NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES' REPORT
June 8 1996
by
Hazel Harbinson
Mary Carr
Elizabeth Cleary
We begin our review of the year 1995/96 with a copy of the potted history more or less as it appears in the current information pack. Looking at it, those who have been with the group from the beginning can be justly proud of the way it is evolving.
Because it didn't start out with a definite plan, TAI has reflected the interests of its members ,especially of those members who are most involved in the day-to-day decision-making that has gone on. This seems to be a dynamic way of doing things, even though in practice it may mean that the 'tone' of the group will constantly change as the people most involved at any one time changes.
Looking over the events listed in the history, it is interesting to see how many of the events form chains - people contacted at one event, become 'events' in themselves a few months later. Each of these visitors from abroad was unique - each brought their own wisdoms and opinions. For those us who met them, there was a lot of learning. Unfortunately because of busy schedules both on the part of our members, and on the part of our visitors, only a few people took the opportunity.
First AGM
Over a dozen people attended our first AGM. Their principal task was to approve the Constitution. Some slight amendments were suggested; the June meeting was adjourned so that members could be consulted; and full approval was given at the subsequent September meeting.
Constitution
The TAI constitution might be regarded as unusual in some respects. The intention in writing it was that it would be an Adult document, rather than a Parental one. This means that appropriateness to the current situation is a paramount value.
The implication of this for members is that they share joint responsibility for the health of the group. An annual discussion of the Constitution will make it possible to keep it in line with the current identity of the group.
ITAA San Francisco Conference
In August 1995, TAI was represented by Elizabeth Cleary at the first MITAC (Major International TA Conference) in San Francisco. Aside from her personal enjoyment of the event, and her personal gain from the workshops and speeches she attended; TAI continues to benefit from the international contacts made.
ITAA grant-aided TA research
TAI owes its beginnings to the fact that TA seemed to be non-existent in Ireland in 1994.
Elizabeth Cleary felt that this needed to be investigated, on the premise that if some hitherto unknown TA expertise were to be unearthed, TAI members would benefit from the information. On the other hand, in the event that it became established that no such expertise existed currently, this might encourage students to qualify in TA since there would be a ready-made clientele available to them.
This research is currently under way, funded by a grant of $500 from ITAA (International Transactional Analysis Association). Elizabeth has been conducting this research for over a year as part of a Dark Horse Venture Project, a self-challenge programme for over-55's similar to the President's Award for younger people. she was presented with a Dark Horse certificate by Jean Kennedy Smith, the current US ambassador to Ireland.
Courses and Training Group
Mary Carr, Jeanette Rigney and Elizabeth Cleary met in Mary's house to discuss ways and means of making TA training available at a professional level in Ireland. A number of people and organisations were contacted. As time went on it became clear that TAI had neither the manpower nor the financial resources to take on such a big task at the moment. However, it is now clear that individuals who wish to pursue training can travel abroad to do so, either to the UK, Europe or the US, or even to Australia or Canada. Information on courses is obtained by joining ITAA or ITA or both. Usually this information is made available to members in the TAI NewsNotes but sometimes somewhat belatedly. Personal Development course based on TA will be available both in Dublin and Larne in the autumn of 1996.
Visit of Helena Hargaden (UK) (October 1995)
Helena Hargaden was on a personal visit to Ireland and met with a few of our members to discuss possible training options which TAI might take. Helena works with Metanoia and has been somewhat involved with the preparation of a post-graduate course leading to a MSc degree with Middlesex University. She contributed valuable information regarding the status of PTSTA level in the TA community. Her perception was that most people at that level are already fully qualified and experienced as therapist and are fully supervised by TSTA trainers in all the teaching work they do.
Founding of TAI Larne Group (November 1995)
Hazel Harbinson and Elizabeth Cleary negotiated with East Antrim College of Further and Higher Education to BE a base for TAI in Northern Ireland. The initial meeting included people from a counselling skills course as well as members of the peace and reconciliation movement.
Co-operation North
Mary Carr made contact with Co-operation North and she and Elizabeth met their representative to discuss whether some grant-aid might be provided to make it easier for cross-border events to take place.
TAI represented at EACT Conference in Dublin
(November 1995)
John Sherwin and Jeanette Rigney attended the EACT Conference in Dublin and met Jenny McNamara (now TSTA) of Cleveland in the UK. Jenny took a deep interest in what TAI was working towards. She explained that different trainers might have different strong points and that it was worth shopping around to find the right person.
Nth/South Meetings Dublin/Larne
(December 1995)
To celebrate the establishment of a North/South link in transactional analysis, Elizabeth and Hazel gave joint-presentations in both jurisdictions. The Larne media made quite an event of it. In Dublin the venue was TCD and Gay Byrne made a small mention of it on his radio programme. During the same week, virtually all the newspapers on both sides of the border were contacted and many of them published a short paragraph.
TAI on BBC4 Radio
(January 1996)
Arising out of the coverage of the NorthSouth Week in the Larne newspapers, TAI were invited to give a short interview live on the Frankly AnneMarie chat show on BBC4. Hazel and Elizabeth represented the group and felt they came over reasonably well even though they felt the time went extraordinarily fast.
Meeting with Charles Hand (University of Ulster)
That same weekend in late January, Hazel organised for Elizabeth to meet Charles Hand who had first introduced Hazel to TA ideas in the early 1980's. Charles mentioned that he had done a course with Muriel James shortly before he came to work in Ireland. He said that he remembered courses being given in what was then the Jordanstown Polytech. He will see what information he can provide Elizabeth with for the research project.
