The Federation of German-American Clubs (VDAC) is a nationwide umbrella organization of clubs in Germany whose thousands of volunteers work to promote friendship between the peoples of Germany and the United States. We regard this friendship between the peoples of both countries as an essential contribution to freedom and democracy.
To pursue this goal, the VDAC cooperates with the diplomatic services, chambers of commerce, armed forces and public institutions of both countries, as well as with German-American institutions of every kind. However, the main focus is on bringing people from both our countries together — through the activities of our clubs throughout Germany, as well as through our student exchange and youth program.
Through the VDAC, German and American students can spend two semesters in the host country and become familiar with the many facets and nuances of its society. Teenagers from Germany can stay with families in the US and learn about their lives. Seminars in Germany for both groups bring young Germans and Americans together and encourage them to learn from their respective experiences and perspectives.
Dirk Nowitzki receives the Clay Medal
At its annual celebration of German-American Day, the VDAC emphasizes the close ties between the two countries. The awarding of the Lucius D. Clay Medal to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to German-American friendship is intended as a reminder that deepening German-American relations is an ongoing social responsibility.
The many activities of the VDAC and its clubs, as well as its students and youth, are regularly featured in the Federation’s magazine, the Gazette.
All of the members of our clubs and our board of directors are unpaid volunteers who devote their time, energy, and expertise to furthering the goals of the Federation. Our programs and events are funded through donations raised by the clubs. The success of the Federation over many decades is thanks to the dedicated work of the clubs and their members.
How it all started
The Federation Board in 1955
The Federation of German-American Clubs (VDAC) was founded in 1948 in Bad Kissingen in northern Bavaria. Its origins lie in the period of occupation that followed the Second World War, when an American military administrator recognized the need for dialogue between the German population and the American soldiers stationed in Germany. The Germans sought solutions to the numerous problems they faced in their daily lives among the ruins, while the Americans sought to democratize this country.
Thus, despite an initial ban on fraternization, a fruitful collaboration developed that soon extended to many other areas of public life. The increasing interest in American culture and in the importance of the United States for the defense of West Germany spread beyond the former American occupation zone and led to the founding of German-American clubs throughout the Federal Republic. In the wake of German reunification in 1990, clubs in the former East Germany joined the Federation as well.
1945: In the aftermath of World War II, Germany is divided into four occupation zones and placed under the control of Allied military governments. A non-fraternization order prohibits non-essential contact between Americans and Germans.
1946: Captain Merle A. Potter, the first American military administrator of Bad Kissingen, recognizes the need to approach the German public on more of an equal footing. His attempt to found a German-American friendship club together with Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, the grandson of the last German emperor, leads to Potter’s removal from his post after a reporter from the New York Times writes about the club. However, Potter is able to convince General Lucius D. Clay of his intention. A shift in US foreign policy is announced by Secretary of State James F. Byrnes in his “Speech of Hope”.
1947: Clay instructs Potter to establish German-American friendship clubs in the American occupation zone with the aim of promoting dialogue and an understanding of democracy.
1948: At a conference in Bad Kissingen on June 25–26, the VDAC is founded as the Federation of German-American Social Discussion Clubs; it received its present name the following year. The VDAC’s founding coincides with the start of the Berlin Airlift.
1949: Germany is still severely affected by the aftermath of the war. Charitable work begins in the form of a road safety program for the entire American occupation zone and, starting in 1950, “Pfennigparaden” — fund-raising to fight polio and tuberculosis.
1951: The VDAC co-founds the Congress of European-American Associations.
The Federation Board in 1955
1952: The Federation establishes German-American Friendship Week, which is celebrated both within the VDAC and by the clubs in various cities with events for the public.
1954: The VDAC publishes the Gazetteas a mimeographed newsletter.
1957: Two years of preparatory work by the German-American Women’s Club of Munich culminate in the VDAC’s student exchange program, known as “A Bridge Across the Ocean”. Oberlin College in Ohio became the first partner university in the VDAC program. The Federation’s logo, which remains unchanged to this day, also dates back to this year.
1958: At seminars on weekends and during school vacations, the VDAC brings together German and American youth.
1960: The Gazette is published as a printed magazine for the first time.
1974: The VDAC introduces orientation seminars for its students. The founding of a separate VDAC club for former exchange participants, known today as VDAC Alumni e.V., strengthens their ties to the federation.
1980: Two years after the death of the VDAC’s co-founder, the first Lucius D. Clay Medal is awarded in his name, during German-American Friendship Week.
1992: Two years after reunification, clubs in eastern Germany join the Federation and the US begins withdrawing most of its troops from Germany. The Federation increasingly turns its focus to sister cities and economic relations with the United States.
