6 - April 2010 Newsletter 41 Club

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[email protected] Issue 6 – April 2010 ^ Back To Top ^

Contents

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Editorial – The Time For Decision

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Contributions to

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Please send contributions to [email protected] or phone 01606 832807 and ask for Ray. The copy date for the May issue is Sunday 25th April. Many thanks to all those members who have contributed to the six edition trial of the newsletter. Your contributions have been very welcome.

Editor: Ray Hill National Councillor Region 11

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Scarborough 2010

Club News

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Over ‘His’ Dead Body 9

President’s Finale

The Back 2

President’s Finale

12 Page Conference Edition

With only a few days until Scarborough 2010 I think it is time to reflect on what has been achieved during my Presidential year and what will be taken forward by my successor. Achievements The underlying theme for 2009/10 has been how the National Council can lead the modernisation of 41 Club and rekindle a greater sense of purpose across the Association.

• The Sales Officer has introduced across the sales and regalia items our new modern image.

• In the latest issue of Links we launched a new benefits package to members - Platinum Privileges.

• The National Vice-President has drafted a revision for the Association Aims for consideration at the AGM.

• Over the last 6 months a new monthly newsletter has been emailed to every club to circulate to its members and has been posted on the website to ensure our members are better informed and more involved.

• The National Magazine LINKS has been redesigned and modernised.

• Help for Heroes was targeted to raise £41,000 by asking for £50 from every 41 Club. To date 420 41 Clubs have donated over £80,000.00. With Tangent the joint total could exceed £100,000.00 by April 2010.

• A club survey has provided invaluable data concerning attitudes to change.

• More Service Awards have been made than ever before. • We have established an online Forum and will develop further our

use of social media. Our Aims The Aims of the Association were formulated 65 years ago to continue the values of Round Table into the future. The Aims were written when attracting retiring Round Tablers was not a problem. We have for over 80 years boasted that as Tablers we looked to adopting new ideas, adapting them and improving them. This ethos is that of the 41 Club National Council until the membership tells us they want it to change. Now as we enter our 66th year it is time to engage all our membership in how they want their clubs to go forward. With over 800 clubs there is no one fit solution. But we have to develop a competitive product in order to get Ex-Tablers to commit to us. Cheshunt’s proposal has driven the debate throughout this year which will culminate in a vote of clubs on the National Council’s resultant proposition on selective membership. Whichever way the clubs vote, the National Council has to continue to encourage debate amongst our members on how we can attract new members. Developing membership remains our number one objective to counter our aging membership and loss of Round Tables. Everything we do must focus on membership needs. So what should we do to develop in future? At a recent meeting with Totnes 41 Club I discussed inviting the leaders of the various young people’s clubs like Scouts, Youth Clubs, Young Farmers Continued on Page 2

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Issue 6 – April 2010

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Continued from Page 1 and Cadet Forces to meet for discussions on whether a re-launched Round Table could become a continuation of their activities when the members reach their retirement age. It seems in Totnes at least, all these Clubs and Associations are thriving and there is nothing for these 20-year olds to join. Totnes Round Table’s fame was widespread as a result of running an annual Raft Race along the river for 29 years. In recent weeks we have been talking to a PR agency about developing our image and awareness. PR is three times more effective than advertising. What we have done for Help for Heroes and the Italian Earthquake are stories we should tell. Hundreds of our clubs make regular contributions within their communities which go completely unnoticed by the public. We need to be seen as active to draw back those we have lost to membership in the past. The National Executive has appointed a National Councillor to mastermind a plan to develop a Community Service Liaison Role within the National Council. Should 41 Club align itself to a major project? Like Rotary with their aim to rid the world of polio, should 41 Club commit to ending dementia or heart disease? If this is too ambitious should we focus on continuing support to the traditional Round Table charities like RTCW and Anthony Nolan. With 800 clubs raising just £100 per club we can make a useful contribution for any charity. Finally, and this might be highlighted in the vote on the Cheshunt proposal, our own voting process does not involve a truly representative number of our members. At our AGM we only get about 110 delegates of which 10 are proxy votes. This is not in my opinion a representative vote on an important issue like selective membership. What we need is a way of getting say 80% of Club’s votes using both electronic and postal methods. It might then be possible to drop the 2/3rd majority rule. We have set up a working group to present proposals at Ipswich 2011. Focus on individual club needs In every Region we are trying to identify the individual needs of our clubs. We have discussed a grading system which tells us where the greatest need is for us to focus our resources. There is no doubt that Round Tables will continue to thrive in those towns where the heritage remains strong and good relations continue with active and well organised 41 Clubs. Many 41 Clubs without Round Tables will expire given time. But in the middle there are many clubs with a sizeable membership which need to be encouraged to try some local initiatives to see if we can revive Tables and try active campaigns to recruit new members. It has been a very productive 12 months for me and I am delighted with the performance of every member of the Executive who have all achieved their own personal objectives set at the beginning of the year. I have tried my best as leader of this committed team to make a difference. None of us want to see 41 Club’s demise. My motto for the year:- keep only happy friends, because the grouches only pull you down. We are very happy! Richard Matthews

