Exciting news that Carmichael are offering 80 free places on their Spring Summer Scheduled Training Programme for small/medium sized non-profit organisations that Volunteer Centres work with.

Priority will be given to organisations with an income of less than €500,000p.a.  These free places are possible because of funding they have received from Community Foundation Ireland to help those smaller non-profit organisations where resources can be tight.

Interested parties should look through the content of the Spring Summer Scheduled Training Programme and then use this link to register  in order to avoid payment:  https://forms.office.com/e/dYjLBKice8

Please only register for courses that you are genuinely interested in and can definitely attend.  Any queries can be directed  to, Andrew Madden at andrew@carmichaelireland.ie 

Please join us at our first Volunteer Managers Forum of 2024 meeting taking place on:

Wednesday 31 January from 11.30am to 1.30pm, at Rua Red, Tallaght.

This is a chance for local organisations to update, connect and network over lunch on common ground issues in relation to involving volunteers.  

This month we will be looking at Volunteer Recruitment. In 2023 over 2000 volunteers registered with South Dublin Volunteer Centre.  Our plan this year is to continue to maximise access and quality in volunteering, so we would be delighted to have as many organisations as possible join us to look at Volunteer Recruitment in 2024 and how we can support you to involve volunteers in meaningful ways. 

For full details and to book your place at the meeting, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/south-dublin-volunteer-centre-volunteer-managers-forum-meeting-tickets-794123162757 .Or just click on the button below.

Further meetings will be held in March, May, September, November and December.  Details to follow. 

Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be provided.  For any dietary requirements, please email colette@volunteersouthdublin.ie.   

Thanks to everyone who has registered so far.  We have your details here and will be in touch.

Three topics are currently available:

1.  Fundamentals of Volunteer Engagement

A two, half day training course delivered online 10-12.30pm – designed to meet the needs of volunteer managers in a changing world.  There is also a full day option available in March.

This two module course is for those who are new to the topic of volunteer management and leadership or who wish to improve their skill set. 

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

Be clear about how volunteering fits into your context and the opportunity it provides

Understand the importance of volunteers and be able to communicate this to volunteers and other stakeholders

Understand that volunteering is a two way process with gains for all involved

Upcoming dates:   

6-7th February 

12th March 

16-17th April 

 2. Volunteer Policy – The Fundamentals

A one hour lunchtime session, designed to help demystify the idea of a volunteer policy for your organisation.

Join other volunteer managers to discuss the basics concerning:

Why you should consider a volunteer policy for your volunteer involving organisation

What benefits it could bring you and your volunteers

How you might think about designing it

Upcoming dates:  

27th February 

21st May 

15th October 

 3.  Supporting Volunteers – The Essentials

Join your fellow volunteer managers to discuss the basics of Volunteer Support such as:

The importance of supporting our volunteers

The four principles of volunteer support

The difference between Support and Supervision

Different ways of supporting our volunteers

Upcoming dates:

5th March 

18th June 

12th November