The Verband Deutscher Altpfadfindergilden e.V. - VDAPG (Association of German Adult Scouts and Guilds) met from 17 to 19 March 2023 in the Salvador Allende House in the city of Oer-Erkenschwick. Conclusion of the future workshop, amendment of the statutes, anniversaries and excursions in the Ruhr region: VDAPG e.V. association meeting in Oer-Erkenschwick.

The most important point on Friday evening was the conclusion of the future workshop of the association, on which the members had worked for one and a half year. As a result, the structures with the statutes are to be revised on the basis of the self-image, the content and presentation of the association's media are to be given a new coat of paint and the cooperation on a national and international level is to be expanded with joint projects, such as the awarding of the St. George's plaque. In the future, events will be organised with barrier-free access and cheaper alternatives for accommodation. In addition, the offers in the guilds, regions, partner associations and in the international area are to be better communicated.

Saturday started for the more than 50 guests from all over Germany and Europe with an exploration of the region. With the guilds Alexander Lion, Cosmas and Damian and St. Georg, which had prepared the social programme: Icon Museum, transformer station or the ship lift. Fortified by a buffet lunch and coffee and biscuits, the Extraordinary General Assembly began at 4 pm. This had become necessary in order to adapt the existing statutes to the current non-profit law. Furthermore, the registered office of the association was moved to Nesse-Apfelstädt in Thuringia. The Neudietendorf Scout Centre, itself a member of the VDAPG, will receive business mail here in future.

After the meetings in the regions and dinner, the highlight of the weekend was the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the VDAPG and the 30th anniversary of the Central European subregion of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF). From the latter, parts of the Presidium with the Chair Teresa Tarkowska-Dudek from Poland, Treasurer Bernhard Müller from Austria and Executive Director Rainer Nalazek from Germany travelled to the event. A special honour was bestowed on the long-standing President Helmut Reitberger, who was presented with the Association's Badge of Honour by the Executive Committee, consisting of Hendrik Knop, Sigrid Kiemes, Angela Dernbach, Erwin Schmuhl and Cathrin Stange.

Afterwards, the quiz show Jeopardy was played with categories such as "55 years VDAPG" or "30 years ISGF SRZE", where the teams could prove their knowledge of history. The audience outside the venue could also participate via Zoom. Thanks goes to the Technical Department with Felix Kalbe, who made the entire event hybrid possible in this way. Sunday morning was used for looking ahead, exchanging information and dates and saying goodbye. A big thank you to all who contributed to the success of the weekend.

The Verband Deutscher Altpfadfindergilden e.V. is well positioned after the association meeting and can tackle the next challenges, such as updating the statutes, revising the corporate design or projects such as the further development of the history workshop, before the members meet again for the General Assembly in 2024.