WhatsApp use within the LGFA
- Jan 30,2020
WhatsApp use within the LGFA
Over the past year, the LGFA has developed a good working relationship with the Data Protection Commissioner and following their advice, from a legal and safeguarding perspective it would be irresponsible for the LGFA as an organisation with a legal responsibility to “endorse” the use of WhatsApp. This is due to the non-compliance of WhatsApp (as a company) with data protection regulations along with other safeguarding issues around the sharing of personal data such as phone numbers and pictures in WhatsApp groups. LGFA understand the needs of our members to communicate with each other and we urge all clubs to issue communications in a responsible and appropriate manner that meets their requirements. Clubs who wish to continue to utilise WhatsApp to conduct club business do so of their own volition.
This is also an apt time for the LGFA to announce the dates for our upcoming GDPR Workshops which will take place again in 2020 following the resounding success of the 2019 rollout. More than 300 clubs attended over the 6 workshops last year, which provided a practical guidance to clubs to ensure they are compliant with the legislation. Feedback from the clubs is outlined below, however the consistent feeling across the feedback was how the delivery of the workshop alleviated the fear that many volunteers had in relation to GDPR and the advice provided in the workshop greatly assisted clubs with not only their compliance but with their understanding of what the legislation actually means.
2019 Workshop Feedback
‘Have been to numerous GDPR from both a technical and legal aspect. But this was an excellent layman’s approach – and made immediate sense.
Have suggested to Executive Committee to finds out about how to attend one as they would benefit greatly’.
‘Well informed and easy digesting of a laborious subject’
‘Found the workshop last Wednesday excellent. I'm registrar and assistant secretary for our club and if I'm honest I had being putting off going to GDPR workshop. It's a long drive to Portlaoise and a 3 hour workshop, I was wondering if I would learn anything new. It was one of the best workshops I've been too. I had a fear of GDPR and played everything so safe with our club which nearly inhibited the daily running of our club, can't do this, can't do that, because of GDPR. Darragh was excellent in explaining everything and giving me a very good understanding of what is involved. Delighted I attended and highly recommend the workshop’.
‘A much more workable approach to Data Protection – not to be feared but can be worked with’.
GDPR 2020 Workshops
Wednesday 11th March Essential Guide to GDPR Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan, Mayo 7.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday 19th March Essential Guide to GDPR Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick 7.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Wednesday 25th March Essential Guide to GDPR Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Laois 7.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday 2nd April Essential Guide to GDPR Kelly’s Inn, Ballygawley, Tyrone 7.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday 23rd April GDPR in Practice Croke Park, Dublin 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Wednesday 29th April GDPR in Practice Tullamore Park Hotel, Offaly 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Essential Guide to GDPR
This course is the next step up from the LGFA 10 Step Essential Guide to data protection. The 2 ½ hour comprehensive course will assist you with understanding GDPR terminology and the principles which underpin the new legislation. Taking this understanding the course will then look at how as clubs, county boards, etc we can ensure we are compliant with legislation using a practical approach suitable to a volunteer sport. Feedback from 2019 was overwhelming positive: "This is brilliant. I've been to lots of courses on GDPR and the way it's been delivered today, I actually now understand it".
GDPR in Practice
This course is a follow on course from the Essential Guide to GDPR. In this 2 hour course we will look in detail at data protection case studies which are common within the LGFA and sporting bodies. The course will give clubs, county boards, etc the guidance and confidence to deal with not only day to day scenarios but also how to approach any data protection situation which they come across.