Oifigeach Caidreamh Pobl PRO

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Oifigeach Caidreamh Poíblí PRO

• GAA/CUMANN NA mBUNSCOL OFFICER PROGRAMME

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CLÁR

• Introduction
• Responsibilities
• Communication Internal and External
• Methods of Communication
• Results of Good and Poor Communication
• Presentation of coiste
• Workshop

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1INTRODUCTION

• Role of PRO
• The job of PRO is one of the most important
  positions in the coiste.
• The main function of the PRO is to present a good
  image of Cumann na mBunscol
• and Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in schools and the
  local community.
• Cumann na mBunscol aims to make Gaeilc games the
  sport of choice in our primary schools while
  promoting participation for all.
• Note
• The need for good PR in GAA has never been
  greater,
• given the increased competition for players that
  we face

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1INTRODUCTION

• Remember
• 1 No longer is it good enough to do good work
  people must be
• told about it!
• 2 The Biggest Mistake that a PRO can make is to
  assume that
• people know!

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1INTRODUCTION

• How to operate
• Be well informed of all activities
• Keep in touch with officers
• Build up links with local newspaper and radio
  personnel
• If a controversial issue arises, it should only
  be dealt with in consultation
• with other officers (particularly An
  Cathaoirleach)
• Consult widely with relevant people (National
  PRO)
• Be aware of Cumann na mBunscol constitution
• Note Bring a camera to games and events!

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Responsibilities

• The PRO shall in consultation with the other
  officers
• (a) Take every available opportunity to
  publicise Cumann na mBunscol and to ensure that
  the organisation has a high profile.(b) Ensure
  that the 'Aims and Objectives' of Cumann na
  mBunscol be protected and advanced in dealing
  with outside agencies.(c) Prepare a newsletter
  and distribute it to all affiliated areas.(d)
  Ensure that all suitable G.A.A. promotional
  material be available to all schools.

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2RESPONSIBILITIES

• Main Duties
• Sell the GAA to schools, the local community
  and beyond.
• Work as part of a team along with the other
  officers.
• Provide match results/news of blitzes and events
  to the relevant people
• Keep records of games, events, team photos etc.
  This is historically
• invaluable information! (Store electronically)

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2RESPONSIBILITIES

• A PRO should not
• Push his own agenda - GAA policy and decision
  making
• supersedes personal opinion!
• Criticise the Coiste in public or private
• A well informed PRO needs
• Good communication with fellow officers
• Good links with Schools

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3COMMUNICATION

• Introduction
• Good communication is essential to ensure that
  the
• coiste operates effectively
• Schools, Officers, Parents, Children, Sponsors
  and the
• Wider Community need be aware of all activities
  in the club
• Cumann na mBunscol needs to be seen as active,
  alive, positive and progressive in
• the local community
• Note A breakdown in communication means that
  the coiste
• cannot operate as it should

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3COMMUNICATION

• Communication in the coiste operates at two
  levels
• 1 Internal communication
• 2 External communication

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3COMMUNICATION

• Internal - Communicating with
• Officers
• Executive committee and Sub-Committee Members
• Schools
• Active members (volunteers)
• Note This can only be performed effectively in
  consultation
• with the secretary, chairperson, County Board
• delegate etc.
• Note Every person with a role in the coiste has
  a part to
• play in good internal communication

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3COMMUNICATION

• Internal - What to communicate (examples)
• 1 Date, time and venue of games, meetings and
  all activities.
• 2 Details of programme of games activities.
• 3 Details of The Coiste Plan

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PLANNING

• Cumann na mBunscol Strategic Plan requests
  counties to draw up a five year development plan
  outlining
• Basic GAA issues in the county
• Basic GAA issues in the primary schools sector
• Plans/consequences of primary schools growth
  and/or rationalisation
• Relevant issues from National Strategic Plan
• Resultant priorities for local Cumann na mBunscol
  action including targets for achievement.
• (Annual PR Plan with core themes)

