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Minister Ahern’s department has responsibility for
Volunteering Measures, and they recently moved some
of their staff to offices in Tubbercurry. The
Department provides core funding to the Sligo
Volunteer Centre.
Network of volunteers
The Minister painted a national picture of a growing
network of Volunteer Centres under the auspices of
Volunteer Centres Ireland, the National Organisation
responsible for the development of volunteering in
Ireland. Sligo Volunteer Centre comes under this
umbrella body and the Minister pointed out that
Volunteer Centres Ireland now represents 11
Volunteer Centres nationwide.
The Minister stated that he is “very aware of the
huge level of work that is carried out by community
& voluntary groups throughout the country”. However,
he said that “in a changing society, we need to find
new ways to encourage and support voluntary
activity…” and that the emphasis is towards “local
and practical, rather than grand institutional
measures”, which is where the emergence of local
volunteer centres, like Sligo Volunteer Centre has
sprung from.
Networking opportunities
Sligo Volunteer Centre used the occasion of their
official launch to allow registered Community Groups
& Organisations to showcase their work and give them
the opportunity to talk to potential volunteers
about their volunteer needs. This was a great
networking opportunity as well as a celebration of
the great work that is already happening in County
Sligo.
Mayor of Sligo Borough Council, Cllr. Tom MacSharry,
recognized the work being carried out by the new
volunteer centre as well as the work of all active
volunteers in Sligo. He said that “Our dedicated
volunteers are an essential force in our society.
They contribute to our various communities in ways
that can never be quantified or properly
acknowledged”.
Community Leaders
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Jimmy
McGarry spoke of Sligo County Council’s support for
the programme and the fact that they piloted the
programme from April 2005-March 2006 which led to
the establishment of the new Volunteer Centre. Cllr.
McGarry, also spoke of the changing relationship
between communities and local authorities, whereby
now “Local volunteers are our community leaders who
take the initiative to guide and progress their
projects in active partnership with their local
authority”.
On this occasion, it was vital that those in
attendance should hear from a volunteer – after all
it is to harness the potential of ordinary citizens
to become volunteers that the Centre bases their
work on. Mr. Kieran McGill, an active volunteer in
the Gurteen/Keash/Culfadda area, spoke of his
delight at winning the title of Sligo Person of the
Year in 2006.
Sharing the workload
Kieran is involved in local GAA clubs, Community
games, organizing sponsored events for charities to
name but a few. Mr. McGill highlighted the potential
that the service of the Sligo Volunteer Centre has
to offer communities and individuals alike. He said
that communities will always need volunteers to get
involved and “By sharing the workload out as well
around more volunteers it makes it easier for
everyone involved”. He stressed that for people who
are new to communities it can often be difficult to
get involved. If Sligo Volunteer Centre have all the
information from Community groups in the area, they
can then let new potential volunteers know what
options there are for them to get involved locally.
He would encourage community groups to get in touch
with the Centre and to let them know their needs.
Minister Ahern concluded the formalities by
officially launching the new Volunteer Centre,
commending all involved, and wished them many long
years of ‘productive and enjoyable volunteering.’
The staff of Sligo Volunteer Centre are
Co-Ordinator, Ciara O’Hara and Placement Officer,
Alison Gately. They are always happy to hear from
community groups or organisations about their
volunteer needs or from people who wish to volunteer
around the County. Alison can be contacted
Monday-Wednesday on 071-911 1807. Ciara can be
contacted on 071-911 1813. Alternatively you can
browse their website
www.volunteersligo.ie or contact the Centre by
email on
info@volunteersligo.ie
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