Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Workshop 2009

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Thu Jan 22, 2009 16:43 sean.crudden at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

Due to a typo the date of the winter workshop was given in the "Events" list as 17 January 2009. Clearly the event takes place this Saturday 24 January 2009. See you all there!

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:21 sean.crudden at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

Paul Johnston will be telling the workshop about FAI initiatives to stop and prevent racism in soccer. Dundalk FC has been carrying out an anti-racism program involving visits to local schools.

Professor Pringle is unsure, he says, of what contribution he can make on the topic of "bullying." Even if he says nothing we are delighted to have him visit us again.

I hope to have some better quality pictures to post after the workshop takes place tomorrow (Saturday).

Hopefully everyone will get a chance to make their contribution at leisure to the workshop. In any case the workshop has to conclude at 5.30 p.m. (It starts at 2.00 p.m.) when the Annual General Meeting of Cooley Environmental and Health Group will take place.

Professor Dennis Pringle, Dept. of Geography, NUI Maynooth

Paul Johnston, General Manager, Dundalk FC

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:32 sean.crudden at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

The workshop was very bright, engaging, pacy. I was so absorbed that I left my camera on the mantelpiece during the workshop and forgot about it. However I remembered my promise to indymedia readers and lifted up my camera and took a few shots when the workshop concluded and around the dinner table afterward.

In all there were twelve people ranged in a crescent around the fire in The Strand Hotel for the workshop - I hope I am not forgetting anyone. Don Johnston, Eamonn O'Boyle, Michael Corrigan, Mrs Anne Muldowney, Paul Johnston, Eric Hynes, Kevin Hynes, Willie Jones, Sean Crudden, Pat Ferrigan, Dennis Pringle, Michael Desmond ("Dessie") Hynes. Incidentally our experience is that 12 or 13 is the ideal number of participants for a workshop of the kind we have been operating each year since the dawn of the millennium.

At 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, the workshop having concluded, a small AGM of Cooley Environmental and Health Group took place. It emerged that CEHG has around €850 in the post office and Sean Crudden (me) was confirmed as treasurer for another year. Archbishop Hynes continues as secretary. Anne Muldowney was proposed as chairperson by Eric Hynes and seconded by Kevin Hynes and elected unanimously. She succeeds Arthur Morgan who had been chairperson for most of the decade.

Eric Hynes

Kevin Hynes

Archbishop Michael Desmond ("Dessie") Hynes

Mrs Anne Muldowney

Councillor Eamonn O'Boyle with Don Johnston on his left

by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD - Cooley Environmental & Health Group Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:33

Report on Workshop 2009: Theme BULLYING held in The Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth Saturday 24th January 2009

The following participated in the workshop:
Ms Anne Mulldowney
Mr Pat Ferrigan
Mr Paul Johnston
Mr Don Johnston
Mr Dermot Mooney
Mr William Jones
Mr Eric Hynes
Mr Kevin Hynes
Cllr Éamonn O’Boyle
Archbishop Michael D Hynes Facilitator
Mr Seán Crudden
Prof Dennis Pringle
Mr Michael Corrigan

The participants each gave great insight into the topic of Bullying coming from diverse backgrounds.
Bullying often describes a form of harassment perpetrated by an abuser who possesses more physical and/or social power and dominance than the victim.
Many programmes have been started to prevent bullying for example Trinity College Dublin have been a great response via their Anti- Bullying Centre.
It was argued that bullies hurt people verbally and physically because they themselves have been a victim of bullying most likely in their childhood years being abused at home or where bullying adults were abused by their colleagues say in the workplace or sporting arena.
Bullying can occur in any setting where there is human interaction including schools, church, workplace, home, neighbourhood, political arena, Garda, Military and literally anywhere that there is social interaction.
Bullying behaviour may include name calling, verbal or written abuse, exclusion from activities, exclusions from social situations, physical abuse or coercion. Direct bullying: can involve much physical aggression, shoving, poking, throwing things, slapping, chocking, punching, kicking, beating, stabbing, pulling hair, scratching, biting, scraping and pinching.
Indirect Bullying: can be seen as threatening the victim into social isolation achieved thought a variety of techniques such as spreading gossip, refusing to socialize the victim and bullying other people who wish to socialize with the victim, and criticizing the victims manner of dress and other socially significant markers (including the victims breed, race, religion, disability or ability et cetera).
Characteristics of Bullies: reveal bullies have personalities that are authoritarian as well as dominating. Bullying can also be used as a tool to conceal and boost self esteem by humiliating others: by weakening others the abuser feels empowered. It was suggested bullying behaviour can have a foundation from childhood as if aggressive behaviour is not challenged it may become habitual. Bullying often operates through psychological or verbal abuse rather than say through the involvement of criminal or physical violence.
Targets of Bullying: those who are socially isolated and seen as an easy target for a bully such as certain children in schools and adults of who are lees able to defend themselves in the workplace. Cyperbullying: has become to the fore where bullies even create blogs to intimidate victims worldwide as well as unsolicited e-mails with advertisements that are seen as anti-social for example such as extent your manhood et cetera.
Hazing: the performing of meaningless tasks can be humiliating and degrading for the victim in all walks of life sexual assaults by work mates in vulnerable situations where power and trust is abused. Where bosses say bullies a worker in front of customers et cetera.