Some years ago I tripped and fell while on my way to a meeting and I couldn’t get up! The ambulance team who eventually carried me off to hospital suspected that I had broken my hip. Thankfully I hadn’t. Looking back to that morning as I lay on the ground - with the contents of my briefcase scattered around me – I still feel overwhelmed by the sheer kindness of people. No one walked past or ignored me; everyone stopped to help in whatever way they could and I greatly appreciated their kindness and concern. I think most of us would offer help in that kind of situation. In recent months I’m sure that we have been moved by the horrors that came with the earthquake in Haiti and I suspect that many of us have made personal donations to help provide emergency aid. Over the years National Presidents have chosen a charity

that we could help support and together we have raised probably well over half a million pounds. In addition to this, there are many 41 Clubs quietly working away in their local communities, helping to support worthy causes

wherever they can – just as they did in Round Table days. It’s an aspect of our 41 Club life that has been enshrined in the Purposes and Objects of our Association for many years but often neglected and ignored. In the coming year we are going to explore ways in which we might be more proactive in terms of offering help and support – not only to worthy causes and to people stricken by natural disaster – but also how we might better look after one another as we get older! A member of National Council has been charged with the responsibility of heading a small team that will look into this and make recommendations to our AGM next year in Ipswich. Remembering that we are part of a much larger world-wide Association, we have also formulated a proposal which is to be discussed at the forthcoming international AGM in Finland which recommends – ‘that all members of 41 International give due consideration to ways in which we, together, can provide aid to those countries stricken by natural disaster or other humanitarian crisis’. As members of a great national and international organisation, we have a duty of care for one another and for all members of our global village. We simply can’t ignore any plea for help claiming that we are ‘not a service organisation’. Such an attitude is tantamount to ‘walking by on the other side of the road’ and denies both our heritage and our humanity. Looking forward to seeing you in Scarborough or as I tour the country next year. Malcolm Lockey

A Message from The VP

Sponsors of the

Presidential Car

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There Is Still Time

You have until the 14th April to request a proxy vote at the AGM. The Proxy Voting Delegate Authority (Form B) has to be with the National Secretary by 9:30am on that date, either by fax, email or post. If no member of your club can attend the AGM then a proxy vote allows your club

to participate fully in the voting. Form B is available here: www.41club.org/pages/documents/ProxyVotingDelegateFormB_000.pdf

