All fun at VTC Woerden
VTC Woerden is the Woerdense volleyball association. About 25 years ago, the two rival associations Thornax and Valboval joined forces and continued together as VTC Woerden. The sports hall next to the Kalsbeek, the Thijs vd Polshal, is their home base and the club's canteen has the cosiness of a brown pub. The club now has about 435 members. Iet is the competition secretary and one of the more than a hundred volunteers of the club.
“In 1996 I came into contact with the association because my son started playing volleyball. I was an enthusiastic spectator. When my second son also started playing volleyball, I took on the task of match secretary. The challenge is to make a program that is as compact as possible. I plan the matches and training sessions in such a way that the hall is used as efficiently as possible. Ideally, the competitions and training sessions coincide. In addition, I have to take into account the wishes of the teams. It's a challenge every time, but I do like a good puzzle. It is very satisfying when it is successful again.”
It's so satisfying when it's done again!
“I have two other board members that I work closely with. They are also my replacement when I go on holiday for example. Over time, the work I do for the association has changed a lot. We used to call the volleyball association via the landline to report the results of the matches. Now it's all digital. But the core of the club has not changed. It's still the club I came into contact with 25 years ago: it almost feels like family. And we are almost all volunteers. The bar is run by volunteers, the trainers, the referees, the treasurer, the board, the people who do the PR of the club, the physiotherapists, confidential advisers, team managers. We all know each other. That's what makes it so much fun and that's why I like being here so much.”
“In addition, there is always enough going on. VTC Woerden is a lively club. Every year, for example, we organize the beach volleyball tournament. The parking lot at the Thijs vd Polshal is then filled with sand and the sand is played for three days. There is always more interest than there are places. Volleyball turns into barbecue. All fun. I can more than recommend it to others to see if volunteering at VTC Woerden would be something for them. For example, we are looking for board members. Many of the management tasks are currently being combined. And trainers are being sought. All vacancies and more information can be found on the website: www.vtcwoerden.nl.”
Caroline's story
Make real contact in the World Shop The Wereldwinkel is located in the Havenstraat. Special, sustainable and handmade gift items are sold here. The items are all fair trade produced. This means that the product has been made responsibly: the producer has received a fair price, the production process is transparent and there is no question of child labour. The Wereldwinkel is the perfect place to find something nice for every occasion. A birthday present or a thank you, something tasty or simply because you are looking for a fair trade alternative to the supermarket. Carolien works as a volunteer in the Wereldwinkel. Together with just over twenty volunteer colleagues, she keeps the store running. “I think the contact is the best. Every customer is different and it is always a challenge to make real contact. A customer comes in and is looking for something beautiful, something special. I like the challenge of figuring out what would appeal to a customer. Something tasty or maybe something sustainable, something handmade or something from another culture, for example. The best feeling is when a customer leaves the house happy. That's priceless. This process makes volunteering at the Wereldwinkel so wonderful. Every customer is different and it is always a challenge to make real contact. Being allowed to do this - it really feels like being allowed to - gives me energy every time.” The best feeling is when a customer leaves the house happy. That's priceless! “I came across the Wereldwinkel via the VrijwilligersVacaturebank on www.hartvoorwoerden.nl. At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for volunteering, but after an introductory meeting I was sold. What a great place to volunteer! Unfortunately, due to circumstances, I was unable to get started right away. I've been disabled for a few months. When I was ready to get started, I was a bit nervous. Would I still be welcome? But luckily I was welcomed with open arms. And that well represents the atmosphere that hangs here. Everyone's work is appreciated and every little bit helps. Together we can make something beautiful out of it.” “Furthermore, on a practical level it is also very nice to be a volunteer here. I'm in the shop, but I also work on the employee newsletter, make the schedules and make the tea and chocolate bouquets that we sell. And when you work here as a volunteer, your hours are in principle flexible. The mode is half a day (4 hours) per week. But some work once every two weeks, others several days a week. All in all, I think it's the perfect place to volunteer. I heartily recommend it to others!” Would you like to become a volunteer at the Wereldwinkel? Like Caroline? Visit the website: www.wereldwinkelwoerden.nl or drop by for more information. You will also find the vacancies of the Wereldwinkel on the VrijwilligersVacaturebank: www.hartvoorwoerden.nl. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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