ACCESS Volunteer Newsletter March 2012

Inside Volunteer of the month ACCESS Departments News from the departments Message board Trainers’ Toast Know your fellow volunteers What’s on Something missing? Send your contribution to communications@access-‐nl.org

Newsletter March 2012

2 ⎜ ACCESS for & by volunteers ⎜ March 2012

Volunteer of the month

Congratulations to

Cornelia Manta

Cornelia has been working at Helpdesk, Office Administration Department and recently also joined the FAQ team. Cornelia is a kind and gentle individual, always ready to help with things - big or small. She is reliable and trustworthy, and she is always willing to take on new challenges and to learn new things. We enjoy her presence and her laughter in the office and also appreciate her kindness and helpfulness. Cornelia represents what ACCESS is all about - friendship which is built on professionalism and respect.

Thank you, congratulations and well done!


ACCESS Departments

Executive Director Deborah Valentine [email protected]

PR/Marketing Strategic Dev. & New Projects Lucy Bosscher stratdev@access-‐nl.org

Office Manager Qin Cai manager@access-‐nl.org

Event Management Roy Lie prd@access-‐nl.org

ADV -‐ Advertising Anthony Nthenge adv@access-‐nl.org

CSD – Computer Services John Pellet csd@access-‐nl.org

Cancerlink Aine Campbell [email protected]

CSN -‐ Counselling Services Network Jennifer Frank [email protected]

CEB – Baby courses Ally Cogger [email protected]

FIN – Finance Patricia Axelrad fin@access-‐nl.org

CED – Community Education Christine Fischer ced@access-‐nl.org

IRD -‐ Information Research Juliana Bernades (Alda Ntezilizaza) ird@access-‐nl.org

Communications Carina Hyllested communications@access-‐nl.org

THD – Helpdesk Tba (Nichola & Qin) thd@access-‐nl.org

Editor Lee Seabourne editor@access-‐nl.org

THD Training Queendolly Verhoeven [email protected]

ACCESS Guides Vandana Bhajanka [email protected]

THD Zeestraat Coordinator Nichola Donnelly [email protected]

Relationship Management Carina Hyllested fnd@access-‐nl.org

THD Atrium Coordinator Annelies Ras [email protected]

Website Sonia Nding Aidan Johnson Georgia Muirhead webmaster@access-‐nl.org

VRD – Volunteer Resources Roxanna Boon vrd@access-‐nl.org


News from the departments

THD – HELP DESK Job Hunting in the Netherlands workshop by Teresa Moynihan On 30th January 2012, Teresa Moynihan, one of our ACCESS trainers and a HR professional and certified Career Coach with over 20 years experience in The Netherlands, gave a special workshop 'Job Hunting in the Netherlands' exclusively to ACCESS volunteers. It was a great success, 17 volunteers took part. Teresa not only gave advices on topics like 'Where to Find the Jobs', 'Where to Get Started', but also on tips about how to improve CV, how to write the cover letter, how to improve interview skills, how to handle rejection. There were also interactive practices among the volunteers, which produced some lively discussions and exchange of ideas. Everyone left the workshop with a long list of Employment Agencies, Job related websites etc, but also much better equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to go out and start the challenge of looking for some employment in a fiercely competitive job market at present. In fact, the workshop proved such a success, that an hour after the workshop finished, many of the volunteers were still in the conference room chatting with Teresa. Guest speakers at the THD meeting of 7th February 2012: Mary Jane Roy, ' Creating Waves' Mary Jane Roy is a new ACCESS trainer and provided a very interesting presentation on the courses she offers for stress management. She considers her role to be a facilitator, teaching people how to control their emotions and practicing techniques that help with relaxation. The courses can be delivered either on a one-‐to-‐one basis, which generally involves approx. six appointments at 1-‐1.5 hours per session. The group sessions tend to run for around 10.5 hours over 2 appointments. There is also an opportunity for individuals to tailor the programme to their needs; for example, a simple introduction can be given rather than a person having to commit to an entire programme. Enquiries from clients should be directed to and further information can be obtained from www.creatingwaves.nu where a form can be compiled online. Mark Drenth, Social Media Mark Drenth is another new ACCESS trainer, who spoke about the computing and social media courses that he offers. Mark is an experienced computer trainer and management consultant, perceiving himself as a person that can bridge the gap between computer terminology and effective computer use by people. The courses he delivers provide the concepts of an ICT model in this workshop where individuals are trained to resolve computer issues or create better content. Courses include: Working with MS Windows • MAC for Mums • Kids Computer Club • Working with MS Office • Advanced Computer Use • Relaxed Computing • Benefits of Local Media • Online Savy • Why Do We Need Twitter • Photo Fun • Smart Phones and the Future • Digital Media • Kids and Computers Further information can be found on www.onyourmark.nl. There is also the facility to complete an online form regarding any course that is of interest.


