Key to taking on any new role is completing an effective onboarding process. This is something that should be driven by the Club but it’s also important the new Officer understands what the onboarding process should involve. A thoughtful onboarding process can benefit all involved, including your County administration, your Clubs, and your volunteers’ colleagues.
Below is a list of suggested onboarding steps that you might want to have completed as you take on your new role. It’s important to note that this list is quite general so may not be entirely applicable to your role or indeed be entirely complete. Feel free to exclude or add items to the list as your role, and Club requires.
Onboarding Checklist
- I’ve met with previous role holder and got an understanding of current position
- I’ve reviewed the Guidelines for my role and the relevant Committee’s I’m a part of
- I’ve completed any mandatory training such as Safeguarding
- I’ve completed Garda vetting / Access NI
- I’ve been given access to emails and other online and/or operational systems
- I’ve been given access to any special equipment and/or software that may be needed
- I’ve received training in the use of any required equipment and/or software
- I’ve been introduced to the relevant personnel from the County Board
- I’ve been introduced to the relevant personnel in the Club
- I’ve been introduced to the relevant personnel at Provincial level
- I’ve been told who to contact for help and advice
- I know where to access additional supports
- Confirm outgoing officer’s availability for handover meeting
- Collect any physical assets required eg. keys
- Collect any digital assets eg. email accounts, passwords, templates, reports etc.
- Review handover notes and become aware with any ongoing projects, upcoming deadlines, contracts etc.
- Email Setup
- Ensure your Official GAA email account is active and you have access to it.
- If not, contact your County IT Officer as soon as possible to get set up.
- Foireann Access (if applicable)
- Ensure that administrator access to your Clubs Foireann account is provided to you should you need it in your role.
- Familiarise yourself with the system and any functionalities you may be using.
- Tobar
- Familiarise yourself with Tobar and any potential upcoming training events or resources that will help you in your role.
- Should you require anything further, contact your County Planning and Training Officer.
Familiarise yourself with the relevant compliance documents such as the GAA Governance Guide, Child Safeguarding Statement, Risk Assessments, GDPR Compliance, Code of Behaviour.
Attend the role induction webinar and review the role profile to familiarise yourself with the responsibilities involved in the role.
- Ensure that other Club Officers and Club members are aware you have taken on the role.
- Update the Club website or social media channels to inform everyone of any changes on the Club Executive or Sub-Committees.
- Consider emailing the Club membership of changes in officers and welcoming new officers to their roles.
- Add any key dates to your diary that you are aware of already such as upcoming deadlines, AGM, Executive Meetings etc.
- Establish your Sub-Committee (if applicable)
- Meet with your sub-committee as early as possible and begin planning for the year ahead.
- Become familiar with the necessary tools required for the role eg. Foireann, Tobar
- Training and resources are available to help you and they can be found here - https://learning.gaa.ie/
- Above all else, know that there are supports there to assist you in your role. Don’t be afraid to seek clarification or guidance on a particular matter – there is no such thing as a stupid question! Supports are available in a number of formats via the tiles below but also remember to talk to:
- Fellow Club Officers and members
- County Board Officers
- Provincial Officers