New chair of Offaly Volunteer Centre

Community activist and former local councillor Birr native Seán O’Cearbhaill is the incoming chairperson of the Offaly Volunteer Centre.

He was elected at the AGM of the centre on Monday last, which heard that having been established by a board of volunteers in 2020, the centre has grown steadily.

It currently has over 1,200 volunteers in the county and helps support organisations to deliver a comprehensive service to their communities.

It was a bittersweet AGM as the final three members of the original voluntary board of directors stepped down having served their five-year tenure.

However, they are passing the baton on to an exceptional newly elected board, some of whom have already cut their teeth on the board.

The new chair is supported by vice-chairperson, Patricia Nunan of Killeigh, while the treasurer is Tim McMahon of Clara and Board members taking up roles in the HR, Governance, & Finance committees are Joshua Connon, Ferbane; Audrey Rossa of Edenderry; Donna Quinn, Kilcormac; Mary Sherwin & Paula Mulvey of Tullamore

Deirdre Fox, Manager, expressed her appreciation for such a dynamic, talented and enthusiastic group of people. She also thanked the original board members, Molly Buckley, Tullamore, Malachy Mangan from Daingean and Declan Costello from Kilcormac for their unwavering support throughout her years as Manager of Offaly Volunteer Centre.

Molly Buckley, outgoing Chairperson, thanked her fellow board members and it was “good to be leaving Offaly Volunteer Centre in such good hands”.

She said it had developed far beyond the expectations of the founders and said she would follow its continuous growth and success and participate in future events.

If your organisation needs volunteers, or if you are someone who wants to give back to your community, you can get in touch, with the centre on 083 0154668/9, email: info@volunteeroffaly.ie and www.volunteeroffaly.ie