I am the Chairperson of the Ballyhaunis Community Council, a registered charity in Ireland, which supports the development and enrichment of the town. In my role, I have championed for new infrastructure and facilities, including overseeing the refurbishment of the Community Hall (formerly the Parish Hall), the largest renovation undertaken since the hall was built in 1940. Under my leadership, the Council has embraced the integration and inclusion of new residents and families through the Ballyhaunis Language Cafe, the Tidy Towns Committee, and the Abbey Trust/Partnership.
I served two terms (2012-2014) as a board member of the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, where I headed up the events committee, significantly increasing our events activity though inviting experts on economics, social issues and foreign policy to address our members, while also working with fellow board members to improve reporting conditions for our members.
As chairperson of the Irish Network China from 2012-2015 I enjoyed creating a platform where the Irish in China and friends of Ireland can meet several times a month for social nights as well as more formal presentations of Irish culture and discussions on the Chinese economy. I have also enjoyed taking charge of securing the sponsorship to drive our annual St Patrick’s Day showcase formal Irish Ball event and in turn the organisation’s annual schedule of events. I have taken pride in engaging and integrating Chinese members into key roles in the organization.