Ballina 2023, in partnership with Volunteer Ireland, presents  A Capacity Building Workshop with Stuart Garland, Volunteer Ireland:

‘Building Volunteer Capacity’,

Thursday 2nd March, 2023, 6pm, Telus International, Emmet St, Ballina, F25 TC53
6pm – Refreshments served on arrival.
Advance registration essential – email info@ballina2023.ie by Monday, February 27 to register. 

This event is designed to give you an overview of the many ways you can get involved in Ballina 2023. With a variety of roles to choose from, you can volunteer as little or as much as you want!  This trains you with a set of skills that you can use across the range of volunteer opportunities on offer.

Course content
• Introduction to the event
• The aims and objectives of the event
• Key messaging to be provided by event partners
• Event overview and mapping
• Volunteer role overview
• Event day routine and preparations
• Transportation
• Safety (personal, spectators / general public, event partners)
• Managing risks
• Safeguarding
• Crowd Safety and Dynamics
• Volunteer support structures
• Group scenarios & role plays
• Problem solving steps
• Dealing with difficult situations
• Customer service
• Diversity
• Mental health and disabilities
• Communication Skills
• Being a HOST (positive ambassador roles)

Training is provided at a venue that facilitates a positive learning experience and gives volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the event and to interact with key event partners.

Feedback from volunteers who have participated in previous such training events:

“The training was top notch as always, I really enjoyed the presentation style.”

“The training was very through and while complicated in parts it was extremely well explained and I was very clear when I left.

“I’ve been at some poor trainings in my life, but this was really enjoyable, concise and to the point, not only that we learnt loads! I can’t wait for event day.”

Stuart Garland

Stuart is the Learning and Capacity Building Manager with Volunteer Ireland. Previously he was the manager of a local Volunteer Centre and was a Volunteer Manager with a leading homeless charity for a number of years. Stuart has worked in a wide range of roles in the not for profit sector since 1993 and has a background in youth work. He was a Volunteer in Scouting Ireland for over 24 years.

Stuart has direct extensive Volunteer Management experience with managing volunteer teams of over 1,400 event volunteers.

He was part of the Volunteer Management Team for the Yorkshire Stage of the Tour de France Grande Depart 2014, Giro d’Italia Big Start in Ireland and Northern Ireland, World Police and Fire Games 2013 in Northern Ireland and also supported the volunteer programme for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. He was the Volunteer Programme Manager for the European Sandyacht Championship 2017 and Volunteer Manager for the KBC Dublin Marathon from 2017 onwards and Dublin Pride LGBTQ+ 2019. He has worked on volunteer programmes for over 110 different events and festivals.

Stuart is recognised as Ireland’s leading specialist in the field of volunteer management and engagement. He has delivered workshops and training in Ireland, Croatia, England, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Mexico and Australia and has spoken at a number of conferences and seminars across Europe.

Stuart holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Volunteer Management and Leadership, a Diploma in Human Resource Management, a Diploma in Event Management, a Diploma in First Line Management, a Certificate in Training & Learning, as well as qualifications in health, safety and welfare at work.

Stuart moved to Rappacastle, Ballina in March 2022.

This training will be invaluable to many organisations in our community and shows the dedication of Ballina2023 to empowering those groups and individuals.

If you would like to attend this event please reply by 27th February 2023 to info@ballina2023.ie.