committee which includes equal numbers of young people
and a diverse representation of adults.
How do Shadow Councillors know what comes in to the office?
Summaries are given at monthly meetings and in diaries of information
received since the previous meeting. Difficulties may occur
if information is received after a monthly meeting for later
the same month. This information is give secondary priority
to what was agreed at the previous Shadow Council meeting.
What happens if information is being kept from the Shadow
Council?
The Complaints Procedure should be followed.
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