Tech for Good: The Remote Revolution

Welcome to the Remote Revolution : ) This event is free to everyone, so please pass on details to people you know who might want to join us.

Join Zoom Meeting at 6.30pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83919127014?pwd=b2d5L2taemtLK3NBdE1rS3JFYzAwQT09

Meeting ID: 839 1912 7014 Passcode: 071300

This event focuses on how tech has enabled people to work, learn and play remotely during the difficult time of our pandemic and features examples from 3 speakers involved in this important shift. Topics are: Remote Working (Tracy Keogh), Library Services (Sarah Elaine McHugh) and singing in a Choir (Caroline Jones).

Remote working has been hailed as a key element of a fourth Industrial Revolution but before we had heard of Covid-19 one not for profit - Grow Remote - was already championing the benefits of remote work. They have been on a mission to enable us to work, live and participate locally, and do this by making remote work (via employment) both visible and accessible.

Tracy is a co-founder of Grow Remote. Having 10+ years experience in technology startups, Tracy spent the last few years in community development in regional and rural Ireland. A graduate of economics and finance from the University of Limerick, Tracy currently works in Bank of Ireland having set up their innovation programmes in the west. Tracy will share with her knowledge and experience and tell us what else needs to happen for remote working to become fully accepted in Ireland.

Libraries are hubs for people to come together and share their love of books and knowledge, but how can they function when the doors are closed? This challenge did not stop many libraries from getting creative about how they engage with their communities during lockdown. From social media updates, to bespoke online events, and reminders of what can be done without leaving our homes, libraries continue to connect and inspire people.

Sarah Elaine McHugh joined South Dublin Libraries as a library assistant in 2017 after completing her Masters in Library Science in UCD in 2010. She is currently a senior librarian in Lucan Library and chair of SDCC’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network. During the Covid 19 pandemic, South Dublin Libraries have worked hard to find new and creative ways to connect with the community in the face of challenges to the provision of library services. From online books, language classes, seminars, paint clubs, music and craft workshops and much more, Sarah Elaine will discuss how libraries are working online to maintain vibrant democratic spaces for all members of society

Workplace choirs are an incredible asset for an organisation. Scientific studies of workplace choir show that ‘Singing can bring workers together, break down barriers, encourage better teamwork and build confidence and self-esteem in a workforce. The pandemic initially posed a threat to the continuation of workplace choirs. Thankfully, technology has very much provided an opportunity to not only continue, it has also expanded the reach of the workplace choir.

Caroline Jones is People Manager at SOLAS - the state agency tasked with building a world class Further Education and Training (FET) sector to fuel Ireland’s future. Caroline founded the SOLAS Workplace Wellbeing Choir in September 2018, with a vision of bringing people together, and having some fun in the workplace. The choir and has grown in number from 9 members to 35 members. The choir has grown to collaborate with a number of other choirs, performing in national arenas, RTE, and are most proud of their partnership with Mountjoy Male Prison Choir ‘Inhouse Voices’ and Dublin Simon. Currently they are collaborating with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Google.

We will have time for questions/comments and to say hello to each other after the short talks, but if attendees don't want to talk or put on cameras that is totally fine of course.