Why should my group get involved?
The Forum is the best way your group can have a voice in shaping the future of Galway City for all its citizens. Forum membership conveys a number of important advantages to your group namely:

Networking - Representation - Policy Development - Information Sharing - Workshops & Seminars - Social outlet - Personal Development.

Networking

The Forum has over a hundred member groups and growing, so it is very likely that you will find groups with a similar interest to yours. Forum members have many shared experiences and support and learn from each other in many ways.

In addition the Galway City Community Forum is part of the newly formed National Fora comprised of Forum from other City & County Councils, so in time it is hoped that groups will be able to liaise nationwide through the Fora network.


Representation

The Forum evolved out of the Governments goal to ensure a way for the Community & Voluntary sector to have a say in Government, in this case at a local level. As a result representatives from the Forum are elected to the City Development Board (CDB), Strategic Policy Committees (SPC's), Co-ordination Mechanisms and other bodies. These groups drive the policies that shape our City.

In addition, the Forum is regularly asked to forward representatives to meetings on a wide range of topics e.g. the Galway Cycling Campaign recently represented the Forum at consultations held by the National Task force on Obesity.

Policy development

All Forum member groups are encouraged to formulate and develop policies, which can be brought before the whole Forum for discussion. Together with the Forum your group has the advantage of pursuing its own agenda.

Information Sharing

The Forum strives to keep its members informed of developments in the Community & Voluntary sector with regard to grants, support mechanisms, training workshops, volunteering etc.

Workshops & Seminars

You can take part in all the seminars, workshops and conferences organised by the Forum. In the past these have ranged from a conference on drugs awareness to workshops on travellers and asylum seekers issues.

Social outlet

The Forum represents people. People from all walks of life, from many different countries, with many different needs and a mind boggling array of interests. We are all committed citizens with an interest in civic life and bettering our environments and communities. With so much in common strong friendships have formed among the Forum membership.

Personal development

The Forum provides many opportunities to hone your skills in a wide variety of ways from public speaking to networking. A number of Forum members have gone on to use these skills in employment in the Community & Voluntary sector and others have used them to further a career in politics!