Membership

Membership to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network (DLR PPN) is free of charge. As a member, your group will be part of a collective voice to influence policy and plans that directly impact the community in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Members have access to free training and are informed about plans and decisions for your area, including consultations and funding opportunities. All members can share information, experiences, and supports to strengthen their voices and make DLR a better place for its community.

Who can join DLR PPN?

All volunteer led, not-for-profit community groups active within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are encouraged to become members of the PPN.

Membership is open to groups and organisations who:

Operate on a not-for-profit basis.
Are volunteer led. Organisations may have paid staff, but must be under voluntary control.
Have at least 6 members and are open to new members.
Are in existence for at least six months.
Have a members meeting at least once a year.
Have a postal address or a local branch network in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Are actively providing a service to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown citizens or are advocating on behalf of DLR citizens.
Are independently run, having their own constitution/ governing document/ set of rules for operation.
Do not already have representational rights through other pillars of social partnership e.g. trade unions, business organisations.
Are non party-political.

Groups or organisations who do not meet these criteria at the time of application can apply for associate membership. Associate members cannot nominate PPN representatives to sit on boards or committees or vote in PPN elections.

All groups registering with the PPN are asked to choose which sector or ‘Pillar group’ their group sits within, Community and Voluntary, Environmental or Social Inclusion.

The national guidelines define the types of groups that can register for the PPN structure as follows:

Pillar Groups

Groups or organisations who join Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network choose to be part of one electoral ‘college’ or Pillar Group that best represents their aims and activities. There are three Pillar Groups: Social Inclusion, Environmental and Community & Voluntary.

Community & Voluntary Pillar

Criteria for membership of the Community & Voluntary Pillar

The primary objectives and activities of the group or organisation must focus on community responses to local issues/concerns.
The group/organisation must have activities that promote overall community well being.
The organisational structure of the member groups must not have representatives appointed by any government department, semi-state body or local authority; but this does not prevent any person sitting on the board in a personal capacity

Suggested list of eligible local groups for membership of Community Pillar:

Residents groups
Self-help groups
Community Councils
Issue based groups
Youth groups
Community Associations
Sporting / leisure clubs/groups
Voluntary campaign groups
Arts groups
Broad based Service provision groups
Playground Associations
Active retirement groups
Festival groups

Environment Pillar

Criteria for membership of the Environmental Pillar

Groups or organisations who wish to be part of the Environmental Pillar must first be members of the National Environmental Pillar. The National Environmental Pillar is a Social Partner and an advocacy coalition of 27 national environmental NGOs, which has been nominating local people to represent the environment on a range of local bodies since 2009.

Eligibility criteria for membership of the Environmental Pillar

The primary objectives and activities of the organisation must be Environmental (i.e. ecological) protection and/or environmental sustainability.
Single issue protest groups are not eligible for membership
The organisation must have accounts or a Balance Sheet/Profit and Loss account from at least one of the previous two years
The organisation must be able to demonstrate a substantial level of activity in promoting its aims and objectives over a period of at least 12 months prior to application for membership
The organisational structure of the organisation/group must not have representatives appointed by any government department, semi-state body or local authority. However, this does not exclude individuals from sitting on the board in a personal capacity.

Suggested list of Environmental areas/activities for membership of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Environmental Pillar:

Permanent protection of wildlife
–Species specific care – protection /rehabilitation/reintroduction
Organic horticulture or education
Environmental education or protection
Environmental sustainability
–Resource efficiency and recycling
Invasive alien species prevention/removal

Click here for a list of National Networks whose local groups who will automatically be eligible to join the DLR PPN Environmental pillar.

Social Inclusion Pillar

Criteria for membership of the Social Inclusion Pillar

An organisation/group’s main objectives and activities must focus on poverty reduction, community development, equality or social justice issues.
The organisation must have activities in line with a social inclusion approach to community building and have those who experience poverty and social exclusion on its management/organisational structure.
The organisational structure of the organisation/group must not have representatives appointed by any government department, semi-state body or local authority. However, this does not exclude individuals from sitting on the board in a personal capacity.

Suggested list of eligible groups for membership of the Social Inclusion Pillar:

Disability groups
Ethnic minority groups
Family support groups (FRC’s)
Older people’s groups
Groups promoting equality
Youth services and groups
Mental health/suicide prevention groups
Advocacy and information groups
Urban disadvantage groups
Information groups
Traveller groups
Women’s groups
Literacy groups
Social justice groups
LGBT groups
Children’s services and support groups
Community development groups
Rural isolation and disadvantage groups
Drug and alcohol support
Groups supporting engagement and participation on inclusive activity, sports, arts, Men’s Sheds etc.