Strategic Plan - Young Farmers` Clubs of Ulster

Strategic Plan
2012-15
Background
The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster is indebted to the ongoing support of the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Youth Council of
Northern Ireland (YCNI). The plan pre supposes that this support will be ongoing,
however, at this stage DARD funding ceases in March 2014 and YCNI in March 2013.
In addition, changes to youth work funding through the introduction of the Educational
Skills Authority (ESA) during 2013 should be noted.
The Association remains committed to an ongoing programme of club and individual
development through the plan period. This will be achieved through our Proficiency
Scheme which offers opportunities for sporting, artistic, cultural and agricultural
development, augmented by club programmes on the ground which add a
local flavour and are managed by the members.
In addition, through the plan period we will actively work to
introduce and develop a suite of learning and training options,
delivered by the staff and third parties while embedding
Community Relations, Equality and Diversity (CRED) into both
our youth work and our agri sector support.
We will continue to be actively involved in Departmental and
Cross Departmental Working Groups in areas such as
Education, Roads, Farm Safety, Women’s Issues and Health
and maintain our role within the NIRDP Monitoring Committee.
The strength of the Association is in its active members (aged
12-25) who also make up the Board of YFCU and therefore
fundamentally shape the future direction of the Association.
This plan is theirs and the annual operational actions will be
managed by them.
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Education
Training
Fun
Life Skills
• 56 Clubs
• 2850 members
• 6 Counties
• Members aged 12-25
• 50/50 male/female
• 50/50 farmers/rural dwellers
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
The YFCU Pledge
I promise to do my duty,
Be punctual and regular in attendance, to support all
activities to the best of my ability, to help and encourage others
so that as members of the YFC we become:
Better Farmers
Better Countrymen and Women
Better Citizens
Vision
The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster’s vision is
of a robust rural community which recognises
and values all young people as key
stakeholders.
Mission
Our mission is to encourage individual
development, creativity, initiative and
contribution for the benefit of members, the
Association, industry and the community.
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Ten Pin
Bowling
Rally
Day
Arts
Festival
Tag
Rugby
Quiz
Fun
Sports
Nights
Tug of
War
Swimming
Gala
Girls
Football
FUN…“It’s in the blood, once a Young Farmer, always a Young
Farmer” Rebecca McConnell, Rathfriland YFC.
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
Charitable Objectives
By way of open clubs the YFCU exists to advance the education of young people in agriculture,
rural life and active citizenship. We do this by:
Providing support to local YFCs which in turn advance the social, personal, spiritual, cognitive and
emotional development of members.
Delivering a range of competitions and events to test and build the knowledge, attitudes and skills
of members.
Providing information, facilitating training and offering guidance to ensure the
effectiveness of local YFCs in delivering a balanced programme of
educational, training, cultural and social activities.
Consulting with, listening to and taking account of the views and
aspirations of our membership.
Actively working with organisations in relation to the wider
agricultural, educational, social and legislative developments
and representing the interests and needs of young people in
the design and implementation of these.
Identifying and securing financial and other resources to
realise our vision and mission.
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
Values
The YFCU is committed to:
• Fostering self reliance and individual responsibility as key elements in the development/growth
of young people
• Remaining responsive and accountable to its membership
• Recognising and celebrating the work of volunteers at all levels of the Association and the
achievements of its members
• Promoting the contribution of young people to local communities, wider society and beyond
• Embedding the principles of community relations, equality, diversity and interdependence
• Socially activating potentially deprived areas of rural dwelling
Strategic Aims
• Strengthen Local Clubs
• Increase Knowledge and Build Skills through
training and activity
• Promote the Interests, Aspirations and
Achievements of Members
• Ensure an Efficient and Effective Organisation
• Promote the Association and its Impact on
Rural Life
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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International
Exchange
Volunteering
Opportunities
Duke of
Edinburgh
Award
Junior
Exchange
Life
Experience
Agricultural
Shows
Training
Seminars
Agri
Trips
Charity and
Fundraising
Life experience…“The opportunity to travel to Serbia with YFCU
helped develop my skills in group work, problem solving and
communications” Trevor Wilson, Lisbellaw YFC.
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
(1) Strengthen Local Clubs
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Strengthen the key Club office bearers in the
delivery of their roles and functions through
development and support
Ensure the safety and welfare of
members together with the quality
of the programmes and their
management
Provide guidance on
Association policies and
procedures to Club and County
office bearers
Enhance the system of Club
mentors
Support the design and delivery
of a balanced programme of
educational, training, cultural
and social activities
Increase membership and
percentage of members
actively involved in
programmes
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Demonstration/
Presentation
Ulster Young
Farmer
Silage
Making and
Assessment
Stock
Judging
Photographic
Education
Floral Art
Public
Speaking
Craft and
Art
Group
Debating
Education is…“ The YFCU has been fundamental in taking me to
where I am today” James Gilpin, Moneyrea YFC.
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
(2) Increase Knowledge, Build Skills
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
Provide an annual programme of relevant events, competitions and
training with recognition through the Proficiency Award Scheme
Facilitate members’ participation in internal (proficiencies) and
external award schemes
Increase awareness of and interest in agri-rural development issues
at Club and County level
Encourage active citizenship locally, in the wider
rural/agricultural community and internationally
Broaden horizons, embrace community relations,
equality and diversity
Creation and development of leaders
Increase utilisation of social networking and
new technologies
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Fencing
Sheep
Shearing
Hoof
Trimming
Farm Safety
Road Safety
Training
Soil
Assessment
Online
Services
HGV
Driving
Child
Protection
Training is ….“Being in YFCU brings a wide range of transferable
skills that you don’t even know you are learning”
Janette Stirling, Glarryford YFC.
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
(3) Promote the Interests, Aspirations
and Achievements of Members
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
Provide an educational and advocacy role
for members in the area of agri-rural affairs
Develop and review the annual programme
of competitions and events
Increase the use of ICT as a vehicle for
communication and promotion
Increase recognition of the Association’s
work with rural young people
Cultivate a sense of Association
Increase training and development
opportunities available to members
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
(4) Ensure an Efficient and Effective Organisation
4.1
Ensure adequate financial and other resources to deliver core programme of work
4.3
Develop and maintain effective administrative systems
throughout organisation
4.2
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
Implement, review and refine financial management at Club and County level
Continue to update personnel policy
and procedures in line with best
practice and legislation
Review and strengthen
recording, monitoring and
reporting processes from
and to Clubs and Counties
Support Executive
Committee in undertaking
their role and function as
Company Directors
Review cost effectiveness
of the organisation
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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International Travel Opportunities
Sweden
Switzerland
Canada
Germany
UK
Slovenia
Serbia Norway
USA
Poland
Australia
New Zealand
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Strategic Plan 2012 -15
(5) Promote the Association and its Impact on Rural Life
5.1
Develop communication strategies to target specific markets
5.3
Maintain and source sponsorship for YFCU activities and events
5.2
5.4
5.5
5.6
Raise awareness of the work of YFCU to a wider audience
Manage web presence
Develop internal communication systems
Deliver programmes in relation
to DARD and YCNI targets
Strategic Plan 2012 -15
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Acknowledgements
475 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 3BD.
t. 028 90 370 713 f. 028 90 777 946
www.yfcu.org
Registered Charity No. XN 47288
Company Limited by Guarantee (NI 003964)
Registered Office: 50 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FW