Who we are

Wings of Support is an independent initiative by KLM employees committed to helping children at KLM destinations. We provide financial support to projects run by local organisations that focus on education, healthcare, and medical assistance. Our mission is to create sustainable improvements in the quality of life for children, giving them a better start in life.

We rely on the generous contributions of our donors and sponsors to support these vital local aid projects. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need.

Mission

To provide support to organisations and projects in KLM destinations, which focus on education, healthcare and/or temporary care for groups of children, through the establishment of lasting relationships.

Vision

Wings of Support is dedicated to giving groups of children the best possible start in life.

Goal

Wings of Support is dedicated to providing targeted and unconditional assistance to children, particularly those in developing countries. Our goal is to create sustainable improvements in the quality of life for children within their own communities. We uphold a commitment to inclusivity, serving all children without regard to race, religion, or political beliefs, while always considering the local context. By actively listening to the needs of the communities we support, we ensure our initiatives are effectively aligned with their specific requirements.

Unique

Due to the nature of our work, the Wings of Support flying staff frequently visit various countries, allowing for easy project site visits by both our project coordinators and interested donors. During their layovers, our project coordinators meet with local organisations and assess ongoing projects, providing valuable reports upon their return. This approach minimises costs and reduces the need for additional trips to project sites. Although Wings of Support operates independently from KLM, our volunteer staff are able to conduct their essential work thanks to the cooperation of KLM

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History

As airline staff, you have the unique opportunity to travel the world and stay in beautiful hotels. However, amidst these journeys, the stark contrasts between wealth and poverty become painfully evident. Many airline staff witness heart breaking scenes of begging, disabled, and neglected children. In some countries, simply looking out of a hotel window reveals the harsh realities of life for these vulnerable youth.

Many of these children do not have access to education and receive little care or support. Unfortunately, individual efforts to make a difference often fall short due to limited time, resources, and manpower. This feeling of helplessness inspired former KLM captain Marius den Dulk, along with his colleagues, to take action. On November 6, 1998, they united to establish Wings of Support, an organization dedicated to helping children in need.

To learn more about the founding of Wings of Support, please read our anniversary booklet, Under the Tamarind Tree (Dutch).

Present

Today, Wings of Support is operated by around ninety dedicated volunteers. We are proud to receive monthly financial support from over 3,500 donors, primarily our KLM colleagues. Additionally, we are grateful for the growing sponsorship of various companies, institutions, and individuals. Since our establishment, Wings of Support has successfully supported more than 750 projects, and this number continues to rise as new projects are registered each week.

Chairperson Annette Groeneveld

Board, committees and supervision

The board of Wings of Support, responsible for day-to-day management, operates under the oversight of the Supervisory Board.

Comprising six positions, the board includes roles for projects (4), communication (5), and sponsorship (6), in addition to the chairman (1), secretary (2), and treasurer (3). Given the part-time and voluntary nature of these roles, where all members hold other full-time jobs, each board member is supported by a deputy (designated as “dep” below). The board convenes four times a year and, in addition to their administrative responsibilities, each member leads their own committee focused on specific topics.

Secretary

Megan Graves,
(Business Product Analyst, KLM)

Martine Bosua, dep. board member (Project Lead Digitizing CS2.0, KLM Engineering & Maintenance)

Treasurer

Sebastian van Lare, Board member (Financial Reporting Analyst, KLM Corporate Control)

Berend Roebbers, (Finance Trainee, KLM)

 

Projects

Marlies van Waveren, board member (Senior Purser, KLM)

Michael van Os de Man, vice-chairman & dep. board member (Senior Purser, KLM)

 

Communication

Annick Rijkschroeff, board member (Cabin Attendant, KLM)

Maureen Sluiter-van Viegen,
dep. board member (Group Press Officer AFKL)

Sponsorship

Inge Schot, board member (E-sales Manager, AFKL Cargo)

Marlotte Eichelsheim, dep. board member (Project Owner Digital Marketing, AFKL)

Board members are appointed by the board for a period of three years. The board has the power to suspend and dismiss directors. Relevant board or ancillary positions are listed above.
The Supervisory Board approves the appointment of directors and is also authorised to suspend directors.
The Supervisory Board member finance also chairs the Audit Committee. The work of the Audit Committee is regulated in the Internal Regulations.
Only necessary expenses are reimbursed, such as costs for the implementation of projects. The foundation consists of unpaid employees so “Regulations on remuneration of directors of charities” do not apply.

Supervisory Board

Bart de Vries

Chairman of the Supervisory Board
(VP Safety & Compliance Organisation, KLM)

Miriam Kartman

SB member
(Executive Vice President HR & Industrial Relations, KLM; additional positions: member of the Supervisory Board of GITP)

Jeroen Visser

SB member finance
(Group CFO HillebrandGori, company of DHL)

What is the role of the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board monitors the management of Wings of Support. It advises the board, monitors policy, general affairs in the foundation and acts as a sounding board, in accordance with articles 14 and 15 of the statutes. The Supervisory Board has overall authority to act in relation to the board.

 

Bewerken
Name and function in the board Since / term ends Function
Annette Groeneveld
(Chairperson)		 2021 / 2024 Retired Senior Purser KLM
Megan Graves
(Secretary)		 2024 / 2027 Business Product Analyst KLM
Sebastian van Lare
(Treasurer)		 2023 / 2026 Financial Reporting Analyst KLM
Annick Rijkschroeff
(Board member for Communication)		 2021 / 2024 Cabin Attendant KLM
Marlies van Waveren
(Boardmember for Projects)		 2019 / 2023 Senior Purser KLM
Inge Schot
(Boardmember for Sponsorship)		 2023 / 2026 Esales Manager AFKL Cargo

 

 

Bewerken
Name and function in the Supervisory Board Since / term ends Function

Bart de Vries
(Chairperson)

 2016 / 2023 VP Safety & Compliance Organization, KLM
Jeroen Visser 2023 / 2028 Group CFO HillebrandGori, company of DHL
Miriam Kartman
(Member)		 2019 / 2024

Executive Vice President Human Resources & Industrial Relations, KLM; (ancillary function:

member of the Board of Commissioners of GITP)

 

Charities must be accountable to their donors and society for how their income is spent. Unambiguous rules make charities transparent and oblige them to properly explain how they work and account for results. To this end, a system of supervision and accountability has emerged in recent years, based on self-regulation. Self-regulation means that charities are jointly responsible for transparent working methods and performance. Since 1 January 2016, there has been an Accreditation Scheme for Charities with new standards and modernised supervision. Most codes and guidelines of Charities Netherlands are included in the standards of the Accreditation Scheme. The following codes, rules and guidelines apply to the members of Charities Netherlands:

– SBF Code for Good Governance (replaces Code Wijffels); on Integrity, Quality and Transparency

– Guideline 650 and Guideline C2 (part of Guidelines for Annual Reporting of the Council for Annual Reporting) and recommendation Application Guideline 650 ‘management and administration cost allocation’. In short, this describes a Model for cost allocation.

– Recognition Scheme Charities. The Recognition Scheme consists of standards (established by the standards committee) and independent supervision.

– Charity Financial Management Directive. This guideline concerns reserves and funds and their responsible management. This includes all forms of management, i.e. all savings and other forms of investment.

– Handreiking verwerking en waardering van nalatenschappen belast met (vrucht)gebruik. This guide for fundraising organisations describes the processing and valuation of common forms of inheritances with usufruct.

– Regulation on remuneration of directors of charities. This last code is not applicable because Wings of Support consists of unpaid employees.

Want to know more? Go to: Goede Doelen Nederland to click through to the relevant document