Posts Tagged ‘ireland’

First Three Days Before JCI World Conference

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Hi all :) I have been in Japan now for three days now Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I got into Osaka at around 3 on Saturday and then caught the express train to Kyoto to do some sight-seeing for a few days. I decided that I will spend the rest of the week in Osaka so it would be nice to see some of the rest of Japan. I got speaking to a nice chap from the city Kyoto on the flight over and I was telling him about JCI and he told me that I needed to visit Kyoto if I got a chance as it is a beautiful city full of world sites of culture.

First Tatami Mat House

Golden House by Lake

I got to see some gorgeous rock gardens, Shinto / Buddhist temples and some amazing gardens. On Sunday I caught a cable car up a mountain where they train monks that is meant to have splendid views but the rain and fog rolled in so the views did not happen for me. Have a look at some of the photos below of the places I visited in Kyoto.

I caught the train to Osaka today and met up with Michelle and Louise and we met our JCI friends from UK, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and some other places also. We all had to meet up for a very important meeting to discuss some critical maters. See the picture below.

Important JCI Meeting In Osaka

Just a reminder to everyone that JCI Ireland leadership Academy will be happening in Roscrey on the weekend of the 12th 13th and 14th of November. It will cost €50 for the full weekend of training, food and accommodation. This is great value for what will be a great weekend of leadership development. If you want to go contact Emmeline on emmeline@ireland.com

Konbanwa

Kelly San

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Day 4 in Aarhus

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

I had a great night last night at the Catalonia party. They were promoting the 2011 European conference and if last night was anything to go by we are in for a treat. If you are looking for some info on next years conference have a look here.

http://www.jciec2011.cat/

The sun finally came out today and I had some free time to explore Aarhus. I spent some time in the coffee shops around the old town square and in the local shops. It really is a beautiful city and I hope to get back here again to explore a little more. Have a look at the center in the video below!

This afternoon the Irish delegation came over to the apartment that we were staying in and we all enjoyed a glass of campaigning and we had a nice chat about our highlights of the conference. I have to say we also had the football game on in the background. After this we went to the awards ceremony and we would like to congratulate Solveig from JCI UK on winning the public speaking competition. We did not win any awards this year but we can not win every year I guess ;)

We all went to the Gala dinner tonight and had a great time eating, dancing and getting to know our friends from. I have to confess that I had two deserts as it was chocolate mouse and strawberries. It was a splendid finish on a great meal.

This brings an end to my report from the 2010 European conference. I have had a ball and feel that I have learned so much, grown as a leader and really got to meet some great people. I hope you can make it to Osaka in November or Catalonia next year and have the same experience we have all had here in Aarhus.

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Day 3 in Aarhus

Friday, June 11th, 2010

After a late night last night where I was partying until 2:30 at the German night I had an early start this morning to have breakfast with the JCI World president. I invited him to our national convention in Fingal this year and I hope he can make it. He had the following words to say to the JCI Ireland members.

After breakfast with the world president I went to this mornings key note speaker George Kohlrieser. George is a lecturer in leadership at the number one business school in Europe, IMD in Lausanne. He is the author of the best selling book on leadership “Hostage at the Table”. http://www.hostageatthetable.com/

 He delivered an excellent talk on leadership that was moving & inspiring. He had the following nice words for all the JCI Ireland members.

We also had an excellent reception today from JCI Osaka on the world convention this November. It is an understatement to say that I was blown away by the scale of the plans for world convention. JCI Osaka have rented all of Universal Studios for part of the convention.

http://www.jci-wc2010.com/english/

This evening I was at a reception hosted by our good friends JCI UK. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate JCI UK president and my great friend Lesley on the announcement of her plan to run for International Vice President. Also I hope that JCI London member Solveig wins the European public speaking as she delivered a splendid speech in the final today.

Finally some of us attended the Dutch party night tonight where they gave us pizza and all the beer we could drink :) There was rock music and great craic. See if you can spot any one you know in the video below.

