Call for Nominations: PPN Representative Seats on the South West Substance Use Regional Forum (SURF)

Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) invites nominations from member groups for Community Representative positions on the South West Substance Use Regional Forum (SURF).

About SURF

SURF (Substance Use Regional Forum) is the trading name for the South Western Regional Drug and alcohol task force (Kildare West Wicklow).

A key role of SURF is to assess the extent and nature of problematic substance use and to initiate appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors (community, voluntary, statutory) within the local community.

Our role is to prepare and oversee the implementation of a strategic plan in line with the National Drug Strategy at a local level by encouraging co-ordination and co-operation between services and by consulting with local communities to design and deliver services.

SURF make recommendations to the Department of Health each year to approve the projects they have identified as priorities, within the available funding, to address problematic substance use in the region.

Role of Community Representatives:

The overall objective of having Community Representatives on SURF is to ensure our work is based on and informed by:

The reality of substance use and how it impacts on our communities
The need to identify the most appropriate, relevant and timely responses for those communities
To bring the benefit of your own local knowledge and experience of problematic substance use issues to the Forum
To act as a representative on behalf of the community at the Forum

Key Criteria
Nominees must meet the following criteria:

Actively participate in meetings and subgroups or Working Groups
Ask questions if there is any issue that you are not clear about or if you need more information.
Go through the documentation that is circulated in advance of meetings
Live in the area from which you are nominated
Are fully committed to the values, aims and objectives of the Forum
Are able to give an undertaking of the necessary time commitment to carry out the role effectively
Have a track record of involvement in the local community
Have knowledge and experience of local substance related issues either through personal experience, involvement in local community or working in a community project

Meeting Schedule and Venue (2025)
Meetings are held at Maudlins Hall, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare (Eircode: W91R9XT) on the following dates:

March 25th
May 27th
July 29th
September 30th
November 25th

Click here for full details

Guidelines for Nominations

Nominating groups must be registered with Kildare Public Participation Network for at least 6 months.
Groups must have full membership and be a member of the respective seat e.g. nominations for an Athy MD seat must be a PPN member group active in the Athy MD.
Nominations can only be made with the candidate’s knowledge and approval.
Each Group can nominate one candidate only per seat. If groups nominate more than one candidate, the first nomination received will be accepted.
If we receive more nominations than seats available, elections will take place through online voting.
Elected representatives of any level of Government (Local, National or European or candidates who have stood for election within the past 12 months cannot be nominated through this process.
Candidates are requested to submit a short profile (written in the first person) to accompany their nomination form (no more than 150 words, showing relevant experience) These profiles will be made public for the purpose of elections.

We are an equal opportunities organisation and encourage diversity in our Representation.

Closing date for nominations: Wednesday 5th of February 2025