This article was first published on May 6^th, 2008.

County Monaghan Partnership announces new Communications And Media Use Course for Community Activists

County Monaghan Partnership is delighted to launch a Communications and Media Use training course that will take place in the Castleblayney Enterprise Centre on the Tuesday 13th and 20th May. The course is available to Community activists throughout the County to enable them improve their communication skills. The course should be of particular interest to PRO’s who act as the key link between their community group and local people.

Some of the Community Activists who completed the Communications and Media Use Training with Mr. Gerard Callan (Back Left - County Monaghan Partnership) and Mr. Frank Dolegan (Back Right - Mentor)

This is the second year of the training with 22 community activists completing the course in the autumn of 2007. It will take place over two evenings (7.30pm -9.30pm) and will be very interactive with role plays and other practical exercises. Once again we are delighted to team up with Mr. Frank Dolegan of the Newry based consultancy firm, Mentor who will deliver the training.

The training will assist people in speaking in public about their group and developing the key ingredient - confidence. It will also develop skills in writing a press release which is a key communication tool for Community and Voluntary groups in making contact with their target audience. Indeed, one of the key challenges facing community groups is their ability to communicate with local people. It is essential that all community groups keep the public informed on what is happening as it allows everyone in the community to identify and support the actions of the group. We also envisage that participants will perform a mock television interview which will allow them to develop their ‘front of camera’ interview skills.

We would encourage all Community groups to examine how you communicate with people in your local area. If you think the course would be of interest to your group, you should contact Gerard Callan at the County Monaghan Partnership on 042 9749500 to book a place on the course. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. The closing date for booking a place on the course is Friday 9th May.