The Áirc Midlands Code

The Áirc Midlands Code

Aims and Objectives 

The objectives of the organisation are to provide support to children and young adults (aging from 0-25 years) with disabilities (or extra needs) who reside in the Midlands Counties (Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford, Offaly and Laois) and their family and friends. To promote and assist in facilitating inclusion at all levels of community activity and involvement. To empower children and young adults with disabilities and their support network through educational platforms. To help provide a pathway of access to facilities, services, equipment and activities that would otherwise be inaccessible due to the child or young adult’s disability or condition.

In short we have four aims: support, communication, advocacy and to fundraise when needed to achieve these. Any lobbying or campaigning by ÁIRC is to be carried out to further our support goals and raise awareness of disability issues.  

ÁIRC has an ethos of complete inclusion of people with disabilities.   

All monies raised are to be used to further these goals in activities agreed upon by the Committee.

Goal

To improve the quality of life of children and young adults living with disability. To promote and assist in facilitating inclusion at all levels of community activity and involvement. To empower children and young adults with disabilities and their support network through educational platforms. To help provide a pathway of access to facilities, services, equipment and activities that would otherwise be inaccessible due to the child or young adult’s disability or condition.

Methodology

By using empirical evidence based research models using feedback gathered from the community itself to develop and disseminate a holistic multi-disciplinary range of supports and services specific to individual and localised need. We use a community based approach and provide these supports and services by utilising the skills and/or resources of individuals and organisations within the community. Examples of this can be: By providing educational based services such as workshops, camps, courses or information days. By facilitating inclusive and accessible events for families such as parties. By making therapies and respite services more financially accessible.

Fundraising events

 Events must be approved by the Treasurer and Chairperson of the core committee. A funding request form may be filled if the event requires and upon approval funds will be allocated and signed for.  

Events must only involve activities that are in keeping with the ethos of Áirc Midlands and every effort must be made to ensure the activities are fully inclusive and accessible. 

Volunteers at events must be accounted for on the risk assessment forms and briefed prior to an event on protocol and procedure.

Volunteer Protocol and Procedure

• Volunteers must have read and signed the volunteer agreement.
• Volunteers must be Garda Vetted.
• Volunteers must carry out the Children First Child Protection training hosted by the HSE website.
• Volunteers must be presentable and conduct themselves in a polite and helpful manner.
• Volunteers must be familiar with the goals and activities of Áirc Midlands.
• Smoking and the consumption of alcohol are prohibited by volunteers while they are wearing the Áirc Midlands clothing.
• Collection buckets at events must adhere to legal guidelines and remain sealed with security seals during the event. They must then be brought to the Treasurer, counted and signed off on by at least two committee members. In the absence of the Treasurer collection buckets can be brought to the Chairperson or the Vice Chairperson.
• Áirc is an organisation without employees. This includes at governance level. Professionals may be retained on a freelance basis.

Online Activities / Social Media

Áirc has social media accounts with the following:

Facebook

• Áirc Midlands (page)
• Áirc Midlands (group) - Admin – Chairperson(s), Vice Chairperson, P.R.O.(s)
• Áirc Midlands Mullingar (group)
• Áirc Midlands Offaly (group)
• Áirc Midlands Roscommon (group) - Admin – Regional Point of Contact, Chairperson and one other person to be chosen by point of contact.

Twitter

Áirc Midlands

Admin – Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and P.R.O

Instagram

Admin – Social media administrator

Website

www.aircmidlands.com

Admin – Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and P.R.O

Whatsapp

The committee communicates via Whatsapp groups:

• Áirc Midlands (for all committee members)
• Chairpersons (Chairperson and Vice Chairperson)
• Regional Events ( Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, P.R.O, Regional point of contact – this is strictly to be used as an events notice board)

Code of conduct Whatsapp groups

• Office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm.
• Conversation is to be strictly restricted to Áirc business and activities
• If your conversation is relevant to only one committee member please utilise private messaging
• If you wish to discuss an issue with the committee but feel that one particular member would benefit from the information utilise the “tag” function. This ensures the information doesn’t get lost in the feed.
• Conversations must remain respectful at all times. Insults / swearing will not be tolerated.

Child Protection

Work is currently underway on our Child Welfare Policy and Penguin Club