GCAA President's Report - 28 March 2009

German Canadian Association of Alberta President Heinz Kleist serves for a 6th Term

Let me begin by thanking all of the GCAA Executive for a wonderful year working on the usual events such as Casino, Heritage Festival & Senioren Sonntag just to name a few. 

Without you and the volunteers these events would not be possible. I would like to personally thank outgoing Vice-President Brigitte Lechleitner of Calgary and Edmonton Director Walter Ahlisch. Walter will stay on as chairman of the German Pavilion at the Heritage Festival. Let's not forget Albert Naber (Central Region),Gisela Bertels (Calgary Region) & Alfred Koegler (Southern Region).

I welcome the new people to our board, namely Vice-President Rudy Klein of Calgary, Directors Ursula Poole (Calgary), Margrit Rohrer (Red Deer) and Alexander Schurnig (Edmonton).

I know that all of you will make share your ideas and make our board stronger.


Every president seems to target younger members and Youth to ensure succession and I am no different but my speech today deals with the ABC’s of everyday life, and if perhaps our board (as well as the member club boards and private members) consider the ABCs of Life in everyday dealing, we will have a stronger organization and will succeed.

• Accept Differences
• Be Kind
• Count on your Blessings
• Dream
• Express Thanks
• Forgive
• Give Freely
• Harm No One
• Imagine More
• Jettison Anger
• Keep Confidences
• Love Truly
• Master Something
• Nurture Hope
• Open Your Mind
• Pack Lightly
• Quell Rumors
• Reciprocate
• Seek Wisdom
• Touch Hearts
• Understand
• Value Truth
• Win Graciously
• Xeriscape
• Yearn For Peace
• Zealously Support A Worthy Cause

So in closing let's have a good year in promoting & nurturing the German Heritage and Culture in the spirit of the ABCs of Life.