Long Standing Committee Member Resigns

[Mary]

Des Keaney has been on the ISKA commitee for the last 10 years when he joined as editor of Treasna na dTonnta and then became the East Coast regional representative. He was the second member of ISKA to sit on the committee along with the then chair, Dave Walsh.

He steps down this week, as Alan Horner now takes over as chair in the East and will be their regional representative on the ISKA committee until elections in November 2008!!

Des has served both FECKERS and ISKA well during his time on the committee. He took T na dT to a whole new level; he promoted training among the members and encouraged many to improve their skills on meets, take courses and sit assessments. Since Des set up his business, he has given freely his support to ISKA by providing boats and instruction at symposia , at \'Come an Try Its\' and as always, on meets.

He has been instrumental in the development of ISKA in all its aspects and for this and all his efforts, I thank him, on behalf of the committee and the ISKA members.


Mary
Chairperson ISKA

[ciaranclissmann]

hear hear

[DaveWalsh]

May I add a detail in praise of Des?
In the late 90s, Des Keaney and Paul Butcher between them put ISKA finances onto a whole new level I had never been able to achieve alone. Paul ran three REC courses in ISKA’s name and generated a large surplus. Des ran the Achill Symposium in’99, and made a healthy profit, IR£1,500.00 if I recall correctly (huge money then, as everyone except ardent Fianna Failers acknowledge). From the sturdy foundation they built, ISKA thereafter could confidently do what ISKA thought best, without always having to worry at the finances.
Money doesn’t buy success, but its lack can buy failure.
“Lest we forget”
DWalsh

[martinguilfoyle]

as one who is just beginning to realise how young ISKA is,and seeing how big it has become, I would like to express my thanks to Des and all the other founders.You have given us an organisation that is growing in numbers and skills. All this achieved by volunteers and without outside funding /dig outs/ or loans from cummans. It is in great shape and and a real benefit to its members.
Thanks
Martin
I

[Sean]

I think the expression from down south is appropriate.. \"A major contribution boy ....\"

Sean

[EMurphy]

Apart from all the aforementioned praise, Des was instrumental in successfully setting up the ISKA Library. A huge job which should be acknowledged here.
Eileen