Orange associations throughout North Holland prove difficult to find new volunteers and ‘t Gooi is no exception. The associations in Huizen and Blaricum have to support the organization around King’s Day with two and three board members respectively. “If there are no new arrivals this year, we will not celebrate King’s Day in Huizen next year,” says Hans Borremans.
Gooie Oranje associations struggle with a volunteer shortage – NH Nieuws
They are also yearning for new growth in Blaricum, says board member Daphne Rokebrand of the Orange Association. Two days in advance she literally sets out the lines of the annual brasserie in the village. She has no idea how many volunteers help her with that. “I hope there will be a few, but it’s always a matter of waiting.”
In the end, the three of them draw out the entire brasserie on the Blaricum sidewalk. “I don’t mind doing that,” said Daphne. “Because I do it for the village. We grew up with traditions in this village.”
“My treasurer says to me: ‘I can’t take over your duties if you fail'”
With the same enthusiasm, Hans Borremans organizes the festivities around the king’s birthday in Huizen. This year, that can only continue through a clever division of tasks. “We have divided the day into blocks and per block we have found people who like it. For example, the market in the old village has been outsourced.”
Long term
It is a solution that could work for the longer term, but Borremans does not really want to see it that way at all. “We just need a broader board. My treasurer says to me: ‘I can’t take over your duties if you drop out’. And vice versa.” Borremans has therefore concluded that King’s Day 2023 in Huizen will not be organized by the foundation, if no new board members join.
Daphne Rokebrand never wants it to get that far in Blaricum. “We will always continue,” she says steadfastly. “We just really need rejuvenation, all volunteers get a day older.”