To conclude the workshop raised many issues which time did not allow us to develop in the course of the workshop. As they say “Rome was not built in a day” – neither can we eradicate bullying during the course of our workshop. However! Hopefully this workshop on BULLYING will raise awareness that we can help diminish the anti-social compulsion of inflicting fear or threat to individuals in our society.

Most Rev Dr Michael D Hynes
Secretary/PRO
Cooley Environmental and Health Group (CEHG)

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:36 sean.crudden at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

The latest meeting of Cooley Environmental and Health Group (CEHG) began with breakfast on Sunday 22 February 2009 at 11.00 a.m. in The Strand Hotel, Omeath, Co Louth. The main items discussed were thanks and gratitude to indymedia.ie, The Dundalk Democrat, Dundalk LEADER, Dundalk FM 100 who all helped to publicize our ninth annual winter workshop ("Bullying") which was held on 24 January 2009. Gratitude, too, to Louth County Enterprise Board for having paid CEHG a generous grant towards the cost of the workshop. I gave an account of the finances of CEHG which are in a healthy state.

Dermot Mooney suggested "Back to Basics - A Plan for Survival" as a possible theme for the tenth annual winter workshop which will probably be held on Saturday 30 January 2010.

The secretary of CEHG, Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD, and Dermot Mooney stood up for a photograph at 12.30 p.m. a little before the end of the meeting.

Sean Crudden
TREASURER
Cooley Environmental and Health Group

by Most Rev Dr Michael D Hynes OMD - Cooley Environmental & Health Group Sun Apr 05, 2009 15:07

Report on Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Meeting held in The Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth Sunday 5th April 2009 @ 10 am
An interesting meeting took place in the Strand Hotel on Palm Sunday the 5th April 2009 @ 10 am which commenced with a breakfast which everybody were seen to enjoy.
The meeting was informed Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes and Mr Seán Crudden attended the Peace 111 Launch in the County Hall Dundalk on Wednesday the 18th February 2009. It was proposed for a delegation of three members the Archbishop, Mr Crudden and Mr Mooney meet with Peace 111 officials regarding funding as soon as practical after the Budget is revealed on Tuesday the 5th April 2009. One member said “there is nobody in government who will have clout to make the harsh measures required to sort the economic mess out! Another said “this remains to be seen”!
The Louth “Age Friendly Imitative Seminar” in The Crowne Plaza Hotel was attended where great hopes and aspirations were revealed for the older citizens of county Louth.
The CEHG are calling on private householders who may be in need of a smoke alarm and will get those respective eligible home owners applications forwarded to LCC.
AS a mark of respect to the late Cllr and GP Dr Mary Grehan a minutes silence was observed and concluded with a short prayer. We all pray that Mary will Rest in Peace.
All are to research speakers for the workshop on the last week in January 2009 as well as read well for the workshop theme “Back to Basics – Plan for Survival”. As well we welcome any ideas form non members who may wish to contribute to the workshop to come forward.
Next Meeting is programmed for Sunday the 24th May 2009 @ 10 am in The Strand Hotel Omeath.
Most Rev Dr Michael Desmond Hynes OMD
Secretary CEHG

