Raleigh International (Ireland) Proposal & Accreditation - 2004
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Transcript of Raleigh International (Ireland) Proposal & Accreditation - 2004
Expanding The Raleigh International
Experience
Contents
1
Raleigh Ireland, International Raleigh Group…………………………......………...…2
Raleigh Ireland Group, Its differences to U.K. Groups………………...…………..……2
Raleigh International and its potential in Ireland…………….……………………..…3
The Irish Charities/Non-Profits Sector…………………………………………..……3
Raleigh Ireland Group – The Proposal …………………………………...…….……4
Raleigh International management of Raleigh Ireland…….…………………….…..…7
Raleigh International’s Future in Ireland……………………….……………….……7
References……………………………………………………..…………….……8
Raleigh Ireland, International Raleigh Group Raleigh Ireland Group was started in January 2002
by a returning expedition venturer and two Raleigh
International Head Office Staff. Following the
model of Raleigh Groups in the U.K. we wanted to
bring the Raleigh Experience too Ireland. The
group was solely internet based through an
emailing list. The main aims of the group were
being a support to venturers going out on
expedition and to keep in touch with ex-venturers in
Ireland. This was successful for a period of time as
the group was supported a great deal from the two
staff members from head office. These staff
members were part of the International Venturers
department. Although we suffered a setback when
the International Venturers department was closed
due to financial difficulties in the organisation and
the group lost the support of these head office
staff. While there had been plans at head office to
continue to coordinate with its Raleigh Groups
around the world, little activity came about.
Raleigh Ireland continued to function although with
only one person managing it on a spare time basis,
our plans for the future were in serious jeopardy.
Raleigh Ireland Group, Its differences to U.K. Groups
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As Raleigh International is not widely known of in Ireland this was going to have obvious consequences on the way in
which a Raleigh Group in Ireland would function. The main function of Raleigh Groups in the U.K. ; “Set up principally
to support people pre-expedition with expedition kit and fund-raising top tips, Support Groups also have a long
history of running fantastic UK-based community and conservation projects. Its all about putting something back,
and about mirroring Raleigh International's focus on personal development and worthwhile projects”. Raleigh Ireland
embraced the principal of supporting pre-expedition venturers, but it would be difficult for Raleigh Ireland members
to engage in local community and conservation projects on the scale of those run by groups in the U.K. With the
public knowing little or nothing about Raleigh International we would find it difficult to secure support and funding
for such projects. As a result Raleigh Ireland must look at what challenges faces it as a group. We must publicise
Raleigh International to the wider public and generate interest in its expeditions and so as too develop a wider public
knowledge about the organisation. Then Raleigh Ireland as a group can start to give back to our local communities
in a much more recognised and supported manner, following the principles of the functions of Raleigh Groups.
Raleigh International and its potential in Ireland Unlike in the U.K. where Raleigh International faces competition from GAP year organisations, there a very few similar
organisations to Raleigh International in Ireland, indeed even the GAP year idea is not practised widely. The non-
profit/charity sector in Ireland is largely I unstructured and very basic. It can be quite difficult for a young person to
be exposed to information about youth development organisations of any type unless that person is actively
researching this information. This begs the question; with some structured publicity and
support would Raleigh International be widely popular among young
people and prospective expedition staff members? The
answer to this question is, yes. At every
opportunity a Raleigh Ireland member has had to
talk about Raleigh International there has
always been great interest generated. There are simply
no other opportunities for young people in Ireland like
that of Raleigh International expeditions. In the same way
Raleigh International expeditions generates wide
interest in the U.K. in a competitive market the interest
would be much more in Ireland under a relatively fledgling market. This
opportunity must not be let slip by Raleigh International and must be grasped now as other
U.K. based organisations are already beginning to setup in Ireland (e.g. GAP ACTIVITY PROJECTS (GAP) Ltd., World
Challenge Expeditions, i TO i)
The Irish Charities/Non-Profits Sector
3
In order for any organisation setting up in Ireland to be taken seriously and trusted by any prospective sponsors it
must become a registered charity. In order for Raleigh International to operate successfully in Ireland it must
become a registered charity here and establish itself in the non-profits sector. The climates under which a charity
must work under in Ireland is significantly different to that of the U.K. Charities in Ireland receive very basic funding
and are not supported well by the government. While establishing a charity in the U.K. may be more structured and
straight forward the structures in place here are outdated and very restrictive, although there are many successful
charities here, so success is not impossible here.
Raleigh Ireland Group, An established division of Raleigh International
The Proposal
In order for Raleigh International to be successful here it should establish a working office in Ireland. As a Raleigh
Group established here two years ago we have developed an extensive knowledge of the Irish non-profit sector. We
feel confident that we could undertake the task of running a fully functional division of Raleigh International in
Ireland. We are not suggesting the creation of an independent Raleigh organisation, but more of an extended
developmental and support structure of Raleigh International in Ireland. Recognising financial difficulties in the
organisation and the restructuring of the organisation some time back we propose to be self funded and self staffed.
