.gazette 01/04 - Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs

Motto 2000: "Give somebody else a Chance..."
Motto 2004: "I would like to take the Chance
and accept the Challenge...."
Elections of new Board Members are scheduled during the
Convention in Mannheim from June 11th - 13th, 2004.
Therefore, I like to take this opportunity for a short look back.
Since I took Office in the year 2000, the changes in the world, as
well as tense German-American relations are confronting us with
new – and yet familiar responsibilities.
Flexibility has been expected of myself and of the Board Members.
During a series of three workshops with representatives of
the various Clubs we have unanimously come to the conclusion,
that supporting and motivating German-American relations are
just as important as at the time of founding of the German-
American Federation in 1948.
With the reduction of American military forces we are more and
more being confronted with the task to bring the US closer to the
Citizens of Germany and to help improve objectivity. This can be
accomplished through Club activities and programs.
The interest in youth- and student-exchange is growing from
year to year.
The Homepage and the "Gazette" have become an excellent
public-relations tools.
Our readiness for mutual understanding, respect and enlightening
dialogue must never decrease.
The responsibilities of the Federations President are generally
known. You can find a revealing and interesting article in the
Gazette (see page 16) written by Hildegard Frank, Regional
Chairperson and one of my predecessors. She is a long-time
Member and Mentor for our Federation and Clubs, one we can
count on for advice and assistance regarding questions to procedures,
the constitution and history.
My Board Colleagues, who have supported me during my fouryear
term, developed a high degree of professionalism in handling
their – at first unfamiliar – responsibilities, also thanks to a
reliable organization standing behind us.
What I mean with that is, our Organization is standing on a solid
foundation. Our tasks and duties are being dictated by the current
times, and these are being carried out after mutual evaluation
and agreement.
The bringing together of Americans and Germans and the understanding
of each other´s cultures are the driving force for the
work of our Clubs. To reach this goal our Youth must continuously
be involved and supported. With the founding of Youth-Clubs
and Groups we have come a big step closer to reaching our
goal. We can proudly state today, that the network of our former
Students is beginning to carry us. Of course, extensive public
relations work was and is continuously required.
Our voice – inside as well as to the outside – is in first place our
President. She/he will determine the road to take for using
modern media methods – i.e. flyer, “gazette”, homepage, activities,
actions, etc., and according to each situation use their personal
contacts or the respective chairperson.
I would like to point out a few examples of such contacts:
We are continuously in contact with the Management of several
Partner Universities and Secondary Schools in Germany and the
US; the Consulate General of Germany and America; we are in
close cooperation with the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic
of Germany; as well as the American Embassy in Berlin, who are
all supporting us with advice and actions.
The Federation Board will change at the end of its term in June
2004. The Board Members will take on positions that command
and deserve respect.
I want to encourage you to run for a position on the Federation
Board, to use your experiences from your own Club and to share
these with others, to bring new fresh ideas, and to take part in
the decision-making process of the Federation. Give your talents
and experiences to the Federation and with that to all.
To make it clear once more – only together we are strong –
alone we would falter.
I thank my Board Members, the American Liaison and the
Presidents of our Clubs for their great performances and
support.
Contents
2 Editorial
Renate Kasperek
2 Worte der Präsidentin
Bruni Pütz
2 Impressum
Title
4 Leben im „Quadrat“
6 Magic in Mannheim
By Cheryl Case
9 Sitzung des VDAC-
Vorstands in Berlin
Von Renate Kasperek
16 Mitglieder, Clubs,
Verband –
Geschichtliches
und Aktuelles
Von Hildegard Frank
Forum
7 U.S. Mission in Germany...
Übermittelt von Thomas
Schaller
8 Die Vereinigten Staaten:
Sichere Grenzen, offene
Türen
Von U.S. Botschafter Daniel
R. Coats
9 Die Kunst ist der Star –
Das MoMa in Berlin
Von Renate Kasperek
27 Mögen Sie Werbung?
Von Gudrun Heyer
Student Exchange
20 Student Exchange 2003
Von Ingrid Kreiling
22 Neues vom Studentenaustausch
in Berlin
Von Alicia Heinrich
22 Zweites Studentenseminar
in Nürnberg
Von Coren Ellison
Portrait
7 Honorary Board
12 Menschen im VDAC –
Gestern und Heute:
Else Jörg
Elli H. Radinger
Clubs Insight
10 Der Magnolienball in
München – eine
rauschende Ballnacht
DAFC München
11 50-Jahrfeier
DAC Mainz
11 Der Vorstand 2004/05
und sein Programm
DAC Koblenz
11 Thanksgiving-Essen der
DAG brachte Mikrowelle
für die Feiertage
DAG Erfurt
11 DAFC Würzburg unterstützt
Tumorhilfe der
Bundeswehr
DAFC Würzburg
14/15 Adressenspiegel
DAAC Club News
23 Ein Erfahrungsbericht
lange nach der
Erfahrung...
Statements zum Thema
„Seminare“
Von Mareike Lanbacher
24 Tätigkeitsbericht des
DAAC-Vorstands 2003/04
Von Pia Katzenberger
25 Orientierungsseminar in
Tübingen
26 What I missed most...
26 Made in America
Von Bill Bryson