We are looking for a (female) board member!

Will you be our new chairman?

Do you have the energy and desire to think along and work on the sustainability of Apeldoorn in a challenging role? Our energy cooperative is looking for reinforcement for the board.

Given the current composition, we want to bring more balance and diversity to the board.

Are you a (young) woman and wondering if this is something for you? Then read on!

We are looking for a new chairman!

Because our current chairman Fun is not extending his term, we are looking for a new chairman. Do you want:

• help build a sustainable Apeldoorn,
• to get to know our cooperative with enthusiastic and committed board members and work organization of paid staff and volunteers from within,
• use your knowledge and skills to support and develop the cooperative,
• and expand your network?

Then please read on.

The energy cooperative

Sustainable energy cooperative Apeldoorn (deA) is an active, growing, driven club that aims to shape the energy transition locally and with local parties based on the cooperative idea. This means that as Apeldoorn residents, we seek connections together, are innovative and tackle them on the basis of equality; we generate solar energy on a large scale ourselves, largely financed by crowdfunding. And help residents save energy and make their homes more sustainable.

deA celebrated its 12.5th anniversary last year. In that time, deA has grown into a professional work organization consisting of 20 paid employees, 55 volunteers and over 1100 members that is firmly embedded in the Apeldoorn community. With our solar parks, we generate solar energy annually, comparable to the consumption of over 8.5 thousand households. And with services such as the energy coach and customized energy assistance, we have now helped thousands of Apeldoorn residents save energy and make their homes more sustainable. We also support other energy cooperatives across the region with the knowledge and experience we have gained.

The board

The board of deA provides direction and monitors the implementation of the strategic course that we have agreed upon as a cooperative. The operational activities are managed by a director within the separate work organization. The board is thus more at a distance from daily practice and functions as a supervisory board, so to speak.

The board of deA consists of six members. We are currently looking for a chairperson. Given the composition of the current board, preference will be given to a woman in the event of equal suitability, but male candidates are also certainly invited to respond. Our main focus is a qualitatively good filling of the vacancy, in which we also find a good 'click' with the rest of the board important. It is and remains volunteer work, we value board work being fun and challenging.

Tasks of the chairman (m/f)

As chairman, you are the linchpin within the board. You coordinate, initiate, monitor and supervise the implementation of administrative matters. You prepare the board meetings, coordinate the organisation of the general member meetings (these are held twice a year) and supervise the creation of the budget, the annual report and the financial accountability. You annually account to the AGM for the policy pursued and the results achieved.

You are the first point of contact and sparring partner for the director. And you are the external face of the organization to convey the established policy vision.

What characterizes a suitable chairman for theA?

• You are a pleasant, approachable person who enjoys representing the members of the cooperative.
• You have an affinity with sustainability and the objectives of the cooperative.
• You think and work in broad terms (level of abstraction).
• You are a team player: you encourage cooperation but where necessary you can provide directive guidance.
• You have good communication skills.
• You have a flexible attitude.
• You can take initiatives, coordinate and monitor the implementation of administrative matters.
• You provide space to the implementing organization and at the same time provide them with advice and support when important decisions have to be made.
• You can represent the A externally; you are able to convey the established policy vision.
• You can remotely provide content for integrated supervision of policy and implementation within the subsidiary organizations (the energy company, the Klarenbeek and Brinkenweg solar parks).

Time commitment

On average, the role of chairman requires a time commitment of about 4 hours per week. This commitment can vary over the weeks and months, depending on the current affairs. Some flexibility is therefore desirable.

What do we offer

• An unpaid volunteer position at an inspiring organization that drives the energy transition at a local level and gets a perspective for action off the ground for an entire group of Apeldoorn residents.
• The opportunity to get to know and support a cooperative form with enthusiastic and committed board members and a work organization of paid staff and volunteers from within.
• The opportunity to further expand your own network in the region.

Would you like to use and expand your management qualities?

We would be happy to talk to you

Are you interested in the vacancy of chairman at deA? We would be happy to talk to you. If you have any questions or would like further information, call 06 – 53831500 or email Fun Hendriks via voorzitter@de-A.nl. You can also join the board for a while.