An external confidant for associations

Appointing a confidential advisor is very important for associations. This way, you create a protocol in case of undesirable behaviour. In addition, it is also nice for members to be able to speak to someone confidentially when needed. In this article, we will discuss why it is very important for associations to have a confidant.

What does an external confidential advisor do for associations?

A confidant plays a role in addressing undesirable behaviour within an association. Undesirable behaviour includes issues such as bullying, (sexual) harassment, aggression and violence and integrity. Volunteers or members can confide in a confidant. This person can offer a listening ear and help think of possible solutions. A confidant for associations is responsible for the initial intake and reception. A member or volunteer discusses possible next steps with the confidant, and is supported during this process. In some cases, the member simply wants to express his or her feelings and no concrete action is needed. The role of the confidant is mainly to guide volunteers or members in their reporting process. They ensure that the reporter remains in control and makes his or her own decisions about the follow-up process. The conversation between the member and the confidant is confidential. Read here more on the role of a trustee.

Importance of external trustee for associations

We just mentioned it briefly, but a protocol for undesirable behaviour at an association is very important and is becoming increasingly important. It is crucial that you can protect your members from unpleasant situations at the association. Appointing an external confidential advisor helps prevent undesirable behaviour within your association. It provides assurance that if a problem arises at the association, your members know where to turn. This de-escalates any conflicts and contributes to a better atmosphere at the association. Your members and/or volunteers deserve to be protected in case of undesirable behaviour at the association. Offer them this protection by appointing an external confidential advisor from Bureau Punt Uit. More information on this can be found at here.

Benefits external trustee for associations

An external confidential advisor is available to your members and/or volunteers. They have someone to talk to, without needing permission from the board. This ensures that members feel comfortable sharing their concerns in a confidential setting. It also lowers the barrier to entering into a confidential conversation. The aim of these conversations is to address and resolve undesirable behaviour. An external confidant for associations has a de-escalating effect when undesirable behaviour occurs.

Disadvantage internal trustee for associations

An internal confidential advisor is a member of an association who is trained and certified to act as a confidential advisor in addition to their regular duties. This means that he/she is available to confidentially advise and support their fellow volunteer within the association. Internal confidants have the advantage of knowing the association and being able to spot problems early, making them more accessible and approachable for colleagues. However, this close relationship with the association can also create challenges.

It may be more difficult for members to discuss sensitive information with someone they know. This may make it difficult for the internal confidant to remain objective. There is also the risk of a conflict of interest between the role of the confidant and other duties within the association, which could lead to the neglect of one or both roles. In addition, training a volunteer as a confidential counsellor can be time-consuming and costly, and there is a chance that the internal confidential counsellor will leave the association, requiring additional investment in training a new member.

Benefit of external confidential advisor for association

An external confidential advisor is not directly linked to the association, which guarantees an independent and objective view. Unlike an internal confidential counsellor, the association does not have to invest in training and refresher courses to keep its knowledge up to date. This saves you time and money. Thus, with an external confidential counsellor, you can always rely on professional and up-to-date help. Read here more on the pros and cons of external trustee.

Free consultation

Our confidants can be reached in many different ways. For example, a physical or online appointment can be scheduled directly with a confidant via the calendar on praatuit.nl. We also offer the possibility of a free consultation hour for your members with a confidant. Suppose your employee is struggling with something, but is unsure whether consulting a confidant is necessary. In that case, the consultation hour is a perfect solution. If it turns out that further support is needed, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled. This also prevents unnecessary use of an external confidential counsellor, saving the association costs.

Contact for an external confidential counsellor

We offer a membership programme designed specifically for associations. This membership ensures your compliance with current legislation and provides 24/7 access to an external trustee. By joining our programme, you can rest assured that you will receive high-quality support at an affordable price. If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate here To contact us.

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