August/September Update

During the last week of August I shadowed Catriona and got to find out more about my role
Met with Gillian Newman from Highland Children’s Forum and was invited to join their committee
Attended the Community advisory group meeting with the police where we discussed how the police engaged with different minorities in the Highlands
Met with Gordon Fyfe who gave me some advice about dealing with the media
Met with Alistair Dodds the Chief Executive
Met with Bill Fernie the Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee
Met with Sandy Park the Convener of the Council
I also did some work preparing for the SPICE event such as writing the press release
Attended SPICE (Senior Pupils Interactive Consultation Event) which was held at Eden Court. I ran an icebreaker session as well as facilitating one of the discussion groups
Publicised my new role by putting out press release, sending out emails and being interviewed on MFR
Introduced to the Councillors at the full Council Meeting
Attended the Graduation Ceremony for the Inverness HiFires programme where young people from Inverness Royal Academy have been learning what its like to be a member of the fire service
Attended the SNAPY (Scottish Network of Alcohol Practitioners for the Young) day in Inverness
Met with Innis Mitchell to discuss how to consult with young people about “For Highland Children 3”. Youth Voice to take a lead in consultation work
Attended Council’s climate change working group meeting where the council discussed how to take the lead on reducing its carbon footprint
Attended the clinical research open day at the centre for health science
Gave a presentation to Dornoch Academy about Youth Voice and the Youth Convener role
Attended the Sutherland Summit in Lairg and helped run the youth workshop there. Interesting day with over 100 representatives from all over Sutherland discussing its future
Attended Education Culture and Sport Committee meeting where issues discussed included outdoor education, exam results, a new dance project, healthy snacks in schools and More Choices More Chances – 16+ learning
Met with Hugh Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport and discussed action plan for the year
Attended Highland One World Group AGM which works to raise awareness and educate on issues such as sustainability and fair trade
Visited Mallaig High School and met with pupil council issues raised included ferries and School meals/snacks
Attended Youth themed ward forum meeting in Ballachulish (Ward 22 Fort William and Ardnamurchan). Young people from across the ward came and had their questions answers by councillors and officials. Lochaber Youth Forum to be developed
Attended Raigmore goverenance committee development day
Met with Pene Rowe about child protection committee and was invited onto Child Protection Committee
Attended Youth Development Officer training day
Attended Sustainable Islands Conference where delegates from many scottish islands met to discuss sustainale living. There were guest speakers from Denmark, Sweden and the island nation of Tuvalu
Met with Linda Birnie from Brook and was invited onto Brook’s Excutive Committee
Met with Nicole Wallace from LEADER and was invited onto the Highland LEADER strategic Committee
Attended meeting about fast food vans selling food outside schools
Attended Child protection Committee which deals with all the issues around vunerable children and child abuse etc.

October

Met with Clair Nichols the YDO for Dingwall to discuss issues effecting young people in the Dingwall area
Attended Seminar for the final draft of For Highland’s Children 3, the layout and content was discussed including changing the focus of the achievement outcomes to be more inline with CfE
Attended Joint Committee for Children and Young People issues discussed included FH3, lifestyle survey, a study around Youth Migration and a couple of items relating to child protection
Meet with Rosemary MacKinnon, the equal opportunities officer
Went on equal opportunities and diversity training dayAttended E-safety strategy group meeting and discussed issues around internet safety and input for the HYV conference
Attended Consultation about a potential new development by Jacobite Cruise on the shore of Loch ness
Met with Rosanna MacSween and Tom Ogilvie from northern constabulary and discussed potential joint projects
Attended meeting about Blue Light discos at the ironworks
Facilitated Consultation about Development of Strathdearn with Strathdearn Youth Group
Attended Raigmore Governance Committee meeting
Met with Alistair Dodds
Drafted Programme for Badaguish
Send out invitations for Badaguish
Met with Children’s champions to discuss sexual health survey, my action plan and conference programme
Met with Kate Robinson from the electoral reform society to discuss potential links and input at conference
Brief bout of swine flu
Xec meeting, including Q&A with minister Bruce Crawford
Some more swine flu
Further planning of Badaguish conference with Scott and Eilidh (local YDO and youth worker)
Met with Graham Morgan from Highland Users Group to discuss mental health issues
Attended Full Council Meeting

Meeting with Nicky Marr to plan speed dating session for conference

November

Staff planning meeting for Badaguish conference
Attended Inverness High School pupil council meeting and gave info about HYV and our next conference
Met with Director of Planning , Stuart Black, to discuss how young people can be involved
Met with Elections Manager , John Bruce, to discuss his input to the conference
Met with Ruth Sime to discuss HIE input at the conference
Met with Nicky Marr and Alistair Dodds to discuss conference
Went to Badaguish for site visit and meeting with Badaguish staff Attended Badenoch and Strathspey ward forum. The meeting was run by the local youth forum. Gave a presentation about HYV and Youth Convener role
Attended ECS committee meeting. Topics discussed included building new schools and the new cyber bullying guidelines
Met with Sandy Park to tell him about the conference
Attended Northern Constabulary Community Advisory Group
Attended Inverness Ness-side Youth Ward Forum. The Forum has produced an action plan to take forward and monitor issues raised by the young people
Attended Raigmore Governance committee
Met with Millburn HYV reps to explain conference plans
HYV conference, Photo’s and press release on the website, full report to follow

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