2023-10-21 13:57:24
Rankweil (OTS) – Andreas Ermacora says goodbye as long-time president of the Austrian Alpine Club and looks optimistically into the club’s future. As the Republic’s highest award, Ermacora was awarded the Golden Medal of Honor for services to the Republic of Austria by Federal Minister Rauch at the general meeting of the Austrian Alpine Club in Rankweil. Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger will succeed him as President of the Austrian Alpine Club on January 1, 2024.
An era is coming to an end: Andreas Ermacora was a member of the executive board of the Austrian Alpine Club for 31 years, including ten years as honorary president. At the general meeting in Dornbirn in 1992, Ermacora took over the presidency: “A few meetings at the beginning turned into an average of 400 to 500 hours per year over time, almost in passing: meetings and telephone calls, appointments with politicians, countless visits to the sections.” , Andreas Ermacora looks back. Almost 300 meetings and 30 general assemblies later, Ermacora is retiring as president.
All the passion was worth it: the number of members more than tripled during this time, from 227,000 (December 31, 1991) to 725,000 (December 31, 2022). Ermacora explains it like this: “We have succeeded in creating a huge offer for the individual, combined with a moderate membership fee. The publications, the hut discounts, the insurance, the Alpine Club youth, the courses. Last but not least, the association’s standing as a large nature conservation organization has led to broad acceptance among the population.”
Overall, Ermacora continued, the Austrian Alpine Club is a club of superlatives with hundreds of thousands of members, with a credible club policy, with a financially solid structure and, above all, with thousands of officials who invest their free time, their knowledge, their skills and their skills in… provide the service of the association. “It is the people who shape the club,” emphasizes the outgoing president, “I would like to thank all of them very much.”
Ermacora himself was given a great honor at the 2023 Annual General Meeting: Minister of Social Affairs and Health Johannes Rauch awarded him the “Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria.”
New president of the Alpine Club: Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger
At the end of 2023, Andreas Ermacora will step down from his position as President of the Austrian Alpine Club. From January 1, 2024, his successor will be a qualified environmental economist Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger, Since 2008 Vice President of the Austrian Alpine Club, long-time federal youth leader and tour guide. His previous focus on spatial planning and nature conservation as well as his passionate commitment to the issues of youth and inclusion will also accompany him on the executive board. “The association faces major challenges, in addition to the issues of refuges and alpine nature conservation, as well as our ambitious climate strategy, with which we have committed to becoming climate neutral by 2033,” says Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger. “Such paths can only be taken together, and the Alpine Club with its over 725,000 members will not shirk its responsibility as an important voice of society in the future.”
A confident look into the future
Especially in turbulent times, a club can be a valuable anchor of stability and help to overcome challenges with like-minded people, says Ermacora. And despite all the crises, he looks confidently into the future: “I hope that people continue to hold on to the ideas and values of the Alpine Club. The camaraderie in mountain sports, competence in safety issues and, above all, the protection of our nature must be in the foreground, because that is what makes the Alpine Club authentic. It is important to maintain respectful interactions, both internally and in public. And to take a position where it is necessary.
Also Clemens Matt, Secretary General of the Austrian Alpine Association, commented on the change of president: “The recognition that Andreas Ermacora received today is proof of his excellent work and his tireless commitment to our club. We are deeply grateful to him for everything he has achieved. At the same time, we look forward to the coming era under the presidency of Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger with confidence. With his expertise and commitment, we are well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
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