When 23 ordinary members attended the general meeting at the town hall in Schwäbisch Gmünd in February, nobody thought that the coronavirus would put a stop to humanity shortly afterwards. The 1st Chairman and Lord Mayor Arnold had invited everyone to the large meeting room. He opened the meeting by welcoming the members present and especially the 5 young members, students in the Surface Technology department at Aalen University of Applied Sciences.
Arnold then began his report, highlighting the economic situation in Schwäbisch Gmünd. At the moment, the city has a pleasingly low unemployment rate of 3.7%. This includes people over 50 years of age who are difficult to place and have not completed vocational training. The automotive industry is of great economic importance to the region. As this industry is in a state of upheaval, it is uncertain how the changes will affect the region economically. There is a lack of skilled workers to meet this challenge. Highly qualified women offer great potential. In order to integrate them into the work process, the city is investing in childcare provision above and beyond the prescribed childcare density. Changes in tax legislation have an impact on a city's financial situation. Revenues from trade tax are falling, while income tax revenues, from which the city receives 15%, are rising. Rising population figures would therefore also result in higher income for the city. This is countered by interests in environmental protection and landscape conservation. Arnold concluded his remarks by stating that "in a democracy, we need compromises in order to meet everyone's requirements.
Hasso Kaiser (front), founding father and member of the extended board of the Z. O. G., stepped down from the Board. His place was taken by Prof. Dr. Timo Sörgel from Aalen University. Sörgel cannot be seen in the group photoIn thenext item on the agenda, the Managing Director, Erich Arnet, presented the development of the association. The growth in membership, which now stands at 192, is particularly pleasing. The association was able to gain 53 new members last year. These include 27 students from Aalen University of Applied Sciences and 14 students from the Schwäbisch Gmünd School for Master Craftsmen. With the young members, the association hopes to gain new and young impulses for the association's work over time. Arnet went on to provide information about the association's main task, which consists of seminar work for basic and advanced training in the field of electroplating. The basic seminars, which are now offered in a variety of ways, are particularly popular. In 2019, the number of seminar days was once again significantly increased.
The resulting association result was approved by the members and the actions of the Executive Board and management were ratified and the Executive Board confirmed in office for a further term of office.
Due to the age-related retirement of Hasso Kaiser from the extended Board, this position had to be filled. Prof. Dr. Timo Sörgel (FH Aalen) made himself available for this position and was unanimously elected to the office.
Hasso Kaiser, who founded the Z.O.G. more than 30 years ago in order to strengthen electroplating technology in the region and beyond, will remain with the association in an advisory capacity. Mayor Arnold paid tribute to the dedicated work of Hasso Kaiser. He set an example for his approach to new ideas and tasks by asking: "Wouldn't you like to ...". An invitation that the person asked could not resist in view of his mature plans and things got rolling. As mayor, one could be proud of committed citizens like Hasso Kaiser and equally proud of an association like the Z.O.G and the work done for the industry and the city.
This concluded the official part of the annual meeting and was followed by an invitation to the Prediger Museum in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Museum director Dr. Tillmann took over the tour and began with the Hans Baldung Grien exhibition, in which he gave a very impressive account of the motifs and backgrounds of the exhibits. This was followed by the extensive collection of silverware, consisting of jewelry and table silver from different periods. The tour continued into the Imperial Regalia Treasury. "The most important parts of the treasure include the imperial crown and the imperial orb as well as the coronation mantle and the imperial sword. With the permission of the Vienna Treasury, Gmünd goldsmiths and silversmiths as well as the Staufer saga association's garment and armor workshop produced replicas of these imperial regalia, which are sensational in their precious and magnificent execution." The visitors could hardly tear themselves away from the splendor and values and could not have imagined anything more impressive. They went up to the upper floor of the museum, where not only a wonderful view over the roofs of Schwäbisch Gmünd's old town awaited them, but also the church treasure. "The first part of the permanent exhibition concludes with the presentation of the ecclesiastical treasures from the Holy Cross Minster, St. Francis Church and the Holy Ghost Hospital. With objects dating from the 14th to the early 20th century, the church treasure of the Heilig-Kreuz-Münster is one of the most important in Baden-Württemberg and allows visitors to revel in the gold, silver and precious stones of valuable monstrances, chalices and reliquaries."
At the end of the day, visitors were able to put their ice skating skills to the test on the ice rink in front of the town hall.
In the meantime, no Z.O.G. seminars could take place due to the current situation and it is not yet clear when the program can be resumed. However, as in many areas, the Z.O.G. management is also working on new concepts so that seminars will be offered again in the foreseeable future.
