Following on from a fantastic 2014 we are looking forward to and excited about what 2015 is going to bring. Sign up to our Newsletter and follow us on social media to be kept informed about upcoming training, the latest voluntary sector news, outreach events, seminars, volunteer opportunities, competitions and much more. Here’s a taster of what’s coming up this year:
Garda Vetting Training
The National Vetting Bureau have advised Kerry Volunteer Centre that it is their opinion that the new Garda Vetting bill – National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 will commence in early 2015. A new online tool will also be released by the National Vetting Bureau in conjunction with the commencement of the legislation known as E-Vetting.
In preparation for this Kerry Volunteer Centre and Volunteer Ireland are currently developing training and resource packs to enable groups to manage the expected changes. Training will be made available to all not for profit organisations currently availing of, or those who wish to avail of our Garda Vetting service.
Volunteer Managers Network
In order to enhance and support the work of local Volunteer Managers and Coordinators, Kerry Volunteer Centre will facilitate Kerry’s Volunteer Managers Network meetings throughout the year. The purpose of the network’s meetings is to provide an opportunity to share information, knowledge and experience, to facilitate peer support, communication and encourage the implementation of best practices in Volunteer Management. Attendance is free to organisations registered with Kerry Volunteer Centre.
Garda Youth Achievement Awards
The Kerry Division of An Garda Síochána in association with Lee Strand Milk will announce its winners of the Garda Youth Achievement Award on Friday, January 16th at a celebratory function in Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee. The awards scheme which first commenced in 1998 is designed to acknowledge the volunteering endeavours of young people from Kerry between the ages of 14 years and 19 years. Kerry Volunteer Centre is delighted to endorse these awards which are unique to Kerry as we believe that they provide a very special platform to value young people and to nurture youth volunteering within our county.
National Volunteering Week
We are looking forward to building on the success of 2014’s National Volunteering Week which included our Valuing Volunteers coffee morning, outreach events and competitions.
National Volunteering Week is the one week of the year when we encourage everyone in Kerry to give volunteering a try. When it comes to volunteering, everyone has something to give and so much to gain from getting involved. It also is a great opportunity for organisations to acknowledge and thanks their volunteers for their contribution. The week itself will include numerous volunteering events taking place around the county creating fantastic opportunities for people to get involved in volunteering.
Volunteer Management Training
Kerry Volunteer Centre will deliver modular based Volunteer Management training sessions throughout the year. These sessions will aim to explore best practices in Volunteer Management with a view to enhancing capacity to manage volunteers. The content will range from sourcing volunteers to screening volunteers, how to retain volunteers and how to develop a volunteer policy that suits your organisation’s needs.
By the end of the training participants will be best placed to develop and implement practices and procedures that meet the organisations volunteering needs and reflect best practices.
Outreach Events
Throughout the year Kerry Volunteer Centre will be attending outreach events around the county providing information about volunteering, its benefits and an overview of the services that Kerry Volunteer Centre provides.
If you would like a member of Kerry Volunteer Centre to visit your organisations to deliver a presentation on volunteering contact Anna on 066 7117966 or email anna@volunteerkerry.ie.
Volunteer Ireland Awards
The Volunteer Ireland Awards are a major annual initiative to celebrate volunteering in Ireland. They aim to shine a light on the remarkable work of volunteers around the country by celebrating them on a national level. Each September, people from all over Ireland are encouraged to nominate someone they know who gives their time and energy voluntarily. Last year three volunteers from Kerry were nominated with two receiving awards on the night. This year Kerry Volunteer Centre would like to see even more volunteers from our county being recognised through nomination for the Volunteer Ireland Awards.
International Volunteer Managers Day
Now in its 16th year, International Volunteer Managers Day, 5th November, has truly grown to be an international celebration and acknowledgement of the profession of volunteer management. The role of the Volunteer Manager is an essential one and deserves to be celebrated as it is she/he that coordinates and drives the volunteer management programme and provides ongoing support to volunteers.
International Volunteering Day
International Volunteer Day, December 5th, has been designated by the United Nations since 1985. It offers a dedicated opportunity to celebrate volunteerism in all its facets and to pay special tribute to people’s participation in making a difference at local, national and international level. It is a day for volunteers, and voluntary organisations, to raise awareness of, and gain understanding for the contribution they make to their communities.
