A Beginner's Guide to Engaging with Your Community

Community Group Governance and Committee Skills for Aspiring Volunteers

It can be daunting to volunteer. We see more and more in the press and online about governance, accounting requirements, insurance difficulties, and other challenges facing local groups. All of this can make joining a committee or community group seem intimidating—something best left to those who are professionally qualified or who have always done it.

At Ballyhoura Development, we know that our region is full of people with a huge breadth of life and work experience—skills that groups and committees working hard to improve their communities would greatly benefit from. We also know that these groups and committees value and welcome new volunteers, fresh perspectives, and additional skills.

Is this for me?

• Have you recently relocated and are eager to meet new people?

• Do you want to make new friends?

• Are you recently retired and looking for ways to use your time?

• Maybe your children have just started school or joined a sports club, and you would like to get involved with the committee.

• Perhaps your children have finished exams and left for university, and you would like to get involved with a project.

• Have you often thought, “someone should do that”? Well, you can!

Volunteering not only benefits your community but also enhances your personal well-being. There are 5 things we can do to support our mental health: connect with others; be active; take notice; keep learning; and give. Getting involved with the groups in your community can help achieve at least three of these, maybe more!

These sessions will demonstrate the value you can add to your community with the skills and experience you already have.

Topics Covered:

• What is governance? – Demystifying the process

• Am I financially liable if my group is in debt?

• Who is the charity regulator and what do they mean to me / my group?

• What are the different roles on a committee?

• Help! I’ve been asked to do the books!

• How can I help?

• How do I find out what groups are active in my community?

• How do I offer my help?

Sessions Details:

Format: 3 x 2-hour sessions – Online
Dates: Tuesday 7th October, Tuesday 14th October, Tuesday 21st October 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

This online training will be followed by an in-person workshop and Q&A on Wednesday 29th October, with Development Officers from Ballyhoura Development and a chance to meet groups across the Ballyhoura region who are actively seeking new volunteers.

Interested?

To register, please fill out the form below:

Register

For any further information, please contact Kate Longmate – [email protected].