Introducing: VCA team Nieuw-West

Do you already know the VCA team Nieuw-West? It consists of advisor Fanne van Leeuwen and mediator Jelle Guijt. They man the office at Pieter Calandlaan 258A and cycle a lot around this large city district. We would like to introduce them to you.

Fanne, what do you do as an advisor?

“I advise foundations and initiatives that have questions about working with volunteers. Their questions are very diverse and range from developing a volunteer policy to writing a good job description and solving issues in the work process with volunteers. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone from outside take a look at how things are going. Someone who is independent and has no further interest in the matter.”

And what do you do as a mediator Jelle?

“I guide residents of Nieuw West through the beautiful, diverse range of volunteer opportunities. I hold consultations at four locations across Nieuw West. Everyone interested in volunteering is welcome by appointment, and we take the time to explore together where someone’s desires and talents lie.”

What do you mean to these volunteers?

Jelle: “My work has added value for both volunteers and organizations. However, the emphasis is on the volunteer. Based on their wishes and talents, I think about which volunteer work suits someone. Because everyone is different, I also mean something different to everyone. I help one person to build a social network, establish a routine, or practice language skills through volunteering. I help another person to enhance the feeling of making a difference, alongside a busy job, for example. You could actually say that I help everyone to expand their world and broaden their perspective. Organizations naturally benefit from this and gratefully make use of all this voluntary energy.”

Fanne, do you have an example of how you help an organization?

“Recently, I received a request from an organization that wished for the volunteers to be more hospitable to visitors. I then engaged in a conversation with the organization to gain more insight into the situation. I asked questions such as: what are the volunteers currently doing and what do you want them to do? Do they feel connected to the organization? What does it mean to be a volunteer for this organization? Subsequently, we organized a meeting for the volunteers together. During this meeting, the coordinators gained more clarity about the situation. For example, it became clear that the volunteers also do volunteer work for themselves, that the volunteer organization is a safe place for them. It also emerged that volunteers sometimes have different expectations regarding communication between volunteers and coordinators. We then continued the conversation to address these findings. We highlighted all aspects of communication in volunteer work and created space for an open dialogue. The organization then took further action independently and established new agreements. This was highly appreciated.”

How do organizations in Nieuw-West treat their volunteers?

Fan: “Volunteer organizations in this neighborhood focus on the residents. They connect different cultures. They build bridges. There are also many small community initiatives. Awareness of the impact of volunteering is increasing, with more attention being paid to the individual volunteer. What do you need? What are you good at? Where do you want to develop yourself? This is important because the volunteer brings something, but also gains something in return.”

What is your added value in the district?

Jelle: “I think there is no organization in Nieuw-West that knows so many different people and organizations, cutting across different sectors, ages, and backgrounds. We have an important connecting function, not only from volunteer to organization, but also between organizations themselves. We have a good understanding of current developments and are therefore an important interlocutor for organizations and the municipality.”

What makes you a good team?

Jelle: “Fanne and I complement each other well. We know what to expect from each other and what we can ask of each other.”

Fanne: “Together we visit many organizations. We regularly update each other. I tell about new job openings at one organization and Jelle talks about challenges at another, keeping each other sharp and providing immediate support where needed.”

Fanne, what is your greatest talent?

“I am good at listening and asking questions. What are you struggling with, what is the core of the problem, and how can you arrive at a suitable solution? I see that many organizations are so busy that they don’t have time to pause and reflect on this. They keep rushing and putting out fires. If you take a moment to pause and reflect together on what is happening exactly, and what you would like to change about it, then you can take steps in the right direction and reach where you want to be.”

And what is your greatest talent, Jelle?

“My greatest talent is being able to quickly see everyone’s unique story, talents, and potential, and to match them with volunteer work at an organization where they can truly shine.”NB: As of April 2024, Fanne has transferred her duties as organizational consultant NW toMirtele SnabilieFanne is still working at VCA, but she is now focusing on urban advice and the ‘Governance’ project.

Photographer: Peter Lange