April 2013 volunteer newsletter

Inside ACCESS Departments

Editor’s Note

Volunteer of the month

Meet the Volunteers

Departmental News

Fellow Volunteers

Volunteers in Action

Cooking With….

Info Board

What`s on in April

Workshops & More

Something missing? Send your contribution to Jessie Blijden: [email protected]

April 2013 Newsletter Happy St. Patricks Day

Newsletter Editor: Jessie Blijden

Send your input to

[email protected] by the 20th of every month

mailto:[email protected]


2 ACCESS for & by volunteers April 2013

ACCESS Departments

Executive Director Deborah Valentine [email protected]

PR/Marketing Event Management Roy Lie [email protected]

Office Manager Qin Cai [email protected]

Web Editor Sally Squirrell [email protected]

ADV - Advertising tba [email protected]

CSD – Computer Services John Pellet [email protected]

Cancerlink Aine Campbell [email protected]

CSN - Counseling Services Network Jo Hendry [email protected]

CEB – Baby courses Ally Coggar Sylvia Kiwanuka Bintou Keita [email protected]

FIN – Finance Patricia Axelrad [email protected]

CED – Community Education Christine Fischer [email protected]

IRD - Information Research Alda Ntezilizaza [email protected]

Communications Carina Hyllested [email protected]

THD – Helpdesk Emma Thomas [email protected]

E-zine Editor Connie Moser [email protected]

THD Training Larene Baumgarten [email protected]

ACCESS Guides Prije Moodley [email protected]

THD Zeestraat Coordinator Jo Hendry

[email protected] Relationship Management TBA [email protected]

THD Atrium Coordinator Annelies Ras [email protected]

Web-Master Monica Meier-Bahl [email protected]

VRD – Volunteer Resources Valentina Armini [email protected]

Social Media Matt Rees [email protected]

Volunteer Newsletter Editor Jessie Blijden [email protected]


























Editor`s Notes

Waiting for Spring: Virtuous Patience

I wish that my first words in this month’s newsletter were, “spring is here”!

but alas, even as I work on the final draft of this newsletter, I catch a glimpse of snow

flurries outside my window. This morning I read on the news that it has been coldest

March in 51 years and so as we learn patience while waiting for spring we can also

reflect on how life and nature sometimes throws us an unexpected curveball and how we

patiently need to see them through. Having patience is not often exercise in today’s

world of instant gratification; I wonder if we may have even forgotten how it’s done?

I remember being between 12 and 13 years old, and someone, at the sight of seeing

my first crush on a school mate, said “Those who wait, get the

best”. This has always stuck with me, not simply in the sense

of relationships but throughout my life I look at the times when

I made haste decisions or demanded instant gratification and the

results versus the times that I patiently waited on the

sidelines. I am without a doubt certain that the times I had

patience paid off more than the times without. And so that is my

hopes and wish for you, that you exercise patience with yourselves, with others and enjoy

the benefits and rewards that this brings.

And talking about patience, a year has almost flown by since I started editing this

newsletter, next Month May will be exactly 1 Year!. I will commemorate this by publishing

a special edition of the newsletter which will feature my vacation to Sweden, In which I

hope to bring back many tales and pictures for the May Newsletter. But I also want to

hear from you for the next newsletter and I would love to feature your vacations or

weekend trips in upcoming newsletters so write to me and tell me all about your vacation,

pictures and recipes. I really look forward to hearing your stories and adventures and

making the newsletter be more a part of you!

Happy Readings, and Be Kind to one another!

Jessie

Volunteer Newsletter Editor


Volunteer of the month

Congratulations to

Nuria Garcia Saorin

Nuria has made an extremely valuable contribution to the Zeestraat

Helpdesk. She is competent and highly experienced in dealing with

email and telephone queries. What's more, she has shown great

flexibility and commitment by swapping shifts to 'buddy' new

volunteers. Nuria is a warm and caring individual, and it has a been

a great pleasure to get to know her at ACCESS.

When I heard that Nuria was VOM, I simply had to also give my

input in her congratulations. I met Nuria at the Helpdesk as my

Buddy during my training, and in her I met a kind, gentle and

warm person, one whose volunteering exceeds the boundaries of

ACCESS. Those who know her will know the extent of her generosity

and I myself will forever be grateful for what she has meant in my

life, this award is more than deserved when it comes to Nuria.

Congratulations, all the best!!!

