Membership rules

1. Any women working as translators or interpreters may become members of SVVT, providing they:

   • have a university degree or equivalent qualification in a language-based subject, and
   • have at least two years' professional experience, and
   • earn most of their annual income from translating and/or interpreting.

   Members are expected to support and put the principle of contributing and benefiting actively into practice.

2. Guests are welcome to attend two consecutive meetings without any commitment, providing the secretary is promptly advised of their planned attendance in writing. Any guest wanting to become a member will be asked to fill in an application form, which will be sent to the Board for assessment.

3. Membership of SVVT costs €60 a year. There is no additional charge for membership of the individual language sections.

   Members joining after 1 July pay only half of the full membership fee in their first year. Membership is for a full calendar year. Any members wanting to resign their membership should notify the secretary in writing by 1 December.

4. Our principle of contributing and benefiting means members are expected to attend meetings at least twice a year. The Board should be advised if a member has a good reason for not being able to attend at least two meetings a year.

5. Meetings are held six times a year on the 2^nd Monday in January, March, May, July, September and November in the Pulchri Studio in The Hague (near the Dutch Parliament buildings). The interpreters' section meets from 17.00 to 18.00. This is followed by the general part of the evening (including a speaker and a buffet meal) at 18.00, while the individual language sections meet from 20.00 to around 21.30.

   Members unable to attend a meeting should let the secretary of their individual section know beforehand.

   At each meeting, members are asked to pay €15 for the buffet (incl. coffee and tea) at the entrance.

6. Before each meeting, members are sent a copy of the agendas for both the general and individual language section meetings, together with any other relevant documents. They will also be sent regular updates of the Who's Who, which provides a list of the network members, together with details of their languages and specialisations etc.

7. Candidate membership is possible. The criteria for joining the network as a candidate member are as follows:

   • In principle, a university or equivalent-level degree in a language or translation-related subject. The words 'in principle' mainly apply in situations in which an applicant without a background in languages has started translating or interpreting as a result of coming to the Netherlands with a Dutch partner. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
   • Candidate members are required to attend at least three meetings a year (in addition to the introductory meetings) during their candidate membership.
   • Payment of the standard membership fee;
   • Once a candidate member has two years of relevant work experience, she may become a full member, subject to approval by the Board.

8. SVVT members aged 60 or older who are winding down their translation and interpreting activities may opt for senior membership. They then pay an annual membership fee of €32.50 and no longer have to attend at least two meetings a year.