Sightlines
Message from the Chief Executive
We are living and working in changed and challenging times. Weekly, if not daily, new fastenings are advanced for further tightening the belt of public finances. NCBI is not an audience to what is happening or is to happen. We can be victims or architects in the chaotic times ahead. I would prefer to think that we will be the latter, architects.
Old alliances will be broken and new collaborations commenced. The comforts of predictable routines will end and give way to greater ambiguity and uncertainty. These changes will be largely unseen and not written into the management books of recent decades. Traditional ways of working will be challenged, and even the rationale for NCBI’s continued support from state funds will have to be fought for as though we had arrived at the new dawn. In future the good deeds and reputation won in the past will count for very little..
I place great confidence in the staff at NCBI to become more mutually supportive of one another’s work down even to being extended members of the fundraising team. A recent example of staff’s contribution to the exigencies lying ahead was voluntary additional leave taking to the value of €230,000.
Even Greater Challenges
The management and staff at NCBI have developed an adaptability to working with resources which have not grown to match the near 100% increase in our service user numbers over the past four years. The difference, going forward, is that resources may now shrink while the demand for services and support from NCBI will continue to face even greater challenges. Different and even “smarter” ways of working will be called for to carry us through the recession. Also called for is the building of mutual respect within and outside of the organisation for one another’s work and tolerance for the difficult decisions which will have to be made.
The incremental development of personal social services in “times of plenty” has undoubtedly dulled the “why” and the “how” of many aspects of services and ways of working (inside and outside of NCBI) which we take for granted. My analogy for the times ahead of us, as NCBI and as individuals, is that of a garden of rare and highly valued plants which will not survive the coming frost.
We have been given a glass-house to protect the plants from the frost but the glass-house is capable of only containing half of the number of plants in the garden. Which plants will we take into the glass-house and which will we allow to wither in the frost? Before one has to make that decision, we must look with a freshness of objectivity at each of the plants and give them value points which will test their importance and continued relevance for survival and propagation in the glass-house.
NCBI News Goes Quarterly
From January 2009 NCBI News will be moving from its bi-monthly format and will be published on a quarterly basis. The step is being taken due to a number of operational and financial issues which the organisation is facing this year. The Spring issue covers the period January, February and March. NCBI News is available in print, Braille, audio (cassette tape and CD) and on our website at www.ncbi.ie.
NCBI’s Golf GTi Car Draw Winner
Photo caption: John Brierty (left) accepting the keys of his new Golf GTI from Des Kenny CEO, NCBI. To enter the 2009 Car Draw, please contact NCBI’s fundraising department.
Galtee Mór Charity Challenge
Challenge yourself on the Galtee Mór Charity Challenge, which will take place on Sunday 31st May 2009 in aid of NCBI. Galtee Mór standing at 3018 ft may not pose a big challenge for the experienced hill walker but can provide breath taking scenery and a thoroughly enjoyable walking experience.
This challenge is suitable for both experienced hill walkers and those wishing to enjoy a leisurely stroll, while supporting a worthwhile cause.
The itinerary for the day is: check in at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel at 12 noon. At 12.30pm transfer to the walk start point. Participants will have two walking options; a high level walk for the experienced hill walker or those seeking a challenge. The second option is a low level walk, which will suit most individuals. The duration of the walk will be approximately three to four hours. Participants will be transferred back to Kilcoran Lodge Hotel for a post walk dinner.
For further details on the walk please contact Gerard Shanahan
Phone: 086 3151771 Email: gershan@iol.ie