SpunOut.ie Blog

August, 2010

Celebrating the NEIGHBOUR in your hood

SpunOut BLOG: Howdy neighbour campaign!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

Do you know your neighbours?

 


You know, those mysterious people we share paper thin walls with? Think of all the sighs, laughs, tears and shouts, the sounds that punctuate our lives, that may as well be a world apart.

On a good day, we say/grunt hello as we quickly scurry inside.

On a great day, we may even shoot the breeze about the weather, getting as personal as port-a loo's.

Renters come and go, right? Why make the effort? Meh.   


This month, SpunOut is challenging YOU to step outside your bubble, pop out the headphones, and introduce yourself to your neigbours. That gives you 4 weeks to at least swap names.  


Why bother?


There's talk about restoring power to the people, right? Enough with inept 'leaders', it's time for 'the people' to unite, right? Great! So remind us again, who the hell are these people?

If we don't talk to each other (starting with the folks living right beside us), nothing will ever change. The voice of 'the people' will be silenced by the nightly hum of our tellies or blocked by the walls we sometimes treat like shields. How's that for unity?   


And we admit...


We're full of hypocritical shit if we don't confess that here in SpunOut HQ, we burrow into our bean bag clad office, shut the doors and blast the tunes like any upstanding anti-socialites would. We even wear headphones so we don't have to talk to each other - ha! Hey, we're busy man.  

Soooo... we're making an effort too. We're inviting/ bribing with biscuits all the fine people of The Halls building on Quay Street, Galway around for a tea party. This mix of fine people includes chefs, security guards, lawyers, money advisors, and rape crisis counsellors...party animals, or what?!


Watch this space to see how we get on...


... and happy neighbour meeting and greeting in the meantime!


- Team Spun (to the) Out

 

 

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SUPER BLOG: Academy of Activism 2010 Round-up

Savour the sights, sounds & words of a deadly weekend!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

With participants from across the country and workshops on a range of issues, including planning campaigns, managing media, grassroots movements and online social activism, the SpunOut.ie Academy of Activism Summer School 2010 was a HUGE success.

Check it out!

 

The SIGHTS


Check out this review video to see what the participants got out of it, and hear some insights from the inspirational guest speakers....

 

Orla Tinsley, Student, Irish Times Columnist and Cystic Fibrosis Campaigner

 

Luke "Ming" Flanagan, independent Mayor of Co. Roscommon who became involved in Politics through his high profile campaign seeking the legalisation of Cannabis in Ireland

 

Mark Conroy, Teacher and Internet Activist, who founded the campaigning website Contact.ie

 

Niamh Moloughney, Irish Co-ordinator for the Free Gaza Movement

 

Niall O Brolchain, Galway Based Senator and Green Party spokesperson of Health and Children

 

Micheal Mc Caughan, Author, Journalist and Activist

 

Marian Harkin, MEP for the West and North West region and former Independent TD

 

 

The SOUNDS

 

A quick round up of the SpunOut.ie Academy of Activism's attendants and their thoughts on Ireland today and why they believe that becoming active in society is important

 

2FM DJ Jenny Huston talks to Ruairí McKiernan of SpunOut.ie about the Academy of Activism 2010 and SpunOut.ie

 

 

The WORDS

(that have us blushing!)

  • “I learned that there's people who are selfless, courageous and principled, who are more than willing to look beyond themselves for the benefit of others. The weekend taught me that one person's voice really can make a difference, but even more so, I learned that there are plenty of people who are willing to join that voice and bring about active change. The best thing I've ever been a part of!" - Maeve Montague
  • “The way society is at the moment drives me mad sometimes, I think about it all the time and how I can change things. In a world so big it's hard to see how one person can make a difference. I was struggling to find my way in a world so uneasy towards change. Then I took part in the Academy of Activism. I found exactly what I needed and wanted, what I was looking for but couldn't find. I met inspiring people, both people my own age and the movers and shakers in society. It was beyond inspiring and fuelled me with the energy I needed to take control and be part of the movement for change.” - Pip Mac Eochaidh :) 
  • "I spent most of today telling various people I know that I'm a certified activist now. I meant 'certificated', of course, but only realised afterwards that they probably thought 'certified' as in 'mad' :-) "
  • ''The last weekend was quite simply the best thing I have ever been a part of - it wasn't just really informative (which it was in spades!) it was fun too! And a real privilege to meet so many interesting people. I have the greatest of respect for all of you and what it is that you are doing. It would be easy to join the masses who turn a blind eye and only notice things when they affect them directly in their own backyard - that you all campaign for things in different communities and countries is something I think you should be commended on, and aren't enough.... So thank you to both you, Emily and Ruairí - the enthusiasm and energy you invested in organising such a smooth running weekend - you'd never know it was the first! - was massive, and it's greatly appreciated! After this weekend I feel like I could actually go out and do something I feel passionate about! Before I had always wanted to travel and campaign for different things and issues - activism has always formed the most interesting and deep conversations I've had - and I guess now I know I could actually create campaigns on my own. So massive thanks :) (And I've made a start on the writing! :D)''
  • ''I can't find the right words to thank you all enough for the weekend. Thank you.''
  • "I found it very beneficial to the work that I already do and learnt skills that I didn’t have before. I found almost every aspect of it really interesting and enjoyed the approach that was taken. Again, thank you very much. If there is anything that you every need help with or when you need volunteers, please feel free to give me a shout. All the best and hope to see you all again soon.’’
  • ''Thank you so much for this weekend. Really. That "inspiring" word is thrown around a lot, but it's so apt in this situation. I often get frustrated and weary and cynical from all the injustices I see around me, and start plotting the steps that will lead to me living as a hermit on some wild mountain. "Drop-out from the Human Race" would be the sign at the edge of my territory, just before the pirhana filled moat and the ha-ha. I figure I'll never afford an island. ANYWAY, you've (spunout.ie and all attendees, but especially you) delayed my drop out for another bit by showing me that the way I feel is valid, and not youthful idealism that I should have grown out of, or some kind of personal emotional sensitivity that's expanded to encompass the rest of the world. ... I've met so many great people, and I really appreciate the gift given to me, the wonderful opportunity. And I promise to use it!

Team SpunOut is waving our hands in the air and waving them like we definitely care to all of the participants, speakers, and partners in social changing crime who helped make SpunOut’s first ever Academy of Activism a knock out success – BOOM!