2020 was to be the year when RWN would embark on our new strategic direction, little did we know that we would have to rapidly adapt and reimagine everything we do and how we do it. We believe we adapted and responded as effectively as was possible to the needs of women and families and the local community during the uncertainty of the pandemic. It was a challenging year, a reflective year, a year where our ability to manage change and uncertainty was tested and we have learned a lot in the process.
In our 2019-2024 RWN strategic statement we committed to expand our reach around the county and beyond to engage with more women in more creative ways. We planned to achieve this through the freeing up of some of our resources through the transfer of services to the new FRC and also planned to attract new programme funding. We know that if the figures do not add up, we cannot afford to trade on good will and the invisible work that we tend to do, in order to sustain the network. We need to sustain what we do and expand to meet the needs identified by the women and communities we serve, this includes, supporting communities to become informed and mobilised creating the conditions to address environmental concerns and interests at a local grassroots level.
We know from our experience and success over the last 13 years that our autonomous approach to community development is a proven and best practice model of supporting women and communities to address their needs and find solutions to their emerging issues.
We completed our Charities Corporate Governance Code compliance journey during 2020. The RWN AGM was held on 27th of January 2022.
Current RWN Directors /Voluntary Management Committee (VMC) members:
Una Groarke (Chairperson), Lorraine Campbell (Secretary), Ruth Wallace (Treasurer), Tara Farrell, Margaret Mulligan, Liz Billings, Freha Saleem, Rita Kearney, Jessamine O’Connor, Sarah Osei. There were five board meetings held during 2020.
Pictured at the RWN Strategic Plan launch on 8th of March 2019 (International Women's Day) Front row left to right: Eugene Cummins CEO RCC, Mairead O'Shea (RWN Director), Marian Harkin MEP, Ruth Scott, Cllr Orla Leyden, Cllr Kathleen Shanagher, Deputy Eugene Murphy Back row left to right: Una Groarke (RWN Chairperson), Nora Fahy (RWN Manager), Dr. Liz Hayes Corporate Community, Counselor Valerie Byrne