/Jo and Jessie/


Meet the Volunteers

Jo Hendry My name is Jo and I come from Cardiff in Wales. I moved to Den Haag in July 2012 when my husband's job with the International Baccalaureate was transferred here. We live In Zeeheldenkwartier, very close to the ACCESS offices at Zeestraat. I have been a volunteer at ACCESS since September. I began as a Helpdesk volunteer before becoming the Zeestraat Helpdesk Coordinator in December, and more recently the CSN (Counselling Service Network) Coordinator. Although I very much enjoy both roles, I was particularly pleased to become the CSN Coordinator as my background and training are in therapy. When I lived in Wales I was a Counsellor for a charity called 'Crossroads Care' which provides support to people with dementia and their families who cared for them. I also did a lot of fund-raising for the charity by running two marathons and cycling the length of Wales - but not all in one go! To make the most of my time in The Hague I am attempting to learn Dutch and (like many of you) looking for work. For the time being though, I am enjoying the experience of volunteering at ACCESS and getting to know so many people from different cultural backgrounds. When I'm not volunteering with ACCESS you'll most likely find me working out at the gym or relaxing with a good book. Now that I'm living in a flat country, I keep thinking I must take up running again, although I'm not ready for another marathon yet!

Larene Baumgarten

My name is Larene. I am from Brazil but have been living away from my home country since 2002. Between 2002 and until February 2012 I lived in London. During this period I had an opportunity to grow professionally in the Tourism and Hospitality industry. I have been working in this area since 1997 and my last 2 jobs in London I had the great pleasure of design bespoke itinerary for high end clients to any destination in Latin America…so if you decide to cross the Atlantic Ocean, I will be very happy to share my acknowledge with you. I moved to the Netherlands in February last year due my husband’s new job at SES. I started volunteering for ACCESS last June and after going through the quiet days at the Helpdesk during last summer, I got invited by Queenie to replace her as Training Coordinator and I had also joined the VRD team.Since last September, I have been taking this responsibility of training new volunteers. I really enjoy working in both departments because it’s a great way to meet the new volunteers from the start. Being a volunteer at ACCESS gave me the opportunity of developing new skills and also to work in different areas. Considering that my next country will be Germany, I am now using my free time to learn German. As Qin calls me ‘the flying bird’, I do love travelling and this picture was taken after my husband and & I climbed the Table Mountain in Cape Town last February. I also like meeting people, going to the gym and cycling around the city. Cooking and eating out are also part of my favourite hobbies.

Departmental News

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMET E-Zine Team Member(s) – What’s on and photo editor

We need help in sourcing and writing small attractive blurbs about events throughout the Netherlands for “the what’s on” section in our e-zine. To accompany the events we need a selection of images, not just ‘save as images’ from the web, but images in their original sizes and from their original sources. At the same time we of course need the permission to use these images and the details of how to credit the sources in the e-zine. You will also help in sourcing images and credits – same approach/procedure as above – for other e-zine content where writers haven’t provided sufficient visual material. You will be part of the editorial team and will report to the Editor, Connie Moser. Please contact Connie, [email protected], if you are interested or have any questions.

Project: Bicycling in the Netherlands

We are to update the page about cycling in the Netherlands on the website – to include some of the information from the old guide ‘Bicycling in the Netherlands’ that didn’t made it to the new FAQ Guide ‘Your first three months’.

Interested? Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

COMMUNITY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CED Internal Communication

One-on-one sessions with trainers to provide feedback. Contacts trainers to find out what they need to function and keep cohesion of group. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

CED External Communication

Facilitates brochure & online intranet distribution of trainer’s info with associated organisations. Cooperates with Communications Department.

Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Maintenance of Resource Lists

Creates lists of facilities, internet resources, and relevant information to help trainers manage their business. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Note: "Volunteers who apply for an open position must have completed the probationary month at the Helpdesk".











Departmental News

CEB

Bintou Keita, who's currently working at Helpdesk, has joined CEB team recently, and has started

training with Ally to prepare for the role of CEB Coordinator. Welcome Bintou, we wish you all the

best and all the fun in this new position.

CSN Jo Hendry, our Helpdesk Coordinator, has agreed to take on another new challenge to be the CSN Coordinator with immediate effect. She has been working alongside Qin and Jennifer the past few weeks to familiarise herself with the group members and all the procedures. Welcome Jo on board, we trust that the group will thrive with your help and support in future. We also thank Jennifer for her committed work and professionalism in the past year to put the group more visible to the public and also to our Helpdesk volunteers, and to make the group more connected, we wish her and her young family all the best in their relocation to Boston late this month. IRD

Mihai Balasel has joined IRD team recently, and he is covering Alda in her leave in March as the IRD

Substitute Manager, please contact Mihai at [email protected] for any assistance.

