Winter Series of Club Officer Training Announced by the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association

The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association today announced the next phase of training for Club Officers as part of the Club Leadership Development Programme (CLDP). The programme, created and organised by the volunteer-led Officer Development Committee, features a range of live webinars, in-person workshops and online resources such as webinar recordings, how-to guides, and customisable templates that cover every aspect of Club administration.

The first level of the programme is tailored for newly elected Club Chairpersons, Secretaries, Treasurers, PROs and Coaching Officers.  Each of these role holders will have the opportunity to join a role-specific 90-minute webinar that will be facilitated be an Associate of CLDP.  Associates are typically former Club Officers who volunteer to help new Officers get started in their roles by delivering interactive training events and strategic planning workshops.

The second level of the programme is geared towards all Club Officers, irrespective of their role or experience level.  Each County has a target to organise an in-person Club Officer Forum next spring to allow Officers to share their knowledge and experiences regarding common Club administration challenges. More information will be communicated on a county-by-county basis in due course once each County’s Planning and Training Officer for 2023 has been confirmed.

The CLDP, launched in 2016, and adopting a One Association approach since 2019, has benefited over 10,000 Club Officers since its inception.  By taking part in the programme, Club Officers will:

• Gain a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities
• Enhance their leadership, management and communication skills
• Meet other Officers and have numerous opportunities to hear how other Officers approach challenges associated with running a Club
• Know where to access additional resources and supports
• Feel better prepared for future roles in the GAA, LGFA or Camogie Association

Here is what a few participants said last year:

“It’s very hard to produce an online course for such an important role in a Club however it was very well presented. Our presenter was excellent, his high level of experience shone through.  I was completely motivated and invigorated after the course and very grateful to be afforded the opportunity to attend.”

“Brilliant session, very informative with some great advice. I loved listening to other Officers and their experience I will definitely be implementing some of these within my Club.”

“Very practical information. I can see how we can use it immediately. The presenter had knowledge and was good at sharing and discussing with the course participants.”

Role Induction Webinars

Each Provincial Council will lead the delivery of online role-induction training for Chairpersons, Secretaries, Treasurers, PROs and Coaching Officers on the following dates:

• 10 January – Connacht
• 12 January – Ulster
• 19 January – Leinster
• 26 January – Munster
• Various dates starting on 8 February – Britain

General Modules

The Officer Development Committee will also facilitate the organisation of additional training upon request from County Planning and Training Officers.  In addition, further modules being organised by central departments will be added to the schedule in the coming weeks, e.g., the Sports Capital Programme and Foireann. Confirmed events in this category include:

• 31 Jan – Using Microsoft 365
• 1 Feb – Healthy Club Officer Training
• 2 Feb – Diversity and Inclusion
• 8 Mar – Substance Abuse Awareness

In-Person Events 

Each County has been asked to organise a Club Officer Forum for both newly elected and longer serving Club Officers next February.  Dates, times and the format are being refined at the minute, so more information will be communicated to Clubs in due course.

Archived Modules  

A vast range of webinar recordings are also available that cover the following topics:

• Digital Communications
• Using IT to Simplify Club Administration
• Operating Effectively as One Club
• Club Planning
• Demographics
• Commercial and Sponsorship
• Recruiting, Retaining and Engaging Volunteers
• An Ghaeilge sa Chlub
• The Corporate Trustee Model Explained
• Upholding Disciplinary Rules and Procedures
• Running the Club AGM

For more information, please refer to the Programme Brochure or Module Descriptors:

• CLDP Programme Brochure 2023 – https://learning.gaa.ie/club_leadership
• Module Descriptors – https://learning.gaa.ie/OfficerTrainingModules

Sign-Up

Enrolment for all upcoming events is now open via the Officer Training Calendar: https://learning.gaa.ie/officertrainingcalendar

Paddy Flood, Cathaoirleach of the Officer Development Committee has encouraged Officers to sign-up.  He said:

“All Club Officers should be entitled to support and resources to help carry out their volunteer roles in their GAA, LGFA and/or Camogie Clubs.  Equally, however, I believe that each Officer has a responsibility to avail of this support so that they can fulfil their roles in an informed and skilled manner.  I trust that the range of learning modules on offer will give you ample opportunity to gain updates on hot topics, share good practices with your fellow Officers and reflect on new ideas and developments. An exciting programme is on offer, so I hope to see you at an event over the winter months.”

For queries, contact your County’s Planning and Training Officer or e-mail officertraining@gaa.ie

Acknowledgements

This programme is designed by the Officer Development Committee:

Paddy Flood (Gaeil Triucha CLG), Ruairí Harvey (Páirc an Chrócaigh), Jack McCarney (Páirc an Chrócaigh),  Niamh McElwain (Independent) Eilís Kavanagh (St. Martins),  Éibhear O’Dea (Kilteely Dromkeen), David Denieffe (O’Loughlin Gaels), Gerard Bradley (Gortin St. Patricks GAA), Liam Lynch (Austin Stacks), Michelle Healy (Ahascragh-Fohenagh GAA), Alan Mongey (Tuam Stars GAA), Martina Dillon (Aodh Ruadh, Dungannon).

The rollout of the programme is led by the Planning and Training Operations Group and coordinated by Jack McCarney (GAA Planning and Training Officer).  This group also includes Ruairí Harvey (Páirc an Chrócaigh), Fionntán O’Dowd (Ulster), John Brennan (Munster), John Haughney (Leinster), Adrian Hassett (Connacht), Tracy McDonald (Camogie) and Niall Mulrine (LGFA).