The TV is currently suffering from a massive decline in membership. In the past year, the association recorded around 100 withdrawals.
Nauheim -The gymnastics club 1888/94 (TV) lost numerous members in the Corona crisis. Chairman Wolfgang Glotzbach estimates that around 100 women, men and children would have turned their backs on the association in 2020. The number of people leaving is not unusual over the year. “Normally we can compensate for a loss of 100 people through admissions,” explains the club boss, who was also the chairman of the sports district in the past. In 2020 that was not the case.
Ten years ago, the TV officially had around 1,000 members. The membership file was cleaned up three years ago. That led to a loss of about 300 people, it was said at the time. With a further 100 withdrawals that would not be covered by new memberships, the association is currently around 600.
Annual General Meeting canceled twice
Glotzbach would like to present its members with an exact balance at an annual general meeting. This was postponed in March of last year after the start of the corona pandemic. At that time, Glotzbach said the club was not feeling “any serious consequences” of the corona crisis, apart from the dormant sports business. After resuming in the summer, it has been suspended again since November 2nd – for an indefinite period. The general meeting has still not taken place. It was rescheduled for November 21, 2020 and had to be canceled again. There is no new date yet.
Members can be excited to see how the financial record turns out. The chairman admits “that the loss is noticeable”. In the area of adult contributions, Glotzbach expects income to be reduced by “several thousand euros”. The association is still in good spirits. “But if the crisis lasts longer, things get tight. Not only for us, but also for other clubs,” said the former sports district chairman, who is still very familiar with the situation in other clubs.
At least the executive board is informed about the current status. This can be achieved through online conferences. In January Glotzbach is planning a test run for an online meeting of the entire management board, which will include department heads from the areas of aikido, handball, health sports, bowling, rehabilitation sports, table tennis and gymnastics.
Club steps on the brakes
The club was not inactive. For years, TV has repeatedly invested large sums in its Jahnhalle, which was built in 1956. This includes the renewal of the hall parquet, the creation of interior and exterior walls, the installation of new fire doors, a new heating system and new shower and changing rooms. The bottom line is a six-figure sum, as announced in general meetings since 2018/19. Now, as a precaution, the board is taking the brakes on investment: “We don’t have any big plans until April or May,” assures Wolfgang Glotzbach. The expansion of the sports kindergarten at the Jahnhalle, which was opened in 2012 and for which the association is conceptually and personally responsible through its own non-profit company, is financed through a loan from the municipality.
The board of management keeps in contact with the members as well as possible, for example via an information letter and information on the homepage, emphasizes Glotzbach. Although the practice has stopped, the gymnasts can train individually on the equipment. This is possible with registrations, participation lists and strict hygiene measures. For larger groups, as is common in health sports, for example, the practice is suspended.
If you have any questions, you can contact the office of the gymnastics club in the Jahnhalle at (0 61 52) 9 57 22 00. It is open Mondays from 5pm to 8pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm. Rainer Pouch
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