Lord Mayor’s Volunteer Week: 8th-11th April 2010
Tuesday 09 March 2010
‘Volunteering to make Cork an even better place to live’
The Lord Mayor’s Volunteer Week will take place from the 8th-11th April 2010.
The main event will be a two-day Volunteer Fair on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th April. Over 50 community and voluntary groups will exhibit and give information about their organisations, and discuss volunteering opportunities in Cork. Those interested in volunteering will be fascinated to discover the vast and diverse range of organisations seeking volunteers to support their projects.
Volunteer week will consist of a week of events organised by the Lord Mayor: The main aim of this will be:
- To say thank you to volunteers.
- To acknowledge the tremendous contribution volunteers make to our community.
- To highlight good volunteering practice .i.e. induction, development and training, working contracts.
- To enable voluntary and community groups the opportunity to recruit a new generation of volunteers.
According to one survey in Northern Ireland, volunteering is the second greatest source of joy beyond dancing for many people!. Estimates on the in-kind value to society from volunteering range from €200-€600 million (Volunteering Ireland).
Speaking in advance of the Launch Lord Mayor Cllr. Dara Murphy stated:“The Volunteer Fair is one of many events taking place during Volunteer Week which will highlight the diverse range of volunteering roles available in Cork and it will actively promote volunteering in the city. Without the dedication, commitment and interest of volunteers many services our citizens enjoy would not be available and many projects would not be completed.”
John Mullins, CEO of Bórd Gáis, the title sponsor of the initiative added: “Bord Gais Energy is delighted to be the title sponsor of this important initiative organised by the Lord Mayor. Volunteer week and the fair will highlight the huge contribution made by volunteers and encourage new people to offer their services freely to their community”.
To download the Volunteer Week flyer click here