On March 30, we would organize a board interest evening for those interested. Because of the corona virus, we are forced to design this evening in a different way. To be able to inform everyone about a board year at STC, we are going to hold this information meeting on Skype! Please contact us before registering (info@servethecitytilburg.nl). In addition, each board member writes his own blog (interview form). If you are interested in a certain position, you can contact us for 1 to 1 contact.
In this blog, Jelle van Dijk, treasurer, will explain his position in detail!
“Who are you and what is your board position?”
My name is Jelle van Dijk and I am Treasurer of Serve the City Tilburg. I am currently graduating from my Bachelor IBA and have now taken a gap year before starting my master. In addition, in my spare time I am a fanatic hockey player. My task is to oversee the finances of Serve the City Tilburg. I approve expenses, make financial reports and make sure we stay within our budget. I report these reports to our advisory board with which we have quarterly meetings to discuss the figures. Besides Treasurer, I am also coordinator of the Serve the Gray committee. Within this committee we organize activities for the elderly in Tilburg. I am responsible for setting the agenda and directing the committee members. All in all, I have 2 very different roles within Serve the City that make it challenging and therefore a lot of fun.
My name is Jelle van Dijk and I am Treasurer of Serve the City Tilburg. I am currently graduating from my Bachelor IBA and have now taken a gap year before starting my master. In addition, in my spare time I am a fanatic hockey player. My task is to oversee the finances of Serve the City Tilburg. I approve expenses, make financial reports and make sure we stay within our budget. I report these reports to our advisory board with which we have quarterly meetings to discuss the figures. Besides Treasurer, I am also coordinator of the Serve the Gray committee. Within this committee we organize activities for the elderly in Tilburg. I am responsible for setting the agenda and directing the committee members. All in all, I have 2 very different roles within Serve the City that make it challenging and therefore a lot of fun.
“Why did you start a board year?”
I thought it would be fun to do a board year to spend my gap year useful. I thought it would be nice to experience what it is like to run an organization with a team for a year. And it is certainly an experience.
I thought it would be fun to do a board year to spend my gap year useful. I thought it would be nice to experience what it is like to run an organization with a team for a year. And it is certainly an experience.
“Why did you choose Serve the City and not another association / organization?”
I specifically chose Serve the City because I enjoy doing social work and became enthusiastic about the tasks and responsibilities involved. In addition, the position of Treasurer was still open and I personally liked it the most.
I specifically chose Serve the City because I enjoy doing social work and became enthusiastic about the tasks and responsibilities involved. In addition, the position of Treasurer was still open and I personally liked it the most.
“Why did you choose your current position?”
I chose the treasurer because first of all it fits well with my studies because I am doing an economics study. Secondly, as a treasurer, unlike the other functions, you not only develop your soft skills. You also develop important hard skills in the field of accounting and budgeting, but you also become much better at using Excel. In other positions you develop yourself enormously in the field of organization and leadership. As your treasurer you will also get a lot better at this, but in addition, practical skills will come in handy later on. Thirdly, as a treasurer you have a great responsibility, you are asked to keep a cool head and make rational decisions about what money is spent on and what not. In addition, you are involved in all activities because you see expenses passing by so that you stay well informed about everything. All this made me eager to take up the position of treasurer.
I chose the treasurer because first of all it fits well with my studies because I am doing an economics study. Secondly, as a treasurer, unlike the other functions, you not only develop your soft skills. You also develop important hard skills in the field of accounting and budgeting, but you also become much better at using Excel. In other positions you develop yourself enormously in the field of organization and leadership. As your treasurer you will also get a lot better at this, but in addition, practical skills will come in handy later on. Thirdly, as a treasurer you have a great responsibility, you are asked to keep a cool head and make rational decisions about what money is spent on and what not. In addition, you are involved in all activities because you see expenses passing by so that you stay well informed about everything. All this made me eager to take up the position of treasurer.
“If you had to name 1 skill you learned last year, what would it be?”
I have learned a lot in the past year. A lot of practical things as I mentioned above, but from which I have especially learned a lot, is leading my committee.
As coordinator of a committee you are ultimately responsible for what that committee performs and this entails responsibility.
At first it is a bit strange that suddenly everyone looks at you to give them tasks to get started with.
You will become better at leading meetings, you will give clearer instructions and you will also learn to indicate clear frameworks within which you can work.
I have learned a lot in the past year. A lot of practical things as I mentioned above, but from which I have especially learned a lot, is leading my committee.
As coordinator of a committee you are ultimately responsible for what that committee performs and this entails responsibility.
At first it is a bit strange that suddenly everyone looks at you to give them tasks to get started with.
You will become better at leading meetings, you will give clearer instructions and you will also learn to indicate clear frameworks within which you can work.
“What activity did you remember most and why?”
The activity that has stayed with me the most is the circus activity with the elderly from Tilburg. During this activity, a meeting circus was held in which elderly people were challenged to get in touch with each other in order to stay ahead of loneliness. What I remember is how much the elderly liked it that day and how grateful they were that we organized this for them.
The activity that has stayed with me the most is the circus activity with the elderly from Tilburg. During this activity, a meeting circus was held in which elderly people were challenged to get in touch with each other in order to stay ahead of loneliness. What I remember is how much the elderly liked it that day and how grateful they were that we organized this for them.
“What message would you like to give to your successor?”
I would like to tell my successor that he / she should not be afraid to make mistakes. At the beginning of your board year, nobody is 100% ready for their task. That wouldn’t be good either, because then you won’t learn anything anymore. After 3 quarters of a year I still notice that there are things I could have done better and my successor will experience this as well. This is not a problem, we are all here to learn and it is not without mistakes.
I would like to tell my successor that he / she should not be afraid to make mistakes. At the beginning of your board year, nobody is 100% ready for their task. That wouldn’t be good either, because then you won’t learn anything anymore. After 3 quarters of a year I still notice that there are things I could have done better and my successor will experience this as well. This is not a problem, we are all here to learn and it is not without mistakes.
