About dynamism and pride

Welcome to this General Members' Meeting (ALV). We have two ALVs per year. This one, usually at the beginning of the year, focuses on the Annual Accounts. The other, in the summer, is more about policy and budgeting. That ALV looks ahead, while this ALV looks back, specifically at the 2021-2022 season. It’s good that you are here, because as you know, the members form the highest authority within an association.

Looking Back

So, let’s look back. The 2021-2022 season started positively after a miserable covid year. In the General Members Meeting, we also decided to offer a contribution compensation for those members who appreciated it. Then winter began, and it happened again. From Nov. 2021 to Feb. 2022, we had (partial) lockdowns again due to Covid. As you may remember, the hall closed at 5:00 PM at that time. That meant that almost our entire program could not continue.

Morning Trainings

Creative as we are, we organized morning trainings. Initially, I thought no one would be crazy enough to train so early, but the opposite turned out to be true. Not only were the trainings well attended: there were also significantly fewer cancellations. In the end, unfortunately, everything was shut down.

Good Performances

The competition was also halted and later resumed. We played the competition through to the end of March 2022. Team 1 lost to last year’s Dutch champion BC Duinwijck in the semi-final. Team 3 became champion in a very convincing manner and achieved promotion to the 1st division.

Team 10 also became champion. It was a very positive season in terms of performance. Not a single team was relegated. That’s also worth mentioning. We fielded no less than 11 teams and 2 men’s teams. A total of 13 teams. Not many clubs can match that.

Tournaments

Playing longer also meant some extra costs for rentals and had more consequences for income. The Covid measures, of course, also threw a wrench in the works for our traditionally very well-attended winter tournament (for reference, the 2023 edition last Saturday had 288 registrations). Fortunately, we were able to go ahead with our Grand Prix Tournament with 215 registrations and our Summer Tournament with 232 registrations. 

In addition, dozens of trainings were provided again and a sea of sweat drops was produced—and hopefully washed away again.

Proud

When I was summarizing all this in preparation for the General Members Meeting, I realized just how much dynamism there is within the club. I was overcome by a feeling of pride. That we, as a club, have achieved this together and for each other once again. It’s great to be part of this and to help guide it.

Concerns

There are some concerns. We see the price of shuttles rising sharply. We even now see an energy fee on shuttles. The hall rent is still the same, but what if energy prices rise sharply soon? Will sports clubs be compensated? Inflation is high—what consequences will that have? We are keeping a close eye on developments. It’s up to all of us to be frugal in these times. Especially frugal with shuttles. As a club member, that’s where you have the most influence.

In Conclusion

To conclude, a little preview of agenda item 6. We have a very well-functioning board team (if I may say so myself). However, Roos Beerkens has indicated she will be leaving us. Not because of the team, but because of that always tricky balance between private life and club commitment. We certainly understand her choice, but we are really going to miss her in our team.

But “Every disadvantage has its advantage,” as an Amsterdam football philosopher once said. We have some great things to do in the short and long term. We’re not looking for a master accountant, but rather a treasurer with a focus on governance. Policy directions always have to do with finances. You find numbers linked to policy choices fun and challenging! As a board member, you have an important and often even decisive role.

An extra advantage at our club is that you’re not alone. Lisette is your left and right hand, and Arjen Eerden puts all his knowledge and expertise at your disposal for the right processing. And, of course, the board collectively supports the chosen and approved policy.

So, we are looking for a treasurer who enjoys thinking along about directions in a super active club where a lot happens. Someone with ideas who is positively critical. Someone who looks for opportunities and at the same time keeps an eye on the financial balance. So, we’re looking for you!

Robert Hoogland

Chairman BC Drop Shot