(UB) After we already started a new event format this year with the reception of the 5-year anniversaries, the next premiere was on the agenda on November 11: All those who have newly joined the club since 2020 were invited to the Come-Together in the FVV headquarter. We were keen to get to know the new members better, provide a platform for networking, show what makes the FVV so special and also introduce how you can get involved.
How it was, describes a member of many years, our editor Uli Barths: The 11.11. means for the one, the first goose roast of the season, for the other, finally Karneval. For the FVV it meant full house in the Gartenstraße. The waffle iron glowed, the giant tub with the homemade dough emptied rapidly and the sparkling wine bubbled in the glasses. But stop: Above all the evening was opportunity the new members once their association somewhat more near to introduce. The board was almost completely represented, numerous division heads were ready. Ina, who is responsible for the members of the five-member board, moderated the evening, gave an overview of the numerous activities of the association, introduced the responsible persons and thus paved the way for an informal dialogue.
One of her key phrases stuck with Masud. “In the FVV, no one should be afraid of not being accepted.” Masud recently started playing volleyball. He says he knows this situation: “I’m gay and live pretty much un-outed. Often I feel like I have to explain myself, not here. That’s why I feel so comfortable at FVV.” More. Masud beams as he says, “FVV is cool. I haven’t regretted it, it’s the best decision of my life!”. Earlier, his volleyball department head Norman had explained the code of conduct that FVV gave itself many years ago. The central message: everyone is obliged to contribute to ensuring that the club DNA is not just written on paper, but lived: Honesty, transparency, respect, tolerance and acceptance.
In practice, this works, as Vuong confirms. He is also new to the FVV, plays badminton and is heterosexual, not the only one in the FVV, by the way. Vuong by no means feels like an exotic who has to justify himself because he is in the minority. No, “You are who you are and that’s fine.” His sexuality has not been an issue in the group at all, he says. With a warm waffle in his hand, he praises the event, “Great idea, relaxed, interesting.” He had only flown in early that morning from his vacation in Vietnam, had been working, and had no regrets at all about stopping by the FVV in the evening. He feels comfortable and secure and the chemistry is right. He likes the feeling of being part of this community.
But not every wish comes true: Rubin from Barcelona is new to swimming. He wants something “fun after work, socializing and learn some German on the way.” To German, he says dryly, “Impossible.” But, and he has to smile a bit himself, at home he could swim in the sea, naked, from the nudist beach. Here, he has to wear his bathing suit. “Nothing’s perfect,” Rubin says, laughing loudly and toasting the crowd.
Find some pictures of the vent here.