As a result of the restructuring of the organisation which seen the closure of your international division, your
“International” market has suffered. The promotion of Raleigh International outside the U.K. has declined and
support to International venturers is dramatically reduced. This further enforces the need for a Raleigh International,
Ireland office. Such and office will not affect your existing structures or finances in any way as we will be self run
and self funded. We can only serve to benefit the organisation as a whole and bring the Raleigh experience to more
young Irish volunteers. This is a very basic idea of our proposal, what we aim to achieve and how we plan to
function.
Aims
• 1.Promotion of Raleigh International Expeditions to
Irish volunteers
• 2.Provide pre-expedition support and programmes to
volunteers
• 3.Being an all Island organisation, connecting
communities across all borders and divisions
• 4.Identifying ways to implement existing Raleigh U.K.
programmes in Ireland (e.g. Motive8)
• 5.Provide post expedition programmes
1. As the ability for head office to promote Raleigh International
expeditions to Irish volunteers is limited, we would engage in
this through promotion in local and national media
(Newspapers, Radio and TV). We would engage in a country
wide tour to give talks too final year students in secondary
schools around the country. With the support of Student
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Unions in Colleges and Universities we would give
talks in and establish societies in Colleges and
Universities around the country. Increasingly
volunteer organisations have used career fairs to
promote their organisation. This is a way for us to
offer expeditions as an excellent developmental
experience for volunteers and staff.
2. While there are excellent structures in place in the
U.K. for pre-expedition volunteers, these are often
not open to Irish volunteers. We would look to
mirror these structures in Ireland. Agreeing
discounts for volunteers in adventure sports stores
across the country. Providing a guide to
fundraising in Ireland with examples of how our Irish
volunteers fundraised. Advice on how to approach
Irish companies and prospective sponsors for
sponsorship, as well as identifying possible sponsors to target. From the experiences of our volunteers
they found it very comforting for their support agencies in Ireland (The President’s/International Award) to
contact them while they were on expedition. We would hope to does this. Through direct radio link ups and
postcards during each stage of their expedition.
3. As Ireland is an island of many communities and borders, some of which have been and continue to be in
conflict with each other, Raleigh Ireland could help to bring these communities together under one goal. We
should be an all island organisation providing support for communities both sides of the Northern border.
4. Working true to its aim Raleigh International is helping to develop the potential of some the most
disadvantaged young people in the U.K. through the Motive8 programme. The factors that cause
disadvantage among young people in the U.K. is not unique to the U.K. and unfortunately there are several
young people in Ireland suffering under the same conditions, although they do not have the opportunity of
the Motive8 programme. There are many organisations and small community groups in Ireland that work
with disadvantaged youth, we would like to be able to design a programme along the model of Motive8 that
will bring these groups together and provide Raleigh expeditions to them.
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5. When our volunteers return from expedition we would like them to take the skills they learned while working
on environmental and community projects and apply them to their own communities. This can be done
through getting involved with other charitable organisations and community groups in Ireland. Although
typically these organisations are not easy to source. We would research and source out such organisations
and develop a network or organisations across the country that our venturers could get involved with. As a
Raleigh Group we would work as a collaborative organisation on community and environmental projects
across the country. Something that has been lacking in the Raleigh International organisation as a whole but
have in the past grown out of individual expeditions is, reunions and alumni networks. We would establish
an alumni network for Irish venturers to communicate across and organise events through as well as being a
source of volunteers for Raleigh Ireland as a whole.
Structure of Establishment and Operation
• 1.Board of Directors
• 2.Office based out of Dundalk Institute of Technology
• 3.Website as main point of information to the public
• 4.Marketing by non-profit marketing company
• 5.Trainning from Raleigh International and Charities training centre in Ireland
• 6.Sponsership and Patrons
• 7.Volunteers and Support
1. As required by legislation in order to register Raleigh International, Ireland as a charity it must be setup as a
company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. This company must consist of a board of
directors. These would consist of members of Raleigh International senior management, local politicians and
business people. We have already secured the support of a local politician who is himself the Director of
Friends of The Earth, Ireland.
2. Pending your support for our proposal we will be approaching the Director of Dundalk Institute of
Technology for support by means of the provision of office space on institute grounds. Dundalk is an ideal
location for the charity as it is of equal distance between Dublin and Belfast. We have already had informal
discussions with the Institute about the proposal and they are keen to support us. This would remove
certain running costs such as rent, electricity and communications.
3. From the outset of Raleigh Ireland Group we have been solely internet based. This has proven to be very
successful for us as we have generated a lot of interest in Raleigh International through our website content.
Our current website is very basic, due to lack of expertise and funding. We have secured free website
hosting, free domain name registration and greatly discounted professional web design. We hope to make
our website a central access point for information and interactivity for our members.
