Hauptversammlung, Saturday 3 October 2015

by Janet Britnell

The 2015 ÔAV Hauptversammlung (AGM) was held in Zell-am-See, a compact, largely unspoilt resort on the western shore of Lake Zeller, in the heart of the mountains; it is the capital of Pinzgau, the south-western district of the Land of Salzburg.

Zell-am-See Rathaus, opposite the Ferry Port Congress Centre

The official business of the weekend began on Thursday afternoon, when I attended the Autumn Huts and Paths Committee meeting. We were represented at the Bundesausschuss meeting all day Friday by Bart Vercruyssen of Sektion Flandern, and in the afternoon I attended the workshop on the online tools for the huts, including the new online-reservation system that is gradually being introduced. On Friday evening we had our annual meeting with the other Ausland section, Sektion Flandern, over dinner in a traditional Gasthaus.

Early on Saturday morning the 5 AAC(UK) committee members: Mike Garrett, Philippa Carling, Graham McIntyre, Peter Hinds and myself, plus Louise Grady and Mark Ryder from the Office, joined 500 or so other ÔAV representatives in the Ferry Porsche Congress Centre. After music and speeches from local dignitaries and a welcome to honoured guests and new section chairmen, five Green Crosses were awarded for outstanding contributions to mountain rescue. The 2014 Annual Report was followed by the 2014 Accounts, the auditor's report and the budget for 2016. President Andreas Ermacora, said that the Alpenverein, with nearly 500,000 members in 195 sections, is increasingly able to influence opinion. It is the largest mountain sports association in Austria and a recognized nature conservation organisation. In addition to its tireless commitment to protecting the environment, the Alpenverein is currently emphasising two themes: the role of mountain sports in promoting healthy lifestyles, and the recognition of the importance of the 22,000 voluntary officials in the continued existence of the Alpenverein. Peter Kapelari, head of the Huts, Paths and Cartography Division, reported on the distribution of the total 2015 budget of EUR3,958,024 for huts and paths. He also presented and explained the changes to the rules for distribution of the funds for huts and paths resulting from the new government guidelines on the interpretation of European competition laws in exchange for the increased federal funding agreed last year. Environmental 'Seals of Approval' were presented to the Rottenmanner Hütte in Styria, belonging to Sektion Rottenmann, and to the Hochweiásteinhaus in theKarnischer Hauptkamm, belonging to Sektion Austria.

After lunch the guest lecture was given by Gerald Koller on the theme Mountain Sport and Health. This was followed by reports on the Online Reservation system for huts; the balance between safety and risk in mountain sport; and the presentation of the Alpenverein's position paper on mountain biking. Three proposals requiring approval were then put to the meeting. The most controversial of these was the request for retrospective approval for the change in the style of writing the full name of the association in the Constitution from Oesterreichisher Alpenverein to Ôsterreichischer Alpenverein. The elections to the Präsidium and Bundesausschuss followed. Those elected included the re-election of Andreas Ermacora as President for a further four years, and the election of Nicole Slupetsky as a Vice-president. So the Präsidium now has two female vice-presidents! Saturday was rounded off with the traditional Festabend.

In addition to the formal meetings, the Hauptversammlung weekend provides important opportunities to discuss various topics with members of the Hauptverein; also for networking with other sections, for instance asking how they see the roles of the Alpine Representative and the Alpine Team. We were also updated with regard to progress on various hut projects to which we have already given or promised donations from the Hut Fund and discussed possible future projects with representatives from other hut owning sections.

Zeller See from Zell-am-See
Photos by Janet Britnell

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