Charities and Political Causes (Free Webinar)
Charities and Political Causes (Free Webinar)
The Wheel are delighted to once again collaborate with Carmichael to deliver this webinar as part of 2024's Charity Trustees' Week.
The engagement of some charities and other non-profit organisations in political activities, including some referenda in recent years, has become the subject of public comment from Government and others. In this short webinar we will discuss the role of charities in political activities and, and the problems that can occur when they do so.
What happens when charities become the target of criticism, or worse, as a result of their work.
This event is part of the 2024 Charity Trustees' Week.
This webinar is free and open to all. Registration is required through Zoom. *NOTE: After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session.
Meet Your Facilitators
Andrew Madden is the Head of Training, Consulting & Communications at Carmichael. He enjoys working in the non-profit sector where he sees people motivated by a desire to make a real and positive difference locally, nationally or further afield. He is particularly passionate about governance in community, voluntary and charitable organisations as he believes that well governed organisations are best placed to achieve and realise their own objectives to the fullest.
Jillian van Turnhout has successfully held a variety of leadership roles in Ireland and the EU across business, public affairs and voluntary sectors. She has served as a Director, CEO and Public Representative and has built a strong public reputation for integrity and sound judgement.
Jillian's governance expertise emanates from over twenty-five years serving and chairing Boards and reporting to Boards as a CEO. Jillian is a Chartered Director (IoD UK) and certified in international corporate governance.
Jillian's current Board work includes serving on the Board of The Arts Council Ireland and One in Four. In addition, Jillian chairs the Governance Committee of One in Four and is a member of the Governance Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). She is a former Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance; former Vice Chair (Director) of European Movement Ireland; former Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides; and former President of the National Youth Council of Ireland.
Ailbhe Smyth is a feminist, LGBTIQ and socialist activist, She played a key role in the 2025 same-sex marriage campaign, and was Co-Director of the Together for Yes abortion referendum campaign in 2018.
She chaired the National Lesbian and Gay Federation for many years, and has served on State bodies including the Higher Education Authority and the National Library of Ireland. Currently, she chairs Women’s Aid and Ballyfermot STAR Addiction Services, is a director of Age Action Ireland, and Patron of Women’s Collective Ireland. Ailbhe was listed in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2019, and has been awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin.
Mike Allen is Director of Advocacy, Communications and Research in Focus Ireland since 2009. He is a member of the European Observatory on Homelessness. He is vice-chair of the European Housing First Hub.
Mike Allen was the General Secretary of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) from 1987-2000. Where he was closely involved in the campaigns that lead to the INOU and other community and voluntary bodies gaining access to social partnership. He was General Secretary of the Irish Labour Party from 2000 to 2008.
He has published a number of articles and books on unemployment, homelessness and the role of social movements.
