Minister of State Noel Ahern will officiate at the launch accompanied by the Mayor Councillor Tom McSharry and the Cathaoirleach Councillor Jimmy McGarry. The launch provides an ideal opportunity to showcase the excellent work undertaken by the many volunteer groups in the area.
The launch will incorporate an open evening where representatives from registered groups will be on hand to give information on their work & volunteer vacancies.
Background Info Sligo Volunteer Centre
Early Stages & FormationSligo County Council piloted a Volunteer Programme within the Community and Enterprise Section from April 2005-March 2006 with the aid of Peace & Reconciliation funding. This phase of development was about research, and establishing the viability for a Volunteer Centre in County Sligo.
A Project to revise and update the Sligo Community Directory was undertaken on behalf of Sligo County Development Board and Sligo County Community Forum during the period July-November 2005. A section of questions on volunteering was included in order to provide the emerging Volunteer Centre with some base information. 493 questionnaires from a variety of groups were completed and deemed eligible for use in the survey. Some of the key results in relation to volunteering are outlined below.
Facts & Figures
- 451 groups (91%) currently involve volunteers
- 380 groups (77%) would like to involve more volunteers
- 310 groups (63%) would use a volunteer centre to recruit volunteers
- 316 groups (64%) would use a volunteer centre to receive support & training
- 75 groups (15%) have a written volunteer policy!
These facts form a useful base for Sligo Volunteer Centre in establishing a picture of the current situation with volunteering in Sligo as well as an indication as to where training needs lie.
A Volunteer Advisory committee steered the project through the early stages. A Board of Directors was formed and a Company limited by Guarantee was set up in March 2006. Sligo Volunteer Centre was officially incorporated.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is made up of representatives from Sligo County Council, HSE West, Sligo LEADER Partnership, Sligo Voluntary Youth Council & Sligo County Community Forum. In January 2007 we will be adopting some new Board members representing Sligo Social Services Council & St. Michaels Family Life Centre. Both are volunteer involving organizations.
Staff
The Co-Ordinator of the Centre is Ciara O’Hara. A part time Placement Officer, Alison Gately was employed in September 2006. Both members of staff report to the Board of Directors.
Further Information
Sligo Volunteer Centre covers the whole of County Sligo. To date many of the vacancies are in Sligo Town. Outreach sessions were held around the county in mid 2006. The Centre has offered training to Community & Voluntary Groups around Volunteer Management. This is an element of the service the Centre would like to expand.
The staff of the volunteer centre support & encourage Community Groups in developing volunteer policies for their organization. Volunteer Policies are advisable for organizations to ensure that the relationship with the volunteer is a positive experience for both the volunteer and the community organization. It also ensures consistency & best practice.
Co-ordinator of the Centre Ciara O Hara can be contacted at 071 9111807
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