Assembly Holds Workshop for Community and Voluntary Sector

The Northern Ireland Assembly, in partnership with the Rural Community Network, will host an event at CAFRE, Loughrey Campus in Cookstown on 14 October 2011 to help local voluntary and community groups work better with the Assembly and its Committees.

The event will include workshops and presentations from the Assembly on the best way to work with Committees, including advice on making submissions and contributing to inquiries. Local MLAs will also be on hand to provide practical tips on getting your issue or cause noticed.

The Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay, MLA said: “The Assembly is committed to making it easier for all sections of our society to work with the Assembly, its Committees and our MLAs. This event is an important part of that and Members recognise that the community and voluntary sector does a lot of important work in each of their constituencies which does not always receive recognition.  

“The positive feedback from past similar events demonstrates there is a real interest from the community and voluntary sector in taking advice on how they can put their case to the Assembly. This event will allow delegates to put questions to their local MLAs and take part in a simulated Committee meeting to give them a taste of how to engage with Committees.  

“Over the past two years the Assembly has concentrated on getting out and about with people and organisations across Northern Ireland. The Assembly may be based in Belfast, but it represents the whole of Northern Ireland and holding this event in Cookstown is a reflection of that.

ENDS