Hans in conversation with Nori and Ime of the Volunteer Council

Former obstetrician drug-related pregnancy Nori Jorna volunteers at De Kloof walk-in centre. Ime van Manen volunteers as a buddy and recently became editor of the Z! newspaper. Both are part of the Volunteer Council that represents the interests of our 1,500 volunteers. Hans Wijnands is director of De Regenboog Groep.

H: "I feel a new energy in the Volunteer Council lately. What's in that, do you think?"
I: "In the mix of people. Young and old are represented. There are solid
stukkenspitters on the council, critical questioners, and we have the jottem figures, who occasionally say 'gee, what a good job we're doing!'"
I: "In the mix of people. N: "That diversity is also reflected in the volunteers themselves. There are so many volunteers walking around with specific know-how and expertise. That is particularly valuable for an organization like the Regenboog."
H: "Speaking of which ...all that knowledge our volunteers bring. I am convinced that this improves the quality of our services."
N: "That might well be the case, only I wouldn't know how to measure it."

Involvement of Volunteer Council

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H: "Policies are mainly made by paid staff. But volunteers are also very important to the organization. Does the council have enough say?"
I:"Definitely. We meet regularly with the board of the Regenboog, where we are included as a serious discussion partner in all plans that have to do with volunteers."
N:"In my working life I haven't experienced it like this anywhere. Nice, those short lines. Our advice matters."
H:"It's you who matter. Volunteers are the cement of our organization. N: "Indeed, I know of few organizations that rely so heavily on volunteers. Are we not the largest volunteer organization in Amsterdam? H: "That's often said, at least one of the largest."