AONTAS commit to maintaining robust governance procedures in compliance with statutory requirements and as part of the emerging governance landscape.
In order to deliver our work we see accountability as central to maintaining our reputation for excellence to our members, stakeholders, funders and the broader field of lifelong learning.
The AONTAS Board provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the organisation and promotes the values and vision of AONTAS. The Board also ensures good governance and effective implementation of our Strategic Plan.
Charis was elected to the AONTAS Board in 2024. She is Press Officer at the Department of Transport. Charis previously worked as Head of Impact and Engagement and as Head of Communications in AONTAS. She has a particular interest in use of accessible language and design in communication.
Cora was first elected to the AONTAS Board in May 2022. In her role as an adult education officer with the City of Dublin ETB, with responsibility for delivering adult education programmes in the Finglas/Cabra area, Cora has developed a deep understanding of the strategic priorities, issues and concerns for adult education in Ireland. She is currently a director of the Local Drugs Task Force.
Deborah Odeworitse Oniah, is a writer and a mother of four. She is a Graduate of Law in her home country, Nigeria. She is currently doing her Masters in Children’s Right and Family Law in UCC. She is a University College Cork Sanctuary Scholar with a Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma Studies. An important voice for the migrant community in Ireland, Deborah is trained in and facilitates intercultural dialogue. She is also a trained facilitator in the Culturally Relevant Parenting Programme and has been delivering this training across direct provision centres in Cork. She is one of the founding members of the CMC Women Coffee Morning group that has been running for 6 years in Nano Nagle Place. She is a member of Sanctuary Runners and Saoirse Ethnic Hands On Deck, a registered social enterprise project run by migrant women living in Direct Provision Centres in Cork. She has just completed Global Youth Work and Development at University of Maynooth, Kildare. Deborah advocates for adult learning and women’s health.
Imelda was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. She is Head of Learning & Development for the Irish Wheelchair Association, with responsibility for learning and development activities as well as the development and implementation of a Supported Employment programme for people with disabilities. She is a qualified Coach and Mediator and holds a degree in Training and Education and a Masters in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development.
John is the newly elected Chairperson of AONTAS. He is the National Director of The Open University in Ireland and has a range of educational and governance experience. He is an active member on the Forum for Adult Learning in Northern Ireland and a former Chair of many organisations including Enterprise Northern Ireland and Audience Northern Ireland.
Kayla was appointed to the AONTAS Board in July 2023. She is currently a Digital Marketing student in TUS Athlone, having previously completed two QQI courses in the GRETB FET Centre, Lanesboro St, Roscommon. A proud Learners as Leaders participant, Kayla is hugely vocal and passionate about Learner Voice and Learner Empowerment. She has vast experience in the area of Adult Learner Advocacy and public speaking where she has represented learners and shared her own learner journey and policy recommendations at various national events such as the Tertiary Education Report Launch event with Minister Harris.
Liam was first elected to the AONTAS board in May 2019 and reappointed in May 2022. Liam is a Senior Training and Development Officer with The Social and Health Education Project (SHEP), which is a significant organiser of Community Education in the Munster area. His main practice expertise involves developing and organising: experiential learning community education courses; reflective practice courses for community and voluntary staff and volunteers; and courses in participatory approaches to community and organisational development.
Lilian was elected to the AONTAS Board in May 2022. Lilian is a PhD student and occasional lecturer in the Department of Adult and Community Education Department in Maynooth University. As an Adult Education practitioner, Lilian is passionate about co-creating inclusive spaces in classrooms. Lilian is a graduate member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of the United Kingdom and is trained in engaging with Boards.
Louise was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. She is the Executive Director of IACTO. She is a HR professional with a Masters in Human Resource Management and experience of working in organisations promoting social inclusion and providing adult and community education services. She has a genuine interest in good governance and a great working knowledge of governance requirements for Charities.
Martin was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. He is Chief Executive of Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI). He is the Chairperson of the NI Federation of Awarding Bodies, which consists of all the major awarding bodies offering qualifications in NI. Martin promotes the value of lifelong learning having been an adult learner himself and graduating from the University of Liverpool with a BA in Professional Development and PGC in Management and Leadership.
Pamela was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. She has worked with Longford Women’s Link (LWL) as Education and Training Business Development Manager since 2009. Pamela’s role as Education and Training Business Development Manager plays a key role in achieving this vision, providing community education under the guidelines of Women’s Community Education.
Anne Whelan is a Community Education Facilitator with Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) and Chair of the Community Education Facilitators’ Association (CEFA). With eighteen years of experience in adult education, Anne is deeply committed to the principles of empowerment, equality, and social justice. Passionate about community education, she works to create inclusive learning environments that promote personal growth and collective change.
Deirdre is the manager of a Rural Social Enterprise - Community Training Centre in Offaly. She has been involved in education and training for 18 years. She is committed and passionate about adult education and its transformative power.
Fergus has worked in adult and community education for 20 years, he is currently Inclusion Manager with ETBI. He previously worked Education Programme Coordinator with Dublin Northwest Partnership and a Community Educator with An Cosán. Fergus says he believes AONTAS plays a powerful role advocacy and support for learner voice.
The AONTAS Board of Directors is made up of AONTAS members. Board Directors are voted onto the AONTAS Board of Director by their fellow AONTAS members for a three year term. Directors may serve a maximum of two terms and a maximum of two terms as Chairperson and in any event no more than nine consecutive years as a member of the Board. Election to the Board occurs on a rotating basis according to the rules of the AONTAS Constitution.
The Board includes:
The Board ensures its professionalism by bringing their individual expertise in adult and community education, and making sure specific skills and knowledge in areas like governance, accounting, and legal are represented on the Board.
The Board of Directors meets a minimum of five times per year and has its Annual General Meeting in May of each year. The Board has responsibility for ensuring that the organisation achieves its strategic goals and that AONTAS meets all legislative, charitable and company law requirements, and health and safety standards.
There are two sub-committees that report to the Board of Directors on a regular basis. The subcommittees are:
The Audit and Risk Sub-Committee includes a Board Member who is a qualified accountant.
The Sub-Committee is responsible for:
At the discretion of the Chairperson, and subject to budgetary approval, the committee may engage external advisors to assist it in fulfilling its role.
The Governance Sub-Committee is responsible for advising the Board on the effective governance of the organisation by:
While we do not fundraise from the public at the moment we are aware of the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public and if we should fundraise in the future we will adhere to that standard.
The AONTAS Board of Directors sees the financial governance of the organisation as one of its primary responsibilities. AONTAS publishes its accounts on an annual basis within the AONTAS Annual Report. Our accounts and financial reports also comply with the principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP).
We also comply with the requirements set down by the Charity Regulator Authority including the Charities Governance Code.
At its AGM in May 2019, AONTAS membership approved the appointment of Mazars as AONTAS’ external auditors.
Further to our own auditing procedures, AONTAS is also subject to periodic and random audits by funders including SOLAS and the European Commission.
AONTAS is a company limited by guarantee, our Company Registration Number is 80958, our Registered Charity Number (RCN) is 20013042. For Revenue purposes, our CHY number is CHY 6719.
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