Volunteers are the life and soul of every GAA Club. The GAA is unrivalled in terms of the number of volunteers that provide endless hours of service to the Association’s many GAA Clubs.
Throughout the world, GAA volunteers undertake the administration of clubs, coaching of teams, washing of jerseys, the lining of playing pitches, the transportation of players to and from games, the organisation of fundraising initiatives in addition to performing a host of other specialised tasks. Without volunteers, clubs and the GAA can not function.
The GAA has developed a 'volunteer toolkit' to help clubs in attracting new volunteers and retaining current ones. It contains advice on all aspects of volunteering in the club as well case studies from clubs around the country on various initiatives they have undertaken to help them increase the number of people volunteering in the club.
The case studies included at the back of the toolkit are as follows:
Case study 1: Ballygarvan GAA Club –Co. Cork
How club planning has helped the club attract new people
Case study 2: Silverbridge, Co. Armagh
Getting parents involved in underage coaching
Case study 3: Liam Mellows club in Galway
Creating a good image of the club in the community through positive communication
Case study 4: Round Towers, Clondallkin
Identifying new volunteers through Open Days/Family Days
Case study 5: Midleton GAA Club, Co. Cork
Encouraging players to become involved in club administration/organisation
Case study 6: Kildress GAA Club, Co. Tyrone.
The benefits of the “One Club” Integration model
Case study 7: Edenderry GAA Club, Co. Offaly
Getting new people involved in the club through the use of sub-committees
Case study 8: Mullaghbawn GAA Club, Co. Armagh
How becoming involved in Scór has been of great benefit to the club