Welcome to the website of the
German-Canadian Association of Alberta
PRESIDENT'S GREETINGS APRIL 2011
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HEINZ KLEIST is the current president of the GCAA, now serving his 8th year. The Annual Meeting of the German Canadian Association of Alberta which is the umbrella association of the province held its annual meeting in conjunction with the German Club of Red Deer’s Fruehlingfest at the Westerner Park Chalet on April 2,2011.The turnout of clubs was great considering the South encountered severe snowstorms and some Calgary Clubs were unable to attend. In 2011 there are many member clubs who celebrate milestones such as the Bavarian Schuhplattlers of Edmonton,who celebrate the 40th anniversary in May, the German Club of Calgary celebrates its 80th in June,while Schlaraffia Rocky Mountania celebrates its 40th and the Victoria celebrates its 60th anniversary in October. Congratulations from the GCAA to all clubs for persevering in reaching these plateaus,as it takes a lot of Volunteer hours and dedication. Discussions such as the future of German Days and Heritage Festival were held. Given that the greatest challenge with staging events is getting Volunteers the GCAA has established High School Scholarships,Undergraduate Scholarships as well as Graduate Scholarships in an effort to attract younger Volunteers to the GCAA events. The proposals are with the Alberta Gaming Commission and as soon as approval has been obtained we will provide a outline. The elections were in the hands of Past President Rita Schuetz and under the amended by laws the directors required was reduced from 10 to 5 with the regions being eliminated meaning the 5 directors could all be from 1 region. President : Heinz Kleist, Edmonton Vice-President; David Gelsinger ,Calgary Secretary:Monika Roch,Edmonton Treasurer:KLaus Zerulla, Edmonton Past President,Rita Schuetz,Red Deer Directors: Philip Roeder,Edmonton Ursula Poole,Calgary Alison Dowling,Edmonton Peter Holmes,Edmonton Ron Link, Edmonton We welcome newly elected Vice-President David Gelsinger who is President of the Singgemeinschaft Calgary to the board and thank outgoing VP Rudy Klein.The position of Assistant Treasurer was eliminated under the amended bylaws, so we thank Elaine Monk who held this position. Congratulations to new directors Alison Dowling who is also President of AGBEE,Peter Holmes President University of Alberta German Club and Ron Link,President of the Spree Asse Skat Club. We wish to thank all outgoing directors for their participation and hard work of the past years: A.Schurnig, Dr.H.Unger, M.Rohrer, A.Roeder & G.Vielguth. Heinz Kleist Meet the rest of the GCAA executive here. |
About the GCAA
The German-Canadian Association of Alberta (GCAA), in existence since 1966, is the provincial umbrella organization for Alberta's many clubs, choirs, dance and performing arts groups, cultural groups, and language schools which foster German language and culture.
This website provides the public with information about the activities of our 31 member organizations, with a combined membership of almost 4,000 Albertans.
It also provides a forum and resource for member groups to communicate and share, with a goal of enhancing and fostering German culture and language throughout the province.
Telephone at 780.465.7466, or email mail@gcaa.ca.
MEMBER CLUBS - Please visit "Member Info" often (link is at top right of page) for useful information, including important information for the upcoming annual meeting. Please also keep our office updated on your contact and event information.