Message Board

NISSAN PRIMERA P12 HATCHBACK FOR SALE I am moving to Singapore in April, and have this car for sale:

Nissan Primera P12 Hatchback Petrol, 5 gears manual, 90kW, 1769 ccm3 2003, 165,000 km, 5 doors, 6 airbags, ABS, ESP, pwr steering, air-‐condition, electric windows and side mirrors, parking camera rear (color), CD, hands-‐free and navigation setup, reserve full size wheel & tools , inclusive set of winter tires and snow chains, full service history. 4500 Euro or near offer Contact: Eva +31 681 966 004 /Eva Mala

HELP ME KICK START MY COACHING PRACTICE BY BEING A CLIENT Hi ACCESS Colleagues, The past two years have been a roller coaster ride. We moved back to Holland, moved house twice and then we spent a year renovating. The dust has finally settled, the coaching room is ready and I am eager to kick start my coaching practice again. I have just offered my former clients a special deal and it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps some of my ACCESS colleagues would like to take advantage of such an offer. I am offering 4 sessions of coaching for 20 euros per session. If any of you are interested then please drop me a line. I will have to limit the numbers to the first 5 who get in touch. Furthermore, I live in Haarlem but this isn’t a problem as you can come to me or we can meet on Skype or by telephone. To book your sessions email [email protected] or even better give me a call 06 5127669 /Jacinta Noonan


Message Board

WALCHOW DESIGN – CREATIVE ACCESS VOLUNTEER

During my free time, I love to design cards and bags. If you are looking for something special for yourself or a loved-‐one, this is the correct address for you. Handmade bags and cards are tailored according to your requirements. Although the word “tailor” might sound expensive, don’t worry this will not burn your pocket! You will be able to find cards for occasions such as birthday’s, invitations, New Home, Graduation, Halloween and gift bags/ boxes, gift cards etc. If you would like to see more of my work, please visit my blog at www.walchowdesign.blogspot.com or if you have any questions, you could drop me an email at [email protected] Here are some of my papercrafts works:

Mini paper gift handbag Halloween Gift Milk Box Interactive Any Occasion card

Any Occasion cards

And here are some bags which I designed myself:

/Lai-‐Yoke


Message Board

On the occasion of International Women’s Day

Consul General Julie A. Ruterbories

cordially invites you to a round table discussion on

Women’s Rights: Addressing Gender Based Violence

Thursday, March 8, 2012. 11:30 – 2:00 p.m.

U.S. Consulate General

Museumplein 19

1071 DJ Amsterdam

A light lunch will be served

The favor of a reply is requested via email

by March 2, 2012: [email protected]

We hope you can join us!


Trainers’ Toast

FIRESIDE CHATS – FREE FOR ACCESS VOLUNTEERS IN 2012 FIRESIDE CHATS DAYTIME € 10 per person Weekly Discussion Group: Each meeting will cover a new topic on diversity ranging from racial identity, ethnic identity, racism, gender, orientation, accessibility, to power issues and much more. Daytime discussion groups are done on Thursdays at Bagels and Beans, but also can be done on demand at alternate locations. • Apr 5, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – Can you see me Looking beyond labels • Apr 12, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – In or Out? Discussing attitudes towards sexual orientation • Apr 19, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – Difference: Learning to appreciate one’s own cultural background • Apr 26, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – Humanity: Raising awareness how labelling reduces people to one aspect of their identity • May 3, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – Similarities: Learning to focus on similarities rather than differences • May 10, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – Definitions: Learning the terms of diversity • May 17, 2012, 11 AM -‐ 12 Noon

Topic – First Impressions: How objective are you? FIRESIDE CHATS EVENING € 10 per person Weekly Discussion Group: Each meeting will cover a new topic on diversity ranging from racial identity, ethnic identity, racism, gender, orientation, accessibility, to power issues and much more. Evening discussion groups are done on Thursdays at Valkenboskade 131, but also can be done on demand at alternate locations. • Mar 1, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Order – How is the world ordered? • Mar 8, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic -‐ Challenge the “ism” • Mar 15, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Take a look at this – Challenging discrimination based on appearance • Mar 22, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – What is Normal?: Learn to question the ‘norm’ • Mar 29, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – How old are you? Confronting age bias in daily life


