Ár gComhluadar –Policy Document

14/Nodlaig/2020

Ár gComhluadar (Notre communauté, unsere Gemeinschaft, our Community) is a self-governing volunteer association.  Our Mission Statement: we devise strategies to demonstrate that culture is an essential factor in optimising economic and social welfare.  Vital cultural diversity is manifested, in EU policies and measures, eg by due recognition of cultural heritage.  In EU/National programmes, publicly funded, stakeholders have an open opportunity and commission to show how this is a driver of economic growth and can improve inter-community relations.  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_16_2075  https://www.europeanvolunteercentre.org/    https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/commission-implementing-decision_c2017_-_8725_-_annex_2_en.pdf

The deep cultural connections between Irish-, French- and German-speaking people has lain poorly attended.  Our efforts are in line with those of the European Volunteer Centre and focus on the rôle of pedagogy in culture.  Too often, the concept of culture is used trivially – eg lumping ‘pub’ and music cultures together.  In promoting ecotourism, Ár gComhluadar sees culture as respecting past human achievements, whilst looking to future challenges, including environmental protection.  https://cultureactioneurope.org/new-cultural-challenges-for-european-cities/

1. Welcome and Introduction

Thank you for volunteering with Ár gComhluadar.  Our ecotour was designed to bring people together, across the bridge of history, in a spirit of enduring kinship.  We seek a Strategic Partner to operate the ecotour.   https://static.wixstatic.com/ugd/3ec99c_0ee09c8d7b7a4715bc1fdd5d66086378.pdf

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/parenting/how-technology-and-social-media-is-undermining-family-relationships-1.3568291

The name Ár gComhluadar implies that we, and those who work with us, are a community.  Our members, from different countries, demonstrate the benefits of solidarity from cultural interaction.

This document explains the terms and conditions of volunteering with Ár gComhluadar as well as the expectations associated with the rôle.  Please take the time to read this policy carefully, as it provides you with useful and relevant information, so you may perform to the best standard and get the most personal and professional satisfaction from this.

 

2. About Ár gComhluadar

Ireland can draw upon a strong Celtic culture.  Celtic culture, as a leader in innovation, was once spread throughout Europe, and travelled, indeed, as far east as China.  Drawing on the background of high culture in Ireland, we have a special, unique reservoir for devising progressive strategies.

Our ecotour proceeds through remote Mayo, recalling substantive cultural connections between Irish-, French- and German-speakers.  Our ecomessage explains, in simple terms, global environmental degradation and some of what falls to be done to halt this.

The Association has a Board, to which our skilled Volunteers report.  They communicate using electronic means, which all accept to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) rules.

Ár gComhluadar has no assets nor income.  The website and its contents are independently owned and paid for.  The use of the website (www.gaelta.ie) will be given by the Association to any Strategic Partner, which 1) satisfactorily contracts Service Providers along the route of the ecotour, 2) contributes to the maintenance of the website and 3) accepts advice on running the ecotour from people in Ceathrú Thaidhg, whom Ár gComlhuadar sees are supportive of local heritage.

Ár gComhluadar espouses the historic and universal Gaelic Values: Glaine ár gCroí, Neart ár nGéag agus Beart de réir ár mBriathar.  These values of honesty, fortitude and discipline guided a stable, prosperous society for over a thousand years.  These same values will be needed, on a global scale, to secure sustainable life, on Earth, in the years to come.

3. Recruitment

3.1 Volunteer Rôles

The complex, multi-disciplinary project will require periodic in-puts, from the Board and Volunteers, in the rôles of: Linguists; Creativity and legal Advisers; Scientists; Historians; Accountants; and IT Computer Specialists.

 

3.2 Application Process

1. A short text on “Why I wish to join Ár gComhluadar and what benefits has membership for me?” will come with any application.  After a successful interview, a passport-type photograph for the website Volunteer Charts (in Roman and local scripts) and a CV will be supplied.
2. Volunteer applications will be dealt with promptly.

 

4. Screening and Selection

1. In person or by Skype, applicants will explain how they hope to contribute;
2. Referees will be contacted following interviews;
3. The Board will allocate all the various and distinctive rôles, on a case-by-case basis;
4. This Policy is a living document, which reflects current challenges;
5. Reliability and good character are the most valued, admirable attributes of any Volunteer;
6. Especially at the start of their placements, help can be given to Volunteers e.g. in drafting text or through specific cooperation with other skilled volunteers; and
7. Volunteers may, for the purposes of worthwhile social activity, attend training sessions, meetings and social functions, run by the Board and associated organisations, such as Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Boardmatch Ireland, Volunteer Ireland and The Wheel.

5. What you can expect from Ár gComhluadar

1. Volunteers will not be asked to do anything which they cannot conveniently do;
2. Clear, timely communications, courtesy and understanding is our norm;
3. The Association will put the rules and guidelines of ‘netiquette’ (internet etiquette), into practice, through periodic communications;
4. An authoritative reference will be given to those who have performed their duties well;
5. Meetings (real or virtual, e.g. via Skype) are held, as you request or as may be required;
6. Use of any password-protected platform is restricted by the Board; and
7. Board members will issue a bimonthly note to Volunteers in addition to making other contacts.

 

6. Our Expectations of Volunteers

1. Tasks are completed in such a way as to allow for timely progress overall;
2. Volunteers will want to show the capacity of the Association for leadership;
3. We are spokespeople, too, for the contributions, which volunteering can give to society;
4. The work, demonstrating that culture is an essential factor in optimising economic and social welfare, is to be viewed with a sense of social responsibility;
5. Any communication to one Volunteer, from another, shall be answered within three working days or a holding note supplied; and
6. A Volunteer may resign, with a minimum of a week’s notice requested: Ár gComhluadar would hope that the notice be as long as possible, so a replacement can be recruited.

7. Volunteer Insurance

Volunteers are remote-working (eg by computer from their homes).  There is nothing in their output of the form which would require professional indemnity insurance.  What they produce is purely intellectual and derives from information taken from sources in the public domain.

Communication between Volunteers is via electronic means.  Volunteers accept that material elements of risk do not arise and that public liability insurance is not called for.  When a Volunteer meets, or works with other people, s/he accepts this to be in the nature of social activity.

Ár gComhluadar, as a diffused association without legal personality, shall not be liable for any computer virus or other digital problems arising either during or as a result of online activity.  The website owner holds all the rights to any material, on the website, and the right to amend this.

Agreements between Strategic Partners and its owner, for the use of the website, will recognise that no liability arises and that legislation and laws, regarding commercial activities, do not apply.   https://www.mig.ie/complete-business-legal-protection

8. Management of Volunteers

The Board will manage line activity, cognisant of the contributions of Volunteers.

If a matter arise, which may indicate the discontinuation of a Volunteer’s service, the Board shall give a ruling, having discussed the matter at least twice, and having listened to relevant parties.

9. Recognition

The Board assures all group members that their efforts will be rewarding and that their generosity will be recognised by those who come to know us.  This is a national project of some substance, utterly unique in its own way.  We all value the personal trust, in us, by communities we represent.

10. Volunteer Rights and Involvement

1. This Policy Document sets out an Agreement binding in honour only: it is not legally binding.
2. Our operations, whilst not themselves commercial, shall adherence to commercial procedure;
3. Volunteers will not discriminate or encounter discrimination, in any fashion, on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community;
4. Public communications are the function of the Board;
5. In accepting this Policy, Volunteers are subscribing to the Mission Statement and values of Ár gComhluadar. They will work in an innovative, ground-breaking environment.
6. Skills may not be needed, for extended periods, but are of critical importance when called for.