AObCEO Kim van Strien dares to bite
Kim van Strien has been on the board of directors for a year now de Algemene Onderwijsbond. "We are looking for people who can tackle things, who are decisive and social."
Picture: Fred van Diem
You have been the main administrator for the secondary education sector for a year now. Is that fun?
“It turns out to be even more fun than I thought. I wanted to do more for education and for my colleagues. When a vacancy came up on the board last year, I thought: I always have such a big mouth, now I should put those words into action. ”
Was it a tough selection?
“You have to apply, write a letter and then go through all districts to present yourself. Who are you, what do you want, what do you want to mean for your sector? And then you will eventually be elected at the general meeting. Or not."
Well, in your case.
“There were two other candidates for this vacancy. And the nice thing was that for a few seconds I did not dare to believe that it was me. The result of the vote was announced and I thought: does this mean that ... does this mean what I think it means? Yes! That moment, when you realize that so many people have faith in you, was really cool. But then you also immediately realize that you have to make it happen. ”
And how do you like that?
"Very well. For example, as the main board member you come to all kinds of places inside and outside the association. You think and talk to everything. You consult with colleagues from the field in the sector council, you sometimes go to schools to hear what is going on or, in case of promotions, to hang flyers. But as the main director of secondary education, I also visit the Landelijk Aktie Komitee Scholieren, for example. ”
What surprised you at work?
“The whole association thing turns out to be very cool. It is great that so many people are really involved in the union, that they are willing to put in a lot of time and energy. It really is a close-knit club. ”
Mainly a club of white old men, right?
“No way, there are more women than men active in the AOb. And the average age is a lot lower than it used to be. There is only allowed a color, because we are indeed still quite white together. ”
What was wrong?
“Nothing really. Well, sometimes meetings take too long and you think: this is not about anything at all. But you sometimes have that at school. ”
Are you still going there, by the way?
“Of course, I work two days a week for the AOb and three days as a French teacher at a school in Katwijk. ”
There are now various vacancies on the central board. What kind of types is the AOb?
“People who can tackle things, who are decisive and social. You have to be able to network and dare to say what you think. You shouldn't be afraid to bite off. ”
Oh?
“Well, that may sound a bit tough, but there are twenty people on one board. Then you have to dare and be able to tell what you think and why. ”
Can you recommend it?
“Certainly, because it is varied work and you are also given plenty of room to specialize. There are board members who are committed to, for example, pensions or international affairs. I myself focused on the discussions about the powers of teachers and the content of the curriculum. I find that very interesting and I also have an opinion about it. ”
You have twenty seconds to one elevator pitch.
“Do you want to mean something to your colleagues at the schools and do you want to be part of a very nice club? Then apply for the board, because it is a fantastic challenge. I can't make it any better, right? ”
De AOb is looking for new chief executives. Interested?