The Time For Decision

Editorial

In just two weeks time we will be debating the membership resolution requested as a result of Cheshunt’s motion at last year’s AGM. Rather than debate the merits and de-merits of the resolution I have decided to dedicate my space to publishing the wording of Resolution 2 in full. Each individual member can then make up his own mind. Resolution 2 National Council Proposes:- “To amend the Constitution and Rules of the Association to allow Constituent Clubs to recruit like-minded men who would, in the their opinion, benefit the Round Table Family by their membership of their Clubs and thus, the Association, as full voting members.” To enable this the following rules will be changed with immediate effect:- Rule 2.1(b) definition of full members is amended to read:- “ “full members” means the like minded men who have agreed to adopt the values of Round Table and the purposes of the Association as defined by these rules and who have reached the age of forty years.” Rule 4.1 relating to Affiliation and Membership is amended to Rule 4.1(a):- “4.1(a) Clubs shall only be affiliated where membership is confined to full and associate members, for whom annual capitation fees shall be payable to the Association.” Rule 4.1(b) is added as a new rule under Affiliation and Membership “4.1(b) Clubs shall have the right to offer membership to any man subject to rule 2.1 and the club’s own membership rules.” Rule 6.1 relating to National Officers is amended by adding “and have been a full member of Round Table” after “constituent clubs” and before “and shall” :- “6.1 The Officers shall be the National President, National Vice President (who shall be the National President Elect), Immediate Past National President, National Secretary, National Treasurer, National Editor, National Membership & Extensions Officer, National Sales Officer, National Conference Officer and The Association’s International Officer who shall be full members of constituent clubs and have been a full member of Round Table and shall hold office until they resign, or until the next ensuing Annual General Meeting, whichever first happens. All officers shall take office immediately following the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected.” Rule 9.2 relating to National Councillors is amended by adding “and have been full members of Round Table” to the end of the sentence :- “9.2 To be eligible for election a candidate shall be a full member of a constituent club within the Region he seeks to represent and have been a full member of Round Table.” Appendix F of the Notice & Agenda contains explanations of the proposed changes. Please ask you Club Contact / Secretary if you require sight of these notes or visit http://www.41club.org/pages/documents/AGMAgenda-2010final2.pdf where the full set of AGM documentation is available. So gentlemen the decision is yours!

65th

AGM Notice and Agenda

The Notice and Agenda for the 2010 AGM has been sent by post to all Club Contacts. The documents are also available on the club website at: http://www.41club.org/pages/documents/AGMAgenda-2010final2.pdf Every paid up member of the Association is entitled to attend and speak at the AGM if he so wishes. The AGM will be starting at 9:30 am on Saturday 17th April at the Spa Theatre, Scarborough. Voting delegates must be in possession of a suitably completed and signed Voting Delegate Authority (Form A). Registration will remain open after the start of the meeting.

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The Scarborough AGM ends a remarkable year for 41 Club fundraising. At the start you made contributions to the Italian Earthquake Appeal and for the rest of the year you have given very generously to Help For Heroes, the joint 41Club / Tangent appeal for 2009-10. Donations have already far exceeded the initial target and still more is arriving daily, and President Richard expects to be presenting a cheque for over £100,000 at Scarborough. It is anticipated that some clubs will wish to make presentations of cheques at the AGM. We ask that if you are making a presentation you notify the National Secretary before the start of the event in order that presentations can be made orderly and

that a total figure can be calculated. Will all those who received collecting tins at last year’ s AGM please return them at Scarborough in order that they can be re-used in the future. That is unless you wish to continue collecting for H4H in which case you are welcome to keep them.

On the right is President Richard with Bryn Parry, co-founder of Help For Heroes. They are pictured at the Bovington Tank Museum during the Dorset Knobs event. On the left is Hero Bear, the mascot for H4H. He is just one of the many items available from their on-line shop https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Scarborough 2010 Timetable Venue Scarborough Spa Complex, South Bay, Scarborough, YO11 2HD (Telephone 01723 376774). Conference Registration Thursday 15th April 3pm to 8pm Crown Spa Hotel, The Esplanade Friday 16th April 11am to 7pm Crown Spa Hotel Saturday 17th April 8am to 12 noon Scarborough Spa Complex, Theatre Foyer Thursday 15th April Informal Welcome Party. 7.30 at the Crown Spa Hotel. Dress smart casual. Friday 16th April Visit to Castle Howard. Depart 10am outside the Crown Spa Hotel. Return by 4pm. Golf Tournament. Ganton Golf Club. (YO12 4PA) First tee at 9am. Presidents’ Banquet and Ball. 6:30 for 7:30 at the Spa Complex. Black Tie. Saturday 17th April 41 Club AGM Registration opens at 8:15am in the Spa Complex Theatre Foyer.

