Research & Presentations

June 2007 AVSO conference report on "Shaping policy for voluntary service through service"

In June 2007 in cooperation with MEPs Marian Harkin and Gisela Kallenbah AVSO organised a conference in the European Parliament. The aim of the conference was two-fold: firstly to present the latest research projects in the field of voluntary service and volunteering, and secondly to hear from policy makers about their take on research and how research results could be fed into policy-making. For a full conference report click on “Shaping policy for voluntary service through service” – investigating the effects of research in the field of voluntary service for forming global and European policies.

For a copy of presentations and speeches presented at the conference please click below:

• Intercultural Dialogue Powerpoint Presentation
• Speech on Volunteering and the UN
• Youth Voluntary Service Powerpoint Presentation

Research Paper "The Changing Profile of Volunteerism - Implications for Community and Voluntary Organisations at local level"

This paper aims to explore the changing profile of volunteerism in the community and voluntary sector at local level in Ireland over the past ten years. It also seeks to highlight how community and voluntary groups at local level in County Carlow can adapt to take account of these changes so that they can sustain their voluntary efforts.

• The Changing Profile of Volunteerism (.html)
• The Changing Profile of Volunteerism (.doc 398kb)

Research Paper "The Organisation of Volunteering in Galway 2001"

This paper examines general issues and concerns surroudning volunteering in Galway City in June 2001. It's findings indicate that there has been a recent drop in the numbers of volunteers working with many groups, and organisations are finding it difficult to recruit new volunteers. The results lead to the recommendation that a process based on community development principles be initiated to enable community and voluntary groups to address the concerns of the sector.

• The Organisation of Volunteering in Galway 2001 (.html)
• The Organisation of Volunteering in Galway 2001 (.doc )

Case Study on Volunteer Centres Ireland by Salesforce

Salesforce donated 40 licenses for use by Volunteer Centres Ireland and member volunteer centres around the country. The Salesforce database is used to track volunteers, voluntary organisations and volunteer opportunity vacancies. Read more about this partnership below.

• Case Study on VCI by Salesforce (.html)
• Case Study on VCI by Salesforce (.doc)

Taskforce on Active Citizenship

The Taskforce on Active Citizenship was established to advise the Government on the steps that can be taken to ensure that the wealth of civic spirit and active participation already present in Ireland continues to grow and develop. If you would like to take part in the public consultation process that the Taskforce are currently running please click on the links below.

• Active Citzenship Consultation Paper (.html)
• Active Citzenship Consultation Paper (.pdf 322kb)
• Active Citizenship Questionnaire (.html)
• Active Citizenship Questionnaire (.pdf 56kb)

Wendy Osborne Presentation

Download the presentation made by Wendy Osborne at the VCI  National Conference in the Chester Beatty Library. Wendy is the chief executive officer of the Volunteer Development Agency in Northern Ireland.

• VCI National Conference Presentation (.html)
• VCI National Conference Presentation (.doc 57kb)

CEV "Manifesto on Volunteering in Europe"

CEV launched its new manifesto on 'Volunteering in Europe' in the European Parliament on 28 March 2006 on the kind invitation of MEP Jo Leinen. This manifesto explains why volunteering matters at EU level and what the European institutions can do to recognize, promote and support volunteering and networking. This manifesto is a revised version of the 2003 manifesto.

• CEV manifesto (html)
• CEV manifesto (.pdf 408kb)

George Thompson Presentation

Download the presentation made by George Thompson of Volunteer Development Scotland at the recent Volunteer Centres Ireland National Conference in the Chester Beatty Library. This is a 2.4 MB powerpoint presentation.

• George Thompson Presentation (.html)
• George Thompson Presentation (.ppt 2.41mb)

Volunteers and Volunteering

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs produced their Sixth Report entitled Volunteers and Volunteering in Ireland in January 2005.

• Volunteers and Volunteering in Ireland (.html)
• Volunteers and Volunteering in Ireland (.pdf 778kb)

Tipping the Balance

Tipping the Balance is the report to government, formulated by the National Committee on Volunteering in 2001/2002 to address the needs of volunteers and volunteering in Ireland.

• Tipping the Balance (.html)
• Tipping the Balance (.pdf 1.13mb)

Presentation by VCI  to Oireachtas Subcommittee

• Presentation by VCI to Oireachtas Subcommittee