Join our member networks and share your thoughts on what matters to you. Our member networks focus on specific themes or topics.
When you sign up for a member network, you can expect to:
We value leadership, experience, and innovation. Leaders at all levels in the community and voluntary sector are often the unsung heroes of making Ireland fairer and more just.
Our goal is to unite these leaders to work, learn, and grow together.
Our member networks cater to CEOs, specialist staff, board members, and senior volunteers.
The Communications Member Network is open to anyone working or volunteering in communications with a member organisation of The Wheel.
Launched in 2025, this network includes diverse representatives from both large and small voluntary organisations. It features those in big comms teams and those handling communications in broader roles.
Our aim is to foster a supportive community that believes in communication’s power to drive social change. This network promotes best practices and offers a space for sharing advice, case studies, and knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this network will help you improve your skills, stay updated on trends, and connect with peers.
The network meets three times a year (twice in person and once online) and has an active LinkedIn group for sharing resources and discussing best practices.
The Small Organisations Network supports smaller, often all-volunteer charities and those with five or fewer staff. We recognize their vital contribution to Irish society, despite limited resources.
As part of this network, you’ll receive regular updates relevant to your organisation. Upcoming events will focus on networking and providing support on issues like recruiting trustees, accessing funding, and meeting compliance requirements.
For more information, contact Johnny Sheehan, Member Engagement Manager at [email protected].
The Charity Finance Managers’ Network shares information with those responsible for finance in our member organisations and senior leaders who need to stay informed about financial developments and regulations.
This network is a great platform to engage with relevant topics. Recent updates have included:
We also have expert insights from professionals like solicitors and pension advisors. Our annual webinar features staff from Revenue’s Charities and Sports Exemption unit discussing important sector topics.
Fergal Moran, our Director of Finance, hosts these meetings. You can reach Fergal at [email protected].
The Tusla Members’ Network includes members of The Wheel funded by the child and family agency, Tusla. Members meet several times a year to discuss issues faced by community and voluntary organisations providing services in this area.
The network allows members to connect, discuss challenges, and meet with representatives from agencies to highlight their concerns. Our discussions focus on the sustainability of services in the community and voluntary sector.
As part of the Tusla Commissioning Advisory Group, The Wheel engages in shaping Tusla’s practices based on feedback from the network.
Recent meetings have covered topics such as the commissioning process, funding cycles, and relationships with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth.
The HSE Members’ Network includes those funded by the Health Service Executive, covering various organisations in health and social care.
Members meet several times a year to discuss sector issues and develop solutions. Topics have included simplifying service agreements, reducing duplicate reporting, and moving to multi-annual funding.
This network offers a platform for members to connect, share challenges, and meet with agency representatives to discuss their concerns. The sustainability of community services is central to our discussions.
Our Social Enterprise Member Network is crucial for our work in this area. We aim to gather insights to support this emerging field. Meetings allow members to build relationships, shape policy, and identify gaps in support.
We want to hear from our members to expand the network and share best practices among organisations at different levels.
This network fosters community among social enterprises, connecting members with national organisations, accelerators, and support groups. Many groups are involved in social enterprise but often work in isolation. Through this Member Network, we aim to create a forum for shared understanding and goals, harnessing the potential of social enterprise to drive change.
For more information, contact Johnny Sheehan, Member Engagement Manager at [email protected].
The IT Members’ Network comprises members of The Wheel who are working in Information Systems, Information Technology and Cybersecurity roles.
The Network brings together IT and digital professionals from across member organisations of The Wheel to share knowledge, explore emerging trends, and support one another in delivering reliable and effective technology services. It provides a forum for discussion, collaboration, and the exchange of practical experience, helping members stay informed and connected.
Through regular meetings, updates, and shared resources, the network supports continuous learning and encourages a coordinated approach to technology challenges. It is a space where members can raise questions, contribute ideas, and build relationships that strengthen both individual practice and the wider organisation.
This network comprises representatives from the Irish civil sector who are involved in European funded projects and EU policy work.
Members come from a wide range of organisations across the charity, community and voluntary, and social enterprise sector. This network meets about five times per year to share best practice and support one another in the delivery of projects and the development of partnerships and projects, and to discuss policy priorities linked to EU programmes.
We believe that organisations that engage in European projects provide the communities they represent with unique opportunities to participate in cultural, creative, and educational exchanges and projects and benefit from word class research, innovation, and education. They showcase the value of Europe at its best and translate into real terms the meaning of European participation at community level
European development also strengthens our sector by diversifying funding streams, fostering best practice at international standards, and promoting collaboration and innovation. In turn, our sector can aid European decision-makers by sharing their expertise and ensuring that the policies affecting them and their beneficiaries are appropriate and effective.
The Wheel launched its latest iteration of the Access Europe programme in 2020 with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs. This programme provides a support service to Irish civil society to better access and manage EU funding and engage in EU policy. For Access Europe, the European Project Managers’ Network allows us to connect with sector representatives and their needs and shape the programme accordingly to meet those needs. It also helps us to identify and drive key EU policy priorities that matter to Irish civil society.
The Leadership Academy is where leaders from Irish charities, community organisations and social enterprises come together to learn from and inspire each other. You can start by taking the Leadership self-assessment to reflect on your leadership skills, you can browse our Leadership Library to discover a wealth of relevant resources from accredited training to the latest podcasts and articles and the Leadership Directory is designed as a one-stop-shop for busy leaders to find the people and services to support their Leadership needs.
Our Leadership Event Series the Breakfast Clubs create spaces for people in the sector, at all levels of their own Leadership journeys, to come together, hear some new ideas from other leaders in the sector and connect. The events are free and open to anyone at any stage of their own leadership journey in the sector to attend.
Connect with us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with Leadership Opportunities for the sector.
Find out how you can cut your costs, and maybe even avail of FREE membership, by joining The Wheel today.