The Mountainbike Utrechtse Heuvelrug Foundation coordinates volunteers through Socie
“We had a private group on Facebook, but we kept getting more and more requests from volunteers to leave it.”
The Mountainbike Utrechtse Heuvelrug Foundation manages twelve mountain bike trails on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Together, these trails form a network of approximately 120 kilometers of singletrack. This requires a great deal of maintenance, clear coordination, and a large group of dedicated volunteers.
Previously, the foundation used Facebook to communicate with volunteers. But within the group, there was a growing desire for a different platform—a volunteer app that better aligns with their values: private, easy to navigate, and without data being used for algorithms.
With the Socie volunteer app, the foundation found a central hub for its volunteer community. Volunteers join maintenance groups, sign up for tasks, and see afterward what work was done along the routes. We spoke with Hans Paridaens about their experiences with Socie.
Can you tell us a little more about your volunteer app?
Hans Paridaens has been involved with the Mountainbike Utrechtse Heuvelrug Foundation from the very beginning. As a board member, he sees just how much work is required to keep the trails safe, clean, and in good riding condition. This is done in collaboration with a large group of volunteers.
“We now manage twelve mountain bike trails on the Heuvelrug. That’s about 120 kilometers of singletrack.”
The community consists of about 210 volunteers. A separate maintenance group has been set up in the Socie app for each route. The route managers coordinate the work on their own routes and manage the corresponding group.
Volunteers decide for themselves which group to join. Some only follow the route in their own neighborhood, while others also observe other routes.
“Some people say, ‘I live here in Soest, and I only want to know what’s happening in Soest.’ But if they want to see what’s happening in other maintenance groups, they can do that, too.”
What unites the volunteers is their love of mountain biking, nature, and working together to maintain the local environment.
“We all share the same passion: for sports, for nature, and for making a difference.”
Why did you choose the Socie volunteer app?
The transition began with questions from the volunteers. The private Facebook group was practical, but no longer aligned with how the foundation and its volunteers wanted to handle data.
“We were getting too many requests from critical volunteers to leave Facebook. They asked if we could find another platform.”
According to Hans, many volunteers are actively concerned with nature, sustainability, and privacy. That’s why the decision to switch to a different volunteer app was not only practical but also a matter of principle.
“In general, they are critical-thinking people who love nature and are environmentally conscious.”
The Socie app offered an alternative that allowed the foundation to reach its volunteers without asking for more information than necessary. Furthermore, the data that is used is stored on European servers.
“We don’t want anything to do with the data either. We’re not going to use it; we don’t want to use it.”
How do you use the Socie volunteer app?
The Socie Volunteer App is the central hub for everything related to volunteers. New volunteers are added as members and then choose for themselves which maintenance groups they want to follow. This gives them flexibility and prevents them from receiving information that isn’t relevant to them.
“I’ll add a new volunteer as a member. After that, members are free to join one maintenance group, several, or all of them.”
The district managers use the Socie app to create maintenance events. Each event includes details on where and when the group will meet and a general description of what will happen. Volunteers can then sign up.
“The area managers organize events. The notice says: ‘We’ll meet on Saturday, at that location, and at that time.’”
That overview is helpful for administrators. They can see in advance how many people will be attending and estimate what materials will be needed.
“That way, the manager will have an idea of how many people to expect and whether he needs to bring any tools.”
A maintenance log
After a maintenance job, the area manager often posts a brief report with photos. This naturally creates a log of the work done on the trails. This is enjoyable for volunteers, but also valuable for landowners who want to see what’s happening.
“The district manager writes a brief report on every event. They’re often really hilarious.”
Staatbosbeheer also has access to our Socie volunteer app so they’re always up to date. And in Soest, for example, the municipality can monitor the app. This makes it clear just how much work is being done behind the scenes: from clearing trails to putting up signs and picking up litter.
“For us, it’s a kind of logbook for everyone: this is what happened here.”
How did the transition to the volunteer app go?
The transition to the Socie app went smoothly. Hans posted a message in the Facebook group and made it clear that the foundation would continue its work through Socie. Volunteers were then able to sign up using a separate email address.
“I posted a message on Facebook saying: We’re switching to the Socie app.”
New volunteers send their information to Hans. He adds them to the volunteer app and includes a brief guide. In practice, very little explanation is needed.
“I actually don’t get any questions at all from new members about how it all works. It’s all intuitive.”
Who manages the volunteer app?
Hans manages the volunteer app within the Socie app. New volunteers sign up through him. The foundation only asks for the information that is necessary: an email address, first and last name, and, if applicable, a brief statement of motivation.
“I manage the volunteer community. New volunteers can sign up using a form on the website, and I then add them to Socie.”
Route groups are managed by the district administrators. They create events, post reports, and keep their own groups active. This ensures that community management remains closely tied to the people who coordinate maintenance.
How do you keep the volunteer app active?
There’s always something to do on and around the trails. Sometimes it’s routine maintenance; other times, quick action is needed after a storm, an incident, or an unsafe situation. Volunteers put up signs, keep the trails clear, and ensure the safety of mountain bikers and other recreational users.
Keeping the area clean is also part of the job. Volunteers pick up litter whenever they come across it. Some even walk along the route periodically with a trash bag.
“It’s the volunteers’ route, and they feel responsible for it.”
In addition to maintenance, the foundation also uses the Socie volunteer app for group activities, such as the annual barbecue. This allows them to reach all volunteers at once, and volunteers can easily sign up.
“Then you can reach out to all members at once, and everyone can sign up.”
What are the benefits of the Socie volunteer app?
The Socie app helps organize a large group of volunteers spread across different routes. Volunteers can find their own maintenance group, administrators can easily schedule tasks, and everyone can see what’s going on.
For Hans, the value lies primarily in the overview and ease of use. The volunteer app aligns with the way the foundation operates: practical, independent, and with short lines of communication.
“If there’s a problem, it gets resolved quickly. The lines of communication are very short.”
The Socie volunteer app also aligns with the volunteers’ values. The foundation can communicate without relying on Facebook and without using data for other purposes.
“People are really happy with the Socie app, but also just with the idea behind it.”
Would you recommend Socie?
Hans would recommend Socie to organizations that work with volunteers and need clear communication. Especially for communities that organize events or activities, it’s nice to have everything in one place.
“If you want to create events or communicate very easily, it works well.”
For the Mountainbike Utrechtse Heuvelrug Foundation, the Socie volunteer app has become an integral part of the volunteers’ routine. The app helps manage routes, keep people engaged, and raise awareness of the group’s work.