THIC team in Atrium

Two volunteers joined this team in March, Ingrid Leonard and Frans-Herman Cammel, welcome to you both.

THD Training Team

Magda Grigoryeva is the newest member of the team, enjoy the new adventure Magda :-)



Departmental News

VRD INFORMATION MORNING The next Information morning will be held on 8th April 2013. All potential volunteers must first contact VRD before attending the information morning. Enquiries about volunteering should be forwarded to [email protected] ACCESS EVENTS: Potluck Lunch April 25th Zeestraat Office Conference Room 12:45-14:45 ACCESS EVENTS: POT LUCK LUNCH

Pot Luck Lunch dates for 2013:

Thursday June 20th Thursday September 20th Thursday November 21st

@ Zeestraat 100 from 12:15 – 14:45



Your fellow Volunteers

JOIN ‘ACCESS VOLUNTEERS’ GROUP ON

A Facebook group for ACCESS volunteers has been created, it is called ‘ACCESS volunteers’, search for it (ACCESS in uppercase!) or use below link.

Please do join!

www.facebook.com/groups/308062515897693

WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO: Jennifer Frank Griet Bracks Yiwen Hubei We thank you for your time, energy and work, and we wish you best of luck

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Apr 2

nd Megha Panchariya

Apr 3rd

Jacqueline van Gent Apr 9

th Kathleen Sheridan

Apr 17th

Mihai Balasel Apr 18th Emma Thomas Apr 20th Niharika Joshi Apr 22nd Deborah Valentine Apr 27th Genoveva Geppaart WE WELCOME Ana Maria Napoleão Ingrid van Rhijn Kim Schurch Navad Mor Zoe Rizokosta David Rendall Jean-Baptiste Milon

ACCESS social media

http://www.facebook.com/groups/308062515897693


Volunteers in Action

UNIQUE MULTILINGUAL WORKSHOP On Monday 18 March, Unique Multilingual gave an opportunity to ACCESS volunteers to participate in the workshop on “How to find a job in The Netherlands”. This workshop provided us with information about finding jobs in The Netherlands, tips for CV improvement and how to write an effective cover letter. Along with that we got some information about how we should present ourselves during the interview. The workshop in itself was very interesting, informative and interactive. The ladies of Unique Multilingual told us in the beginning that they will not be the only ones talking; they wanted us to also participate by asking them questions. As the time passed, we asked a myriad of questions, which they answered perfectly and effectively. During the workshop we also tried to give a good answer to the interview questions that might be asked. We also received a list of interview questions to prepare for job interview. The ladies provided us contact detail in order to get in touch, or for someone who wants to register themselves with Multilingual office. At the end of the workshop, we finished off by asking some more questions and we thanked them for the wonderful workshop that they gave us. This workshop will be useful for ACCESS volunteers to help them prepare for job seeking in The Netherlands. /Ketnapa Duangpoommet & Niharika Joshi/


Cooking With

Larene`s Brazinlian Coconut delight

1 chopped onion

1 can of condensed milk

100grs of grated coconut

1 tbsp of unsalted butter

Extra grated coconut and clove for decoration

1. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and

stir until the sweet release and stay consistent background. If you are not sure about the consistency please put on the side a little bit of the mixture. Once it cools down, try to make a little ball with 2 fingers. If you can do it, please turn off the heat and pour the mixture in a light buttered plate.

2. Let cool, make balls and pass them in the coconut. I suggest that you use a little bit of butter in your hands before make the balls. If it gets too stick, please wash them and re-apply the butter.

3. I am sending enclosed a picture so you can see how to decorate your Brazilian coconut delights. The Brazilian name of this sweet is ‘Beijinho de Coco’ which means ‘Coconut little kiss’. Enjoy it!!!!

Easy kids friendly stir fry

2 chicken breast diced into small pieces

1 package of 3 colour paprikas

Broccoli heads

1 package of Mushroom

1 large sweet Onion

1 tbl cornstarch

¼ cup Ketchup

¼ cup Soy Sauce

2 Tbl rice vinegar

4 tbl olive oil (separated)

1. Heat 2 tbl olive oil in wok (or skillet) and stir fry all

chopped vegetable until they get a glossy look but still remain

crispy.

2. Remove vegetables from skillet and keep in a

separate bowl, cover with foil to keep warm. In the same

skillet heat 2 remaining spoons of olive oil and stir fry chicken

after seasoning with salt and pepper.

3. When Chicken is done add vegetables

4. In a separate bowl mix, soy sauce, corn starch,

ketchup and vinegar.

5. Add sauce to chicken and vegetables and sauté until

sauce becomes thick.

