Help at hand for non-profit Laois voluntary organisations

Voluntary not-for-profit groups and organisations in Laois are being given an opportunity to learn some 'essential skills' at an upcoming evening of workshops and networking being organised as part of National Volunteer Week.

In recognition of the local groups in the sector and their vital contribution to Laois community and society, Laois Volunteer Centre, in collaboration with Laois Partnership Company and Laois Sports Partnership, host the event on Wednesday, May 21 at 7m in Laois Partnership HQ in Portlaoise.

The event will feature three expert speakers who will assist attendees in building skills to help them deliver their aims.

Laois Volunteer Centre Manager Caitriona Ryan said the service was delighted to host the event. She believes it will be helpful to community groups.

“We are facilitating basic training in the following key areas; stress management, communications and basic governance.
“The workshop will provide guidance, tips and tricks on dealing with difficulties in these three key areas. It will also, hopefully, be a useful networking opportunity for the attendees. The speakers are highly qualified and experienced in their fields of expertise and their presentations will be informative and practical with plenty of time given to questions,” she said.

Claire Kelly will speak on the topic From Burnout to Boundaries.

Claire is an experienced Life, Career and Executive Coach with a background in the non-profit sector-where she also personally experienced chronic stress and faced burnout.

Now running Claire Kelly Coaching and Consultancy from her Laois base, she is trained in developmental trauma, positive intelligence, wellbeing and mindfulness.

She aims to bring a holistic, compassionate approach to helping people build resilience from the inside out. Her work is grounded in real-world experience, deep listening, and a belief that taking care of yourself is not a luxury.

Marian Barnard will speak on the topic of Governance - the Basics.

Marian has been on Carmichael's panel since 2019. Carmichael is a leading specialist training and support body for non-profits in Ireland.

Working with them, she has developed and delivered training in governance for the sector.

Marian began her career in the pharmaceutical industry in quality management, where she learned early the importance of compliance and internal controls in any industry. This was compounded by 10 years as a director in Portarlington Credit Union (PCU).
Marian has continued her involvement in the credit union and as training liaison officer for the board and volunteers of PCU, she designs, delivers and co-ordinates training and development on governance, the role of the board & strategy. She is currently Chairperson of the Strategy Committee. For the last 10 years Marian has worked in Anew Support Services, a charity which supports pregnant women and new mothers experiencing homelessness. As CEO, Marian is actively involved in implementing the Charities Regulator's Governance Code.

Marian also served eight years on the council of Treoir, a charity for unmarried parents, and she is Treasurer of the National Infertility Support Group (NISIG). She has a Master's in Cooperative and Social Enterprise, a Certificate in Charity Law, and a degree in Biochemistry.

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Alison O'Kelly will speak on the topic Communicating with Confidence.

Alison is the Founder of AOK Mentoring, which is described as a modern-day communications company that empowers individuals and businesses to communicate with clarity and confidence.

With a diploma in digital marketing and a strong background in leadership and public speaking, Alison has a track record of driving innovation and growth.

Her passion for marketing strategies and her entrepreneurial spirit were the driving forces behind the creation of AOK. Alison specialises in public speaking and has helped many clients to develop their voice, build their presence, and deliver their message with purpose.

Booking is essential as places are limited. A €15 deposit is requested to reserve a place, repayable on attendance. Book at www.volunteerlaois.ie/pay-online/

Further details contact: info@volunteerlaois.le

Laois Volunteer Centre aims to be a one-stop shop for all volunteering. It is an independent organisation that works with individual volunteers and voluntary organisations to deliver a range of activities to improve our communities. It connects volunteers to organisations that require their assistance.

Volunteers are involved in virtually all aspects of society in Laois, ranging from health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts and environmental projects. Census 2022 revealed that almost 30% of adults volunteer. Non-profit organisations could not sustain the valuable services they provide without the dedication and commitment of volunteers.

National Volunteer Week takes place from May 19 to 25. The theme this year is ‘Building Community Together’.