I am off out to the JCI Catalan night now and I do not know if I will get any sleep this week. As Kevin once said “No sleep till Dublin”

Mark

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Day two in Aarhus

Friday, June 11th, 2010
This morning saw the start of general assembly (GA) where we were getting reports from different members of the JCI European Leadership team. Then we had the members of the different comities who were set-up at the European Presidents Meeting to identify how JCI can help Europe present there reports. 
 
During the day I attended some VIP receptions and these are always good fun and a great opportunity to get to know my fellow JCI members a little better. I was at the Turkish reception and then in the evening I was at the German reception where the Germans were promoting their bid for European conference in Braunschweig in 2012. We will vote on their bid tomorrow morning. 
 
 
 
This evening all of the Irish delegation attended a splendid party hosted by JCI Germany down in the docklands of Aarhus. This party was a cross between dance and Eurovision with some rock rolled in for good measure.  
 
 

 
Have a look at the video below to see what you are missing ;)  

 
 
I will have breakfeast with the JCI world president tomorrow morning and I hope to get a message from him for the JCI Ireland members.
 
Until tomorrow. 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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JCI European Conference in Aarhus

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

I landed in Copenhagen last night at 21:00 and had a nice walk around the city. It was raining a little and I did not expect that but I guess I should have checked the weather.

This morning I got the 7:50 fast train from Copenhagen to Aarhus and really got to see the splendid countryside of Denmark. There were many lovely lakes and lots of great bridges.

Five of the JCI Ireland delegation are staying in an apartment that is just around the corner from the conference Centrex and hotel. International director Marie did an excellent job finding the accommodation and everyone is delighted with the find.

The opening ceremony saw acrobats performing death defying feats on stage that really amassed everyone. As national president I was called up on stage as the Irish chief delegate and they had a short presentation on Ireland.

The night then kicked off in style with the first big party of the week and the beer was flowing freely. The price of beer in Denmark is quite expensive so everyone was delighted with the free bar that is included in the price of the conference ticket at the parties.

Up early tomorrow morning and off to general assembly where we will start to make some decisions on the direction of JCI in Europe. I hope to get some good ideas on launching branches around Ireland from my fellow JCI National Presidents.

Mark

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Dublin FBA & Belfast trip!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Last week I was at the JCI Dublin Friendly Business Awards that were hosted by The Lord Mayor of Dublin in the Mansion house on Dawson street. These excellent awards recognise those excellent companies in Dublin who are going that extra mile in customer service & friendliness. If you would like to have a look at this years winners please visit

http://www.friendlybusinessawards.com

At the weekend I made the now short trip up to Belfast to meet up with some of my friends from JCI Belfast. They were hosting JCI UK presidents day and they did a splendid job of it. There were a few of us from JCI Ireland who made the trip and we really enjoyed the treasure hunt around Belfast city. And got to meet Jim Larkin on route ;)

Next weekend JCI Limerick are hosting training day and I am really looking forward to the political awareness training and the training on ballroom dancing. In the evening we will announce the outstanding young people who will receive a JCI Ireland TOPY award. I really enjoyed and was inspired by the stories of this years entrants and I am sure you will be inspired also.

See you on Saturday

Mark

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Spring Confrence 1

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Today was the first glorious day that we have had this year and it was appropriate that it was also the first day of the JCI Ireland Spring Conference.  
 
The theme of the weekend is change and the change in the weather was really appreciated by all the members who were taking part in the impact tabulating around Dublin. JCI Ireland members were charged with the challenge of going out into Dublin and creating impact and promoting JCI Ireland. 

In the afternoon I really enjoyed the two training sessions on Change delivered by Ken McIntyre-Barn www.commercialexcellence.ie and Peter Lawless www.3r.ie/peter-lawless-speaker.html These two sessions really motivated me and I am looking forward to making some changes in my life. 
 
We have public speaking & debating on Sunday & I will have some updates on that later.

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March is impact month

Friday, March 5th, 2010

This March is the first JCI impact month for 2010 and JCI Ireland is looking to make some impact all over the country.

I would ask you as a supporter of JCI Ireland to recommend JCI to at least one person this march. If you are reading this blog you know the great benefits of getting active and involved with JCI.

Lets make March a great month for JCI all over Ireland and create some positive IMPACT!

