Volunteer nomination for Tuamgraney man

TUAMGRANEY man, Colm O’Brien has been nominated as an outstanding volunteer for the Ireland Involved Awards for his involvement with the vegetarian society.
Volunteer Ireland recently announced the shortlist of 33 outstanding volunteers for this year’s Ireland Involved Awards having received hundreds of entries to the competition.
Colm has been chosen as a finalist in the animals and environment category of the competition for his work with the Vegetarian Society of Ireland (VSI), which promotes the positive aspects of vegetarianism.
Nominated by fellow VSI volunteer Grace Hillis, Colm has been involved with the Vegetarian Society of Ireland (VSI) committee for over six years and has served as both chair and webmaster. During this time, Colm has helped develop the website, www.vegetarian.ie. 
The aim of the organisation is to advance education and to promote positive aspects of vegetarianism in relation to health, animal welfare and environmental issues.
Colm created the e-newsletter, edited the magazine, liaised with stockists and manned the phone line. He has also played a leading role in manning outreach stalls at events and organised World Vegetarian Days and conducted media interviews.
When Colm first got involved with the VSI, he lived in Dublin but he has since relocated to Clare and continues to travel to Dublin almost weekly to attend committee and planning meetings. 
He started the VSI Dublin meet-up group in 2007 to help bring vegetarians together and continues to host meet-ups after he moved, catching a train or bus home afterwards with his laptop in his rucksack. These gatherings usually consisted of a meal out or a walk or hike.
Colm makes a special effort to welcome new members and encourages them to volunteer too. His volunteerism has really helped to promote vegetarianism, an issue of deep importance to many people in Ireland.
The Tuamgraney man is one of 33 outstanding volunteers shortlisted for this year’s awards, who are being recognised for their generous contribution to their communities and organisations.
The winners of the various categories will be announced at the Ireland Involved Awards ceremony, which will be held at Dublin Castle on Monday, where President Michael D Higgins will open the event and RTÉ’s Claire Byrne will present the awards to the lucky recipients.
For more information about the event and the shortlisted nominees visit www.irelandinvolvedawards.ie.