Who's Who on the Youth Committee?
Ciara Clarke
Employed by AIB since 2003, Ciara Clarke currently works in Banking Support Services in Adelaide Road, Dublin. A member of the Youth Committee since 2007, Ciara says: "I became involved in the Youth Committee as I believe that young people are the future for both the banks and the Union. I think I would like my main achievement to be a bigger recognition of the Union and its importance by the younger members of staff."
Lauren Fries
An IBOA Rep in AIB Direct Banking in Naas, where around two-thirds of the staff are under 35 years old, Lauren Fries has a keen interest in securing fair treatment for younger staff.
Kieran McCann
"As young members we tend to forget the work and achievements IBOA has been involved in over the years. It is vital that this work continues into the future. With the current crisis in our industry young members need to be actively involved in our Union. I joined the Youth Committee of IBOA in order to raise the profile of the Union and I would encourage all young members to become involved."
Marie Clare McGrath
I feel that a lot of young people entering the bank are not fully aware what the Union does to improve and secure the working conditions for bank employees. I hope that by representing my peers at work, I can emphasise the issues they would like addressed and enhance the profile of the Union.
District Secretary - Nora-Ann O'Callaghan
Employed by Bank of Ireland in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Nora-Ann O'Callaghan is a Bank District Secretary for the Tralee/Killarney area. She is also a member of the Union's Youth Committee. "I joined the Youth Committee after originally getting involved as a rep and a district secretary. The percentage of members under the age of 35 is extremely high in IBOA. We need a voice, which in turn needs to be heard! This is extremely important in today's evironment. Any union is only as strong as its members and that is why I am committed to working on the Youth Committee.
Davina O'Gorman
Vice Chair of the Youth Committee, Davina says: "I got involved with the Union as I have always believed it is important to be in the Union. I also realised that a lot of young people have the perception that the Union is only for middle aged and older people and I wanted to be part of changing the younger staff members' point of view on this, also to make the younger generation realise how important and interesting being a participating Union member can be."
Zoe O'Neill
"I got involved in the Youth Committee for a few reasons really. There are a lot of people my own age and younger in the bank that need to be represented. Some of the younger members would not know where to go if they had an issue or to ask something and at least by letting everyone know we are there for them hopefully more and more people will ask for the help or advice when they need it. To me having a Youth Committee is a great way of getting issues and ideas fed up the line to the Executive Committee."
Una Roddy
Employed in Credit Operations in AIB Bankcetre in Ballsbridge, Dublin, Una Roddy is an IBOA Rep and a member of the Youth Committee since 2007. "I got invoved with the Youth Committee because I was always an active member of the IBOA and felt that the younger generation of bank employees were not as involved. I hope that the Youth Committee will continue to address the issues of importance to younger members and that it will play a role in encouraging many more younger bank staff to become active in the Union."
District Secretary - Mark Ryan
Employed in AIB Clearing Operations since 2000 and an IBOA representative since 2003, Mark is a Bank District Secretary as well as a member of the Union's Youth Committee.
Mark Ryan says: "I decided to go for the position of AIB IBOA Youth representative in order to get more actively involved. I believe it's the union's role to ensure that where you work is a place of opportunity and equality for everyone. I look forward to representing you and my colleagues by playing an active role in IBOA."
