In conversation with…. Local Interest Group Beetsterzwaag/Olterterp

A new feature of this newsletter is an interview with a local interest group. To get to know and learn from each other, and above all: to take action! We kick off 'Yn petear mei' with Liesbeth de Boer from Plaatselijk Belang Beetsterzwaag/Olterterp.

A brief introduction. What does the board look like?
Our board consists of five people. We have just distributed the latest version of our newsletter, which is delivered door-to-door in Beetsterzwaag and Olterterp. It also includes the composition of the board. We have approximately 400 members. Unfortunately, two board members are stepping down. So we are looking for new board members.

What does the Local Interest Group mainly focus on?
We have a good and pleasant board that tackles issues for the village with enthusiasm and energy. For example, we send out a newsletter three times a year and, since last year, we have been organizing a New Year's meeting to which we invite everyone, including non-members. We also conducted a survey that serves as input for our village vision. An important issue, and I think this applies to every village, is 'housing'. We want people to enjoy living in our villages, but it is also important that there are homes available.

Another thing worth mentioning, and something we are very proud of, is the experience day we organized together with our entrepreneurs. We arranged a walk through the village for our residents, with a number of stops at local businesses. People could enjoy a drink, chat with each other, and get to know the entrepreneurs. It was a huge success!

We have recently been very active in promoting the 'blooming zone', an area where residents work together to create an environment where people can live longer in good health. And this is going well. We have also contacted Bakkeveen about this. A working group has been set up in the village, and on May 25, a meeting will be held at the sports hall of the rehabilitation center for all residents. This is a great collaboration with a number of associations in the village.

We also support neighborhood associations. Last year, for example, we supported a neighborhood with an AED in a district, and we also help with the fire department festival.

What challenges does the local community face/are there things that could be improved?
It is and remains difficult to connect with young people. Recently, I was walking through the village one evening and saw a group of young people standing around; approaching them might be a way to start a conversation with young people. There is also always a need for volunteers. There are so many opportunities and wonderful things we can do, but we often lack volunteers. Recruiting board members is therefore also a point of attention.

Can the municipality provide support in this regard, and if so, how?
I find this a difficult question. Regarding the involvement of young people, do you have any suggestions? It may be worthwhile to discuss this further with a youth worker.

What is going well?
I can be brief about that: a lot is going well. We have regular meetings with the municipality several times a year. And there is now a village councilor, Marcel van Opzeeland. The lines of communication are short. That has not always been the case. What could be improved, in my opinion, is that communication could sometimes be more proactive. Two charging stations were recently installed in the village. And that's great, of course, but they're in a location that I think could have been better. And I regret that we weren't consulted about this beforehand. We could have found a better location together. There was a good article in the NRC recently about involving the community. The point is that the process of new initiatives starts with the residents. So start with the residents and build on that.

Where are the remaining challenges?
What we find worrying for the village is the Tolman location. That is common knowledge. 

Do you have any tips for other PBs and boards?
There is only one basic principle: engage in dialogue and listen to each other. Then great things can happen.