Trainers’ Toast

Continued…

• Apr 5, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Can you see me Looking beyond labels • Apr 12, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – In or Out? Discussing attitudes towards sexual orientation • Apr 19, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Difference: Learning to appreciate one’s own cultural background • Apr 26, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Humanity: Raising awareness how labelling reduces people to one aspect of their identity • May 3, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Similarities: Learning to focus on similarities rather than differences • May 10, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – Definitions: Learning the terms of diversity • May 17, 2012, 7 -‐ 8 PM

Topic – First Impressions: How objective are you? 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 -‐ Globalisation is knocking, are you going to answer? -‐ Workshop that focuses on helping

people become comfortable with talking about diversity issues. FIRESIDE SEMINARS € 280 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 -‐ www.fischersfiresidechats.com


Trainers’ Toast

ART AND ETIQUETTE FOR CHILDREN (GROUP 7 -‐ 8, AGE 10 -‐ 12) Course type This program provides a comprehensive coverage of aspects of decorum such as art

and etiquette Date/time For six weeks

This program will be continued throughout 2012, pls call for dates Location Christus Triomfator Church

Juliana van Stolberglaan 154 The Hague

Cost E 250 (inclusive material, student will take home own canvas) Trainer name Marjolein van der Sluis (English speaking instructor) Trainer details www.vandersluis.com Registration Please email [email protected] or phone 06-‐52190872 Description • Student will be introduced to the world of art and etiquette in a playful

educational manner and learn to enjoy art and social skills. Student will learn the basics of painting and basics of etiquette

• Dutch art-‐ hidden treasures in The Hague (student will learn basic paint techniques of the old masters as well)

• Dutch kitchen • Etiquette • French cuisine • Mom as model (painting class) • High tea and little exhibition of work (to take home)

OIL PAINTING AND FRESCO TECHNIQUES FOR ADULTS Course type Painting techniques Date/time Ongoing, pls call 06 52190872 to schedule at your own convenience or email

[email protected] Venue Private classes in the convenience of your own home or at artist’s studio Location Laan van Meerdervoort 52e, The Hague Cost Please call 06 52190872 or email Marjolein at [email protected] Trainer name Marjolein van der Sluis Trainer details www.vandersluis.com Registration Please email [email protected] or phone 06-‐52190872 Description Learn how to develop your own style of painting in oil, learn the fresco techniques

of the renaissance masters. After finishing these classes you will be able to make a composition, underpainting, use build-‐up technique (layering process) and finish the painting. Overcome fear of the empty canvas!

/Marjolein J. van der Sluis


Trainers’ Toast

WHAT DOES THE HAVE TO DO WITH ACHIEVING YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT? March 10th from 13:00 to 15:00 March 13th from 20:00 to 22:00 Het Coachhuis, Raamweg 4, The Hague Introducing ‘Big on the Inside’ by Jacinta Noonan and ‘Mind your Stress’ by Mary Jane Roy. This is a two hour presentation providing insights, information, and tips for those wishing to achieve emotional balance and eliminate emotional eating. Big on the Inside is the name Jacinta has given for the paradoxical twist many experience -‐ feeling small on the inside while feeling big on the outside. It’s often the missing or ignored link in the battle to lose weight. In her one hour session, you will learn why diets are not the answer and what to do instead. You will discover that developing and nurturing yourself on the inside, has a direct effect on what happens to you on the outside. In her Mind your Stress presentation, Mary Jane will share with you tips and information about what stress is, how it affects us, and how to recognise the triggers, which set the stress cycle in motion. It will be an information packed one hour session in which she will also share a simple technique you can use anywhere, anyplace to transform your stress reaction into a supportive emotion. The fee for this 2 hour presentation is €20 inclusive VAT, coffee and tea, and a summary of both presentations. Register at [email protected] Visit http://www.creatingwaves.nu/index.php/coaching/82


Trainers’ Toast

DUTCHESSA – NEW DUTCH LANGUAGE ACCESS TRAINER

Dear ACCESS colleagues,

My name is Amina Abdelmoula. It is with great pleasure that I became the new ACCESS Dutch trainer recently. I’m a people’s person and I love the intricacies, nuances and playfulness of language. Combine the two ingredients and you end up with a language teacher, me, Dutchessa!

