Volunteering Task Force eager to provide valuable assistance and direction

By Cian O'Connell

Volunteerism matters deeply to the GAA. It’s fundamental to keeping Gaelic games vibrant, ensuring that every generation are afforded opportunities on and off the field of play.

The recently published Volunteer Development Strategy is another step on the journey, highlighting the value and importance of people giving time and energy to the Association.

A Volunteering Task Force has been established with Offaly’s Colm Cummins operating as chairperson of that committee. “When you stop and reflect on our volunteering, effectively, where we are today, it wouldn't have happened without volunteering,” Cummins explains.

“So, it's something we need to cherish and protect. That intervention, of having a Volunteer Strategy, is so important because we don't just take volunteering for granted, that it's going to happen.

“You've a number of challenges out there that could potentially impact, society is changing, the work of the demographics committee has highlighted that demographic change, that move from rural to urban and what that is going to do to society - changing people's minds on volunteering and the practicalities of volunteering.

“Also, the challenges and opportunities of integration, and how we work to ensure we retain an appropriate level of volunteers. The appointment of the Volunteer Development Officer, Emmet Haughian, has been massive for the Association to ensure that we protect what we have.”

Emmet Haughian appreciates and acknowledges the work that is being carried out by GAA units everywhere. “Our Volunteer Development Strategy is a hugely significant document for the Association and, most importantly, for the thousands of volunteers who power everything we do across the GAA,” Haughian says.

“From All-Ireland Final day to the thousands of nurseries operating in clubs every week, none of it happens without volunteers.

“Volunteering has always been the bedrock of our organisation, but we also recognise that the environment is changing. Demands are growing, time is more limited, and expectations are higher than ever.

“This strategy is about responding to that reality in a practical and meaningful way. It sets out a clear plan to modernise volunteer roles and structures, strengthen the supports in place, and ensure that every volunteer feels valued and recognised right across the Association.”

That is why the Volunteering Task Force are eager to be innovative. “Opportunities exist as technology evolves,” Cummins says.

“The beauty is we have all of those resources now. It's a great base point to work from, but as the technology evolves, whether through AI or using technology in a smarter way, I think we can get all that information into the hands of an enthusiastic volunteer to give them a better experience.

“We want to make it easier for them to volunteer. Ultimately, that's what we want to do. We want to attract more volunteers in, and the best way of doing that is ensuring that they aren't overloaded or overworked. At the moment, certainly too much work is falling on too few.

“Through the work of the Task Force, building on the strategy, we're looking at how we can spread out that workload. Using the resources, the training, all of the tools available, getting them into the hands of the volunteer is one of the key ways to achieve that. I think embracing technology a bit more, a lot of our practices can be a bit cumbersome.

“We do a huge amount of interaction through emails and we feel we can cut a lot of that noise out and really begin to filter the right information to the right volunteer, giving it in bitesize chunks so they can deal with it and not be overwhelmed.

“That's really important. If they have a positive experience as a volunteer, see the merits in what they're doing, and it's enjoyable, I think we will retain more volunteers. Then, it becomes easier to attract people. That's what we must do. We can't take it for granted anymore.”

David Denieffe, Chairperson of the Planning & Training Committee, is encouraged about the progress being made. “The Volunteer Development Strategy helps to shape the further direction of what we’re doing in terms of supporting our volunteers,” Denieffe says.

“It builds upon a lot of really successful activity that the GAA does. As Ireland changes, we’ve to change to continue supporting our volunteers and clubs. We’ve done things like the Club Summit which have been really successful.

“The work of the Volunteer Task Force is a key part of that, and it works alongside the Planning & Training Committee in supporting the GAA.”

Ensuring administrators are assisted is crucial according to Denieffe. “The role of the Planning & Training Committee is to help to prepare our club and county officers and administrators.

“It’s about helping them with their planning, both day to day and long term planning. We’ve to recognise that the responsibilities falling on volunteers are huge and we want to make sure that they can be enjoyable. That’s a key thing, volunteering can be fun.”

Cummins has served the Association in various roles and is relishing being part of the Volunteering Task Force. “The membership of the committee, the experience that's on it, we've ex county chairs, current county chairs, treasurers, former secretaries, such a broad range coming from different sized counties,” Cummins responds.

“It really has given a fantastic perspective on everything. The enthusiasm among the group, to work to find solutions, to ensure we protect and build on what we have. One of the key things we've to do is to modernise our structures.

“That's one of the exciting bits we're looking at. We've thought of a couple of concepts that we will be communicating out to a wider stakeholder group for consultation in the coming months. I think that's exciting.

"It's sort of a brave move from the Association to encourage the embracement of new ways of working, rather than just relying on doing something because it's the way we always did it.

“We're conscious of those challenges that we have. The opportunity is brilliant. To be able to look at this fantastic Association we have, to look at how our structures currently work, and how we can tweak them to ensure they work better into the future, I think, is really important. If you strip it all back, that's how great organisations and Associations survive and thrive.

“You constantly have to evolve and look at better ways of doing things. You can't rest on your laurels, sit back, and think aren't we great, and we'll keep doing what we're doing. So, that element is really exciting.”

Volunteering Task Force Members

Colm Cummins (Offaly) - Chairperson

Valerie Murphy (Mayo)

Padraig McKeon (Sligo)

Louise Conlon (Kildare)

Seán Michael O'Regan (Waterford)

Eamonn Denieffe (Kildare)

Tracey Kennedy (Cork)

Mary Coughlan (Donegal)

Gearoid Cronin (Middle East GAA)

David Denieffe (Kilkenny)

The GAA Volunteer Strategy 2025-2030 can be viewed and downloaded below.