2007: In Heidelberg, the VDAC celebrates 50 years of its student exchange. More than 200 of the then 2500 former exchange students take part in the festivities.
2008: The VDAC is one of the main organizers of a two-day German-American program at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin offering information and entertainment to thousands of members of the public. The guest speakers include Angela Merkel and George H. W. Bush.
2018: The Federation celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding.
Our constitution
The VDAC is a non-profit charity registered in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its goal is to to promote German-American relations in a democratic way. Its members are the clubs that it represents. The VDAC’s board of directors is elected every two years at a convention of the clubs. Download the VDAC constitution to learn all the details.
Get involved!
…as a club: Let’s join forces! Is your non-profit organization interested in joining or collaborating with the VDAC? Please feel free to contact us. Our board of directors would be delighted to hear from you.
…as an individual: You, too, can make a difference! Get in touch with a VDAC club near you or, if you have taken part in our student exchange program, with our national club, VDAC Alumni.
…as an active member: The commitment, knowledge and skills of active members are indispensable for our work. We encourage the members of all our clubs to join the VDAC’s board of directors. If you have legal, financial, academic, journalistic or artistic expertise, or just good organizational skills, we need you!
…and remember: our work is made possible by charitable donations. Because everyone at the VDAC and its constituent clubs is an unpaid volunteer, every amount that is donated goes directly into our programs, Learn more about how you can support us.
The Federation of German-American Clubs (VDAC) is a nationwide umbrella organization of clubs in Germany whose thousands of volunteers work to promote friendship between the peoples of Germany and the United States. We regard this friendship between the peoples of both countries as an essential contribution to freedom and democracy.
To pursue this goal, the VDAC cooperates with the diplomatic services, chambers of commerce, armed forces and public institutions of both countries, as well as with German-American institutions of every kind. However, the main focus is on bringing people from both our countries together — through the activities of our clubs throughout Germany, as well as through our student exchange and youth program.
Through the VDAC, German and American students can spend two semesters in the host country and become familiar with the many facets and nuances of its society. Teenagers from Germany can stay with families in the US and learn about their lives. Seminars in Germany for both groups bring young Germans and Americans together and encourage them to learn from their respective experiences and perspectives.
At its annual celebration of German-American Day, the VDAC emphasizes the close ties between the two countries. The awarding of the Lucius D. Clay Medal to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to German-American friendship is intended as a reminder that deepening German-American relations is an ongoing social responsibility.
The many activities of the VDAC and its clubs, as well as its students and youth, are regularly featured in the Federation’s magazine, the Gazette.
All of the members of our clubs and our board of directors are unpaid volunteers who devote their time, energy, and expertise to furthering the goals of the Federation. Our programs and events are funded through donations raised by the clubs. The success of the Federation over many decades is thanks to the dedicated work of the clubs and their members.
How it all started
The Federation of German-American Clubs (VDAC) was founded in 1948 in Bad Kissingen in northern Bavaria. Its origins lie in the period of occupation that followed the Second World War, when an American military administrator recognized the need for dialogue between the German population and the American soldiers stationed in Germany. The Germans sought solutions to the numerous problems they faced in their daily lives among the ruins, while the Americans sought to democratize this country.
Thus, despite an initial ban on fraternization, a fruitful collaboration developed that soon extended to many other areas of public life. The increasing interest in American culture and in the importance of the United States for the defense of West Germany spread beyond the former American occupation zone and led to the founding of German-American clubs throughout the Federal Republic. In the wake of German reunification in 1990, clubs in the former East Germany joined the Federation as well.
Our constitution
The VDAC is a non-profit charity registered in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its goal is to to promote German-American relations in a democratic way. Its members are the clubs that it represents. The VDAC’s board of directors is elected every two years at a convention of the clubs. Download the VDAC constitution to learn all the details.
Get involved!
…as a club: Let’s join forces! Is your non-profit organization interested in joining or collaborating with the VDAC? Please feel free to contact us. Our board of directors would be delighted to hear from you.
…as an individual: You, too, can make a difference! Get in touch with a VDAC club near you or, if you have taken part in our student exchange program, with our national club, VDAC Alumni.
…as an active member: The commitment, knowledge and skills of active members are indispensable for our work. We encourage the members of all our clubs to join the VDAC’s board of directors. If you have legal, financial, academic, journalistic or artistic expertise, or just good organizational skills, we need you!
…and remember: our work is made possible by charitable donations. Because everyone at the VDAC and its constituent clubs is an unpaid volunteer, every amount that is donated goes directly into our programs, Learn more about how you can support us.