I would like to share some information about Dutchessa and my teaching philosophy with you.

THE DUTCHESSA METHOD

Classes are kept small to maximize each learner’s opportunity to participate and receive personalized guidance, while practicing everyday situations makes the Dutch grammar easy to learn and simulate.

Some things, like grammar you have to learn from a book. In this, Dutchessa is no different from other language teaching labs. But when it comes to learning how to use the words, Dutchessa brings a new dimension to the concept of ‘classroom’. Your classroom can be anywhere, in a shop, restaurant, café or just having a cozy chat by a fireside (all in Dutch of course!). This highly interactive learning experience means you learn how to use the words in the environment in which you will be using them in the future. This makes it easier for you to remember the words by being able to connect them to situations, and by experiencing events, which will help you, pick the right words at the right time!

I have a team of teachers who share my philosophy about teaching. They are friendly, dedicated and dynamic. We treat each student as an individual thus ensuring that our students get personalized guidance. All of my team members are experienced teachers of Dutch. Please feel free to contact me if you want more information or just for a personal introduction. I hope to meet all of you in the near future. Kind regards, Amina Abdelmoula Dutchessa Haagsche Bluf 17 2511 CN Den Haag +31 6 81772950 [email protected] www.dutchessa.com www.facebook.com/dutchessa


Know your fellow volunteers

A C C E S S D R I N K S TUESDAY 20 MARCH

17:00 – 19:00 @

HET HEDEN, NOORDEINDE 148

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

WELCOME TO: Best Mercy Aketch Gulce Isoglu James Webber Marian Hartzema Roland James Stockton Geetha Rajasimha Hafizh Atfin Giorgia Murihead

WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO: Jiselli Simao Audrey Dickinson Fatirah Sabil Irene Musvipa We thank you for your time, energy and work, and we wish you best of luck

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 8th Nelofer Eachiampatti

Mohamed Ali 11th Amanda Van Mulligen 13th Namure Akpengbe 14th Elizabeth (Aine) Campbell 16th Bozena Pajek 18th Gillian House 24th Amee Shukla 27th Lucy Bosscher Fazilova 30th Maggie Thompson

ACCESS social media


What’s on

You can also read about March events in the ACCESS E-‐zine: Shen Yun performing arts, TEFAF Maastricht, Movies that matter Festival, Cirque du Soleil & Warhol’s World. Until 4 March, 15:00 CONTEMPORARY ‘SWAN LAKE’ AT FOKKER TERMINAL – MAGAZINE? A contemporary version of the ballet ‘Swan Lake' called 'Swanlake, Siegfried and Odette’ will be performed to live music at the Fokker Terminal in The Hague. € 28.00 per person (some discounts apply) and € 52.50 with dinner. Fokker Terminal, The Hague www.zwanenmeer.nu. Until 14 March JOEL STERNFELD: COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS The first exhibition in the Netherlands of the work of the New York photographer Joel Sternfeld (1944), one of the pioneers of colour photography. It features hundreds of photos from ten different series from the 1970s, such as American Prospects made during a journey through the United States. The constant factor in his work is America and her people and the traces they leave in the landscape. Foam, Amsterdam www.foam.org 1 -‐ 8 March 8 MARCH FESTIVAL From 1 to 8 March female emancipation and empowerment will take centre stage during the 8 March Festival. It’s an exciting week filled with culture, networking and inspiring stories. The 8 March Festival marks the 8th of March, which is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is ‘Male Emancipation'. www.8maartfestival.nl/home 2 & 4 March ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC MATINEE Conductor Robin Ticciati and violinist Christian Tetzlaff, both young and highly-‐praised, appear together to perform Beethoven's violin concerto. Also on the programme are works by Ligeti and Haydn. Jaap van Zweden conducts Mahler's fifth symphony and Wagner's overture to Lohengrin. De Doelen, Rotterdam www.rpho.nl


