News & Events

Target Audience

Anyone seeking hands-on training and practical tips for integrating Copilot Chat with Microsoft 365 apps, an essential resource for anyone looking to optimise their workflows and stay ahead with Microsoft’s latest AI tool. Copilot Chat is free with a Microsoft Business 365 subscription, i.e. an Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint annual subscription, but not a home or family subscription. The session does not include training on the paid Copilot licence for Copilot within Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Outline

This course provides hands-on training with Copilot Chat, demonstrating its core capabilities such as information retrieval, document drafting, and project management support. Participants will learn how to:

• Create drafts for documents like policies, procedures and guidelines
• Create outlines for PowerPoint presentations
• Create images in different styles and sizes for social media and PowerPoint presentations
• Create summaries and action items from the transcript of a Teams meeting
• Use ready made Microsoft Agents to help you work smarter with Copilot

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams. This session will be recorded and the recording will be circulated to participants on completion.

Target Audience

This session is designed for those who are new to writing grant applications, or those who would like feedback on applications they are currently completing.

Outline

How do we make successful grant applications? This workshop provides an opportunity to identify the challenges, the most common mistakes applicants make and also what errors causes application disqualifications. Participants should come away with a better understanding of appropriate language & wording to help better make the case for their grant application.

Methodology

This session will be in Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7.

Target Audience

Effective report writing is a cornerstone of good governance, accountability, and transparency for every Irish charity. Whether you are a dedicated staff member, a manager, a CEO, a voluntary charity trustee, or a valued volunteer, your ability to communicate clearly and accurately through reports is paramount.

This essential introduction provides clear insights into the critical importance of robust report writing within the unique context of Irish charities.

Outline

• Why Report Writing Matters: Understand how well-crafted reports underpin your charity’s operations, decision-making, and external communications.
• Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Learn how precise reporting is vital for compliance with key regulatory bodies, including:
  • The Charity Regulator: For demonstrating good governance, financial transparency, and adherence to charitable objectives.
  • HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority): Essential for charities providing health and social care services, ensuring quality and safety standards are documented.
  • TUSLA (Child and Family Agency): Crucial for charities working with children and families, requiring meticulous record-keeping and incident reporting.
  • MHC (Mental Health Commission): Important for mental health service providers, demanding clear and compliant documentation of care.
  • HSA (Health and Safety Authority): Necessary for all charities to document health and safety practices, incidents, and risk assessments.
• Enhancing Accountability & Trust: Discover how clear, concise, and accurate reports build confidence among donors, beneficiaries, and the wider public.
• Internal Communication & Decision-Making: Explore how effective reports facilitate better internal communication, enable informed strategic decisions, and support continuous improvement.
• Best Practices for Clarity & Impact: Learn practical strategies for structuring reports, using plain language, and ensuring your message is understood and impactful.

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Zoom.

Target Audience

Experienced Excel users looking to enhance their skills in areas detailed below.

Outline

This short course you cover:

• Creating nested if functions using IFS function.
• Exploring new functions: Filter, Vstack/Hstack, Unique/Sort.
• Working with dates and times in Excel.
• Working with Vlookup/Hlookup/Xlookup.

Methodology

• Delivered virtually via Zoom.
• GiraffePad will be the platform used to hold the Zoom link/training materials/recording.

Target Audience

Experienced MS Excel users turn data into visuals that are easier to understand.

Outline

In this short course you will:

• Review of basic charts.
• Good practices around chart creation: choosing a chart, formatting.
• Diving into lesser known charts: Treemap, funnel, Box and Whisker, Scatter chart.
• Use GetPivotData() function to expand your pivot chart possibilities
• Adding your chart to PowerPoint/animating it.

Methodology

• Delivered virtually via Zoom.
• GiraffePad will be the platform used to hold the Zoom link/training materials/recording.

Target Audience

• Non-Profit Organisations: Executives, Marketing Teams, Social Media Managers
• Freelancers: Those who work with Non-Profits
• Students: Studying marketing or Non-Profit management
• Consultants: Specialising in Non-Profit sector

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Module 1: Understanding Social Media Landscape
   • Popular Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok
   • Audience Demographics
   • Case Studies: Successful Non-Profit Social Media Campaigns
3. Module 2: Setting Objectives and KPIs
4. Module 3: Content Strategy
   • Types of Content: Educational, Inspirational, Call-to-Action
   • Content Calendar
   • Tools for Content Creation
5. Module 4: Audience Engagement
6. Module 5: Analytics and Reporting
   • Tools for Analytics
   • Metrics to Track
   • Reporting and Insights
7. Q&A and Wrap-up

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Zoom.

Target Audience

• Non-profit organisation staff and volunteers
• Non-profit leaders and managers
• Communications and marketing teams
• IT and operations staff in non-profits

Outline

1. Introduction to WordPress for Non-Profits
   • Benefits of using WordPress (cost-effective, customisable, scalable)
2. WordPress Basics: Creating and Managing Content
3. Essential Plugins for Non-Profits
4. Customising Your WordPress Site for Impact
5. Enhancing User Engagement with Key Features
   • Integrating contact forms (e.g., WPForms, Contact Form 7)
   • Embedding social media feeds and donation buttons
   • Adding newsletter subscription forms (e.g., Mailchimp integration)
6. Security and Backup Strategies
   • Importance of securing a non-profit website
7. SEO and Analytics for Non-Profit Success
   • Understanding basic SEO principles for visibility
8. Case Studies and Best Practices
9. Q&A and Hands-On Workshop

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Zoom.

Target Audience

Trustees, Chairs, CEOs, and those responsible for governance in their Charity.

Outline

The Charities Governance Code explains the minimum standards you should meet to effectively manage and control your charity. This workshop will walk you through the requirements of the code including actions and evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Zoom.

Target Audience

Are you a Board member of a voluntary or community group? Are you unsure of what is expected of you? Do you want to ensure your organisation is governed in accordance with good practice?

Outline

This session will demystify Board members’ roles and responsibilities and give you tools to enhance your contribution and the effectiveness of your Board. It outlines the purpose of the board as a whole in relation to governance and management. We then examine the specific roles of individual board members and in particular, their legal responsibilities and duties under the Charities Act (2009) and the Companies Act (2014). The workshop will finish with a discussion on typical problems arising within boards and some practical solutions to deal with them.

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Zoom.

Target Audience

Anyone wishing to pick up some productivity tips in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Prior knowledge of Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 is essential.

Prerequisite

The training will be in the New version of Outlook, as the Classic version will have no support from April 2026.

Outline

In this course you will learn productivity tips from the following Microsoft programs:

Outlook

• Cleaning up your inbox
• Scheduling emails in advance
• Creating simple rules
• Using email templates

Word

• Working with styles
• Contents pages
• Cover pages
• Watermarks

Excel

• Cleaning data
• Separating text from within a cell
• Locking cells
• Displaying data visually

PowerPoint

• Using slides from another presentation
• Changing fonts throughout the entire presentation
• Working with images and shapes
• Using the presenter view

Methodology

Delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams. This session will be recorded and the recording will be circulated to participants on completion.