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The re-election for the Director of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Region XI (outside North America) which includes Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Israel, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales) is open today!

The two candidates, who both hail from the Netherlands are Hans Rijs, municipal clerk in the city of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk and Leendert Groenenboom – better known as Eelco, who is clerk to the village of Albrandswaard.

The candidate statements are as follows:

Hans Rijs, MMC
Municipal Clerk
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, the Netherlands
Candidate for Region XI

My name is Hans Rijs and I am 51 years old. I began working as a Clerk in 2003 and for the past ten years, I have worked as a Municipal Clerk in the city of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk in the Netherlands. I am an active VVG board member focusing on the organisation of conferences, ICT development, sponsorship and communication.

In October 2020, I was elected as Director of Region XI. During this time, I have collaborated with members to strengthen ties within Region XI and focused on the exchange of information and development of a global working community. I organised the Community Governance student field trip for SLCC in the Netherlands which promoted career progression and provided invaluable experiences to SLCC members. Together with my colleague Sarah Jeffries, I am developing strategies to provide members with greater access to worldwide study programs, we were already able to support IMASA in South Africa and there is more to come.

I am running for re-election so that I can continue to promote international collaboration between Region XI and the other regions. IIMC members have a great wealth of knowledge and experience and there is so much we can learn from each other.

Eelco Groenenboom, MMC
City Clerk
Albrandswaard, The Netherlands
Candidate for Region XI

My name is Eelco (Leendert) Groenenboom. I’m the Clerk of the village of Albrandswaard. Since my first IIMC Annual Conference in 2013, I have been involved in practicing the mission of IIMC; continuing personal growth of Clerks worldwide by education! I train Clerks and have been sharing my experiences internationally, for example, during the three European IIMC Symposia and in many committees.

Although I didn’t win the last election, I’m stepping up for the position again for the following reasons:

1. As Clerk I believe in democracy and elections! A position may never be for granted. So, when there is an election there should be more than one candidate.
2. I lost the last election by only 30 votes; 86 of the 202 voters had faith in me. I can’t let them down.
3. Many of you encouraged me to stand up again because you believe, just like me, that I’m the right person for this position.

As your Director, I want more of you to get involved with the mission of IIMC in our Region, but also worldwide. More of you should be able to join international conferences and Symposia.

Look at www.iimcrd11.com for more reasons to vote for me!