4. As promoting Raleigh International will be the key to its success in Ireland it is imperative we design a robust
marketing campaign. We have been in discussions with the Public Communications Centre, a non profit
marketing group. They have run successful marketing campaigns for organisations such as Amnesty
International, Trócaire and European Youth Forum to name but a few. They will be able to develop a
marketing campaign to suit our needs and budget
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5. As we will be a division of Raleigh International all our staff must be trained to the highest standards and
undergo the same training as Raleigh International staff in Head Office. We have also sourced training from
a leading Charities training centre in Ireland (Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups) who provide
affordable specialized training in the running of non-profit groups.
6. Raleigh Ireland will be entirely self funded; with this in mind we must identify a means of funding. We will be
seeking support from foundations such as: Co-Operation Ireland, The One Foundation, Atlantic
Philanthropies, The Ireland Funds, National Lottery Fund, AIB Better Ireland Awards, Irish Youth Foundation,
People in Need Trust. Government Departments: Dept. of Education, Dept. of An Taoiseach and Dept. of
Community and Rural Affairs. With the advice from PCC we will also be targeting key corporate sponsors and
seek to find a patron.
7. There are now newly established support networks for Charities. We have been in discussions with several
of them and intended to gain support from many more. These groups include Activelink, Community
Workers Co-operative, The Wheel, Volunteering Ireland, The Washington-Ireland Program, The
Presidents/International Award and The Irish Youth Council. These have helped and will continue to help in
spreading information about Raleigh International. We will also largely rely on support from volunteers.
These will include ex-venturers, community volunteers, Second level and Third Level student interns. At
present we have 32 registered members on our Raleigh Ireland mailing list most of whom have expressed an
interest in assisting in the development of Raleigh Ireland. Having ex-venturers as the backbone of the
organisation is a key part to its structure. They will be available across the country to provide advice and
assistance to new venturers. We will host a brainstorming development and training weekend with these
volunteers to gauge their ideas on the development of Raleigh Ireland.
Raleigh International management of Raleigh Ireland
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Raleigh Ireland will be a division of Raleigh International and will be answerable to head office in London at all times.
Any decisions about the actions of Raleigh Ireland that would impact on the Raleigh International organisation as a
whole will always be approved by head office first. All literature, training and policies about Raleigh International,
Ireland will be approved and provided by head office. Raleigh International will of course always be in a position to
cease the operations of Raleigh International, Ireland.
Raleigh International’s Future in Ireland If the above proposal were to be supported, at least in part, the future of Raleigh International in Ireland would be
bright. It is an adventurous proposal but one which will only serve to benefit the future of Raleigh International. We
wish to enhance the opportunities of Irish youth with Raleigh International. You may have never foreseen the option
of an office for Raleigh International in Ireland, or even have seen the need for one. We hope we have illustrated to
you the need for an office here and we are putting ourselves in a position to provide one.
References
Irish Charities Act, 1961 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA17Y1961.html
Irish Charities Act, 1973 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA13Y1973.html
Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Charities Regulation
http://www.pobail.ie/en/CharitiesRegulation
Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Framework for Charities White Paper
http://www.pobail.ie/ccp-en.doc
The Revenues Commissioners - Applying For Relief From Tax on The Income And Property of Charities
http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/chy1.pdf
The Revenues Commissioners – Standardised Memorandum and articles Of Association For A Company Limited By Guarantee And Seeking Tax Exemption As A Charity Under The Provisions Of Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997.
http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/stanmemo.pdf
The Revenues Commissioners - Explanatory leaflet on Value Added Tax in the case of Charities
http://www.revenue.ie/publications/leaflets/chy10.pdf
Activelink http://www.activelink.ie
Co-Operation Ireland http://www.co-operation-ireland.ie
Community Workers Co-operative http://www.cwc.ie
The Wheel http://www.wheel.ie
Volunteering Ireland http://www.volunteeringireland.com
Irish Youth Council http://www.iyc.ie
The Washington-Ireland Program http://www.wiprogram.org
The One Foundation http://www.onefoundation.ie
Atlantic Philanthropies http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org
The Ireland Funds http://www.irlfunds.org
Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups http://www.carmichaelcentre.ie
Public Communications Centre http://www.pcc.ie
Gap Activity Projects (Gap) Ltd http://www.gap.org.uk
World Challenge Expeditions http://www.world-challenge.co.uk
i TO i http://www.i-to-i.com
The President’s/International Award http://www.gaisce.ie
Dundalk Institute of Technology http://www.dkit.ie
The National Lottery Fund http://www.lotto.ie/infocentre/national.asp
AIB Better Ireland Award http://www.aib.ie
Irish Youth Foundation http://www.iyf.ie
People in Need Trust http://www.telethon.ie
Department of Education and Science http://www.education.ie
Department of An Taoiseach http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie
Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs http://www.pobail.ie
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