What’s on

3 March, 19:30 -‐ Midnight NOORDEINDE NOCTURNE You are invited to this special evening on Noordeinde where you will be swept away by the musical sounds produced by a variety of musicians. Come and enjoy a nice glass of wine. The event begins at 19.30 hrs. and lasts until midnight. The art galleries on the Noordeinde will be open from 19.30 until 22.30 hrs. www.hetnoordeinde.nl 6 March WOMEN DESIGNERS OF THE ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT Art historian Sally Hoban talks about the women designers who played an important part in the English Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th century. The names of the male designers such as William Morris and Edward Burne-‐Jones are well-‐known. Sally Hoban examines the contributions of women such as Jan and May Morris, Evelyn de Morgan and Georgina Gaskin, as well as recently rediscovered regional designers working in enamels, jewellery, textiles and painting. Decorative and Fine Arts Society, The Hague www.dfas.nl 6 – 11 March HISWA – BOAT SHOW The annual boat show presents hundreds of boats and thousands of nautical accessories. There is a DIY pavilion for maintenance and a series of fashion shows. A water fun zone offers demonstrations by professional sailors and canoeists. RAI, Amsterdam www.hiswarai.nl 7 – 25 March BLUES BEFORE SUNRISE The British artist and film director Steve McQueen was invited by the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam to come up with an idea to enhance the visibility of the museum in the run up to its reopening in September. The result is Blues Before Sunrise, an ambitious intervention by Steve McQueen that will take place in Amsterdam’s largest public park, the Vondelpark. For two weeks, all 275 streetlamps in the park will emit blue light instead of white; vividly transforming the night time experience of Amsterdam’s most well known urban ‘green space’. Vondelpark, Amsterdam www.stedelijk.nl/en


What’s on

8 March DEBORAH SCROGGINS; WANTED WOMEN Journalist Deborah Scroggins talks about her book Wanted Women, in which she looks at militant Islam, Muslim women's rights and the war on terror through the stories of two women on opposite sides: activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali and religious extremist Aafi Siddiqui. West Indisch Huis, Amsterdam www.john-adams.nl 10 – 11 March TATTOO CONVENTION Check out the latest designs and techniques, and admire the tattoos on display in the various competitions. Ahoy, Rotterdam www.ahoy.nl 11 March CITY-‐PIER-‐CITY RUN Attracting around 18,000 participants annually, City-‐Pier-‐City Loop is an international half-‐marathon held in The Hague. It begins in the city centre, heads out to the pier at the coastal resort of Scheveningen and back to the starting point. The day also includes a 10km fun run and other recreational walking and running events of various distances. www.cpcloopdenhaag.nl 16 – 18 March FOOD FILM FESTIVAL Following the success of the first edition, this festival featuring around 20 films and documentaries about food returns. This year the focus is on films from Brazil, Africa and Asia showing the life of farmers and factory workers and the power of large food processors. There are also workshops and debates, and the venue also offers a restaurant during the three days of the festival. StudioK, Amsterdam www.foodfilmfestival.nl


What’s on

19 March TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON A number of Dutch singers pay tribute to Whitney Houston, who died suddenly on February 11, by singing her best-‐known songs. Among them are Trijntje Oosterhuis, Edsilia Rombley and Glennis Grace. Melkweg, Amsterdam, March 19. www.melkweg.nl 24 March, 14:00 – 18:00 EXPATICA’S EXPAT EDUCATION FAIR Expatica's Expat Education Fair offers free resources, information and networking opportunities to internationals living in the Netherlands...all under one roof and in one day. Entrance is FREE when you order your tickets online: www.expatica.com/NL_educationfair/getticket.php Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam www.access-nl.org/living-in-the-netherlands/lifestyle/events/expatica-expat-education-fair.aspx 24 March CITY BALL IN CITY HALL The Atrium of City Hall will be transformed into the largest dance hall of The Hague for the City Ball; an evening full of live music and dance demonstrations. Dance-‐loving residents of The Hague can expect an evening programme with DJs, live musicians, a dance competition, workshops and spectacular dance demonstrations. The rhythms of ballroom, salsa and Argentine tango will sweep you off your feet. The City Ball is the big event for everyone who is crazy about dancing – from the European champions in salsa to total beginners looking to take a crash course. Last year’s ball was completely sold out. Tickets for this evening cost €15 in advance and can be purchased via the City Ball’s website. Tickets at the door cost €20 City hall, The Hague www.stadsbal.nl/default.asp?content_id=20 28 March – 1 April HOLLAND ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL Over 1300 international entries ranging from short films to applied animation such as commercials and leaders compete for various awards in several categories, including web and game animation. As well as the screenings, there are also lectures, workshops, talk shows and a number of special programmes. Various locations, Utrecht www.haff.nl/en Thanks to Rohini Patil for sourcing & collecting these special events!

Documents

ACCESS Volunteer Newsletter March 2012