The ICSH Board Member and Governing Board Award for 2013, sponsored by the Housing Agency, were presented to the winners at the ICSH National Social Housing Conference in Wexford.
Board Member Award
This award recognises the outstanding dedication and personal contribution made by individual voluntary board members and acknowledges the voluntary ethos as a defining characteristic of the voluntary housing sector.
This year, three individuals were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the voluntary housing sector, as well as one overall winner.
Dr. Sylvia Finley – HAIL
Dr. Sylvia Finley is a founder member of HAIL and has played an active part in the organisation throughout its 28 year history, providing housing for people with mental health issues.As a Consultant Psychiatrist in North Dublin, she was and continues to be acutely aware of the importance of housing and community based living to people with a Mental Health difficulty. Sylvia contributed and steered HAIL towards providing accommodation of high standard, at economic rent , with a housing maintenance service dedicated to effectively and efficiently dealing with issues, to minimise stress on very vulnerable tenants. Sylvia has monitored the establishment of appropriate person centred policies and this support and guidance is Sylvia’s key contribution to HAIL, particularly in her participation on the Support Services Sub-Committee of the board
Frank Feely – Oaklee Housing Trust
Frank has had a pivotal role in the development of Oaklee Housing Trust and raising its national profile. He has been a board member of Oaklee since 2000, and was Chair of Oaklee for the period 2007-2012. Frank retires from the board in 2014. He has a special relationship with Oaklee tenants, placing them at the centre of activities, Frank spear-headed the first tenant’s forum which resulted in a tenants representative sitting on the board of Oaklee Housing Trust. He also is an active contributor to Oaklee events and publications and is a promoter of cross border relations, for which he received a housing award in 2010, recognising his positive contribution.
Pat O’Connor – Roscara Housing Association
Pat is a founding member of Roscara Housing Association Ltd. (est.1994) which provides housing for people with intellectual disabilities in Co. Roscommon. He is recognised as a constant and dedicated advocate for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and has been outspoken around the need to empower and enable people with disabilities to claim their “rightful place in society”. Pat has been a driving force behind the development and expansion of Roscara Housing Association from its beginnings, through the acquisition of new units and further opportunities for development. A volunteer for the benefit of the community aside from Roscara Housing Association, Pat volunteers and engages with Roscommon Supported Employment Initiative, Castlerea Celtic and Castlerea Pastoral Council.
Overall Winner – Frank Comerford, Carlow Voluntary Housing Association / Tinteán
Frank is a founding Member of Tinteán / Carlow Voluntary Housing Association (est. 1993). He has invested 30+ years in improving the lives of people in the local community in Carlow. Frank was one of the main drivers of the housing association in the early days at a time when the housing association was run solely by the voluntary directors. He is described as “one of the rocks that the organisation has been built on”. He is extremely active in the Carlow community generally. He has been involved with a significant number of voluntary / community organisations for many years and held the position of Honorary Treasurer with most of them. These organisations include Carlow MABS, Carlow Volunteer Centre, and St. Catherine Community Services Centre. When Frank received an award at the People of the Year Awards for Carlow in 2012, for the category of Voluntary Endeavour, his response reflected his modesty: “the pay-off for me is when I can say I have had a positive effect on someone’s life.”
Governing Board Award
Ballycastle and District Voluntary Housing Association
In their detailed application form, the board of Ballycastle and District Voluntayr Housing Associationdemonstrated a very strong commitment to good governance, and displayed a mix of relevant skills amongst board members, a strong emphasis on training and succession planning, board performance and effective decision making, as well as ongoing financial accountability, advice and financial planning for the future. The board also demonstrated a strong commitment to tenant satisfaction, input and engagement. Ballycastle and District have made the move from being entirely volunteer-run to now being an employer .
The association has had a hugely positive impact on the local community – the on-site day centre is a hive of activity for the association’s tenants and the local community. The board has formed links with the Safe Home Programme, FAS, and the Rural Social Scheme. Ballycastle and District VHA have recently hosted local “gathering events”. The board published a retrospective of the association and its tenants on the anniversary of its scheme and also, unusually for a small association, have an online presence through their website. Ballycastle and District Voluntary Housing Association received the Mayo People of the Year Award 2010 for “contributing massively to the community and surrounding areas of Ballycastle”.
The judges believe the principles of good governance, accountability, dedication to tenants and the local community, as adhered to by the governing board of Ballycastle and District Voluntary Housing Association, provides a template of excellence which is an example to all community / parish based associations nationally.
Clúid Housing Association
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Clúid Housing Association demonstrated, in their extensive application, an organisation going above and beyond the requirements for good governance, board performance, training and succession planning. The organisation has signed up to all relevant codes and have also had a review of their compliance with governance requirements assessed by an external third party. The governing board has a board members handbook and within the handbook, the board has its own code of governance which reflects the companies memorandum and articles of association.
The board of Clúid annually review the skills and competencies of its members, and review their performance at an annual away day. The board has a schedule of matters for its decision and has a monitoring role around certain designated polices. The board also has direct engagement with tenants and attend Clúid events in order to give visibility to the board of Clúid, as well as judging competitions which reward the efforts of Clúid tenants.
The judges were very impressed by the organisation’s detailed application and the strong evidence of an ongoing commitment from the board to good governance, accountability, planning and decision making, which they felt provided a solid example to large, and growing Approved Housing Bodies.