Thank you for expressing your interest in applying for any of the following ISSU Working Groups. This form contains the application forms for each Working Group. At the drop-down menu below, please select the Working Group you are interested in applying for. If you are interested in applying for more than one Working Group, please fill out the form for each Working Group individually. 

Under the ISSU Constitution, the role of the working group is to provide a platform for consultations to take place on a certain topic and/or topics regarding ISSU mandate work. 

All students are eligible to apply for Working Group Membership. Students from member schools, members of the Coiste Gnó, and members of the ROB will be given priority. The final decision on membership lies solely with the Officer in charge of the Working Group in question.

A shortlisting process will be completed by an ISSU officer. Please note, anyone shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview via Zoom between Tuesday the 27th - Friday the 29th of October. 

Student Journalism Network 

To develop and support the communications officer with the upcoming Student Journalism Network proposed and introduced by the communications officer (reference to work plan)to create a platform for students to share ideas, concerns and get creative through articles, reports, interviews, creative writing, photography and other types of creative means accessible to students.

The working group is intended to help around with shaping the network, encouraging students to get involved, develop content ideas, work on submitted videos, identify relevant media opportunities.

The group and I would aim to create an inclusive and accessible space to welcome all students, while giving them the space to share their perspectives, ideas, and experiences on various platforms available.

The role of members is as follows:

All members of the working group would be working collaboratively, but it would be appreciated for members to have little knowledge on basic media applications/software like CapCut, Canva, Figma, etc.

• Outreach: Student Representative, main connection to student participants.Will also work with the media and communications officer to help students when facing difficulties in any areas of the project.

• Media: Helps along with the communications officer in making each content accessible, simple, and inclusive enough.

• Research: Works with the communications officer to find available media and creative opportunities for participating students.

 Time Commitment 

Normal week: 1–2 hours

Busy/launch week: 2–3 hours

Major project: potentially more, agreed in advance

Vote @ 16 Working Group

The Vote @ 16 Working Group will support the ISSU in continuing our campaign to give 16- and 17-year-olds a voice in Ireland’s democracy. The group will help ensure that students' perspectives remain at the heart of the campaign and that grassroots members have a meaningful role in shaping our work.

This is an opportunity to get involved in an important national campaign, work alongside other students who are passionate about civic participation, and help push for a change that could give thousands of young people a greater say in decisions that affect them.

Role of members

• Assist in lobbying decision makers to lower the voting age to 16, through drafting letters (a student petition) and partaking in a social media campaign. 
• Consult on the design and delivery of the vote @16 and civic education workshop 
• Work on the voter registration social media campaign

Time Commitment

• 1-2 hours every two weeks, with optional further engagement.

Equality Working Group

The purpose of this working group is to assist the Oifigeach Chomhionannais in their projects, campaigns and events. Some of them would include Wealth Inequality in Education Project, RSE Education, Migrant Campaign and so on. The aim is to have as much student input as possible and gain various views on the work of the Oifigeach Chomhionannais, and to help me promulgate equality and eradicate discrimination within secondary-level schools. It would also help to bring the union’s attention to some issues that it might not be aware of, and to promote student involvement in the ISSU.

Role of Members

• To assist the Oifigeach Chomhionannais in their projects, campaigns and events and to work on improving the rights of minority groups.
• The students will be responsible for adding input into the work of the Oifigeach Chomhionannais.
• Their job would also be to help bring the union’s attention to some issues that it might not be aware of, and to help eradicate discrimination within secondary-level schools. 

Time Comittement 

1-1.5 hrs/week