Structure of the community centres

The community centres are non-profit organisations and have a general assembly and a board of directors. The VGC is the governing authority and provides a building, personnel and operating resources. In practice, the non-profit organisation is primarily responsible for the day-to-day activities, in collaboration with the municipality’s culture department, the library and other local partners. Together they implement the local cultural policy.

Non-profit community centres

The non-profit association has a number of legal and contractual obligations, such as approving the budget. In addition, the board of directors or the general assembly helps to steer the activities at the community centre: from artistic projects, courses and children’s activities to parties, information evenings and communication. They are free to set their own priorities and develop activities, together with the many local partners, organisations and citizens.

You can access the articles of association of each individual community centre at the Kruispuntbank voor Ondernemingen (under ‘Publicaties Belgisch Staatsblad’).The annual accounts can also be found there, under ‘Publicaties jaarrekeningen NBB’.

General Assembly

The general assembly provides feedback on the functioning of the community centre once or twice a year.

Who can become a member? Unincorporated associations and non-profit organisations: citizens’ initiatives, parents’ associations, associations for socio-cultural work, youth, sport, amateur arts, senior citizens, environment, ethnic-cultural minorities, etc. You can also become a member as a private person, because you are interested in (cultural) activities on offer in your municipality or because you would like to put your specific expertise to good use in your local area.

A number of decisions can only be taken by the members of the general assembly who have voting rights: amendments to the articles of association, the appointment and dismissal of the directors, approval of the budget and accounts. A two-thirds majority is required to amend the articles of association. For all other decisions, a simple majority of the votes cast is sufficient.

Board of directors

The Board of Directors is more closely involved in thinking about the direction in which the community centre should develop. Board members usually discuss and come to agreements on how they will work together and how often they will meet. As a board member, you give advice and articulate the needs of the wider local community. Your opinion, expertise and ideas strengthen and challenge the centre’s team.

The board of directors is responsible for the management and representation of the association, if these tasks have not been assigned to the general assembly. The board members make decisions by a simple majority of votes cast by the members present or represented.

Observers

There are also observers in the non-profit organisations. They follow the board meetings and can have discussions, but are not given voting rights. In each board there is an observer of the VGC and an observer of the municipal executive. At the moment this is usually someone from the support service of the community centres and the local cultural policy coordinator.