After more than 75 years, the canvas would fall for the DOS hiking club from Dwingeloo last night. Cause? Four of the five board members stop. But the cancellation meeting eventually turned into relief for many walking enthusiasts. Three new board members ensure that the association continues to exist and a currant blossom tour is being held again this year.
DOS is a household name in the Netherlands. Or actually the currant blossom walking tour, which the association organized for the 75th time last year. 1,500 to 2,000 walkers from all over the country come to Dwingeloo every year. But the journey threatened to disappear, just like the association. For a year, board members had been looking for successors, but they could not be found.
“It is a problem that many associations encounter. People no longer want to take a seat on a board,” says Nieuwbaken board member Greetje Otten. She herself had nothing to do with the association, although she participated in the currant blossom tour a few times. “I actually also belong to that group that thinks: how nice such an association, but not seen for the board. That also creates obligations. But as a villager I have now got up and with me two others.”
With the arrival of three new board members, the future of the association is insured in the coming period. Yet the new board members face a solid challenge. With four people they have to do the work that the previous board members did with the five of them. A few departs with 25 years of board experience.
“In the coming period we will have to master everything. That is why we have chosen, for example, that there is no pre -registration for the currant blossom tour this year,” says Otten. “There is also no tasty migration route this year. That’s too short a day.” The evening4 days and the forest tour in the fall will continue.
For the longer term, the challenge lies in obtaining permits. Otten: “Many participants in the currant blossom tour come to Dwingeloo by car. Those cars emit nitrogen and you have to get a permit for that, just like for walking through Natura2000 area. Everything now depends on rules.”
With the new board members, DOS seems to be able to celebrate a party next year. Then the association exists 80 years. Otten is happy with it. “DOS and the currant blossom tour are really one thing. It would have been such a shame if they would no longer exist.”