Local events that rely on volunteers are increasingly under pressure. Due to a shortage of volunteers, stricter safety requirements, increasing responsibilities and a growing mountain of administration, events such as De 80 van de Langstraat are at risk of disappearing in the future.
“It has become so complex in recent years that it is almost impossible for a volunteer organization to manage,” says chairman Tijs van Beurden of the walking festival. “You should never skimp on safety, but with current regulations and expectations it simply becomes unrealistic to carry this completely on a voluntary basis.”
For ‘The 80’, the challenges are increasing rapidly, especially since corona. “Every year it becomes more and more difficult and exciting. The regulatory burden and administration are increasing.”
According to Van Beurden it is a broader trend. The Breda Singelloop is also in danger of disappearing and the Pleinfeest in Kaatsheuvel is being shortened and deleted from a fair due to the same problems.
‘Priceless’
Safety in particular is a major concern. “But it is so tightly arranged that almost nothing is possible anymore,” says Van Beurden. “There is a traffic controller on every corner. Because volunteers no longer want that, I have to hire them all. That alone will cost me a ton of money, which would leave me with nothing else.” In addition, medical assistance costs 50,000 euros and the construction of the start and finish location costs 30,000.
The structure should also no longer be provisional. “Nowadays this has to be done by certified companies. On the one hand, very logical, but it is becoming unaffordable.” The registration fee already had to increase. “Participants are also starting to complain about that. Something really needs to be done now.”
Additional full-time job
For Van Beurden, the organization feels like an extra full-time job. “You have to do more and more. You have to make entire mobility maps for traffic controllers. There is also a lot of consultation with security services and municipalities. They work during the day, so we have to take time off and that costs a huge amount of leave.”
In addition, rules change annually, meaning plans cannot be reused. “That is all very understandable, but almost impossible for volunteer organizations.”
Scolded
The tone on the street is also changing, he notices. Fewer and fewer people accept streets being temporarily closed. “They push barriers aside, continue driving and argue with traffic controllers.” This happened thirty times in the last edition. “Our volunteers are increasingly scratching their heads and wondering whether they still dare and want to do this.”
Van Beurden himself was verbally abused several times on a terrace because of the moved starting location. “I managed myself, but my wife and children were terrified. I left for safety.” Other board members also have doubts. “They don’t know if they still want this.”
Personal risks
Financially, too, the water is on the ropes. “After corona, companies started sponsoring less. That creates a huge gap and it becomes increasingly difficult every year.” Meanwhile, the volunteer base is aging and there are few new recruits.
The personal risks are great. “We could lose our house in the event of a claim for damages, I don’t want to take that risk. I don’t employ a lawyer, which makes you extremely vulnerable.” It’s eating away at him. “One moment I want to throw in the towel, the next moment I don’t. This event has so much social impact: this must continue.”
Emergency bell
That is why Van Beurden is sounding the alarm for the umpteenth time. “Now it’s really make or break. If nothing changes, it will really end.” He therefore advocates discussions with municipalities, security services and national agreements. “Let’s help each other instead of imposing or rejecting things and don’t place the responsibilities only on volunteer organizations.”
Because otherwise, he says, “there will be no volunteer event left. Everything will collapse. And then De 80 will disappear after 42 years.”
Several sports clubs in dire straits
Michel Reinders, director of BrabantSport, also increasingly hears that sports clubs are facing the same problems. “It is a worrying development, because these are events that mean a lot and have a very nice history.” Reinders calls it a “kind of cultural heritage” that we have in Brabant. “We must cherish that. If it is no longer there, you will not get it back quickly. We will lose a lot if we lose this.”
He hopes that governments will help organizers. “Make sure you don’t have an organizer come to the town hall ten times to have another meeting about the safety plan, but stand next to an organization and see how you can help them.” Volunteers also need to be approached differently. “People no longer want to be treasurer for forty years, but want to do something within a defined period of time.”
Reinders believes it is important that events such as the Singelloop or De 80 van de Langstraat continue to exist. “It is the breeding ground for talent. Maybe the next Femke Bol will emerge there. We want to cherish that, right?”
