James, who was chosen this year as the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ by The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2015 is a Volunteer with over 25 years’ experience helping others in his local community.
He started volunteering by helping out in a local soccer club and for the last three years James has been involved with the Tralee Chamber Alliance as a volunteer, often seen manning the kiosk in Tralee centre.
Rose of Tralee International Festival
The Rose of Tralee International Festival, one of Ireland longest running festivals held in August every year, consists of the infamous Rose of Tralee Selection, live performances, street entertainment, stalls, children’s entertainment and much more.
This year James got involved with the Festival through Kerry Volunteer Centre. He read about the opportunity and registered though Volunteering Matters, Kerry Volunteer Centre’s monthly newsletter. His role in the festival entailed facilitating the children’s park activities and also directing performers and traders.
James describes the Festival as a well-run event with “organisers that are very professional in their approach to Volunteers”. He noted that “they keep up with current legislation and protocol. Volunteer welfare is of the utmost importance as they look after about 150 Volunteers each year.”
In appreciation of the Volunteer’s contribution, the Festival provides each Volunteer with tickets for events, t-shirts, meals and refreshments at the end of the festival. Volunteers have the opportunity to fill out an anonymous feedback sheet at the end of the event, the information gathered is reflected upon and recommendations are made for the following year. This approach to Volunteer Management speaks volumes, with Volunteers returning year after year.
Winning the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award
The ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award has been running for about 7 years. Nominees are put forward by the Team Leaders of the 9 areas of the festival, each area can include up to 40 Volunteers. The final selection is made by Event Controller of the Street Carnival, Bryan Carr and General Manager of the Festival, Oliver Hurley. Bryan Carr describes the Volunteers as the “lifeblood of the festival, without them the festival wouldn’t happen”.
At the end of the festival each year, a party is held for all the volunteers. James recalled that “everyone was on a high at the event after the Rose had been crowned. They were talking on stage about someone I did not recognise. Then, it all went quiet and I realised that it was me they were taking about!” James described that it “felt wonderful to be appreciated” and said “I am no more the Volunteer of the Year than any one of the 150 others there who made the festival what it was. I was embarrassed beyond words! There were people there who have done so much more, some having given thirty or forty years to the festival.”
Tralee Chamber of Alliance
James has regularly volunteered with the Tralee Chamber Alliance for the past 3 year. He described how being a part of the organisation immediately gave him structure to his days and weeks. He said “it was a great way to get out of the house as prior to this I had become isolated through circumstances.”
He commended the work of the Tralee Chamber Alliance who he said are “behind the scenes of many of the lovely things happening around Tralee that are perhaps taken for granted”. As James put it “these things don’t happen by chance.”
James also highlighted the work being done in Tralee by ‘Team Bramble’ and ‘Inspired’. Both of whom contribute to the aesthetic beauty of the town.
James’s Shared Thoughts
With over 25 years’ experience and presently holding the title of ‘Volunteer of the Year’, James is certainty in a position to offer some beneficial guidance to Volunteers and non-profit Organisations. Here is what James had to share:
For Volunteers
“I would recommend volunteering to any age group, it’s good for the soul.”
“Go in with your eyes open, learn a lot and see a lot.”
“If you do not feel suited to an organisation or it’s not what you thought it would be, then choose another one. There are plenty out there who will value your input and contribution.”
“You can learn more from informal training than you realise and when working in groups you learn from each other.”
“Volunteering is a source of information and education. I worked alongside a girl at the Rose of Tralee who had applied for a child care course and wanted experience working with young children to add to her CV. She gained invaluable experience volunteering with the children in the park activities.”
“Get up and out there, isolation is not good, we have to mix.”
For Organisations
“The length of time Volunteers stay with an organisation can be a good indicator of that organisations Volunteer management practices.”
“If you have willing volunteers, offer training and show them how much you appreciate them. This can be done by simply saying ‘thank you.”
James, like all Volunteers are an inspiration and must be acknowledged and appreciated as the priceless unsung heroes that they are. From Kerry Volunteer Centre, thank you James, and thank you to all of our wonderful Volunteers in Kerry!
