Call for Nominations: PPN Representative Seats on the South Western Substance Use Regional Forum (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.
Guiding principles:
Propriety
The Forum will carry out their terms of reference (functions) with integrity and fairness and without self-interest or favouritism.
Responsiveness
The Forum will be responsive to stakeholders’ views and will consult with them in carrying out their functions.
Transparency
The Forum will keep their stakeholders informed about their policies and actions.
Accountability
The Forum will be accountable for the use of public monies provided to them.
Efficiency and effectiveness
The Forum will have regard to the need for effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out their terms of reference (functions).
Partnership
The Forum will work in a spirit of partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
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
Criteria for Community Representatives your role on the Forum
- 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
The Supports you need for this role
A Structure in the community to allow you to feedback information and to identify issues; this can happen through the Public Participation Network, and or other networking groups that deal specifically with substance related issues. The key principle is that there should be a structure in place that is open to everyone in the community that has an interest in the issue and that wants to participate.
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
How to apply?
Please fill out the nomination form below
Nominations Guidelines
- 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 a seat in the Athy MD must be 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.
- Nominees must have no political affiliations.
- 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). This profile will be made public for the purpose of elections. We also request a photo for the ballot (this is optional).
