These social matches have been made

After three years, it was finally possible to organize a physical trusted Mix&Match speed dating event again. This time we were guests at the atmospheric Buiksloterkerk Foundation. Entrepreneurs/experts engaged in rapid conversations with 6 different social organizations with a request for help. They were able to offer their expertise, time, and network. Hard work was done and sometimes a match was made right away. Beautiful new collaborations have emerged.

The 8 participating entrepreneurs:

• Michel van Ruyven, Creative Director of Hollands Lof
• Menke Peper; Owner of De Groenwinkel
• Dries Duijnstee; Chief Legal Officer Philips Domestic Appliances
• Maaike Cohen; Lawyer and partner at Corten de Geer Advocaten
• Richard Schimmelpennick; Funeral Director at Uitvaart 1001lichtjes
• Hendrik-Jan Overmeer; Co-founder of Deedmob and responsible for Strategic Communication and Public Affairs
• Joop Stroes; Co-founder and coach Empathy Plus
• Sigrid Beute; Client Manager UWV

Not present but assistance offered: ING, Miele X, 180 Degrees Consulting

They went speed dating with 6 social organizations with a specific request for help.

With beautiful outcomes:

Philomela FoundationIntroduce children and local residents to classical music and promote interest in art and culture. In order to continue performing, the foundation relies on donations. IT donations are one of the initiatives to generate income. They are currently looking for old computers for this purpose. The foundation is also in need of an expert who can draft professional contracts.

• All participating entrepreneurs have offered their help. In addition, Dries Duijnstree will assist with drafting contracts, and Michel van Ruyven will focus on communication and strategy.

Old learned is young done (OGJG)strives for a society in which lifelong learning is the norm for everyone in the Netherlands. To make a significant contribution to this, they organize interactive senior citizen lectures, given by students. These activities are cognitively challenging and connect generations by sharing knowledge. They needed advice on creating a business plan with a customized revenue model.

• Michel van Ruyven will assist in concretizing a business plan and how to communicate this towards (private) organizations.
• Richard Schimmelpennink has a contact in his network who can lead a strategy session.
• Joop Stroes will approach someone from his network who can assist in drafting a business plan.
• Dries Duynstee will approach a colleague who can assist in drafting a business plan.

Studio Pancakeorganizes positive initiatives that strengthen generosity, combat loneliness, and enhance solidarity. In order to organize these activities, they are looking for funding opportunities.

• Both Michel van Ruyven, Hendrik-Jan Overmeer, and Joop Stroes have offered to help Studio Pancake.

The Salvation Army[organization] is there for the most vulnerable in society: people without a helper. Deploying buddies is a means to combat social isolation and relapse. Due to a chronic shortage of buddies, help is needed to set up a campaign to recruit more volunteers.

• Joop Stroes is willing to help distribute the job vacancies within their own network.
• Michel van Ruyven wants to help with digital content for online recruitment.
• Richard Schimmelpennink is willing to help spread it within his own network and takes the lead by signing up as a buddy.

Markant[Organization] is the center for informal caregivers and helps them find a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves. A new initiative is the opening of a respite care facility. A place where people who depend on informal caregivers can stay when things are not going well at home or to give their caregivers a break. The respite care facility has 12 bedrooms and help is needed with furnishing them.

• Menke Peper takes care of the delivery of plants
• Michel van Ruyven will take care of the communication
• Maaike Cohen puts out the request for help in her network
• Richard Schimmelpennink sends out the request for help in his network
• Dries Duynstee has various items that can be delivered
• Sigrid Beute and Joop Stroes do not have an immediate answer but have shared their contact information and can be contacted.

Momo education by Sisterschools foundationdevelops programs for digital school exchanges and create a 2-year educational program for both primary schools and secondary schools. They strongly feel the need to find schools to participate in international exchanges.

• Sigrid Bente is going to ask her children’s school if they want to become a sister school.
• Richard Schimmelpennick is looking within his network for opportunities for fundraising.
• Michel van Ruyven will introduce himself to multiple school groups and wants to set up a campaign together to recruit new schools.
• Dries Duyvenstee and Menke Peper had very valuable tips that sisterschool can work with

We thank all present entrepreneurs and social initiatives for their time and effort and hope for a successful continuation of the matches above.Do you want to know more about our match meetings?
Get in touch withRachida el Alami

Photos: Huub Zeeman