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“As one of the advisors of the Public Affairs team, I lobby for the Red Cross. I deal with strategic influencing of policy and the position of the Red Cross in society. I focus on people in politics and administrative relations. We keep a close eye on the political agenda and follow debates in the Lower House. We often send letters to MPs or enter into discussions with them before such debates. I usually do this together with a Red Cross expert who knows a lot about the topic in question. By providing information to MPs and ministry policy officers at the right time, we hope that a topic will be put on the agenda or included in a debate. Our aim is that people think about the impact of political policies on people in need.  

A good example is our food programme. During the Covid-19 era, both ministry officials and MPs did not know what we were doing in terms of food aid in our own country. Then I contacted them and explained what we were doing in this area. We then shared our concerns and suggested areas for improvement. As a result, MPs have been coming to us ever since. It helps to actively tell our story and share our experiences. 

The Red Cross and our team are often asked whether you can lobby as a neutral and impartial organisation. It is certainly possible to do so. Indeed, as a humanitarian organisation it is important to advocate on behalf of people in need. Our neutrality and impartiality is very powerful, which is why others take our signals seriously. Many people within the Red Cross lobby without knowing it themselves. You actually lobby when you tell an alderman, civil servant or other policy maker what is happening in the aid effort.  

The Red Cross does not give voting advice and we mainly speak out behind the scenes. When it is really necessary, we also do so publicly. Like recently about the situation in Ter Apel or the growing food shortage. Elections are due in November. This summer, we sent information to political parties on issues important to us, such as food aid, poverty, migration, climate, and the Humanitarian Law of War. We hope that our input will be included in the election manifestos, so that it will eventually be included in the coalition agreement.” 

“In 2006, I started at the Red Cross Bonaire. I assisted the board there. Unfortunately, the local branch was disbanded after a few years. From the time I was a little girl, I thought the work of the Red Cross was special. I always knew I would dedicate myself to the organisation. This feeling was confirmed when I saw a car accident. I wanted to help people, but I did not know how. When I heard that the Bonaire Red Cross was relaunching in 2013, I immediately joined.  

It is special for me to be active for the Red Cross and I am proud of it. Currently, I coordinate first aid during activities. I often send a poll in an app group with the activity to the volunteers. Then volunteers can vote whether they want to help. Then I create a new app group with all the volunteers coming to help at the activity. That is where I send all the information they need. We support many activities on Bonaire with first aid. Think about football matches, hiking trips or windsurfing tournaments. After the Covid-19 period, it was decided that the Bonaire Red Cross should be involved in all activities. In addition, I sometimes replace the branch manager when she is not around herself. 

There is not one specific side I like best about volunteering; I actually like everything. The activities, helping others and also the classes. I have taken many classes for the Red Cross. In 2013, we had classes every Sunday for a month. We had to relearn everything. We also had training and first aid classes every Tuesday. In May 2013, I got my diploma. I also attended many training courses abroad. First in Panama. Then I was taught Restoring Family Links in the Bahamas. I also took classes in St. Maarten and Curaçao. You never stop learning. 

My wish for the future is that the people of Bonaire will really see the Red Cross. That they feel we are there for anyone in need. So that they will knock on our door and ask for help. I also hope that more volunteers will come. Being a volunteer is very valuable. You gain experience and learn different things that you can apply in everyday life. As a volunteer, you can help people in diverse ways. It does not have to be just first aid. You can also work as a mechanic, cook or administrative assistant, for example.” 

“During my gap year, I wanted to do volunteer work that matched my values. Soon I came across a position at the Gooi and Utrecht district. I have now been volunteering with the Red Cross for seven years and have held various positions. I started as a youth ambassador. Then I completed my Bachelor of Social Work with a thesis at the data and digital team 510 and I am currently working within the education team. Since September, I have added a new challenge: member of the National Youth Committee.  

The National Youth Committee gives young volunteers under 30 a voice. We are there for the young aid worker within the Red Cross, but also for the young aid worker outside the organisation. We think it is important that young people are represented within the organisation. That they feel involved and welcome. Currently, we are only committed to the young volunteers. Next year, I want to find out if we can also be the voice for staff under 30. In fact, I think there could be a nice cross-pollination between the two groups.  

The Committee consists of five volunteer members. We all have different responsibilities. My role is Communications & Events. For my role, I engage with young people to find out what wishes, if any, they have. I also want to create more involvement among young people, for example through events. The National Youth Day on 18 November is a good example of this. During this event, young people meet each other and learn more about the Red Cross.  

Finally, I would also like to engage with the districts. I am very curious to know where their needs lie when it comes to rejuvenation and how we can support them in this regard.  

I look forward to working with the other committee members. It is super fun that we get to hold these positions for a year. We have a lot of ideas and want to express them. In addition, I am looking forward to talking to as many young people as possible. I am curious to see what new sides of the organisation I will discover, because even after seven years I am still learning new things.” 

Are you a volunteer under 30 and would you like to tell us about your volunteer work? Maartje is eager to hear your story and would love to get in touch with you. You can reach her via mscholten@rodekruis.nl