Ulster GAA Club and Community Development Conference

Ulster GAA Club and Community Development Conference

“Enhancing Volunteerism and Community Development”

Saturday 20th October Stormont Hotel Belfast

The first GAA Club and Community Development organised by Comhairle Uladh will take place on Saturday 20th October in the Stormont Hotel Belfast.

The purpose of the conference is to equip GAA club officials and volunteers with the necessary skills required to develop their club as the central “hub” in their local community. Additionally the conference will highlight the positive effect and role a GAA club can have in tackling the wider social issues including anti-social behaviour, enhancement of social capital and the ongoing health agenda.

The conference will include workshops and range of discussions, which will give club officials opportunity for personal development in the area of community leadership. The conference will also include a plenary forum with a panel, which will allow Comhairle Uladh officials to get feedback from club volunteers on how to improve current programmes and GAA initiatives.

The conference attendance is limited to 400 and places will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. The cost of attending the one-day event is £15 or €20, this price includes lunch in addition to a range of Club Maith club development resources, which includes information booklets, and resources in addition to case studies on issues and solutions found in other clubs. Furthermore, the attendees will also have an opportunity to meet other club officials, discuss, and suggest solutions to various problems that have risen in the club scene. The target attendees of the conference are the club officials eg: Chairpersons, Secretaries, Treasurers, Development Officers, and Youth Officers, however County Officials and other interested persons are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Additionally attendance at the conference will assist club officials in completing the Club Maith accreditation process, which will be officially launched at the close of the Conference.

Workshops include

• “Fit for Purpose” Developing Facilities and Securing Funding
• Sustaining the Rural Club and Community,
• Promoting Culture, Arts and Scor at Club Level
• Organising Events and Marketing your Club
• Developing the Urban Club Model
• Developing Sustainable Club/School Links

Keynotes Include

• Good Club and Community Planning- “Developing your Club/Community strategy”
• Developing the Healthy Club- Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Lifestyle issues
• Valuing and Sustaining the club volunteer
• Impact of the GAA at Community Level
• Dealing with Diversity in the GAA

A range of outside groups and businesses with an interest in Club Development will be present at the conference a list of which will be available on-line one month before the event. Delegates will be sent a pre-conference pack which will include the itinerary of the conference and the times and venue of their selected workshops.

To register for the 2007 Ulster Club and Community Development Conference please contact

Bernie McGlinchey

Ulster Council GAA

8-10 Market Street

Armagh

BT61 7BX

Tel: 02837 521900

E-mail: bmcglinchey@ulster.gaa.ie

Or view the Ulster Council web-site www.ulster.gaa.ie

Sincerely

Ryan Feeney

On behalf of the Ulster Council GAA