COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That the Chief Executive organises, at the appropriate time, a separate event similar to the Community Endeavour Awards to recognise the front line workers and especially and distinctly those ordinary people from our communities who stood up when it mattered during the Covid-19 crisis to assist vulnerable members in our County in various ways, with a nominations procedure being initiated in advance of such a gathering - subject to medical guidelines in place permitting such events; and if a statement can be made on same.

REPORT:

The members will be aware that the Mayor, in his inaugural speech, made a commitment during his tenure of office to 'find a way to memorialise those who have regrettably lost their lives due to covid 19, to honour the heroic efforts of all frontline workers throughout our County and to celebrate the many and wonderful voluntary efforts of the entire community' and the executive are already working with the Mayor to support the delivery of this goal. 

It is not appropriate for the Community Endeavour Awards to proceed in 2020 given the current event restrictions.  However, as part of National Volunteering Week which occured from 21st to 27th September, the Community Department partnered with South Dublin Volunteer Centre on a digital campaign to acknowledge and recognise all of those who volunteered or are still volunteering on the frontline during COVID19.  This consisted of an online call for nominees to thank all who have volunteered across our County during COVID19.  A roll of honour was published in local papers and on websites during national volunteering week and personal thank you certificates signed by the Mayor of South Dublin and the Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Ireland are being sent to all those who volunteered acknowledging their work.

Additionally, Volunteer Ireland's annual awards celebrating the most amazing volunteers in the country will this year have a special COVID-19 category to recognises anyone who gave back in response to COVID-19, no matter how big or small the contribution.  Nominations closed on 9th October and every nominee gets a special thank you card from Volunteer Ireland.