Change at the top: Rena Friedrich now leads the VdK Oberes Niddertal!

Change at the top: Rena Friedrich now leads the VdK Oberes Niddertal!

A change at the top of the VdK Oberes Niddertal provides a breath of fresh air: At this year's annual meeting, which took place in Burkhards, Gerhard Jäger handed over the reins to Rena Friedrich after an impressive 18 years on the board and 16 years as chairman. This step not only marks a transfer of responsibility, but also the beginning of a new era for the social association, which is always committed to social justice. The VdK Oberes Niddertal currently has 124 members and thus shows its importance in the region.

The meeting was followed closely by Hans-Jürgen Röhr, the district chairman. He did not miss the opportunity to comment on the association's developments and point out the challenges that affect many local groups of the VdK. What is particularly alarming is the fact that four of the 19 local associations in the Lauterbach district association are without a functioning board, as Röhr noted.

New faces on the board

The new board elections brought some changes. In addition to Rena Friedrich as the new chairwoman, Friedel Rost remains deputy chairwoman. Anneliese Heun continues to take on the position of cash administrator, while Annemarie Dahmer acts as secretary. New to the team are assessors Marianne Horr and Gerhard Jäger, who continues to contribute his experience as chairman for many years. Iris Zisemer and Manfred Heun have left the board, which represents an emotional farewell for Jäger.

Another exciting aspect was the decision to shorten the election period for board members from four to two years, which is seen as an opportunity to bring new impetus to the association and promote the involvement of young members.

Challenges and outlook

Despite the positive developments, there are challenges that lie ahead for the VdK. Kerstin Hippinen, the women's representative, reported a low response to association appointments that had to be canceled in the past. Therefore, a change in thinking is necessary to involve members more and adapt activities to their needs.

In addition to the internal challenges, Röhr expressed sharp criticism of federal policy. In particular, the lack of consideration of the VdK in the current coalition agreement and the existing financing gaps in the nursing and hospital systems are prompting the association to make specific demands. Attention is drawn to the need for faster political decisions and a uniform contribution fund for all members in order to meet the needs of the disadvantaged groups that the VdK wants to represent.

The VdK is not only committed locally, but is part of a comprehensive network that has over 298,000 members in Germany. In Nidderau, for example, the local association grew from 834 to 912 members last year. The VdK is a place where people come together who want to campaign for social justice and security.

In the future, the VdK would like to further intensify its social legal advice and set up new advice centers in areas such as Schotten, Nidda and Büdingen. The challenges are diverse, but the commitment of the members and the new impulses could be decisive for continuing the success story of the VdK.

The last end-of-year celebration, which took place harmoniously in the village community center in Kaulström, gives an idea that, despite all the challenges, the VdK community forms the basis for future success. Under the new chairmanship of Rena Friedrich, it will be exciting to see how the association develops and what new ideas and initiatives it can implement.

Further information about membership and the VdK's diverse offerings can be found on the association's website: VdK membership.

In summary, the VdK Oberes Niddertal continues to play a central role in the fight for social justice and is ready to face the challenges of the future with new ideas and a fresh leadership team. Let's see what the coming months bring!

Further details about the developments in the VdK and the upcoming tasks can also be found at FNP and MKK Echo.