Cork Volunteer Centre provides a placement service, matching individuals who would like to volunteer, with non-profit organisations who involve volunteers in their activities.   Advice and support is offered to both volunteers and non-profit organisations through a range of services including information, consultation, volunteer management training and Garda vetting administration.

Cork Volunteer Centre is affiliated with Volunteer Ireland  and is funded by the Goverment of Ireland.

Equality Statement

STAFF

VOLUNTEERS

BOARD 

The Board comprises of eight representatives.

Currently additional members are being sought to increase diversity in skills and expertise.

Chairperson: Jim O’Donovan

Jim O Donovan has retired as Director of Services at Cork City Council, where he worked for 43 years, in the areas of environment, recreation, planning, community, arts and general administration. He brings to the board skills and expertise of local government, business strategy, sustainability, strategic planning and change management. He is Race Director of Cork City Marathon and serves on the board of Meitheal Mara, the Circus Factory, Graffiti Theatre Co etc.

Vice Chairperson: Sinead Conroy 

Sinéad Conroy has worked with SECAD, a local development company, since 2007 and has 22 years’ experience working in the community development sector.  She works primarily with community and voluntary groups as well as individuals on low incomes looking to enter employment or explore self-employment.

Secretary: Christopher O’Brien 

Christopher O’Brien has 10 years’ experience in the voluntary sector in people management and training roles at multiple levels.  He brings to the board expertise in recruitment and retention of staff and volunteers, with background in organisational psychology, specialising in engagement, well-being and coaching.

Treasurer: Chris O’Leary

Chris O’Leary has over 30 years of experience as a volunteer activist and has been involved in community affairs across Cork, addressing issues of Anti-Poverty and Community Development.

Director: Valerie Lucey

Valerie Lucey is the Human Resources Manager for Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) with over 25 years of human resources management experience within the Education sector.   She is a graduate of the Institute of Public Administration  having obtained a Masters Degree specialising in Human Resources Management  and has a broad range of experience including human resource planning, employee relations, payroll, training and development and employment law.  Cork ETB manages 28 schools, 5 Further Education Colleges, 2 Training Centres and 160 Community Education Centres providing education and training to over 37,000 learners with an annual State budget of €220 million.

Director: Angela Mc Donald

Angela Mc Donald is originally from Leitrim, is a graduate of UCD, and has lived in Cork for many years.
She retired from the Revenue Commissioners in 2020 where she served as a Principal Officer .

Angela has a keen interest in the Arts and has served on a number of Boards in the Arts and Charity sectors.

Director: Padraig Mallon

Padraig is Chief Executive of The Crann Centre in Ovens Cork . He previously worked with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, The United Nations Development Programme and the Irish Examiner.

He lives in Crosshaven and his interests are radio, cricket, travel and cooking.  He holds an MSc from Ulster University.

Director: Aileen O’ Driscoll

Aileen O’Driscoll has a Masters in Organisational Learning & Development and is currently working as an Organisational Development Consultant. Specialising in building team effectiveness, team leadership and creative group decision making, Aileen has developed and delivered leadership training to major pharmaceutical & medical device multinationals, community workers and unemployed job seekers. She also works part-time in a non-profit organisation and describes herself as a serial volunteer with over 20 years of voluntary experience.