Valuing the GAA Club Volunteer Kieran Leddy

Presentation Topics 1: Volunteering - Why people do and do not volunteer - Volunteer recruitment and retention - Club Image and its role in volunteering 2: Comhairle Programmes - Club Officer Programmes - Volunteering Programme - Fundraising Programme - Club Planning Programme

Introduction 1: Volunteering is not an ‘exact science’ 2: There are Do’s and Don’ts involved in encouraging and retaining volunteers 3: An area where clubs can learn a great amount from one another

Introduction 1: Volunteers are the backbone of every club in the country 2: GAA record of volunteering is unrivalled in Ireland 3: GAA is well respected and promotes exciting, fast and enjoyable games 4: However, every GAA club need new volunteers and very few have the luxury of having to turn people away!

Volunteering Why people volunteer 1: They are passionate about the organisation 2: Because family members are involved – increasingly important 3: They want to meet new people and make friends 4: They respect the organisation 5: It makes them feel good - health benefits recognised! 6: They feel their contribution is valued

Volunteering Why people do not volunteer 1: They don’t have the time – work, family etc. 2: They know little about the particular organisation 3: They have no interest in the organisation 4: They have no confidence in the club/organisation 5: They feel they don’t have the necessary skills 6: They feel their contribution won’t be valued

Recruitment- Introduction 1: The best way to ensure continued volunteering in the club is to retain those we already have. 2: The best way to hold on to those we have is to appreciate and acknowledge what ever they do, no matter how small their contribution is. 3: The positive stories of current volunteers will help in attracting new volunteers

Recruitment – Club Image Club Image – Key to Success Club must have a positive image in the community i.e. the club is ‘Active, Vibrant, Positive and Progressive’ People want to be associated with a club that is positive in its outlook and that is well respected in the local community. Club must be seen as ‘open’ and ‘welcoming’ to all People will be less likely to become involved if club is perceived to be a ‘closed shop’ Create a ‘buzz’ in the club

Recruitment - Club Image Club Maith Programme – Club Accreditation Will show members and the community in general that: 1: Club is well managed 2: Provides enjoyable activity 3: Various policies are in place to ensure safety 4: Club is progressive ……….give people confidence in the club!

Exercise Imagine that a family member wants to join a sports organisation that you know little or nothing about. What would attributes would you look for in that club? 1: Club is a safe place to be 2: Club provides meaningful and enjoyable activity 3: Club is well structured and well managed 4: Club has good facilities 5: Club is well respected

Exercise – New Volunteers Think of all the jobs that need to be done in the club each week. Include everything from team mentor, secretary, chairman, cutting the grass, lining the pitch, selling lotto tickets, transport, washing jerseys etc….. Think of people who might be willing to give the club an hour or two to do some of these tasks Approach them personally and ask them (parents of children playing)

Exercise – New Volunteers And then……… Always explain what the job entails, time involved etc. Support and backup available Value to club of having this done properly Keep them informed of other club activity to make them feel part of the club team. Ensure that this is all they will be asked to do! Recognise their effort

GAA Comhairle Programmes 1: Club Officer Programme 2: Volunteering Programme 3: Fundraising Programme 4: Club Planning Programme Programmes generally encourage clubs to learn from one another The greatest knowledge resource we have is our own clubs

Club Officer Programme Aim: 1: To provide club officers with the specific knowledge and skills to carry out their roles - 2: To provide a forum where clubs can learn from one another’s experience Structure: 1: Delivered to clubs on a county by county basis in Jan, Feb 2008 2: Club Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and PRO invited 3: Presentation to individual officers followed by workshop

Club Officer Programme Examples of topics covered: Chairman: Effective meetings, vision and planning Secretary: AGM, membership, administration, communication Treasurer: Keeping records, budgeting, planning, AGM duties PRO: Communication, PR in the community Workshop Questions: Focus on improving communication, administration, promotion in the community, promoting club to non-national community

Club Officer Programme Issuing Club Manual 2008 Volume 2 Club Administration Effective Meetings Communication The AGM Officer Roles Insurance Player Welfare……………………etc………….

Volunteer Programme Aim: 1: To advise clubs on the recruitment and retention of volunteers Clubs learn from one another – vast amounts of experience Structure: 1: Best delivered to clubs in groups 2: Provides a forum where clubs learn from one another 3: Presentation slides and workshop – interactive programme

Fundraising Programme Aim: 1: To advise clubs on fundraising in their clubs Clubs learn from another – vast amounts of experience Structure: 1: Best delivered to clubs in groups 2: Provides a forum where clubs learn from one another 3: Presentation slides and workshop – interactive programme

Fundraising Programme Topics covered 1: Various points on fundraising discussed –planning, reviewing etc 2: Discussion on advantages, disadvantages, pitfalls of various fundraising methods e.g. Night at the dogs, Night at the races, Fundraising Dinner Direct Debit and Lotto Buy a brick on club wall Record a CD of music etc.

Club Planning Programme Aim: To provide assistance to clubs in the development of a ‘club plan’ Structure: 1: Is delivered to individual clubs 2: Involves a one night workshop where club members give their views on various aspects of club activity 3: Workgroup of club members formed to put plan together

Comhairle Facilitators New national structure in place – National Comhairle Facilitator Co-ordinator 5 Provincial Comhairle Facilitator Team Leaders 15 County Comhairle Facilitator Team Leaders Comhairle Facilitators on the ground

Comhairle Facilitators Purpose of Structure: 1: To improve communication between Croke Park and facilitators 2: To better monitor the delivery of programmes 3: To better monitor the level of activity around the country 4: To help in the identification of new facilitators 5: Training in facilitation provided to all Thank you for your attention