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In the year of its 150th anniversary, the Rhönklub is surprised by individual branch clubs' efforts to become independent. What's behind it?
Lahrbach – The Rhönklub Lahrbach will vote on leaving the umbrella organization at its general meeting in mid-April. This would reduce the number of local associations to 73. 15 years ago, the local and hiking association still had 88 branch associations. President Klaus Neisser sees “general club fatigue” as the reason for the decline.
For the Lahrbachers, however, according to chairman Carsten Reichelt, financial considerations play the main role: of the 19 euros that a full member pays as an annual fee, 16 euros must be paid to the umbrella organization. “In the end, there is almost nothing left for the club’s work on site.”
Dispute over money: Rhönklub branch threatens to leave
The reason for the board's current proposal is the main association's announcement that it will hire a full-time management team. As a result, the Lahrbachers assume that the contribution screw will be tightened. According to reports, the managing director position should be refinanced through funding, says Reichelt. To him, however, the concept seems like a cat biting its own tail. “Everyone in the branch associations works on a voluntary basis. I understand that an association of this size needs full-time office workers. But an expensive managing director?” asks Reichelt critically.
The option for full-time management was created in 2016 during the term of office of Rhönklub President Jürgen Reinhardt through a corresponding change to the statutes. His successor would now like to advertise the position shortly. “The board has been commissioned to do this by the highest body,” emphasizes Neisser, referring to a resolution of the delegate assembly in June 2025. He describes the honorary presidency as a full-time job that cannot be afforded without major sacrifices in the private sector.
He confirms that belonging to the Rhönklub could become more expensive in the future. “In my inaugural speech two years ago, I said that I was not afraid to increase membership fees – but I was still elected.” It is often overlooked that the umbrella organization itself has to give up a large part of its income, a total of around 40,000 euros annually to the Association of German Hiking and Mountain Clubs and the three regional associations.
What does the umbrella organization offer?
• Free annual calendar (sales price 8 euros)
• The club magazine “Die Rhön – Hiking and more” four times a year (sales price 12 euros)
• Comprehensive insurance coverage for the branches and each individual member
• Small discount in some cabins per night
• Automatic membership of every club member up to 27 years of age in the German Hiking Youth with discounts on holiday camps, trekking tours and other activities
• Support for the branch associations with activities, especially for families, discounts on hiking guide training
• Use of the Rhönklub brand and the right to submit statements on certain construction projects within the framework of consultations with public bodies
• Legal advice from the Association of German Mountain and Hiking Clubs
As When the Rhönklub was founded 150 years ago, promoting tourism was one of its goals. Today the Rhönklub still works closely with Rhön GmbH. Neisser justifies the need for full-time management with, among other things, the increased demands of some branch associations for services in the tourism sector. In return, the association receives funding, such as recently from the state of Bavaria for path marking.
For Vice President Bernd Müller-Strauß, the new managing director should above all have the ability to network, also in order to improve internal communication within the club. “I have the impression that not all branch associations have the same information. There is not enough communication with each other.”
Rhönklub chairman highlights the advantages of a large community
Neisser emphasizes the advantages of a large community, for example in order to have a political voice. He praises it as an example of the solidarity between the branches the support after the fire at the Kissinger Hütte. “All branch associations benefit from maintaining the large huts,” he says. “Above all, there is a difference whether I say that I am proud of the Rhön or of my small branch club,” says the Bad Brückenauer, promoting a Rhön identity.
Lahrbach is not the only local association in which dissatisfaction is growing over the amount of taxes to be paid. Two members of the Tanner branch recently resigned in protest because of this. Chairwoman Bettina Herbst expects further resignations in the event of an increase in contributions. Nevertheless, the Tanner board is currently not planning to become independent. “We will continue to monitor developments,” says Herbst.
Representatives of other branch associations also fear that if contributions rise significantly, many members – a third, estimates a chairman from the Ulster Valley – would turn their backs on the Rhönklub. In this dilemma, the shirt could be closer to the clubs than the coat, i.e. the local community is more important than the association.
This is what other branches say
Eichenzell branch: Chairman Benjamin Günder agrees with the Lahrbachers that “not too much of the membership fees remains in the club”. Even in the branch with the largest number of members, there had already been a “theoretical” discussion about it. Fortunately, Eichenzell was able to improve his finances by managing the watchtower. With regard to youth work, he points out the offerings of the German Hiking Youth and emphasizes: “We are all very proud of 150 years of the Rhönklub.”
Gersfeld branch: “I find it very balanced what you receive from the umbrella organization for your contribution,” says chairwoman Margit Trittin, particularly highlighting the magazine “Die Rhön”. “When the decision was made to hire a managing director in Bad Bocklet on June 1, 2025, not many argued against it,” she adds.
Neuhof branch: For chairman Norbert Möller, the Rhönklub is not just about hiking, but also about culture and tradition, “and with the Rhönklub you have a good harbor.” The value cannot necessarily be expressed in money. “I have found that the Rhönklub brand is a good driving force for advertising your branch club.”
Hilders branch: Chairman Thomas Krenzer misses passion in the main board, which is also reflected in what he believes is a lack of communication with the clubs. “I don’t see what a managing director could do to change that.” If there is actually an increase in contributions, “I assume that we will lose at least 100 of our 520 members”. However, the branch association will only deal with this when the topic becomes current. “Leaving would be the last resort.”
Raymund Huf, who is the mayor of Lahrbach and the cultural manager of the branch association, also notices this tension. “I definitely don't want to downplay the work of the umbrella organization. But the question of whether we need the 'bureaucratic waterhead' in Lahrbach keeps coming up in meetings. Therefore, the board would now like to give the members the decision as to where the journey should go.” Reichelt calculates that by leaving the umbrella organization, his branch would save around 2,100 euros a year – money that could flow into youth work instead.
According to his own statement, the chairman cannot predict how the vote, which is scheduled for April 17th, will turn out. In an information disc sent to members, the board explained that tried and tested traditions would be continued even after someone left. However, the main club statutes prohibit keeping the “Rhönklub” part of the name.
About five years ago, the Rhönklub Thaiden dissolved due to a lack of younger successors. Instead, an association independent of the umbrella organization was founded with the new name “Onser Durf”, which, among other things, uses and maintains the former Rhönklub refuge. “With the reorganization we can give more back to the place than was previously possible,” summarizes chairman Michael Kümpel. (By Sandra Limpert)
