The annual assembly of IMPERO took place in The Old School House, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, on Saturday 15 June 2013 starting promptly at 14.00.
Present: Anne M. Muldowney, chairperson; Seán Crudden, secretary; Kevin McGeough, joint-treasurer; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, joint treasurer; Fr. Paddy Larkin, retired parish priest of Lordship and Ballymascanlon; Peter Murphy; Michael O’Hanlon, retired principal of Bush Post-Primary School.
Apologies: Michael Farrelly, vice-chairperson; Kevin Hynes; Joan Hardy, mentor.
The minutes of the previous annual assembly held on 16 June 2012 were read by the secretary and adopted unanimously on the proposal of the Archbishop seconded by Kevin McGeough.
The secretary read aloud his journal for 22 May 2013 and also for 23 May 2013 the day the EPF (European Patients’ Forum) plenary took place in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire. The conference addressed the issue of “active patients’ involvement in health care,” and “self-management.”
The meeting heard that cash in the Ulster Bank, Dundalk, in IMPERO’s account, had dwindled to less than 50 euro. The 3 joint treasurers had not met in the past year. “We do not need money,” someone remarked.
It was agreed without objection that the following team of officers would operate for the coming year. President; Ita Daly: chairperson, Anne M. Muldowney: vice-chairperson, Michael Farrelly; secretary, Seán Crudden; joint treasurer, Joan Hardy; joint treasurer, Kevin McGeough.
Other members who will serve on the central committee are as follows: Peter Murphy, Eric Cuthbert, Dermot Mooney, Edward S. Crudden.
Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes was appointed mentor for the coming year with unanimous approval.
The meeting was lively throughout and there were many pertinent questions asked. Topics arising included, UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities), the purpose and role of IMPERO; capacity legislation; definition of mental illness; guidance; young people; peer support; the broken leg theory of mental illness i.e. help, recovery and no stigma. The secretary mentioned the presidential commission getting under way in the US and President Obama’s interest in the whole question of “mental health.” Seán also pointed out that the Vatican is looking into the reasons why so many mind-altering drugs are being prescribed to young people.
The next interim meeting of IMPERO was fixed for Saturday 26 October 2013 starting at 14.00 in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth.
The next annual assembly was fixed for Saturday 14 June 2014 starting at 14.00 in The Old School, Bellurgan.
The secretary remarked that thanks were due Tommie McGuinness, a very obliging man, for the use of The Old School House; a building renovated, owned and operated by the local community.
Fr. Larkin recited the Lord’s Prayer to open the meeting. The archbishop spoke a short extempore prayer at the end.
Seán and Anne took a few informal photos when the meeting ended.
Click on thumbnails to enlarge. Click again to enlarge further.
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