Irish Second–Level Students' Union

The Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) is Ireland's national umbrella body for second-level students working through the student council network in all second-level schools. ISSU connects, and represents post-primary school students nationwide. Providing a structured platform through which students can voice their views.

ISSU's work has three main strands: it aims to provide training, guidance and advice to empower students and equip them with the vital skills needed to become actively involved in the decision-making processes in their own school communities; and it aims to work in partnership with other organisations to bring the views of secondary school students to the attention of local and national policy-makers, as well as the media, in relation to educational issues. And our third and final aim to provide services to the membership of ISSU on the principal that control of those services lies with the membership.

ISSU was founded in August 2008, from the remains of the Union of Secondary Students (USS). ISSU has put the structures in place to ensure the long term viability of the organisation, and to ensure that ISSU can be respected as a trusted player in the Irish Education system - finally giving Students a voice!

ISSU is member of the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) and the National Youth Council of Ireland - NYCI (www.youth.ie).

During September 2009, ISSU modified it's name from the Irish Secondary Students' Union to the Irish Second-Level Students' Union to encompass all Irish Post Primary Schools equally.

ISSU's aims

To provide training and development of secondary school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.

To develop policies on issues affecting Irish secondary students and bring the needs and rights of Students to the attention of the relevant authorities.

To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.

To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland, and Europe. To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and Teachers’ Unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.

And most importantly, to give Students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish Secondary Students will be heard.

Structure

Monitoring & Advisory Committee - This is the top level backbone of the organisation. This committee oversees the work of ISSU, provides guidance to the National Board, and looks after the financials of the organisation. This Committee is composed of representatives from Ireland's leading Educational & Youth Organisations, past ISSU members and is chaired by the ISSU General Secretary.

National Board - The national board looks after the day-to-day running of the organisation. Lead by the ISSU president, the Board comprises various officers elected at the ISSU AGM to look after various aspects of Student Life - Education, Welfare & Equality, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Secretary, Publications, Research & Communications Officer.

Regional Council - This is the ground-roots level of the organisation, linking Students via their Student Council to their Local ISSU Regional Council. Each region elects an ISSU Student Council Relations Officer. The Regional Council is assisted by the ISSU Student Council Support Officer. There are 4 ISSU regional council regions - Munster Area, Leinster Area, Connaught Area, and the Dublin Area.

Links

• Official website
• OBESSU

Requested move

{{subst:rename|Irish Secondary Students' Union ~ ISSU}} Change name to "Irish Second-Level Students' Union", minor name change within organisation ISSU Student Voice (talk) 19:47, 30 September 2009 (UTC)