More information about the role
“Its in your blood” is an initiative by IBTS supported by the GAA , to increase
blood donations by working with the GAA nationally and county boards and
clubs locally to recruit 15,000 new donors and encourage existing donors to
give blood more regularly where possible.
Some tasks
Promoting local blood clinic awareness
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Giveblood club volunteer will promote upcoming clinics onsite using
posters, updating the clipframe in clubhouse, leaflets at academy etc
Giveblood club volunteer will avail of the clubs communications channels
to inform club members and associated members about upcoming clinic.
Methods may include texts, email, teamer texts, social media, website
(customised to each clubs means of communicating)
Developing key club relationships
The Giveblood club volunteer will work with the local IBTS Area Manager to
develop close relationships between clubs and their local blood donation
clinics and if appropriate develop new clinic opportunities for club members to
donate.
We will also develop strategic relationships with key clubs located in areas
currently under-represented in terms of blood donations, compared to national
averages.
Promote awareness and inform the GAA community about blood donation
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IBTS will plan a number of educational communications. Such
communications may include competitions for the club members to get
behind, GAA blood donation specific information, Promotion of the Its in
your blood initiative, or new services for GAA donors such as the
development of appointment services during clinics. The Giveblood club
volunteer will help get these messages across to club members.
Time commitment
It’s whatever you think can be done within your club to drive the initiative. It
will obviously be busier in the build up to clinics in terms of promoting the
clinic. It could be you could get others from your club involved also.
Skills, Experience required
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Good communication skills
Hands on / action orientated
Good with People
Advocate for blood donation
Support for volunteer
You will receive plenty of support from the local Area Manager in addition to
the support of IBTS at national level for the overall initiative. IBTS is
successful because of the work of its volunteers – be it donors, or the local
volunteer organisers.
Benefits for Giveblood Club Volunteer
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being part of something important to your club
helping your community – 1 in 4 people will require a blood transfusion at
some stage
being part of something important to maintaining a critical national service
personal development
Some more information about the initiative
The aim of the initiative is to increase blood donations, by informing and educating,
encouraging and supporting, and making more convenient for GAA members, supporters and
the wider local GAA community to give blood, through interaction and promotion at GAA level.
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We are looking to recruit 15,000 new donors and encourage existing donors to give
blood more regularly where possible.
There are approx 1400 clubs nationally with whom we will engage as we build up the
relationship
We will have different levels of engagement based on the club’s wishes, and the
opportunities to develop key club relationships within certain areas
Prior to any local clinic being run (typically every 3 months), our local area
Manager will contact the local Giveblood Club Volunteer who will promote
awareness of the upcoming clinic to club members, youth players parents,
supporters etc, through the clubs existing communications channels.
IBTS will provide support and educational material for local club
communications officers in this respect which can include material for club
websites, social media channels, text / teamer text content, email, leaflets,
posters etc.
About Irish Blood Transfusion Service - the organisation
Irish Blood Transfusion Service is responsible for the supply of blood and
blood components to hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. We are committed
to excellence in meeting patients’ needs through the professionalism of our
staff and the generosity of our donors.
The IBTS are delighted to be supported by the GAA in our vital
work in advocating for blood donation, recruit more blood donors,
encouraging existing blood donors to give more regularly, and in
supporting and maintaining local community wellbeing.
YOUR CLUB. YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR CLINIC. YOUR BLOOD SERVICE.