DMYV Association Day 2023: German motor yacht association in digital change
Gernot Apfelstedt
· 31.05.2023
The fact that the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) held its most recent association conference in Wittenberg, the former workplace of church reformers Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon, was highly symbolic and the timing could not have been more appropriate. After all, the time-honoured umbrella organisation with a 116-year history is undergoing radical change. For around two years, the DMYV has been modernising itself on almost all levels, without uprooting itself in the process. Necessary changes are being made in order to secure the existence of the association for the future. DMYV President Frank Dettmering speaks of a relay race. On 24 October 2021, he took over the baton from current Honorary President Winfried Röcker, who did not stand for re-election after 24 years in office. A new era began.
"Picking up younger generations where they are"
Even then, Dettmering named a key point for the further development of the DMYV: digitalisation. And he repeated it in his report on 7 May 2023 in the conference room of the Lutherhotel Wittenberg. "You can like it or not like it, but it is our future," said the front man on the DMYV Executive Committee. "We have to pick up the younger generations where they are in order to sustainably recruit new talent." And the association has made huge strides in this direction in the past year and a half. Visible for all to see in the relaunch of the Website. Since February 2022, the umbrella organisation has had a modern website: modern layout and clear navigation, quick access to all information and documents. In terms of content, it is a real service pool. For example, associations can find an application form for project funding and the associated funding guidelines in digital form.
According to Frank Dettmering, the association wants to move away from the watering can principle towards targeted support for club events with financial deficits. In April 2022, the new website of the Recreational Craft Association (SBV) e.V. in the German Motor Yacht Association online. It is also a modern website with all the services, dates and bases of the SBV at a glance. Membership (even without a fixed club and as a beginner) can be taken out online with just a few clicks.
Digital multitool: DMYV app in the test phase
The development of the DMYV app for all skippers is a milestone on the road to digitalisation. It is currently in the test phase. We can look forward to this multi-tool for communication, information and boat-related services, which can be used to register at a lock, for example. An anti-theft programme is also to be integrated. And there are special functions for DMYV and SBV members. The overdue renovation of the DMYV office in Duisburg from March 2021 to April 2022 provides further examples of modernisation and digitalisation.
The second key point of the DMYV's future direction is to open up the association to all types of motorised water sports. This has already become clear with the inclusion of the German Jet Sports Association, the MotoSurf Club Germany and the Hover Club of Germany, all three of which are registered associations. "We want to diversify," explained Frank Dettmering. This statement and (new) self-image is emphasised by an addition that the DMYV has included in its logo since February 2022: "Federal association for motorised water sports".
All of this is just a fraction of what happened at the DMYV between the association meetings in Wiesbaden and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. After the key points, Frank Dettmering let pictures speak instead of a long lecture, which can be viewed on the DMYV's YouTube channel. to be found here are. A 13-minute video entitled "DMYV - Achievements of the last legislative period for the 2023 Association Day". It provides an impressive overview of the DMYV's key successes, events and projects in 2021 and 2022. Below are screenshots from the video.
Rainer Lutterbey newly elected to the Executive Committee for competitive sport
Three positions were put to the vote in the elections for the Executive Committee. Delegates confirmed 1st Vice President Gisbert König in his position for a further four years. Uwe Gerlach, who has been on the Executive Board since 2021 and is responsible for grassroots sport and clubs, was also re-elected in his home town. Rainer Lutterbey from the Schleswig-Holstein regional association will be joining the DMYV Executive Committee as an assessor for competitive sport. He replaces Wolfram Marek.