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PLANNING

• Cumann na mBunscol Strategic Plan states
• The National Committee and each County Coiste
  will draw up and work to an annual PR plan which
  will
• Outline the events to be profiled during the year
• Schedule when the profiling should be done
• Identify what media will be used
• Identify One core theme which will form part of
  all Coistes PR plan
• 2009 theme From Cumann na mBunscol to Croke Park

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3COMMUNICATION

• Effective Internal communication ensures that
• All schools are aware of what is happening
• People know their roles and responsibilities
• Everyone knows the details of the coiste plan and
  the direction the
• coiste is taking

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3COMMUNICATION

• External - Communicating with
• Schools
• The community in general
• Parents
• Sponsors
• Media
• The job of the PRO

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3COMMUNICATION

• External - What to communicate (examples)
• 1 The Plan Games plan etc
• 2 New Initiatives
• 3 Coistes social and other
  activities
• 4 Positive stories e.g. Mini Sevens
  representatives, Blitz days.
• Remember Coiste is alive and active

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3COMMUNICATION

• Good External Communication Ensures
• The club is seen as alive, active, positive and
  progressive
• in the general community
• Parents see that their children get meaningful
  activity and enjoyment
• Encourages people to become involved
• Ensures that the perception of closed shop is
  diminished.

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Newsletter
• Allows coiste to communicate directly to members
• Ideal for communicating details and progress of
  the coiste plan
• 3. Ideal method of portraying the various
  activities of the club
• 4. Only needs to be a 1 or 2 page newsletter sent
  out 3-4 times a year
• 5. Include photographs of activity (if possible)
• Must be well presented.
• May be sent by e-mail.

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Local Newspapers
• Ideal way of communicating to the wider community
  and is free
• Local papers published regularly i.e. weekly,
  monthly etc.
• Read by parents, potential members/schools,
  sponsors and potential
• sponsors in the locality
• Helps to show the wider community that the
  coiste is active
• NB. Local media want regular, guaranteed notes
  to
• ensure continuity

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Newspaper articles - writing the news report
• Use report to create a positive image
• Include all clubs activities e.g. social,
  fundraising etc
• Brief, clear, simple message
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Submit on time!

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Bulk Text Message
• Quick method of communication
• Inexpensive versus phone-calls
• Ideal for short messages
• Ideal for relaying urgent messages
• Almost everyone has a mobile phone!

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Email and Website
• Quick and inexpensive and Ideal for bulky
  communication e.g. news-letter
• Website must be informative and well presented
• Note Not all members have access to email and
  website
• Note Website must be kept up to date!
• Note Include a Contact Us section

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Posters
• Design must be attractive and colorful
• Include Cumann na mBunscol and GAA crest
• Various locations in area

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4METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Local Radio
• Get to know the GAA correspondent.
• Useful for promoting fundraising activities etc.
• Liaise with the County/divisional PRO as regards
  his needs
• in this area
• Seek a weekly/monthly slot on GAA show to report
  GAA activity in schools.

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5RESULTS OF GOOD COMMUNICATION

• Internal and External - Summary
• Meetings, games and events, happen when they are
  supposed to
• The required people are present
• People know their role in the coiste
• Members and supporters know that the coiste is
  operating to a plan
• The coiste is selling itself to the local
  community positive image
• Helps to attract new members and volunteers

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5RESULTS OF POOR COMMUNICATION

• Internal and External - Summary
• Breakdown in club activities
• Players miss training and games, Officers miss
  meetings
• Parents lose confidence in club
• Club loses its relevance in the local community
• People become disillusioned
• Closed shop mentality in the club

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6PRESENTATION OF COISTE

• Match Programmes
• Role of PRO to print programmes for games/blitzes
• Include sponsor in all Media releases
• Include an address from chairman
• Seek a regular slot in programmes for league
  games and county finals.

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Workshop
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WORKSHOP PROMOTION OF CUMANN NA mBUNSCOL

• Workshop Question Chart Exercise
• What can we do to ensure our coiste is properly
  promoted
• in schools and beyond?

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WORKSHOP COMMUNINCATION IN SCHOOLS

• Workshop Question Chart Exercise
• How can we improve communication with schools?

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Thank you