Erik van Boheemen
A hobby that got out of hand
Pride. That's the first word Erik van Boheemen says in this conversation. Not proud of himself as president of the Water Neighborhood Association. But of all those people who are actively involved in the activities in community center 'Het Anker'. A building hidden away in the middle of the Waterbuurt in Meerzicht. It is the hub of the neighborhood with 520 houses. Over 300 of them are members of the association who pay 15 euros a year each for this.
Almost every day there is something to do here. Coffee mornings, bridge, English classes and theme meetings. Or the mysterious "We go for it," a meeting afternoon for single elderly people on Thursday afternoons. Organized by volunteers with a big heart.
"Volunteers, that's what it runs on," according to Erik. "Besides the indispensable bar staff, there are also several working groups active. One group, for example, deals with activities in the community center. Another focuses on youth. And a third organizes events such as neighborhood day, women's day or the summer festival. And there is always something of food and drink involved. Because without that, it's hopeless!"
Erik himself has had a long career as a volunteer. First as a board member, secretary and since 2021 as chairman. In addition to his job, he volunteers about 20 hours a week for the community center. "Service is a word that suits me. And I enjoy organizing. Call it a hobby that got out of hand. Ideally, I would actually give cooking workshops, but unfortunately I don't get around to that due to lack of time."
The efforts of all the volunteers make for a nice living environment in the neighborhood. Not only because, for example, people come together every week to play bridge. But also because people talk to each other about things they need help with. And where possible people help each other. Or people are put on the right track of agencies that can offer help. This network works and is highly appreciated.
It also happens that people in the neighborhood feel that the community center "should" organize certain things. "I have known for a long time how to control myself very well with that kind of question. I then try to spin it in such a way that we are quite willing to support, but that people will have to organize it themselves. The possibilities are not endless."
Erik is positive about the cooperation with the municipality. It pays the rent for the building, which allows the costs for visitors to remain low. The association also makes regular use of the subsidy pot Wijk aan Zet. In addition to membership fees and visitor contributions, this way it is all still feasible and affordable. "I would love to cooperate with other associations in Meerzicht or beyond. But in my experience, many of those other clubs have the idea that the municipality only imposes restrictions. That's not my experience. There are plenty of goals where we and the municipality find each other."
