How can I get involved without becoming a member straight away?

Just come along to one of our regular get-togethers – it is a relaxed way to find out what our work is like.

How is the association funded?

We fund our work through membership fees, donations and contributions from supporters. All funds go directly into our projects.

How is the board structured?

There is a main board for the big picture and dedicated section boards for each partner town and for youth. This way every topic is well looked after.

How often is the board elected?

The general meeting elects office holders every two years. This brings fresh air and continuity at the same time.

Is the association a registered non-profit?

Yes, we are recognised as a non-profit. We pursue no commercial interests but work selflessly for international understanding.

Is the committee politically affiliated?

No, the association is politically and religiously neutral. We care about humanist values and the democratic basic order, regardless of party membership.

Delegationen mit gelb-grünen Halstüchern im Gespräch vor der Verschwisterungs-Zeremonie im Château de Beauregard in Saint-Péray

Gruppenbild der Groß-Umstädter Delegation mit Weinhoheiten beim Fest São Bento in Santo Tirso 2025

Groß-Umstädter Weinhoheiten mit Weingläsern beim Verschwisterungsfest im Wendelinuspark

For Europe since 1966

Groß-Umstadt Twinning Committee: our association at a glance

Three twin towns, one volunteer commitment, European friendship in practice.

How we work & how to get involved

1966 year founded

3 twin towns

2 years board term of office

4 sections: France, Portugal, Italy, Youth

What drives us

Bringing people together

We organise citizens’ trips and festivals so that you don’t just see our twin towns but really get to know the people who live there.

Breaking down barriers

Language and culture should never be obstacles. We encourage exchange so that we learn from one another and leave no room for prejudice.

Strong structures

Close cooperation with the town administration takes pressure off our volunteers, so we can focus on what really matters.

Living Europe

Together with the town, we send a visible signal for cohesion, peace and a united Europe.

Our board

The association is run entirely by volunteers. Under the statutes, the president is the serving mayor of Groß-Umstadt. The other board members are elected by the general meeting for two years at a time.

Executive board

President

René Kirch

Mayor of Groß-Umstadt

Treasurer

Mathias Fuhr

kasse@verschwisterung.eu

Section heads

French section

Reinhold Schmidgall

Portuguese section

Bernardo Oliveira Rodrigues

Italian section

Ingrid Grubmüller

Youth section

Marcel Zurmöhle

The main board

The main board coordinates the work of all sections and presents the budget at the start of each year. Besides the president, the section heads and the treasurer, its members are:

the secretary
one member from each of the four section committees
one representative of each political group on the Groß-Umstadt town council
the archivist
a press and communications officer

The section heads are equal-ranking vice-presidents. Each section also has its own committee, made up of the section head, one to three deputies, a secretary and one to three further members.

Our three twin towns

Discover all twin towns

News from the association

Frequently asked questions

Eine große Menschenmenge versammelt sich beim Johannisfest 2025 auf dem Stadtplatz von Groß-Umstadt, umgeben von Fachwerkhäusern, Sonnenschirmen und bunten Luftschlangen. Menschen aller Altersgruppen unterhalten sich und genießen die lebhafte Festatmosphäre.

Be part of this friendship

Whether your heart beats for France, Portugal or Italy, or you simply fancy meeting people from abroad in your own town: discover our twin towns, drop in at one of our regular get-togethers or become a member right away.

Become a member