Kilkenny's
most southern Club Kilmacow takes "AIB National Club of the Year
Title" at Macra National Conference in Westport Co. Mayo
recently. This is a tremendous achievement for a relatively new club and
a fitting reward as the Club celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year.
This achievement didn't come lightly it was as a result of the club
officers commitment and overall good management of the club. However
this alone wasn't suffice to secure the title it's the pride of each of
the 43 members in their Club and their commitment to increasing the
profile of Kilmacow Macra not only in Kilmacow
but all over the country.
Kilmacow Macra achieved their first National
Title at this conference in 2000 as best Treasurer, and was ranked as
one of the top six clubs in the country. The profile of Kilmacow Macra
to date has been very high with the success earlier this year when they
won the Ballad group section of Dublin City Talent and were runners up
in Disco Dancing & Master Mind. Most recently the club won the Macra
vision competition in both the individual & group performance.
The Clubs role in the local Community of
Kilmacow also played an important role in the win. Kilmacow Macra is
very committed to it local community & every years since its
foundation in 1991 the club has organised a sponsored cycle the proceeds
of which go to Rosedale the local residential Home in Kilmacow. The club
also organises a church gate collection for the Irish Heart Foundation
as well as supporting numerous other groups in the parish in their
fundraising efforts.
In the competition the Club was judged on its overall performance in
Macra both at County & National level. The Clubs introduction of a
recruitment officer in 2000 helped the club focus on introducing
Macra Na Feirme as a valuable organisation in South Kilkenny & this
helped increase our membership base and maintain our existing members.
Also the clubs management trategy and delegation of tasks insures the
constant supply of interested parties in taking officer positions in the
future thus maintaining a fresh approach to club management. The clubs
approach to programming was also examined along with club record books.
Four Club officers attended an
interview to discuss topic covered on the application form. The club was
also required to set up a display board detailing the activities &
achievements of the club over the past twelve. Finally the Club chairman
Sean O'Callaghan presented a five minute PowerPoint presentation of
photos detailing the clubs activities over the past twelve months along
with a voice over from our recruitment officer Anita Gahan, our Sports
officer Kieran McGrath and finally a word from Patrick Grant one of our
new members detailing his reasons for joining Macra. Once again
congratulations and best wishes to Kilmacow who have done the County
Proud.
Presentation of the A.I.B Club
of the Year Award 2001
