The new college of B&W introduces itself

In recent weeks, the aldermen and mayor have introduced themselves to you. Today, the town clerk introduces himself. This is the general manager of the municipality and first advisor to the college. As the highest civil servant, the town clerk is responsible for the connection between the civil service and the board and all the tasks we have to work with in our community. Raph Stijns works for the administrators of Kerkrade, the civil service organization, the municipal council and all cooperation partners.
 

'Nothing is too crazy for us, we just do it!'

Passport Raph Stijns

Born on: 8-8-1965
Lives in: Bunde

Experience: I started at the GAK (which is now the UWV). There I ended up in a managerial position after several years. In 2000 I transferred to the Municipality of Kerkrade, Social Affairs Department. After several years I was asked if I wanted to become Director of Social Affairs. After 12-13 years in that position, I moved to the position of Director Domain Administration and since one and a half years I am Municipal Secretary/General Director.

Which person would you still like to meet and why?
I enjoy meeting people or talking to people I don't know. Those conversations bring new insights and I find that interesting. If I have to choose one person right now, I would go for Max Verstappen. Someone who remains completely stoic with so much pressure on his shoulders, I love that.

What achievement are you most proud of?
On VIE - life in motion. The first discussions took place 8 years ago and involved a plan that was not immediately embraced by the board at the time. But now, 8 years later, there is a beautiful building with the appearance we envisioned. And which is the dreh- und angelpunkt (turning point) for residents to get started with their health. I'm incredibly proud of that, that we as a municipality are rising to the challenge and getting it done.

From my position as town clerk, I am immensely proud of our own stable organization. With many expert civil servants. Who, against every current, manage to keep their heads above water. If you see what we in Kerkrade are accomplishing together in these hectic times, you can really be proud of that!

What exactly is the role of a municipal secretary?
On the one hand, you advise and support the college in making administrative choices and political considerations. On the other hand, these choices must then be implemented by the civil servants. You are constantly balancing between: what does the municipality want? And how can we implement that in the right way? You can only find that balance - and that sounds very cliché - by having an eye and an ear for everyone. The politician often has the same question as the civil servant, only they don't know it from each other. It is then important to make those processes run smoothly. And that is pressing, measuring, wringing. Sometimes pulling, sometimes pushing, sometimes sodomizing. But with a smile, a lot succeeds. And, most important as a city clerk is, don't have the illusion that you can do it right for everyone.

We can say that the town clerk is the lubricant between administration and civil service. How will you fulfill that role as well as possible in the coming period?
I have only one answer to that: by being myself completely. I am first Raph, then colleague and lastly director. That is how I am going to do it.

What specific assignment(s) do you have for the coming period and what will citizens notice?
The most important assignment that the management team and I have been given is to get the organization in shape so that we are fully prepared for everything that the changing society demands of the municipality. To name a few examples: respond faster, expand the digital offerings, decide not for the citizen but decide together with the citizen as much as possible. If we do our work well, the citizen notices it every day; he or she can always come to us. A lot goes well, but we keep improving.

How do you see the municipal official of the future?
Communicatively strong, open to ideas, creative, not afraid to color outside the lines when necessary and possible, always in for something new and most importantly; approachable to our residents.

You are passionate when it comes to public affairs and Kerkrade.
Was that always there?
No way, that passion really grew. I came from Maastricht to work in Kerkrade. I have now been working in this town for 22 years. If you come to Kerkrade, you come to me. That passion has come from the people I've met here and the people I get to work with. There is a great working atmosphere and collegiality here. Even to the traditional 'ranting' I have become accustomed. The passion has also grown through all the beautiful things we have achieved in Kerkrade. When I now look back over all these years, Kerkrade has really undergone a transformation.