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Sun Apr 05, 2009 22:33 sean_crudden at yahoo dot com Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth 0879739945

The most likely date for the tenth annual winter workshop organized by Cooley Environmental and Health Group is Saturday 23 January 2010 starting at 2.00 p.m. in the afternoon. The theme is "Back to Basics - A Plan for Survival" and it was emphasized at this morning's meeting of the group that anyone interested in making a contribution should get in contact with any member of Cooley Environmental and Health Group to declare an interest.

by Most Rev Dr Michael D Hynes OMD - Cooley Environmental & Health Group Sun May 24, 2009 13:32

Report on Cooley Environmental & Health Group Meeting in Strand Hotel Omeath Sunday 24th May 2009 @ 10 am
The meeting was very interesting and focused on a few local issues then proceeded with planning for the 2010 workshop which has a theme: “Back to Basics - A Plan for Survival”. The rest of the meeting was a discussion around on who we will get to speak and what focus they should have.
It was agreed to source speakers on Business, Education, Church, Health & Social Services(HSE), Banking & Finance, Local Government, Local Charities, A Working Class Perspective and Energy Supply.
Much debate was aroused on the above issues as it will be interesting to see how the differing viewpoints will come together as we leave it to the individual speakers to define or describe how far they will go back and see if there is any co-relations between the other speakers and see if all agree or disagree on what is meant by the term basics then hopefully we aim to having a conclusion drawn up at the workshop. It was agreed we want the workshop topic to help people understand their situations in a better light living in a world which harbours lots of ideology especially since we have become involved in the EC coupled with the emerging multi-cultural muti-faith society of which Ireland is part and parcel. Being politically correct as they say is important now and as one member put it “we should all count to 10 before we say anything”!

The next meeting is on Sunday the 6th of September 2009 in the Strand Hotel Omeath @ 10 am.

Most Rev Dr Michael Desmond Hynes
Secretary: Cooley Environmental and Health Group (CEHG) www.cooleyehg.com

by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD - Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Sun Aug 30, 2009 13:52

Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Meeting in Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth
A vibrant enthusiastic meeting took place after breakfast at 10 am in Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth. The main trust of the meeting dealt with the 2010 workshop on “Back to Basics- A Plan for Survival” which is being held on Saturday 23rd of January 2009 from 2 - 5.30 pm.
A structure was put in place and prospective speakers will be contacted before the next meeting which is Sunday 11th October 2009 @ 10 am in Strand Hotel Omeath.
Anybody with either environmental or health issues are welcome to attend and have there grievances’ dealt with in an affable manner.
In the meantime we wish members well who are to holiday in Rome and Canada in September as the meeting was informed.
Most Rev Dr Michael Desmond Hynes OMD
Secretary CEHG
Tel; 042 9373525 Mobile: 086 3380 894/ 087 1389 426

by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD - Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Sun Aug 30, 2009 20:49

Cooley Environmental & Health Group (CEHG) Meeting in Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth
A vibrant enthusiastic meeting took place after breakfast at 10 am in Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth. The main trust of the meeting dealt with the 2010 workshop on “Back to Basics- A Plan for Survival” which is being held on Saturday 23rd of January 2010 from 2 - 5.30 pm.
A structure was put in place and prospective speakers will be contacted before the next meeting which is Sunday 11th October 2009 @ 10 am in Strand Hotel Omeath.
Anybody with either environmental or health issues are welcome to attend and have there grievances’ dealt with in an affable manner.
In the meantime we wish members well who are to holiday in Rome and Canada in September as the meeting was informed.
Most Rev Dr Michael Desmond Hynes OMD
Secretary CEHG
Tel; 042 9373525 Mobile: 086 3380 894/ 087 1389 426

by Sean Crudden - CEHG Tue Sep 01, 2009 19:55

I am merely posting two photographs taken on Sunday morning last at breakfast time (10.30 a.m.) in The Strand to let readers of indymedia have some idea of the surroundings and atmosphere at the meeting of Cooley Environmental and Health Group which started there at approximately that time. Archbishop Hynes is secretary of the group; Rosemary is a weekend visitor from Belfast.

Rosemary Murphy, Springfield Road, Belfast

Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD