An event where board members, clubs, and volleyball professionals come together to share knowledge and gain new ideas. Four workshops on current topics in the volleyball world were held during the evening. Representing Sovicos were our chairman, Ronald, who attended the workshop on “Safety and Inclusion at Your Club”, and our Technical Affairs board member, Vincent Lugtenburg, who chose the workshop “Discussion on Open Registration and Mixed Teams/Competitions.” In this blog, Ronald shares his experiences and insights from the evening.
Which workshop did you attend, and why did you choose it?
Ronald attended the workshop on safety and inclusion because he believes it’s important for Sovicos to be a social club where everyone feels safe, welcome, and at home.
“I wanted to learn how we can do this even better,” he said.
How did the evening go, and what did you think of it?
Ronald described the evening as both interesting and educational.
“I gained a lot of new ideas for Sovicos, particularly about raising awareness and recognizing when someone feels uncomfortable. I learned how to make these issues discussable,” he explained.
The workshop provided practical tools to further improve and address social safety within the club.
What insights or ideas are you bringing back to Sovicos?
One key takeaway for Ronald is the importance of volunteers in creating a safe and inclusive environment.
“It would be good to have discussions about this—how we can work together to create an even more welcoming and safe club,” he noted.
He also realized that small actions can often have a significant impact.
What stood out most to you from the evening?
What resonated with Ronald the most was understanding how even small, well-meaning comments can have significant consequences.
“What stayed with me the most is the realization that even a small word, not intended to hurt, can still have a big impact,” he said.
How is Sovicos doing in the areas discussed during the workshops?
Regarding safety and inclusion, Ronald believes Sovicos is already performing very well.
“We can be proud of what we’ve achieved in recent years,” he said.
For example, Sovicos has long required a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) for all volunteers, a signed confidentiality agreement, two confidential contact persons, and a club-wide code of conduct. However, Ronald also feels there’s always room for improvement.
“You don’t have to be sick to get better,” he reflected, seeing this as an opportunity for continuous growth.
Why is it important for board members to attend events like this?
According to Ronald, it’s essential for board members to participate in events such as the Regional Café because it opens the club to new ideas and external perspectives.
“We don’t want Sovicos to be an isolated island. We want volunteers to think along with us and get involved,” he said.
He emphasized that the board actively seeks to collaborate and stay engaged in the club’s development.
Was there a moment when you thought, ‘This can be implemented at Sovicos immediately’?
Ronald sees a clear connection between the workshop and the team meetings held at the start of each season.
“We talk about the team’s ambitions during those meetings, but how great would it be to also discuss how we treat each other and other teams (including opponents)?”
He believes this could be a valuable addition to the conversations and help strengthen the sense of team spirit.
The insights Ronald gained during the Regional Café are valuable for Sovicos. While much has already been accomplished in terms of safety and inclusion, there’s always room for further improvement. As a club, we remain committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe. The ideas shared during the evening can certainly help Sovicos become even more inclusive and socially connected.
Do you have suggestions for how we can improve as a club? Feel free to share them with us via our suggestion box it’s also possible to submit anonymously.