Thank you Germany: Part 016: Organising is fantastic!

The work of the clubs enriches Germany not only in the youth sector. They also provide an important social service to many people in adulthood. Almost every German is or has been organised in a club at some point during their lifetime. Many people even take on honorary positions or set up their own clubs. The opportunities for working in clubs are as varied as life itself.

There is a club for almost every hobby in Germany. Many clubs also offer important work for social or ecological causes. Working in an association not only gives members the opportunity to pursue a meaningful or entertaining activity. It also brings people together. New friendships are made in clubs and groups are formed that stick together for a common goal. Those who meet regularly in these groups not only add a nice change to their everyday lives. They also make contacts who provide fun entertainment every week, but who are also there to personally help with problems. Like few other groups, clubs guarantee solid social support over many years. They also offer the opportunity for good integration.

Anyone who has arrived in Germany or moved to a new neighbourhood in a federal state can quickly build up a circle of friends there with the help of clubs. Even if the work of Germans is sometimes derided as club bureaucracy, clubs nevertheless offer predominantly positive characteristics. The fact that Germans utilise this structure so much also shows the social vein of the population. Many Germans enjoy working with other people on a voluntary project. The German state in turn supports associations with its own structure.

If it is a registered association that is of general benefit, donations to associations can be deducted from tax. In this way, many people support their association or other organisations with a targeted donation. In this way, their own cause is specifically promoted and the useful work of the associations for society is advanced. Organisations benefit considerably from opportunities such as these. Companies and banks also donate to their work. The money received can in turn be invested by the organisations in charitable work.

This results in good support structures for voluntary work. Many associations can look back on a long history. Some clubs have only been established for a few years. Especially for sports that have not been around that long, online games or technical matters, the clubs are often not that old. But with the right structure, good support can be organised quickly in this case too.

Many cities advertise the work of their associations to both residents and visitors. This enables the clubs to raise their profile and attract new members. Few other countries offer such good support for personal hobbies and interests. Many club members can pursue their personal hobby in a pleasant atmosphere. The club structure supports work over years and decades. This enriches the cultural work of a city or region. In the case of sports or music clubs, the special continuity also guarantees a sustainable improvement in skills.