Minutes of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland

Wynne’s Hotel, Dublin

11 December 2006

Present:Alan, Colin, Finian, Sé, Majella, Christine, Noel (Chair), Owen (Minutes), Paula, Fergal

Apologies:Gerry, Mary

Item 1 – Minutes of 23 October
Adopted.
Item 2 – Matters Arising
National Men’s Health Policy Document
Noel reported that the latest draft presented by the Drafting Group to the Steering Group had been well received. Minor changes have been included and bilateral departmental meetings will take place in the next 2 months.
Department of Health formally replied accepting Finian Murray as MFHI Representative on Policy Steering Group.
Outstanding Money
Letter to HSE requesting €5,000 to issue.
Suicide Project
Contact has been maintained with Derek Chambers and he is to be approached regarding a presentation to the next MHFI Committee Meeting on 5 February in Belfast.
Cancer Conference
MHFI was very active in this conference with Alan, Se, Fergal, Majella and Noel involved in contributing and others attending. Presentations and workshops are now on Irish Cancer Society website.
Meeting with Minister Harney Re: Worker for Forum
Fergal still following up.
Item 3 – European Men’s Health Forum Report
Owen attended EMHF Network Meeting in Brussels on 27 November and tabled minutes from this meeting. He emphasised the importance of Men’s Health Forum obtaining further signatories to the Vienna Declaration.
The date of the Men’s Health Week was discussed and it was felt better to retain the June week.
Following a discussion we decided to write to the UK representatives of the EMHF – Matt Maycock, Colin Penning and Mark Ward to invite them to a future MHF meeting to exchange ideas, plan for Men’s Health Week and develop relationships.
Item 4 – The Pharmaceutical Companies and Funding from Voluntary Organisations
MHF discussed a code of practice and guidelines regarding relationships between funders and organisations. A proposal on this will be presented to the next meeting.
Item 5 – Black, Minority and Ethnic Men and Mental Health Proposal
Discussed report on Asylum Seekers from Men’s Health Network in Waterford and reply to issue referring to Immigrant Council of Ireland as a source for further information.
Item 6 – New Members and Membership
Existing Trustees – Colin to check with Barry regarding his status and Noel to check with Mary regarding her status.
With regard to applications to become a Trustee, we decided to draft an application form to be filled in by perspective Trustees and following acceptance of this application by the existing Trustees, the applicant could be invited to attend two meetings to test suitability before being adopted as a Trustee. Form to be drafted for next meeting.
Trustee Membership to be limited to 14.
Item 7 – Statement of Accounts
To be forwarded to company accounts.
Item 8 – Date of Next Meeting
5 February 2007. Venue – IPH Offices, Forestview, Belfast.
Chair – Paula
Minutes – Majella / ACTION
Se
Finian
Fergal
Fergal
Paula
Colin/Noel
Owen
Se

Men’s Health Forum in Ireland

Strategic Meeting- December 11th 2006

Present:Alan (Chair), Colin, Finian, Sé, Majella, Christine, Noel, Owen, Paula (minutes), Fergal

Apologies:Gerry, Mary

  • Alan facilitated the group to plan for 2007 and in doing so began with the mission statement and value system of MHFI.
  • The following revised Mission Statement was adopted by those present,

“The MHFI is a charitable organisation promoting all aspects of the health and well being of men and boys on the island of Ireland through research, education, health initiatives, campaigning and advocacy”.

  • The existing value system was also adopted.
  • Following an exploratory process the following themes that could be contained in a Work Plan for 2007 emerged. The priorities for work were also identified and are contained in the table below as they were named on the day.

Themes / Priorities of Work
  1. Research
  2. Advocacy
  3. Health Initiatives
  4. Education
/
  • Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2007
  • Generate funding and appointing a worker.
  • Position Paper: It was suggested that this be done for MHW 2007 and on the theme of that week.
  • Training: It was proposed that the MHFI could recruit a network of trainers to role out MHFI training. In return, MHFI will get credit for the training and get part payment for each training course.
  • Communications Plan: It was proposed that spokesperson(s) for MHFI be nominated to deal with issues raised in the media.
  • Nomination of Chair for MHFI: It was proposed that MHFI appoint an independent chair and also seek to appoint advisors and patrons of MHFI.
  • Opportunities for “depth” of working: I think that this refers to becoming more involved in specific projects such as one with “young men and suicide” with Derek Chambers.

  • Alan agreed to convert these Pre-SMARTER goals into SMARTER goals.
  • It was agreed that we would build on the work achieved at this meeting at the next MHFI meeting on the 5th of February.
  • With respect to the priorities of work named to date the following has been done:
  • MHW 2007 – A subgroup of Majella, Sè & Finian was established and they agreed to meet on the 16th of January and to report back to the bigger group at the next meeting.
  • Funding & Worker – Fergal contacted Mary Harney’s office and got the following response,

"The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D., has asked me to thank you for your letter concerning the proposal in relation to a secondment post from the HSE to the Forum and to let you know that it is receiving attention."

Fergal to report any update to the bigger group at the next meeting.

Proposed Agenda for Meeting February 5th 2007

  • Minutes
  • Matters Arising
  • Welcome Patricia Willoughby
  • Outstanding monies from HSE, €5,000
  • Update from Mary Harney’s office
  • Proposal for working with Pharma Companies
  • Adoption of Application and Guiding Notes to become a Trustee
  • Men’s Health Week 2007
  • Terry McErlane’s offer of free consultancy until March 2007
  • Presentation by Derek Chambers
  • Development of Work Plan for 2007
  • Date of Next meeting and collaboration with UK partners.