The Seventeenth Meeting

On the 19th of February 2018 we had a meeting regarding preparation for the YSI Den Competition taking place on the 20th of February. We were mixed with the Icitabo project for this meeting.

So, this meeting was a very important one to say the least. This is because, while we held this meeting, we were presented with the Den application of our Offgrid Project and are fellow Fintan’s project the Icitabo project, in which they are trying to set up a library in a less fortunate area of the Sables Nua school in Kabwe, Zambia.

Anyway, without further ado, we started with the Icitabo project application which was presented by Paddy, Jack and Dylan. It was a fantastic delivery and truly engaging as well as compelling. However, we were then encouraged to ask questions about the project, such as where can we get your app, where can we reach you and why should we give you this one grand more than any other project. Although, we were all thoroughly impressed with the project and offered the little tips and advice where we could.

Subsequently, we ourselves presented on our project, Offgrid, and why we deserve that money. And why? Because we are attempting to make a change. We are already making change by attending our school meetings, by contacting other bodies and building relationships with them, by going to the Dáil, having our ideas spread and supported, raising money for our cause and so.Much. More. And why should we get the money before any other project? Well, do you want history to be made is the real question. We could potentially be the first students in Ireland to introduce, install and incorporate renewable energy into our school and as well as that. Independently.

Therefore, we were delighted with the ideas of the group in question. Those of which were Frank, Dario and Ethan who were delivering the speech. We thought the Den would be a brilliant way to raise awareness for our project and gain funding in the process. Furthermore, it is also a great way to get practice for the YSI Speakout which will be on in the near future.

As well a that, we also discussed the non uniform day that Wednesday and the details involved in running it i.e. Informing people, collecting money and so on. Additionally, we saw the prospect of creative advocacy and had the idea of...wait for it… wearing suits on the non uniform Day!

We agreed that this would be a perfect way to catch people’s attention and really spark an inquisitiveness and curiosity in relation to the project.

Altogether, it was an extremely productive meeting and we all left happy and ready for action.

At the start of the meeting we talked about what was going to happen at the Den such as the layout and the way it is run.

After this, the three people who were going to present from Off Grid (Dario Regazzi, Ethan Dodd and Frank Wolfe) did a practice run of their presentation in a different room.

After they practised a number of times they practised in front of everybody and was given random questions about our project from the students so that they were prepared for any question the judges may ask for the real thing.

We left the meeting with everything in consideration to be prepared for the YSI Den competition