MEITHEAL

CALENDAR

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What is Meitheal?

The Meitheal Youth Leadership Programme was founded in Kildare & Leighlin Diocese in the early 1990s. Scala first piloted Meitheal in the Dioceses of Cork & Ross in 1992. It has grown significantly since then. At present, transition year students from eighteen schools in Cork city and county are taking part.
The Irish word Meitheal describes the old Irish tradition where people in rural communities gathered together on a neighbour’s farm to help save the hay or some other crop. People saw a need locally and tried to respond practically to that need. They acted as a team and everybody benefitted in some way. This built up strong friendships and respect among those involved in the Meitheal.

Through the Meitheal leadership Programme, a small team of young people is empowered to identify needs in their school and to use their own initiative and talents to respond to these needs in a practical way.

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Meitheal is an opportunity for each member to grow in awareness of themselves, and in the needs of others. All of us have a God-given ability to make a difference, no matter how small. Meitheal is not about focusing on standards, major events or results; it is about young people doing their best, caring for each other and the students with whom they work.

How does it operate?

In January of each year, Transition year students from the participating schools are invited to fill out an application form for membership of the Meitheal team. Interviews are conducted by the Scala Team and they select candidates for training. The hope is to select a diverse team of personalities, skills and interests, who can work together for the good of the students of their school.

Training in leadership skills takes place over four days in late April – early May. Students are trained in how to conduct meetings, group dynamics, facilitation, and team-work. These are life skills that they will use beyond Meitheal.

Finally, Meitheal Teams are commissioned in late August, before they return to school. Each Team gives a one-year commitment to Meitheal, handing over responsibility to a new Meitheal Team at the end of 5th year.

"Act justly, Love tenderly, Walk humbly with your God"
(Micah)