Inspiring

As a resident or a representative of an organization or institution, there are several ways you can contact council members. Do you have a question, request, or suggestion? Would you like to bring attention to an issue you’re passionate about or concerned about? If so, you can speak at council committee meetings.

Is speaking up the best option for you?

Before you sign up as a speaker, you may want to consider whether there are other opportunities to bring attention to an issue, for example. Of course, you can always contact a council member directly. Details of City Council members can be found on the City Council website at .

How do I register?

Please register no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the committee meeting by emailingMunicipal Clerk’s Office@wassenaar.nl. Be sure to clearly state your name, address, and phone number, as well as the topic you wish to address. On the day of the meeting, you will receive a message from Municipal Clerk’s Office regarding your speaking time, instructions on how to speak, and the time of your appearance. 

What topics can I speak on?

As a speaker, you can speak on almost any topic. But there are also some exceptions to that rule. For example, the municipal law states that you cannot speak on: 

  • A decision of the municipal government that is or has been subject to objection or appeal.
  • Appointments, choices, nominations or recommendations of persons.
  • Conduct about which a complaint under Article 9:1 of the General Administrative Law Act can or could be filed.

Rules of engagement

To get you started, here are some ground rules for speaking up:

  • If you speak in, you will be given the floor for a maximum of 5 minutes. But pay attention! Because in the interest of the meeting, this speaking time may be shortened if necessary.
  • It is not possible to make a presentation if you are speaking in.
  • Would you like to provide information to the council? You can email your remarks and/or attachments to Municipal Clerk’s Office. These will then be added to the agenda and meeting materials after the meeting. You may not distribute information during the meeting.
  • If you speak in, only the chairperson of the meeting may interrupt you (= interjection).

Rules of Conduct in the Council Committee

As a speaker, you are a guest of the council committee. We would like to remind you that the committees have rules regarding how members interact with one another. These rules of conduct (rules of order) also apply to you. The rules of conduct are in place to prevent personal relationships from influencing the substantive discussion—and vice versa. This is therefore in your best interest as well. If the chair deems it necessary, he or she may intervene to maintain order. The rules of conduct stipulate that:

  • You are addressing the committee; therefore, you should not address individual council members, committee members, or members of the executive board, nor should you refer to their other positions.
  • You must not offend anyone or say unbecoming things.
  • You may not address council members or board members by their first names.
  • Basically "through the chair" is spoken. This means that the chair indicates which of the participants in the meeting may speak at that time.

4 tips: get the most out of your speeches 

  1. The 5-minute speaking time is short and over in no time. Therefore, put what you have to say on paper as a reminder during your speech.
  2. Health make sure you always have a concluding sentence ready to end your speech feeling good.
  3. We recommend that you use no more than 650 words for 5 minutes of speech. That's about an A4 piece of paper.
  4. Because your speaking time may be cut short by the chair, it is best to choose to give your main messages at the beginning of your speech.