MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: ‘The heart of SpunOut.ie’

SpunOut.ie is a National Youth Charity working to empower young people to create positive personal and social change.

What we got up to this month...

Can you believe it's March already?! The word 'March' comes from the Romans and refers to Mars, the Roman God of War. March marked the start of the calendar year and also signalled the start of the military to take up arms. We interpret this in modern times as a time to blow the dust off ourselves from a long cold winter, get off our tushies and get active! Things are stirring up, people are coming out of hibernation and this can only mean that SpunOut.ie has much to do. Bring it on! 

SpunOut.ie nominated for a Global Award!

Some phone calls warm the heart. And what a phone call we received this month!  After wide consultation within the Irish Web industry, the Irish representative for the World Summit Awards, Martin Casey of Arekibo Communications, informed us SpunOut.ie has been chosen as the Irish nomination for the World Summit Awards (E-Inclusion category). This is a prestigious awards programme established by the Austrian Government.

Following the nomination, Martin said: “SpunOut.ie has been nominated for the World Summit Awards as Ireland’s best example of a e-Inclusion application. After consulting with my peers in the Internet industry it was clear that SpunOut.ie is an phenomenal website that has provided the youth of Ireland with a trustworthy and innovative online environment to discuss and interact with each other. We commend the work that the SpunOut.ie team have done over the past 5 years and wish them the best of luck when the Jury meet to choose the winners in April.”

SpunOut.ie victorious at Digital Media Awards

Yet another win for SpunOut.ie! We beat off stiff opposition from big guns such as Meteor, 3 mobile, Tayto and Powerade to win the Best Use of Social Media Category at the prestigious Digital Media Awards.

Forum moderation is key to SpunOut.ie

Emily Crowley, SpunOut.ie’s fantastic Youth Participation Officer, is working hard to implement new measures to ensure our super moderation team are supported and trained to the highest standards. We are steadfast in ensuring SpunOut.ie staff and moderators walk the talk and look after our own heads and hearts. Our forums are becoming increasingly busy, so it is vital that all moderators are well cared for.

Another win for SpunOut.ie at the Global Interactive Media Awards

The awards are flying through HQ this month! SpunOut.ie was also the winner of an Outstanding Achievement Interactive Media Award in the Youth Category. These international awards recognise the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honour individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievement.

Tweet tweet tweet ... SpunOut.ie now on Twitter

Join us and get twittin': http://twitter.com/SpunOut

SpunOut.ie Shortlisted for a Celtic Media Festival Award

SpunOut.ie has been shortlisted for the Kieran Hegarty Award for Interactivity at the Celtic Media Festival 2009. The awards are taking place in Wales this month.  Fingers, elbows and toes crossed for us.  We’ll keep you posted. 

Four inspiring SpunOut.ie Frontpage Campaigns

All frontpage campaigns are a collective team effort and we strive to make them as strong as can be, inspiring young people to take action and do something positive! Each campaign highlighted an issue of importance to young people. This month featured:

Looking for a good read? This is the place. 

A powerful true life story published this month:
When a friend lives with abuse

SpunOut.ie a positive force... Just some of our feedback from SpunOutters this month

“You enable people to be fully-rounded, and I can think of few causes that resonate with me as deeply as this one. Social change begins with personal change, and personal change begins with support. I am genuinely thrilled to know that such a ‘space’ exists, and that it is doing so well. SpunOut.ie, and the spirit it embodies, instils me with great hope for this generation of people who happen to be young, and who will ignite great change.’’

“This website has been amazing for me. Just seeing other people going through the same as myself gives me courage to fight for another day.”

Forum threads of the month

February was another whopper of a month for SpunOut.ie. Thanks to all who support SpunOut.ie. Your help and support makes a real difference in the lives of young people.

Thanks for reading. We hope March brings great things for all. 

The SpunOut.ie team: Anna, Eoghan, Emily, Susan, Ruairí, Ian and William.