Visit of Geraldine Lakeland (NZ)
(March 1996)
Geraldine was another of the contacts Elizabeth made in San Francisco. Her time in Dublin was very short as she was going on a taster-tour of Ireland. Mary and Elizabeth met her and she gave them a lesson in ego-states and particularly in the Adult ego state. She told how she did a lot of work with people who had been abused in some way. She said she would not often use TA terminology even though TA would be the basis of the treatment she would be giving. She encouraged Elizabeth to pursue her training with enthusiasm and said that time and money were the only constraints on how long it might take to qualify.
TAI represented at ITA Conference, Twickenham
(April 1996)
Elizabeth represented TAI at the UK conference at St. Mary's College in Twickenham. Again she made numerous contacts and was particularly interested to get to know Richard Reynolds the ITA chairperson. He promised to arrange for an examiner to be appointed to correct the TA 101 papers to be submitted as a result of the classes Elizabeth has been giving. Elizabeth has joined the ITA. This will mean that news of courses in both the UK and Europe will be made available to TAI. As an ITAA member, the international Script and TAJ are already available. Anyone wishing to consult Elizabeth's TA library is welcome to do so by appointment.
Elizabeth also attended workshops and brought back books from the Conference.
Visit of Jean Illsley Clarke (USA)
(April 1996)
Jean had met Elizabeth both in San Francisco and at Twickenham. Jean is in the educational field of TA and gave TAI copies of her books and some of her teaching materials. Some of the books she brought have been made available on loan to the Larne group. As a further gift to TAI Jean is offering Elizabeth a scholarship to her 1996 summer courses in Minneapolis. In Dublin Jean met with people on the three afternoons she was here. She talked about Parenting and about Education. Later she went to Belfast where she met Hazel.
DAY APART
(April 1996)
For several months those attending the monthly meetings had expressed a need for the TAI group to take a look at itself and to assess where it wants to go. A most satisfactory meeting was held in the Dominick Street Priory. After a morning spent clarifying issues, the afternoon consisted of a mediated discussion. (Thanks to Tallaght Community Mediation for their assistance). The outcome of the day was more personal than group oriented. It was agreed to maintain confidentiality about the meeting but that individuals would make their own behavioural changes which would definitely affect the group.
Dublin welcomes JBR
Mary and Elizabeth were at Dublin Airport to welcome and say farewell to Joanna Beazley Richards and her husband. It was good to meet them and get a little acquainted. It was especially good to learn that Joanna is committed to return to Ireland to do further workshops later in the year in Larne.
TA101 with Joanna Beazley Richards in Larne
(May 1996)
Twenty people attended the TA101 course held in Larne. Tony Cleary, the TAI Financial Controller was one of those taking part; as were Hazel Harbinson, Pat Glass, Victoria Logan, Jenny McHardy, Norman Elder, Hazel Craig, Cecilia McCormick, Diana Agnew, Heather Ross, Liz Redpath, Avril Magee, Anthea Strange, Shona Love, Christine Montgomery, Pamela Beckett, Melody Simon, Michelle Simpson, Maria McCorry, Lorainne Dill. 'The mum of all courses' was how it was described. Obviously Joanna made a big hit with all present. As a result of discussions she held with Roy Logan of East Antrim Institute, Joanna is arranging to make monthly visits to Larne (1996/97) to give workshops on various topics. These will be of particular interest to those wishing to take up TA as a career. However the workshops will also be of use to people wishing to do some personal growth.
TAI represented at Muriel James Courses Crowborough
(May 1996)
Elizabeth attended the courses on Reclaiming the Human Spirit and on Boundaries and Ego-States. She and Muriel had met at the Lake Tahoe course on Reparenting Ourselves in 1995. Muriel was part of the San Francisco Seminars which developed the TA theory with Eric Berne.
Monthly Meetings
Nine monthly meetings were held (the tenth was the DAY APART). Through the year, the format of the meetings has altered significantly according to the wishes of the group. At the beginning of the year a lot of time was being given to formal discussion of business matters, to the frustration of some people who only came to hear TA theory and practice. By the end of the year, business was beginning to be seen as of lesser importance.
In answer to requests for personal development work, an informal group within the main group was formed where personal application of TA theory was discussed. The counter-balancing group to discuss theory at a deeper level has not yet taken off.
Elizabeth continues to publish the NewsNotes monthly. It contains a mixture of information, reports, and a small amount of theory, including a column specifically for personal developers.
At the monthly meetings, the Main topics covered during the year were as follows:
September: Discounts and Put-downs (Gerry Greene) October: Eric Berne: The Man and the Myths (John Sherwin) November: Scripts People Live (Elizabeth Cleary) December: North/South talks Larne & TCD - What IS TA? January: European conference on Counselling & Therapy (report by Jeanette Rigney)
February: Autonomy (Elizabeth stood in for Reality Therapy speaker who was unable to attend)
March: Your Child Within (Tony Cleary)
April: DAY APART - Where is TAI now and where do we want to go? May: If you got what you wanted, what would you get? (self-parenting) Discussion.
On Being a Representative
According to our constitution the task of a Representative is to represent TAI in functions which would normally be undertaken by an executive committee. In effect this type of situation has only arisen once or twice, in the case of making contracts concerning the hire of meeting places and TA101. Other than that, when TAI was represented by these individuals, it was on an informal basis arising out of their being present at some function primarily in their personal capacity. We are grateful to them for carrying the TAI flag at the same time and for acting a ambassadors of the group to people who didn't know that we exist.
It is hoped that other members will do similarly - as the old slogan goes : TAI needs YOU
Write to me at
Elizabeth Cleary
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