The Art of Volunteering
Callaghan Electrical was recently nominated for the “Best Business Working With The Community” at this year’s ‘LAMAs’, the All Ireland Community & Council Awards. This award aims to recognise Irish businesses that have a positive impact on people and communities, through charitable and community activities or simply working with integrity or social responsibility.
Nominated by Local Enterprise Office Cavan, I am very proud to say our company and individual commitments to volunteering are well known across the county with our staff fully immersed in the community in different ways. Having just completed a 5 year role as Cavan County GAA Chairman myself, what struck me though is how our extensive run of volunteering also ran in tandem with a busy and successful growth period for the business. This got me thinking.
Logic might suggest that busy people in a fast-moving, competitive sector, don’t have the time for it. Our experience is the opposite. Our volunteering has been most effective [and equally beneficial to our own business] during times of growth, expansion and ‘busyness’. It is no coincidence.
Why is this the case? It’s a sign you have the right people with the right skills around you – those who can balance highly demanding roles while at the same time carve out and dedicate precious time to volunteering.
Our company plays an integral role in bolstering the local economy. We employ 81 staff. Our people live, work, eat, shop, take part in leisure and school their families locally and in the region. We strive to create more jobs as part of a sustainable, organic growth strategy. However, we bolster the local economy in other ways. The individuals on our team give back to the community, particularly the GAA and community organisations. From representing club and county with pride, to coaching at different levels to refereeing, stewarding and officiating, they are immersed in the ethos of GAA and community. Their individual commitments are underpinned by a belief that, as voluntary organisations, we must give back.
I firmly believe the same culture and ethos for volunteering is what makes them great staff members. They have a positive attitude. They have an ability to bring people with them. They are not afraid of a challenge. They are not afraid to give up their time. They are the lifeblood of the business [or club]. They are the ones who ensure things [or games] get organised, facilities maintained, and young staff [or athletes] get nurtured. Imagine if everyone decided not to give their precious time to the GAA or community, what would that look like? No matter tragedy or circumstance, the GAA is critical to our communities.
Pictured: [L to R]. David Joyce, Project Manager, Gabriel Sheridan, Operations Director, Noleen Sexton, Administration Manager, Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director, Orla
Crowe, Accounts Manager, Declan Cassidy, Call Out Maintenance, Padraig Reilly, Projects Director and Oisin Callaghan, Foreman.
Today I wonder why less people seem to volunteer than before. I often hear, “I haven’t got the time”.
For the record, none of us do. We must make time. It might be the requirement to sit courses, from health and safety to child protection, that deters some. Or perhaps the desire to avoid the online abuse that can follow from critics – those who don’t volunteer but spend their spare time hiding behind digital screens. A parent might take gripe with a son or daughter not playing or interpret constructive feedback as “political correctness gone mad”, singling them out or something else. We must remember that today’s coaches give us so much of their time to educate themselves, take the necessary course and put huge amounts of time in on the training fields.
My own opinion is when a parent interferes to try fix a problem for a child, the child doesn’t know or learn how to problem-solve for themselves. I believe this feeds into numerous issues relating to mental health, confidence, substance abuse and addictive behaviours such as gambling. Soon the very same child will go on to further education, college, an apprenticeship or into the workforce. They struggle to take instruction, take criticism or problem-solve.
Welcome to the real world!
Alternatively, if a young child is taught and given the tools for confident decision making, they will be in better control of present and future choices. It links back to ‘resilience’ - the ability to cope with whatever life throws at you and find new ways to keep going no matter what the circumstance. Our children must learn how to be resilient. They must learn to bounce back, become stronger, train harder and become teenagers with the ability to adapt to the knocks and bumps of life. Sport and life, including working life, is all about participating, falling, picking oneself up, moving on, improving, trying again, and getting better. Life is competitive. Sport provides a wonderful forum to educate children and teenagers on this in a respectful competitive environment.
So what type of volunteers are organisations and communities looking for? They need positive people who are willing to give up a few hours every week, share their skills, their knowledge, and their enthusiasm to help drive the success of a club or organisation.
In return, it is a truly rewarding experience. It allows you to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others. It gives you a sense of purpose and fulfilment that cannot be replicated by any other activity. It provides you with opportunities to learn and grow, develop new skills, such as event planning, coaching,
or team management. You gain valuable leadership experience and build a network of like-minded individuals who share your passion. Volunteers also help preserve and promote our culture and heritage, playing a vital role in ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy the sports and traditions that have been passed down through the years.
Callaghan Electrical at the LAMA 2025 Awards
Given it so impactful, how do we foster more volunteers?
We can ask people and parents to get involved, we can host a new volunteer evening at our clubs, explain what areas we need help, the different roles, explore areas they are interested and could help in.
There is a role for everyone to volunteer.
You must give back.
Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director, Callaghan Electrical
