Meeting of IMPERO

by Sean Crudden - impero Sat Jun 07, 2008 21:48

A meeting of IMPERO started at 2.00 p.m. in The Strand Hotel, Omeath, Co Louth, on Saturday 7 June 2008. The meeting was preceded by a meal which began at 1.20 p.m.

Present were: Mrs Anne Muldowney (chairperson), Sean Crudden (secretary), Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD (vice-chairperson), Kevin McGeough (joint treasurer), Kevin Hynes, Bridget O’Connor, Joan Hardy (mentor).

The secretary said he had sent a notice of the meeting to Bishop Tom Daly OMD FRSA (president) but was unsure if he had addressed the letter correctly.

The minutes of the previous meeting (held on 2 June 2007) were read by the secretary and adopted on the proposal of the Archbishop seconded by Joan Hardy.

The Archbishop said there was a need to broaden definitions so as to increase the scope of mental health services into areas like juvenile justice, addiction, homelessness, education, family crisis management, penal reform.

Kevin McGeough asserted that there is a system there; it works and he was not worried about labels. Things have improved since the old days he maintained.

Sean and Joan reported little progress over the past year in the attempt to get off the ground the making of a documentary film on isolation and depression. However there was a general feeling at the meeting that the matter should not be dropped and Joan undertook to research the position further e.g. with the "Sound and Vision" funding scheme. Joan expressed qualified approval of the ads being aired on radio and TV from the HSE and The Disability Authority about mental illness. She said the 1 in 4 statistic was striking.

The secretary expressed appreciation for the support which Brenda Johnston had given IMPERO ab initio and expressed the highest regard for her. She had been vice-chairperson from 1989 until 2005. Brenda died recently in her early sixties, RIP.

The secretary distributed magazines and posters he had received recently from The Equality Authority. This material dealt with the problem of stereotyping.

The secretary pointed out that a founding provision of IMPERO was that only mental patients were entitled to be members. Others could become associate members. It was agreed that some people should be approached with a view to membership/associate membership. The secretary pointed out that there was nothing secret about the proceedings of IMPERO and anyone who wished was welcome to contribute to IMPERO and join up.

The secretary read a selection of articles from indymedia.ie, "Home for The Homeless," "To Heal the Broken Heart and Set the Captives Free," "Medicating the Elderly," "Fighting and Psychiatry," "The Green Green Grass of Home," "How Are You Doing?" The readings were well received. Sean received a compliment or two about his writing skills. "Maybe he is a little over-the-top now and again?" the chairperson remarked

It was agreed that the secretary should make an open submission to The Mental Health Authority outlining the need to broaden mental health services.

The next meeting of IMPERO was fixed for Saturday 13 June 2009 starting at 2.00 p.m. following a meal beginning at 1.00 p.m. The venue will be The Strand Hotel, Omeath, Co Louth.

It was suggested that an interim meeting might be convened in the Autumn to consider questions like progress on the proposed documentary (if any) and the question of establishing what the fundamental purpose of IMPERO is meant to be.

The secretary reported that IMPERO has €414 in the bank. The meeting decided that the secretary and The Archbishop should apply to attend in The Farney Workhouse, Carrickmacross, on 17 June 2008 from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. a seminar organised by The Disability Federation of Ireland on fund-raising and preparing a business plan. "I’ll help you when you come back!" Kevin McGeough promised.

The secretary undertook to ascertain from Arthur Morgan TD confirmation of his willingness to be IMPERO’s patron. "I’ll ask him when I see him," the secretary concluded.

The meeting concluded at 3.20 p.m.

Mrs Anne Muldowney gazes over Carlingford Lough towards The Mournes slightly tense before this afternoon's meeting of IMPERO

Sean Crudden, secretary of IMPERO, pictured at the pier in Omeath, Co Louth, just after noon today

Bridget O'Connor arrives at The Strand Hotel, Omeath, in plenty of time for the IMPERO meeting

Joan Hardy, mentor, makes a point at today's meeting of IMPERO in The Strand Hotel, Omeath, Co Louth

Two Kevins. Kevin McGeough (left) and Kevin Hynes pictured after today's IMPERO meeting in Omeath, Co Louth

by Sean Crudden Sat Jun 07, 2008 21:55

The general feeling was that the quality of this year's IMPERO meeting/event was superior to last year's.

Joan Hardy (mentor) and Kevin McGeough (joint treasurer) in good from at the conclusion of the IMPERO gathering today in Omeath, Co Louth

by Sean Crudden - IMPERO Wed Jun 07, 2017 19:00 impero at outlook dot ie Lower Jenkinstown, Co. Louth, A91 A092. 0858636391

The Annual Assembly of IMPERO will take place in The Strand, Omeath, including a celebratory meal which will begin at 14:00 on Saturday 17 June 2017 to start proceedings.

Agenda
Minutes of General Assembly 2016
Secretary's Report
Treasurer's Report
Remarks by The Mentor
Review of Strategy
Election of Officers
Any Other Business

Seán Crudden
Secretary

N.B. Anyone interested may attend save only to notify the secretary before Saturday 10 June 2017

Seán Crudden, secretary, IMPERO

by Sean Crudden - IMPERO Mon Jun 19, 2017 13:25

The meeting was a success.