Mark

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Nominate Someone Special as Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2010

Monday, February 15th, 2010

It’s that time of year again…when JCI Ireland starts looking for Nominations for the The Most Oustanding Young Person of 201o.  Every year JCI choose ten outstanding young people under 40 who live the JCI Mission in extraordinary ways!

Do you know someone that excels in his or her field?  Have they overcome challenges and developed themselves in a way that helps their community?

Check out the details of the competition here:


What is TOYP?
Junior Chamber International officially adopted the TOYP program in 1981. Its purpose is to honour ten individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who exemplify the finest attributes of the world’s young people. The first TOYP ceremony took place in November 1983 during Junior Chamber International World Congress in Taipei, Taiwan.

Categories

Since then the program was expanded and opened up to all countries, including Ireland. The nomination criteria focused on ten specific classifications, and judging is now based on the nominees’ achievements in or contributions to the following categories:

  1. Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment,
  2. Political, legal and/or governmental affairs,
  3. Academic leadership and/or accomplishment,
  4. Cultural achievement,
  5. Moral and/or environmental leadership,
  6. Contribution to children, world peace, and /or human rights,
  7. Humanitarian and/or voluntary service,
  8. Scientific and/or technological development,
  9. Personal improvement and/or accomplishment,
  10. Medical innovation.


PREVIOUS WINNERS

Some examples below of previous winners of the TOYP in Ireland may further illustrate the calibre of nominee that have achieved success in this competition.
Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment: e.g. Declan Ganley: founder of Europe’s largest broadband communications company.
Political, legal and/or governmental affairs: e.g. Sophia McColgan: made legal history as a victim of sexual abuse who took on the state and medical profession
Academic leadership and/or accomplishment: e.g. Martin Conway: born with a severe visual impairment, got a degree and improved facilities for other disabled students.
Cultural achievement:e.g. John Hunt: Art administrator of the Hunt Museum
Moral and/or environmental leadership: e.g. Ray Hallahan: set up Mid-West Recycling and developed tailor-made packages for companies.
Contribution to children, world peace, and /or human rights: e.g. Ronan Scully: works with GOAL
Humanitarian and/or voluntary service: e.g. Celene Dunne: co-ordinator of Cherry Orchard Developing Youth; active fundraiser for community issues in Ballyfermot area.
Scientific and/or technological development: e.g. Triona McInerney: work in helping Ennis win Information Age Town Dr. Owen Smith: Director of National Haemophilia Centre and National Children’s Hospital; active in consultation and research on Haematology.
Personal improvement and/or accomplishment: e.g. Caroline Casey: although legally blind, Caroline has set up major fundraising initiatives for people with disabilities which included crossing India on an elephant.
Medical innovation: e.g. David Hall: founder of Make a Wish foundation; granted 12,500 wishes to terminally ill children.


COMPETITION ENTRY

Entry to the 2010 competition is now open. Entries should be screened at local level and nominees submitted to the National competition in line with the requirements outlined below.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY

Nominees must be between 18 and 40 years of age. Nominees born before January 1, 1970, are not eligible for the Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award.
The nominee must be a native-born or naturalized citizen of Ireland, or must have applied for citizenship by January 1, 2010.
The closing date for receipt of 2010  entries in hard copy or soft copy form for judging purposes is the 25th of April, 2010.
For nominations forms please contact Michelle Daly

Community Director, JCI Ireland

Contact Michelle  for details community@jci-ireland.org

michelle.daly@jcidublin.com

00 353 87 9529050

Check out a video of last years event:here

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Dun Laoghaire Debating day

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Yesterday saw the end of the grant application process that saw members past and present of National Executive working on the government Grant application where we get some of our funding from. This is quite a complicated and timely process & I was delighted when we all got together and got the info compiled and the application submitted.

Today I attended the debating & public speaking training hosted by the Dun Laoghaire branch and I have to say I am now really looking forward to spring conference in Dublin where the competition for Public speaking & debating will be fierce.

These skills are of great benefit to JCI members who are looking to present an idea at work to another team or if you are looking to form an argument on why your project should be accepted debating skills are essential.

Mark

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