Driving is fun! Become a volunteer driver and make an impact.

Whether you want to do something for your neighborhood or contribute to the environment, make a difference for refugees in the city or support cultural initiatives: as a board member, you can truly make a difference.

Many associations and foundations are looking for board members. Currently, our job board has about 50 vacancies. Each one is a great opportunity! As a board member, you contribute to the continuity and growth of a social organization and develop your own talents!

What does a board member do?

You use your own experience and knowledge and think along about the strategy and direction of the organization. What is needed to ensure the organization’s continued existence? How can you make sure of that? Think about sufficient finances, visibility among the target audience, collaboration with other organizations. There are different roles within a board: the chairperson presides over the meetings, the secretary creates the agenda and minutes, the treasurer oversees the finances. You can also be a general board member, without a specific task. A board usually meets four to eight times a year.

What does the experience as a board member bring you?

The opportunity to develop new skills, as a board position involves many aspects such as finance, planning, communication, and collaboration. Often, you will be offered courses or training to support you in your board duties. You will also expand your network and meet many enthusiastic and inspiring people, both within and outside the organization. But above all, serving on a board is an enriching experience that provides a lot of personal satisfaction and broadens your view of society.

Insurance

It is important to know that all Amsterdam foundations and associations automatically have directors’ liability insurance. When you hold a position as a director, commissioner, or supervisor of a legal entity (foundation or association) in the municipality of Amsterdam, you are automatically insured under the Amsterdam Volunteer Insurance (AVV). With this AVV, the financial risks of directors are covered when they are held personally liable for improper or negligent performance of their duties, which may have led to irregularities within the organization. More about the AVV, you can read [here].here.

We asked a number of drivers about their experiences with driving.

What makes you a happy driver?

“Creating the conditions to realize an idealistic initiative.”

“(…) when I notice that I can use my knowledge and experience in a relatively small organization where there are no professionals present for most matters. So, it is also hands-on management.”

What does board membership bring you?

“The board work allows me to contribute to an organization that strives to help vulnerable people. An organization that is socially relevant. And I find the contact with people whom I wouldn’t easily meet otherwise to be pleasant and important.”

“It involves collaborating with people who are motivated to achieve something in their spare time that they believe in.”

“First and foremost, it’s about working together in the board, the team. A tiny group of passionate people who enjoy working on the organization’s topic. (…) I get to know renowned musicians and their music, which has opened and continues to open up a whole new world for me.”

“Sometimes it requires taking a day off work; yet, it provides energy for weeks. It is very rewarding to be in the midst of happy people during an activity.”

What successes have you achieved?

“At unpaid work, continuity is a key factor for success. Motivation and availability of volunteers are the prerequisites for survival. I measure my success by these factors.”

“The organization is dynamic, and the people working there are professionals. The work is sometimes very intense and heavy, and I am glad to be able to support these professionals in their work.”

“These are the concerts we have organized, for which we have received a lot of compliments, both from the audience and the musicians. Financially, things seemed to be less prosperous, but now things are getting better each time, and it seems like we are back on track. Another success.”

Board work has a lot to offer. The organization that appeals to you the most depends on your talents and interests. There is plenty of choice, so feel free to take a look at our”job board to discover where you can use your talents and make a positive impact.