Opinions and factsheet member participation + Input form - withdraw at GroenLinks?

On Monday 4 and Friday 8 December, we are organising a member participation event related to the DWARS premises. The current situation indicates that space will become available on the GroenLinks floor from 1 January 2025, due to one of the current subsidiary bodies leaving. GroenLinks offers us the possibility of 'living together' on this floor, where we would have our own lockable space. Financially this is advantageous, but it also raises the question of whether we want to be so close to GroenLinks in principle and share together in one building. In order to make an informed choice, we would like to talk to you. In preparation for our two public participation evenings (online and physical) you can read up on the current situation below. 

Fact sheet

Current situation

We currently pay €31,480 in recharged costs to GroenLinks. This means that GroenLinks pays for rent and maintenance costs for everyone and we pay part of it. We make agreements with GroenLinks about this. Of that, 19,219 euros is the direct rent and 12,261 is the housing costs, which we pay anyway.

What if we stay here

The rent of our mezzanine comes entirely from DWARS. As a result, we pay 45,500 in entresol rent. Added to this are the maintenance costs, which we are also paying now. This increases the total cost for DWARS by €26,273. Fortunately, there is also a windfall: GroenLinks has offered to pay us the renovation costs they would incur if DWARS moved in if we stayed on the mezzanine. This amounts to 60,000 euros, spread over five years. Subtracting this 12,000 euros a year from the higher rent costs, we arrive at 14,273. So this would leave us paying more annually than we do now, which would force the board to make cuts for next year if these options are chosen.

Going upstairs

This is the most attractive option financially. Costs for GroenLinks and the ancillary institutions go up because one of the ancillary institutions is leaving. Meanwhile, DWARS saves on rent costs because the Entresol is no longer rented and because we pay part of the rent of the fifth floor. Percentage-wise, the ratio between GroenLinks and DWARS remains the same. At the bottom line, under this option, DWARS comes out with a saving of €1,000 compared to the first budgeted amount.

Advice Country Board

The issue before us is, in our view, a complex one. As it is a matter of principle, we do not take a very active stance on this issue. Nevertheless, we are happy to give you our advice. Financially, this is the best option, as we see little point in cutting important DWARS expenses, such as conferences, long trips and other activities. We do see the objection in principle that some independence will be lost with the move up, and we should start working on clear rules with GroenLinks. But this remains a recommendation, and we are open to your feedback and comments! We will use member input this evening to further shape our stance.

Advisory Council (BoA)

The board has asked us for advice on housing for DWARS. They have asked us two questions. We will answer these below.

What is the best way of involving members in this decision?

Housing is an issue that affects DWARS association-wide. The building is where committees meet and members meet, among other things. The National Board spends most of its time on the premises and it is important that they have a nice place to work.The Advisory Board (hereafter: BoA) is in favour of members' participation evenings. In this way, members can discuss their ideas on the housing issue with the Board to communicate their concerns, wishes and preferences. It is important for members to know that while their opinions are valued, there are many complex factors involved in the choice to be made. The GoA therefore believes it is important that while members are given the opportunity to have their voices heard, the National Board also carefully informs members about the decision-making process and the choices they make therein. The BoA values that the board listens to members' voices. At the same time, we recognise that the situation may arise where the board has to take a decision that is not in line with members' preferences. This can occur when there is a clear preference from the members, but practical and financial concerns make it difficult to choose this option. By engaging with members on the considerations, opinions and choices, the GoA believes that the National Board not only embraces the principles of member democracy in our association, but is also willing to take responsibility when taking difficult decisions, even when they go against members' preferences.

What do you guys think between, on the one hand, higher costs for the property to stay and, on the other hand, lower costs but a downside to moving in at GroenLinks?

Based on the information received so far, the BoA makes the following assessment. It is going to cost a lot of money to stay on our own floor. It is valuable to have this private space. But certainly if we want to stay here beyond 2025, there will be financial implications. We will then have to cut back on other, valuable parts of the association such as congresses or campaigns. Furthermore, we have shared premises with GroenLinks before. This was not an ideal situation, but did not cause any major problems either. Important to note here is that DWARS can of course continue to use the meeting rooms on the GroenLinks floor. These rooms will also usually be sufficiently available in the evenings.In our view, moving in at GroenLinks has fewer disadvantages than staying on the mezzanine floor. This allows the money to be invested in other parts of the association. An important condition for moving in is for GroenLinks to make a commitment in black and white that DWARS will get a locked room on the GroenLinks premises, so that there is at least a locked room where the National Board can work during the day and hold board meetings. In doing so, the BoA also wants to convey to the board that it must be ensured that there is sufficient space for DWARS and DWARS itself remains in control of its own space.