Orange Soufflé

2 Large Oranges

4 Eggs

60 gr butter

50 gr flour

25 cl Milk

124 gr powder sugar

A pinch of salt

1. Warm oven to 200 C

2. Wash both oranges and dry, grate the skin of 1 orange, cut

this orange in half and press the juice out.

3. Separate the egg whites from the yolk and keep separate.

Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until mixture

becomes stiff.

4. Melt butter in pan, add orange peel and flour and cook for

2 minutes. Add milk and stir for 5 min until mixture

becomes thick.

5. Remove pan from the fire and add sugar, pressed orange

juice, and egg yolks add the stiff egg white mixture all at

once. Mix everything carefully and slowly, divide mixture

into 4 buttered ramekins and bake for 15 minutes

6. While baking, slice the second orange into rings and cook in

sugar and a piece of butter

7. Take the soufflés out and place orange rings on puffed up

soufflés, serve immediately.


Info Board

US OLYMPIC WOMENS SOCCER On Tuesday April 9th at 7pm the US Olympic Womens Soccer (football) team will be in town to play the ADO Ladies Team. World champions vs Local Champions. Would be GREAT if we can get a large group of ACCESS volunteers to attend together - and it should be fun! We have 50 free tickets for the event. Transport would have to be arranged individually- and if more than 50 sign up, extra tickets can be offered at a discounted price of €7.50 (vs 10) for the 'reserved' area at ADO stadium. Friends and family are encouraged to attend of course, though free tickets are for our volunteers first. Ladies football is very appropriate for children vs men's league which can get out of hand: Please contact the VRD Department for sign up or further information.

INTERNATIONAL DAY: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THE HAUGE

This Year the International School The Hague will host it’s 3rd Annual International Day on April 20th from 12:00-16:00. The event is a splendid demonstration of the cultural diversity of the school and it is open to the local and expat community. The theme of this year’s International Day will be “travel around the world in 80 minutes”, with personal insider travel tips that will make you dream of visiting home countries of ISH students and the flag parade representing more than 80 nationalities gives you the feeling to be part of a true world community.

Free entry at the ISH The Hague Wijndaelerduin 1 2554 BX Den Haag The Netherlands


What’s on in April

JOHANNES VERMEER A large part of the paintings of Johannes Vermeer is dedicated to richly dressed women standing in a beautiful interior. What we don’t realise is that many of these paintings are about love. Vermeer was – as were many of his contemporaries - inspired by emblem books. In these books we see illustrated proverbs and sayings, all with a moralist message. Since we are no longer familiar with these sayings neither with their meaning, it is often suggested that there is a hidden meaning in these paintings of the Dutch Golden Age .During the lecture of Casa dell’Arte we explore themes such as ‘Romantic Love’ en ‘Paid Love’ to reveal the hidden meaning of the paintings of Johannes Vermeer. When: Wednesday 20:00-21:30 Where: Casa dell`Arte Nicolaistraat 29

IMAGINE FILM FESTIVAL This year's festival for fantasy, horror, thriller and science fiction films screens 70 feature and short films. It also includes the Night of Terror and master classes and Q&As with various guest film-makers. Among the films being screened are Mamoru Hosada's Wolf Children, a moving story of children who think they see weerwolves, and Jon Wright's Grabbers, a comedy horror about a bunch of Irish take on a monster with the help of lashings of alcohol. The programme Bollywood and Beyond ranges from the documentary Supermen of Malegaon in which two poor but determined men make a superhero film, to the family drama Rowdy Rathore. On April 15, the Canadian journalist Kier-La Janisse talks about her book House of Psychotic Women which she calls 'an autobiographical topography of female neurosis in horror and exploitation films'. A number of films will be screened as illustration of the theme, including Andrzej Zulawski's Possession (1981) with Isabelle Adjani. www.imaginefilmfestival.nl When: April 8-17 Where: Eye Film Institute, Amsterdam

TOP UK COMEDIAN PETE JOHANSSON IN THE HAGUE

In April comedian Pete Johansson will tour around the Netherlands with Greg Shapiro. Greg Shapiro – The American Netherlander – is known from Boom Chicago, Comedy Central and VARA HumorTV. For English-starved expats, Shapiro invites three times a year his favourite comedians from the US & UK to tour through the Netherlands with him. Pete Johansson is making a name for himself as one of the top comedians in the UK. From Canada, Johansson started his comedy career at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival and HBO’s Aspen Comedy Arts festival. He has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, CTV’s Comedy Now and CBS’s The Late Show with Craig Kilbourn. In 2009 his debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, “Naked Pictures of My Life”, was nominated for the prestigious Best Newcomer Award. This was followed by a 2010 nomination for Chortle’s Best Breakthrough Act award in the UK. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m376N_1IYQhttp://

Fee: € 16,50 When : April 15th 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM Where : Theater Branoul Den Haag

http://www.imaginefilmfestival.nl/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m376N_1IYQhttp://


What’s on in April

DISGRACE Toneelgroep Amsterdam performs Disgrace with English surtitles. JM Coetzee's Booker Prize-winning novel Disgrace is a parable about modern South Africa. When Professor Lurie is fired from his university post, he seeks refuge at his daughter's farm. One day, they are brutally attacked. Old and new worlds collide. It is directed by Luk Perceval and stars Gijs Scholten van Aschat. www.toneelgroepamsterdam.nl When: April 25th Where: Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam

THE REAL SHOOT EXPERIENCE- theme: INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE!

Hosted at the Famous International Club, den Haag, Netherlands. Our turn of the century theme combined with a team of amazing models, 18th century styling and make-up will give you the perfect chance to create beautiful images. Additionally, you will then be given the opportunity to submit your best photo from the day to be shared in our “Interview with a Vampire Exhibition and Video Premiere” taking place in May. Sign up now- Limited availability! We have space for only 8 photographers for this event so don’t delay to join our bi-annual event! For more details and sign up please visit http://meganalter.com/photo-workshop/. We are looking forward to work with you! When: April 14th 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Where: International Club, Javastraat 26 2585 AN The Hague

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST.JOHNS & ST.PHILIP in THE HAGUE 6th April 11.00-14.00: Second hand Book Fair in our Church Hall; Free entrance

13th April 20.00: Trombone Extravaganza III (baroque Trombone concert); Free entrance, donations gratefully received €15student/senior €10

27th April 17.00: Royal Choral Evensong (for enthronement of our new King Willem-Alexander); Church service

Ary van der Spuyweg 1, 2518RE Den Haag www.stjohn-stphilip.org

Thanks to Rohini for sourcing & collecting these special events!

http://www.toneelgroepamsterdam.nl/

http://www.stjohn-stphilip.org/


Workshops & More

FIRESIDE CHATS – FREE FOR ACCESS VOLUNTEERS IN 2013 WEEKLY DISCUSSION GROUP:

Thu, April 4th, 11 AM - 12 Noon ALSO Evenings from 19:00-20:00

Topic – In or Out? Discussing attitudes towards sexual orientation

Thu, April 11th, 11 AM - 12 Noon ALSO Evenings from 19:00-20:00

Topic – Difference: Learning to appreciate one`s cultural background

Thu, April 18th, 11 AM - 12 Noon ALSO Evenings from 19:00-20:00 Topic – Similarities: Learning to focus on similarities rather than differences

Thu, April 25th, 11 AM - 12 Noon ALSO Evenings from 19:00-20:00 Topic – Definitions: Learning the terms of diversity

Daytime discussion groups are done on Thursdays at Bagels and Beans, but also can be done on demand at alternate locations and Evening discussion groups are done on Thursdays at Valkenboskade 131, but also can be done on demand at alternate locations.

Fireside Workshops: € 35 per person

Workshop: Each meeting will focus on diversity issues that specifically affect expats and internationals. These

sessions are created to help groups. Whether the group is composed of members of a board room or sports

club, everyone benefits from learning ways of dealing with homesickness, stereotyping, difference, etc.

Workshops are done on demand and can be held at the ACCESS office or at alternate locations.

Topic - Homesickness - How to keep your identity when your home keeps changing

Topic - Packing your bags - Preparing for your trip home -(Reverse) culture shock.

Topic - Globalization is knocking, are you going to answer? - Workshop that focuses on helping people

become comfortable with talking about diversity issues.

FIRESIDE SEMINARS € 500 per person Seminars: A deep exploration of the pervasive influence diversity has on one’s own identity. Seminars can be done on demand and at alternate locations. Each seminar will focus on a particular piece of research/ literature in the diversity field. Seminars are done on demand and can be held at the ACCESS office or at alternate locations. This seminar explores the work: Understanding Race, Ethnicity, & Power. By Elaine Pinderhughes. Students are expected to order and purchase this item themselves. Delivery can take time so best to order this item at least two to three weeks in advance of the seminar.

/Christine Fischer/ www.fischersfiresidechats.com

http://www.fischersfiresidechats.com/


Workshops & More

Thank you to all the volunteers who made the April Newsletter possible, until next time!!!

April 2013 volunteer newsletter

Documents

Transcript of April 2013 volunteer newsletter