From 1976 to the present I have been a member of the Dutch Society for Dermatology and Venereology (NVDV), first as an extraordinary member (my training years), next as a member (practice years) and since 2003 as a retired member. During this period I have held various positions and developed activities in and for the NVDV, including my contribution to the foundation of the Dutch Journal for Dermatology and Venereology in 1990 and my 10 years as its editor-in-chief. The highlight of my years as a member of the Society was receiving the Leo Dermatology Award in 2000.