How PWN Netherlands is formed and operates as a community association

How about we change PWN from a non-profit into a money-making business? Or change the name from PWN Netherlands to PWN Randstad? Or stop holding an annual general meeting?

These aren't decisions that can just simply be made.

PWN Netherlands is governed by statutes of association which form the legal basis of how we operate.

And, as your Board, we feel it's important to be transparent in sharing this information.

Statutes of Association

The statutes of the association form the legal basis of PWN Netherlands and provide guardrails to what we are doing. They are a set of rules for the association which regulate the most stringent objectives and relevant topics.  

The statutes state that PWN Netherlands is an association with full legal rights (in Dutch: “vereniging met volledige rechtsbevoegdheid”), and not a commercial company.

Our objective is stated in there too - namely being a network for women and men in all industries aiming to unite us, and to support leadership development for our members through connecting, sharing, learning and supporting each other.

The statutes further regulate the details around membership, its length, how to join, and the possibility to terminate.

The statutes also provide clarity to the association's board members about their responsibilities in carrying out their respective position. And set terms that these representatives cannot act against those responsibilities or without a clear mandate by the association’s members.

The Board

The association would not function without a board representing it.

The board has to consist of at least 4, and a maximum of 6 individuals. The minimum positions of the association to be fulfilled are: president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and another person to be appointed by the general assembly (that's you, our registered members).

Currently, the board exists of the required 4 minimum positions as well as the position of VP Marketing. All such individuals are also registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce as the board of PWN Netherlands.

The board is determined by the general assembly which needs to be convened at least once per calendar year - this is our Annual General Meeting which is usually held in March/April. Topics during a general assembly can, for example, be the vote of a new board or a change to the statutes following a resolution of a 2/3 vote by the general assembly.

Thus, as a PWN Premium Member registered with PWN Netherlands you have a say in the association and may cast your vote.

If you have any particular questions about the legal structure and governance of PWN Netherlands, please contact Charlotte Heilmann (VP Legal) by email: secretary@pwnnetherlands.net