Gauverband Announcement

At the 2015 Gaufest in Milwaukee, Hans Habereder from Gemütlichen Schuhplattler of Anaheim presented an in-depth workshop on the history and evolution of men's Tracht in Bavaria. The presentation -- all 65 slides -- is now available to view online or download. It can be found under Resources/ Tracht on the website or by clicking on this link. Vergelt's Gott, Hans, for a terrific job!

The information for the 25. Delegiertenversammlung has been emailed to the email list we have received from the Gauschriftführer. The dates are April 29 - May 1, 2016 in St. Paul, Minnesota, hosted by SG Edelweiss St. Paul. The meetings are being held as normal, taking place on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, with a dance party Saturday night in honor of the Gauverband's 50th Anniversary. At this time, the registration fee will be $125 each. As we finalize our plans and costs, we hope to lower this amount.

The dance officers -- 1. & 2. Gauvorplattler and Gauvortaenzerin -- conduct judges training sessions once a year. The majority of the judges as well as the dance officers are located on the East Coast and in the Midwest, so locations in those areas are especially desirable to stretch the budget. The host Verein's members also house the out-of-towners on Friday and Saturday. The dance officers are currently looking for Vereine to bid on hosting one of the training sessions. The November session is typically held the second weekend  (November 11-13, 2016).

Gauverband Nordamerika has been invited to participate in the 93. Lechgau Trachtenfest und Fahnenweihe on July 15-17. We'd like to let the host Verein know how many of us are coming so that they can plan on us marching with them in the Festumzug and so they can reserve seats for us in the Festzelt. If your Verein is planning on participating, please contact Rudy Leschke, 2. Gauvorplattler, at rjleschke@att.net to let him know how many from your Verein are planning to attend.

As chair of the Gauverband’s Communication and Education Committee, I’m asking for your input so we can learn from one another. Our request is for your Verein to take some time to go to this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8R5TPL3 and complete the survey as soon as possible. We hope to learn and share best practices around recruiting; Verein structure, purpose, and activities; rehearsal and dance performances; partnerships with other cultural organizations that are helping your Verein.

Planning for a Gaufest starts at least three years ahead of time! At this year's Delegates Meeting in May, the site of the 2019 Gaufest will be selected. Bids for the Gaufest are due by January 30, and so far, nothing official has been received. If your Verein will be bidding or is interested in bidding, contact Meetings Committee Chairman Joe Hubner (sjhubner@verizon.net). The deadline can be extended accordingly. Don't be shy! After all, what would an "odd" year be without a Gaufest to celebrate?