The union could be a bit more modern
Since the beginning of this school year, the AOb a 'chef' innovation. Dorien König, formerly Green Golf chairman and since September chief executive officer, is going to kick-start innovation and rejuvenation. "Now we are really going to continue."
Image: Rob Niemantsverdriet
You feel the hot breath of PO in Action in your neck?
“As an association, we do a lot of good, for example with legal aid, our national network of consultants or with the excellent monthly Education Magazine. But improvements are conceivable in our daily communication. We have been working on this for some time, we were also looking for new ways of communicating at the Groene Golf. But it's true: PO in Actie underlines our message that things can be improved. ”
Our message?
“Daily director Tamar van Gelder and I will work together on the innovation in the coming year. This shows that as an association we really consider this project of great importance. The two of us work, because I stand just like the other main drivers of the AOb also just in front of the classroom, at a primary school in Utrecht. ”
What can be done differently?
“The union could be a bit more modern. 'Flatter' and therefore less hierarchical; our organization chart is quite complicated. This complexity is a barrier for members to become active. We want to break down those barriers and involve members more in policy. They often do not have time to attend meetings in union halls. But they are happy to get involved via social media. ”
We want to break down barriers and involve members more in policy.
PO in Actie has 45 thousand likes on Facebook, the AOb only 3 thousand?
“Exactly, that underlines that we really need to continue the innovation. The AOb has been communicating increasingly via this social medium for a few years now. It is a means to get in touch with your supporters, but a good association is of course much more. ”
What else did you learn from PO in Actie?
“We see that it is apparently very successful in getting people together per sector. The AOb still works a lot per region. Maybe this structure also needs to be adjusted a bit. ”
You can't get there with just more Facebook?
"I think so too. For example, we are thinking about one AObopinion panel. Digital technology that is very useful to quickly gauge what they think of it among members. ”
Do you want to vote on the General Members' Meeting from your couch at home, which can be followed via a live stream?
“Maybe that livestream. But that everyone can vote with their phone is still a bit too far for me. Then you get that people can vote without having studied anything first. That's too easy for me. But the current General Meeting could be a bit more flashy: sending less information and more exchange. ”
Where can members go with innovative ideas?
“We are open to the brainpower of all members. A number of them are already uniting in the Critical Friends Group. People who were not there during the first meetings can join later. ”
Would you like to know more about the Critical Friends Group or sign up for this group? Report to Dorien König dkonig @aob. Nl
