WIJ Council member

What does the WIJ council do?

WIJ Groningen has an advisory council/clients' council for, by and with residents, the WIJ Council. This council consists of a group of Groningen residents who discuss WIJ Groningen's services and support from the common interest of the residents WIJ Groningen supports. We do this by: picking up signals from residents, giving advice to the director and management of WIJ Groningen and thinking along in projects and policy within WIJ Groningen.

For WIJ Groningen, the WIJ council is an important discussion partner. An open dialogue is the basis for cooperation between the WIJ Council and WIJ Groningen. With the council's input, the organisation can improve or change things. For example, we talk to WIJ Groningen about the:

• quality of the support provided by WIJ Groningen.
• how WIJ Groningen deals with privacy.
• accessibility and reception at WIJ Groningen.
• how WIJ Groningen informs residents.
• changes in the objective and organisation of WIJ Groningen.
• the WIJ Council can give advice on request and raise issues itself

What do you do as a member of the WIJ Council?

About twice every six weeks, the WIJ Council meets on Tuesdays at 5.30pm at a WIJ location. We meet over a sandwich and soup. Stories from residents are brought to the meeting. On the basis of these, we map out whether WIJ Groningen's services match residents' wishes and needs. And if this is not the case, we try to find solutions together with WIJ Groningen. During the consultation meetings, we present our ideas, concerns, advice and vision to the director of WIJ Groningen.

As a member of the WE Council, you meet the following requirements:

• You are a resident of the municipality of Groningen.
• Preferably you have experience with WIJ Groningen support. Preferably yourself, but legal representatives, family members or informal carers can also respond.
• You represent the interests of all residents of the municipality who deal with WIJ Groningen.
• You see the difference between residents' interests, personal interests and the interests of WIJ Groningen.
• You can hold conversations and work well together in a team;
• You can listen well and act respectfully;
• You can handle confidential information;
• You are able to understand policy notes;
• You have enough time and energy to learn about developments and trends and WIJ Groningen's policy.
• You can hold meetings, prepare opinions and articulate a position.
• You are available for a continuous period of three years.
• You have room for the time investment of 4 to 6 hours per month.
• Specific expertise in a particular field is desirable (depending on the division of tasks within the WIJ council, for example knowledge of healthcare or education).