Member of the Supervisory Board (Legal Profile)

About the Reading Foundation

Stichting Lezen in Amsterdam is a national organization dedicated to promoting reading, with approximately 30 employees. Its mission is to promote reading in the broadest sense of the word in both Dutch and Frisian (see also www.lezen.nl). In other words: Stichting Lezen provides a comprehensive, evidence-based, and effective approach to reading promotion for children and young people aged 0 to 20. The results of international comparative studies on reading proficiency and reading enjoyment among Dutch students lend this objective added urgency.

The Reading Foundation pursues its goals in three areas: as a knowledge center, as the national coordinator for reading promotion and literature education, and as a bridge between research and practice on the one hand, and the world of education and child-rearing on the other. As an institution within the Basic Infrastructure (BIS), Stichting Lezen receives a multi-year grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW). In addition, substantial additional funds have been allocated to Stichting Lezen from the education budget under the Master Plan for Basic Skills, earmarked for reading promotion in schools and childcare centers. In September 2023, Stichting Lezen submitted an application to the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science for the Master Plan for Basic Skills 2023-2024 Incentive Scheme and the following two school years. This application, totaling €74 million, has been granted to Stichting Lezen. In the coming years, Stichting Lezen will distribute these funds among the participating libraries, which will use them in schools and childcare centers within their service areas. This financial boost requires additional effort from the organization, particularly in Stichting Lezen’s coordinating and knowledge-transfer roles. Stichting Lezen is the knowledge and expertise center for reading promotion and literature education. It is committed to improving the reading environment and reading culture as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science’s overall reading and literature policy.

Management and Oversight

The management of the foundation has been entrusted to the executive director. A new executive director will take office on October 1, 2024.

The Supervisory Board is the highest supervisory, oversight, and advisory body of the Stichting Lezen Foundation. The Supervisory Board acts as the employer of the executive director and ensures that the executive director manages the Foundation in accordance with its mission.

The Supervisory Board:

• Through her expertise, knowledge, experience, professional network, and conduct, she makes a tangible contribution to the fulfillment of the foundation’s mission and objectives.
• She does this proactively in her role as a sparring partner and sounding board for the managing director.
• The Supervisory Board focuses on strategically essential issues and concentrates on the big picture.
• The Supervisory Board demonstrates a visible commitment to the organization and its stakeholders, while maintaining a focus on the human aspect.
• She actively gathers information that benefits the performance of her role and the Foundation.

The Supervisory Board’s procedures are set forth in a set of bylaws. Two committees operate within the Board: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Transparency, integrity, good relations, and a positive yet critical attitude are essential for the Board to collectively achieve its intended performance and goals. The Supervisory Board meets at least four times a year for a meeting prepared by the Executive Director. Stichting Lezen operates in accordance with the principles of the Governance Code for Culture.

General requirements for members of the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board is composed in such a way that its members can act independently and critically toward one another, the managing director, and any special interests.

All members of the Supervisory Board:

• share an affinity with the mission of the Stichting Lezen Foundation. They are actively involved in the cultural sector, particularly in the promotion of reading and literary education
• can serve as a sounding board for the managing director;
• are able and willing to promote the interests of the foundation by building connections with the community surrounding Stichting Lezen, as well as to represent the foundation externally when requested (by the executive director);
• have a good understanding of social and political dynamics;
• are able, including in terms of available time, to oversee the policies of the executive director, monitor the general course of business within the foundation, and provide the executive director with advice;
• can contribute critically and independently to the decision-making process within the Supervisory Board and have no conflicts of interest in doing so.

The Supervisory Board, as a whole:

Together, the members possess a relevant network and specific expertise and knowledge that contribute to the overall effort in the areas of:

• (local) politics / administration;
• reading promotion / literature education;
• book section / library;
• (new) media
• legal / an understanding of the formal aspects of organizational processes;
• the education sector;
• finance / risk management / reporting;
• entrepreneurial / commercial / sponsorship and fundraising;
• Employment / Management
• research.

Specific requirements for the member with a legal background

This paragraph:

• Has a relevant legal background;
• Possesses natural authority;
• Has an understanding of administrative and bureaucratic decision-making processes at the national level and demonstrates administrative sensitivity;
• Can think in terms of scenarios and understands the associated opportunities and risks;
• Possesses a certain level of social standing and experience appropriate to the role.

Appointment and Compensation

Appointments are for a term of four years, with the possibility of reappointment for one additional term. In accordance with Article 10, paragraph 13 of the Articles of Association, members serve on the Supervisory Board on a voluntary basis. A modest honorarium is available upon request, and members of the Supervisory Board are entitled to reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their duties.

The procedure

The Stichting Lezen is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for recruitment and selection. Sandra Lutchman, Esq., a senior partner at Colourful People, would be happy to provide you with more information about the organization, the position, and/or the application process. You can contact her via WhatsApp at 06 407 44 074.

Important dates:

• The deadline for responses is September 30, 2024.
• The interview with the selection committee is scheduled for October 18, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Stichting Lezen office.

Are you interested?

You can upload your resume and cover letter via the Colourful People website.

In accordance with the Cultural Governance Code, the Reading Foundation will ensure that the Supervisory Board to be appointed reflects the desired diversity. This includes a broad range of expertise, experience, and skills. In filling this role, the Supervisory Board is strongly committed to strengthening cultural diversity within the Board and therefore particularly invites individuals with a bicultural background to apply.