NEWS ALERT: THE NATIONAL CHARITY SUMMIT - TODAY, 23 MAY, CROKE PARK 
 
WHAT: The Wheel's National Charity Summit is Ireland's largest annual gathering for the charity sector. It is a focal point for a sector that generates a combined annual turnover of €12bn and supports employment for 289,197 people. The aim of the day-long event is to discuss and debate some of the most pressing issues for the charity sector. 
 
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD will deliver a special address at 4.30pm.
 
WHEN: Thursday, 23 May 2019, 10am-5.30pm
 
WHERE: Croke Park Conference Centre (Hogan Suite)
 
CONTACT: Gert Ackermann M 086 176 9287
 
KEY SESSIONS:
 
Plenary 1: 10 am to 12 noon - Hogan Suite
The community, voluntary and charity sector is transitioning through a period of change which creates an opportunity to unlock its potential. The opening session of Summit 2019 will bring together representatives of key government departments and agencies for a wide-ranging discussion around the role of community and voluntary organisations, and how the sector can benefit from a range new plans and strategies that are currently being developed by various government departments and agencies.
 
In 2019, we have seen or will see
The future of most organisations in the sector will be shaped by one or other of these reports, plans, strategies and processes. Many will be shaped by more than one, and some organisations will be shaped by all of these developments. Bringing coherence to these very positive developments will enable society to benefit to the maximum from the potential in our community and voluntary sector, but achieving such coherence will also pose a challenge for both the sector and the relevant departments and agencies.
 
Parallel Session Sessions 12.20-1.30pm
 
HOGAN SUITE: ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUTONOMY: GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
Many community and voluntary organisations perform key roles in Ireland’s health, social and community services. Thousands of organisations are funded by the HSE and thousands more by Tusla, the Department of Education and others. Recent years have seen a change in the allocation of funds by departments and agencies, with more use of contracts and commissioning processes, with highly specified service outcomes. These changes have resulted in an increase in compliance and reporting requirements and a felt reduction in the autonomy of organisations to respond flexibly to need in their communities. The requirement to account for public funds is accepted by all – but can we find better ways to collaborate and work together in partnership to better meet the needs of the people and communities we serve?
 
 
ROOM 81/82- PROTECTING CIVIL SOCIETY'S VOICE 
Civil society organisations play many roles in our democracy, and advocating for change is one of the most important.  It is through participation in civil society groups that people participate in shaping our collective future - so ensuring the freedom of civil society organisations to advocate is critical for our democracy to thrive. Yet there are concerns that electoral processes are being undermined by social media manipulation and by unaccountable money. How can we ensure that initiatives designed to protect our electoral system – such as the Electoral Acts, and proposals to regulate political advertising – don’t undermine civil society voice?  Is civil society voice under threat?  How can a balance be struck that ensures electoral processes are free from interference and manipulation by unaccountable forces and ensures the freedom to advocate?
 
 
CANAL CAFE - SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: A NEW WAY OF THINKING
  • Chair: Grainne Kelleher, Airfield
  • Aoibheann O' Brien, Food Cloud 
  • Deirdre Mortell, Social Innovation Fund Ireland 
  • Andrew Forde, Dept. of Rural & Community Development
Social enterprises are community-based organisations, voluntarily governed, that look to earn a contribution to the cost of their work through trading in goods or services.  The spectrum of social enterprise is very broad running from highly commercial enterprises that operate on a not-for-private-profit basis (including the work of social entrepreneurs) all the way to organisations funded from the public purse that engage in some trading activity to supplement their incomes. Many social enterprises face particular challenges with regard to registering (or not) for VAT; securing charitable status; and meeting Revenue requirements re carrying surpluses.  This workshop will set out the current policy context for social enterprises and discuss how the way can be cleared for social enterprises to thrive.
 
SESSION 4.15pm-5.30pm - H0gan Suite
 
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD will deliver a special address at 4.30pm.
 
The Wheel's 20th Anniversary Celebration.
 
 
VIEW FULL PROGRAMME
 
 
Media welcome to attend all session. Interview and photo opportunities
available on the day.

Contact Gert Ackermann on 086 176 9287 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow The Wheel on Twitter  ( https://twitter.com/The_Wheel_IRL )
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ABOUT THE WHEEL
The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and
voluntary charities and social enterprises. We are a representative
voice and a supportive resource that offers leadership, advice,
training, influence and advocacy for the sector. With nearly 1,600
members, The Wheel is the largest representative body for the charity
sector. Visit www.wheel.ie for more information.
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