County Officer Conference highlights impact of changing demographics:
215 people attended a recent two-day conference in Croke Park for County Officers.
215 people attended a recent two-day conference in Croke Park for County Officers.
The GAA’s Officer Development Committee recently organised a two-day conference in Croke Park for County Officers. The conference, attended by 215 people on 19 and 20 January proved to be a valuable role-induction event for new Officers and offered a vital knowledge-sharing forum for more experienced ones. It attracted volunteers and executives from all 32 counties, London and the USA.
The keynote address was delivered by Pádraig Dalton, Director-General at the Central Statistics Office, who focussed on what Ireland’s changing demographics might mean for the GAA. After providing a snapshot of key metrics and trends, Dalton acknowledged the absence of quick fixes and the temptation for Clubs and Counties to prioritise immediate concerns over long-term planning. In a call to action, however, he urged Officers to invest time in understanding the demographic challenges of their units and exploring solutions in tandem with each County’s recently appointed Demographics Officer and Committee.
The conference featured over 20 workshops, each offering important lessons on key facets of GAA administration at County level. Some standout sessions included a case study on ‘Managing Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study of Walsh Park, Waterford,’ an exploration of ‘Leading Major Fundraising Initiatives in Counties: A Case Study of Club Rossie,’ an overview of ‘The GAA’s Disciplinary System,’ and a ‘Crisis Communication Masterclass for County Officers.’
This conference is just one component of the GAA’s ongoing commitment to supporting County Officers through learning and development initiatives. Any Club Officer contemplating volunteer roles at the County level should be assured that continuous upskilling opportunities will be available.