Of course, our young association already has a history, it was not founded in a day. At the beginning of this rather successful association, we had no idea what to expect, where we would be today and what we would achieve.
Beer in Groningen
Many ideas arise in the pub, including the idea of starting a study association for our academy. The possibilities had already been looked into within our academy, but it never actually materialised. After a few beers in the Ome Ko we brainstormed a bit about what a study association could look like, why a study association would add value and why we should be the ones to set it up.
Amsterdam
Of course, we didn't know the answers to those questions the next day, if we ever knew those answers at all. From then on, however, we did start looking for the answer to who ‘we’ were then. We got the answer to that question on 1 April, on a day full of jokes in Groningen, on a terrace in Amsterdam. You read it correctly; in Amsterdam. On 1 April, ‘we’ went to the Netherlands v Macedonia match in the ArenA. In the afternoon on the terrace, we decided we were going to do it, ‘we’ were going to found the new physiotherapy study association. And ‘we’ became Davy, Daniëlle, Jelte and Roland.
Assembly
After another few evenings in the café brainstorming, it was high time we took the first serious steps. Of course, we did not know what we were getting into, but it was clear that we needed a 5th board member and that this had to be a woman, to bring back the hormonal balance. On 27 May was the first official executive board meeting which had 3 agenda items:
- Recruitment of new board member
- Interview team leader
- Filling out study association
Pretty essential points for the association...
Within the interpretation, it was thought at the time that a newspaper and an activities committee should be set up, all other options were still open. Furthermore, at that time, quoted from the minutes of this first executive board meeting, ‘we estimate the total number of members (tentatively) at 250.’
Fifth member
The second week of June saw the applications for the new board member, in which we started with a fun evening of pool. The next day came the more serious questions in which Ralph Lases assisted us. We were like a boat on the ocean, we knew which way we wanted to go, but which course we would take we did not yet know (a metaphor very often used within the board, especially by Davy). So the, in all probability, decisive advice came from Ralph, who coincidentally used the same metaphor: ‘You need an anchor’. And an anchor we found.
'We'
With Dieuwke Knoll on board, we could then set to work on convincing the Academy of our plans, starting with the Physiotherapy team leaders. We started working on a Plan of Action, which was completed and handed to the team leaders on 24 June. The plan was 21 pages long, we had come up with eight committees and a budget of 8,000 euros. On 2 July, we got the green light from the team leaders and soon after from the Dean. The first really big step had been taken, the ship was going ashore.
Fysiek
Meanwhile, beautiful posters were hanging in the school, aiming to find the perfect name for the new association. Out of all the brilliant entries, such as Anatomitas, Bitrify and PhysioFockers, the final name had to be chosen. Together, we sat at Davy's house and called parents, friends and acquaintances to help us with this tough decision. The knot was tied and it became Vicky Schoch's entry; Fysiek.
Statutes
After much preparatory work, the summer holidays arrived which we all desperately needed. However, there were still important matters to be settled, such as making the association legally valid. The statutes were drawn up 480 km south of Groningen at a campsite on the border of Luxembourg and Germany. This is where Davy and Roland were on holiday for a week and they worked on the statutes on the terrace in the sun, while enjoying a beer. All sorts of camping guests marvelled at the expensive terms being thrown around, but on the night of 7 August the work was completed.
The bylaws were mailed to the notary for revision and were amended several times. Once Davy and Roland were back in the Netherlands, the three gentlemen, neatly dressed in suits, headed for the notary on 12 August. We left in the morning in the red Nissan Micra, a four-speed bolide, and drove enthusiastically at a good 110 km/h towards the new land where Dronten is located. After officially signing the articles of association, this wonderful moment was briefly celebrated in some village pub. Dreams became reality and there really was no turning back now.
Planning
A hugely busy time arrived during which we had meetings almost every day. Introduction was coming up, which was the deadline for many things. How were we going to promote the association, how were we going to arrange everything financially, how did we arrange acquisition? During the week of 24 August, we met every day and made a committee plan, an acquisition plan, a promotion plan, an SLB plan and had a bank account. We made a promotional film based on the programme ‘Tussen de Oren’ which featured all kinds of images of physiotherapy and Groningen. Jelte, with his convincing military voice, voiced the entire film the first time. An impressive event.
Introductioncamp
The introduction camp was once again a great success. All mentors, activity supervisors and, of course, the introduction committee were all very enthusiastic about the association and made sure there were over 200 members after the camp. This year, the final party was combined with the official opening party. The board and party committee thereby organised a constitution drink for all HBO study associations. Young and dynamic were the hallmarks of the association even then, so instead of a champagne glass, the invited boards were allowed to enjoy a flûte with magical golden flakes in it; Goldstrike 7-up.
Birthday
This official opening party was held on the evening and night of 8 September 2009, so that at 0.00am on the magical date of 09-09-'09, we could celebrate the start of the new Physiotherapy Study Association Physical. The start of a new era in physiotherapy.