The organisation was founded by four people with Ataxia, who formed the board of directors and trustees and has since increased the board to seven trustees, five with an Ataxia and two, non-disabled people. The Board of AFI will always have most trustees with Ataxia, the reason for this is that it brings the wishes, voices and influence of the members into the boardroom and the ethos of “by members for members”. The only charity we know of with this structure.
THE BOARD
The current structure of the Board of AFI is the Chairperson: John Kelleher, Company Secretary: David Power, Treasurer: Rita McDermott, Head of Finance: Ken Caulfield, Youth Affairs: Rachel Byrne, Anita Gracey (NI), Founder & Interim CEO: Al Young.
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The management committee is made up of subgroups of volunteers who meet up once a month with the board, these groups are the
Ataxia Support Team (AST) and Brenda O’Hara, Nora Young, (helpline) Tom Kelleher, Bereavement Grants, Assistance with hospital appointments, Ataxia Clinic, representation with Agencies.
REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM (RST)
Sean O’Hara, Willie Barratt and Teresa Kane are building a network of members to reach out and gather feedback and discuss at management level and target support to where it’s needed.
The Founder Al Young has temporarily taken the role of CEO with no salary, to drive the charity forward and has stepped down as a “Trustee” (3 years ago) in order to officially do this, once the charity can afford to employ a CEO, Al will resign as CEO and will take a position of Trustee with responsibility for “Strategic Planning”. The role of CEO will be advertised in newspapers and online through organizations such as the wheel, CII and Linkedin, the best candidate for the job as CEO will be chosen by the board.
