1. Sligo PPN The Representative Structure

2. Representatives Charter Key Points

3. Feeding into local decision making Plenary: Full Membership Linkage groupRepresentativeCommittee Communication

4. Role of the Representatives Represent the views of the linkage group Lead the linkage group Communicate with linkage group members – online and/or in person Attend and participate in committee meetings Feedback to linkage group members

5. Role of the Linkage Group Elect representatives Discuss and Advise Representative on issues Connect with each other and the representatives

6. Why do we.... Representatives are representing the PPN, not their own community group Representatives need to also represent significant minority views Linkage group members can feed into local policies

7. Secretariat Support Facilitate Elections Support reps to hold meetings or help set up online communication systems Provide training and support to reps

8. Options for Communicating

9. Good resource Harvey, B. (2008) Working for Change: A Guide to Influencing Policy in Ireland, CPA. Available at http://www.combatpoverty.ie/publications/W orkingForChange_2008.pdf http://www.combatpoverty.ie/publications/W orkingForChange_2008.pdf

10. Steps in Influencing Policy (Harvey 2014) Defining the issue, ‘what the problem/issue is’ Getting it on the political agenda Changing behaviour, not raising awareness Shaping a local/national government response: solutions – Coming up with solutions is our responsibility Implementation This requires: – Knowing what issues you want to get across, ability to define them, write and talk about them – Knowing what the political system can do about them (or not) – Knowing who is being asked to do what – Knowing what the solution will look like? – Setting up systems of implementation, checking that it is done (and who does so, how)