A massive thank you to our volunteers in Republic of Ireland – and around the world

It’s National Volunteering Week (17-23 May) in Ireland, which means we get to celebrate the magnificent contribution IIRSM volunteers make in this vibrant part of our global community.

We’re fortunate to have a network in Ireland that does a fantastic job in providing learning and networking opportunities for fellow Irish members and businesses more widely.

Yes, it’s been tricky this past year without face-to-face meetings, but our Republic of Ireland Branch committee members, as our networks have around the world, just rose to the challenge. With the wonders of technology to keep people engaged and connected, they’ve gone online to share experiences and knowledge of the world of safety and risk management.

We’re just so grateful for the work our volunteers in Ireland, and around the world, have done this past 12 months in support of IIRSM and the safety and risk management community. And we spoke to one or two of our brilliant volunteers to find out why they give their time to the Institute and their fellow members.

IIRSM Republic of Ireland Branch Secretary Raymond Shelley is also a member of our Emerging Risk Leaders Network. He said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the new committee to promote IIRSM in Ireland and also continue the very hard work that the previous committee has completed over the past two years. 

“I and the team will be promoting IIRSM and encouraging younger members to join, to help them be part of a worldwide professional membership and also build a greater base for IIRSM here in Ireland.”

Fellow Republic of Ireland Branch member Edel Corrigan said: “Being part of the IIRSM has certainly been most beneficial and interesting over the past number of years.

“Volunteering my time to participate in committee activities, initiatives and events has given me the opportunity to be part of a diverse and supportive network of professionals, while also helping to expand on my own skill set.

“I’m grateful for the learnings from others and hope that from sharing my own experiences I have been able to support others. There are many different ways in which people can become involved in the IIRSM and I’d highly recommend volunteering some of your time.”

For Edel, getting involved is about gaining experience in new areas and developing skillsets, while helping the development of other safety professionals at the same time.

Branch Chair Ben Byrne says his role is to branch members together, either through branch meetings or more recently through webinars and learning sessions. “Working with each other and sharing our skills and experiences offers each of us the chance to develop new skills and to build on existing experience and knowledge,” he said.

“We have a diverse suite of members who willing give their own time for the betterment of each as an individual and as the group as a whole.

“To me, volunteering means giving your time to help in your community to make it better for all in that community. And when we think of that, we think of our local neighbourhood but sometimes, as is with the IIRSM, we can be part of a truly global community.”

The Republic of Ireland Branch is one of 10 branches worldwide, alongside the UK, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ghana, India and Bahrain.

And being part of a branch committee is just one of a number of ways you can volunteer for IIRSM:

• Why not check out being a IIRSM ambassador and support the management team, council and committees in helping us to deliver our strategy

• You could become a guest panelist and join a meeting of our content and editorial panel

• Our mentoring scheme gives you the opportunity to share your expertise to help other IIRSM members develop their safety and risk management competencies

• Member volunteers are elected to be a part of our Council, the governing body of the Institute

• And, of course, our President and Deputy President help to lead and represent our great profession

To all our volunteers, but this week particularly those of you in Ireland, we salute you and thank you for your support, guidance and resilience during what has been an extraordinary year. We look forward to working with you in 2021-2022.

#NVW2021