organization special
van Lubek
nember of regional delegates assembly for Zwolle. He
isked why we were opting for step-by-step
central delegates' assembly
levelopment in central Europe rather than buying in.
Martin Smulders, director Rabobank Rotterdam, member
of regional and central delegates assemblies.
im to represent them in the
Henk Visser (far right), member of the
executive board of Rabobank,
responsible for Rl and on the hot seat
here to take questions from the floor.
general assembly
where policy and strategy are debated and ratified
What'sNewS Issue 5* May 1998
'The regional assembly is a platform where we can
I discuss issues common to all the member banks in the
irea. It is these discussions which often crystallize into
piestions put to the executive board at a central assembly,
ilthough presentations given to assembly meetings often
nspire queries as well.
Debate at regional
neetings can be just as
ïeated as in the central
issemblies because
eaching consensus,
ometimes called the
'older Model and very
^^al of Dutch society
n general, is crucial to
dl of us.'
/The agenda of a central assembly is supported by detailed
I information packages relating to the issues under
discussion. This background material can be provided by one
of several so-called policy preparation committees or by one
of the Group's subsidiaries. For example, we received a lot of
documentation from Rabobank
International. You shouldn't
underestimate the importance of the
Group's consultative bodies. The
executive board puts forward
suggestions, but if the Central
Assembly does not agree, then the
board has to take proposals back
and re-examine or reformulate them
in a way that will achieve
consensus. The assemblies are
anything but rubber-stamp meetings.
In fact, this is a very mature form
i of democratie process that may
seem time-consuming and perhaps
even superfluous in a rapidly-
changing business environment. But
this is a real opportunity for
unencumbered discussion between
the highest and the line echelons of
our organization.'
Left is chairman Herman Wijffels who
says 'it is a very sobering experience to
.sit here and answer issues relevant to the
'eal heart of our organization. Some
people compare it to a shareholders' meeting, but it is much more than
that. Ihis is a place where our actions as executive board are questioned
directly by the people who have to execute policy and strategy. It is a
direct confrontation with both "shareholders" and members, our clients.'
