Why Attend? - Candidates
Are you looking to volunteer your skills, expertise and time to a cause you are passionate about? BoardMatch Live (formerly known as Charity Trustee Speed-Dating) is your opportunity to meet with Irish charities and not-for-profit organisations who need volunteers for their boards and committees.
Boardmatch Ireland are delighted to announce our next BoardMatch Live event is taking place in Cork on Thursday 23rd April 2026. This event will be held in Clayton Hotel, Lapp’s Quay, Cork City.
Making that first connection with a charity can be difficult, so we have developed the BoardMatch Live to make it easier for you to connect with a wide variety of charities, all on the same day!
BoardMatch Live will be an evening event to help you focus the start of your board journey and make an instant connection. Following the event, you can follow up with charities and take the process to the next step by attending interviews.
If you successfully find a match at the event, you will be eligible to attend our Trustee Training for free, to prepare you for your new board role!
By attending this event, we encourage that you are open to meeting a wide variety of charities. You never know which charity you will connect with that will give you a chance to make a big impact!
Not sure if this event is right for you? Attend our free pre-event information webinar!
In the run up to the event, we host an open information webinar to let you know more about who are charity trustees, what are the benefits to board volunteering, and how to best prepare for this event. If you are thinking about starting your charity board journey but don’t know where to start or if this event is right for you, please attend the webinar for more information. Taking place on Wed 8th April at 12noon via zoom.
Candidate FAQs
1. Do I have to speak to every exhibiting organisation?
No. Due to the variety and speed of the engagements, the event is facilitated like a job fair. Browse the charity exhibitor booths and meet with charities that you are interested in.
2. Will I know what charities are going to be exhibiting in advance of the event?
Yes. All attendees will receive a PDF pack with top tips and information about all exhibiting organisations. We will also be running a prep webinar 2 weeks before the event which will prepare you to put your best foot forward. We recommend researching your top charities in advance, but also aim to be flexible on the night – you never know who you’ll meet!
3. What is the cost to attend this event as a candidate?
This event costs €20 to attend as a candidate. There is an early bird ticket sale until 13th of March where the price is €15 per candidate.
4. What counties will the exhibiting charities and not-for-profits be from?
All charities and organisations will be from Cork and surrounding counties from the Munster region.
5. How long will the event run for?
The event will run from 5:30pm-7.30pm. Based on the structure of the event, candidates can arrive anytime during the opening hours of the event.
6. How to access the venue?
BoardMatch Live will be held at the Clayton Hotel, Lapp’s Quay, Cork City. The hotel is easily accessible by car, on foot, bus or bike.