41 Club AGM starts at 9:30am in the Spa Complex Theatre. Tangent AGM Registration opens 10am in the Promenade Lounge of the Spa Complex. Tangent Lunch. 11:15 for 11:30 in the Ocean Room. 41 Club ‘Pie and Pint’ lunch at 12:15 approx. Tangent AGM starts at 1:45pm in the Ocean Room. Final Night Party. 6:30 for 7:30 at the Spa Complex. Dinner will be followed

by the Fancy Dress Party. The theme is “Life’s A Beach”. The bar will remain open until 1am on Sunday.

Sunday 18th April Final farewells and start the countdown for Ipswich 2011.

The Final

Push

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The AGMs

Memories of Southport 2009

Friday Night

Presidents’ Ball

The Mayor joins in the fun and 41 Club knows how to do the Dambusters in style.

Saturday Night Party

Dancing to the sounds of the Mersey Beat with a little help from the Blues Brothers. ROLL ON SCARBOROUGH!!!

Has Your Club Arranged A Proxy Vote – Closing Date 14th

April

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What A Nail Biter

First of all the BBC showed it a week earlier than announced and then our man hit a brick wall. I am of course talking about Brian Southgate’s appearance in the first round of Mastermind. Originally scheduled for the 12th March the broadcast was brought forwards to the 5th at the last moment. With his questions on Alex Ferguson Brian easily won the specialist round, 4 points clear of his nearest rival. He was then coasting to an easy victory, equaling the highest score when

suddenly he hit a brick wall and ‘Pass’ became his favourite answer. We were all on the edge of our seats when the final signal sounded and John Humphries issued those famous words ”I’ve started so I’ll finish the question”

and yes Brian got that one right. A victory by just one point.

Well done Brian, but please do not leave it so late next time. His specialist topic in the semi-final is “The Manhattan Project”, which, seeing that his job is a nuclear physicist, should not be too difficult for him. Brian has been told that his semi-final will be broadcast on the 22nd May, but based upon his first round experience he cannot be sure.

Well Done Dorset Knobs

Bovington Tank Museum was the venue for this year’s Dorset Knobs cluster meeting, where 140 guests were addressed by Bryn Parry, one of the co-founders of H4H. Each attendee had to supply a bottle of wine for ‘the barrow of wine’ and one lucky diner returned home with 100 bottles of wine. The event raised a magnificent £3,200 for our national appeal, and our thanks go to all involved. The photograph below shows the assembled guests dining surrounded by the tanks of the museum. I am assured that in no way were the tanks used to persuade the guests to part with their cash.

Club News

By The AGM

£100,000?

Club Forum

http://41forum.notlong.com

End

February

£73,450

Club Website Of The Month

http://www.lichfield41club.co.uk

North Walsham celebrated their 25th charter night at the Woodlands Leisure Park, Trimmingham, Norfolk on the 19th February. Clive Wilkinson reported “We had a good attendance from other clubs in our area (Sheringham & Cromer, Holt, Broadlands) with music from the Sheringham and Cromer Brass Band. Please could you pass on our thanks to Richard Matthews for his attendance on the night.”

25th

Charter Night

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Rob Richardson, a member of Coquetdale 41 Club, has contacted [email protected] with details of two Help For Heroes events he is involved with in the next few months: In a moment of madness I have volunteered to complete ‘The Big Battlefield Bike Ride’. This is the signature event in the Help for Heroes calendar. In the last week of May 2010, 300 cyclists (including a team of wounded soldiers from Headley Court) will gather at HMS Victory, the Flagship of Britain's greatest wounded hero, Admiral Lord Nelson. We will set off to ride 350 miles across France and at the same time raise a great deal of money to support our current wounded heroes. The ride is clearly going to be a challenge, particularly for me, but as an ex-serviceman I do feel very passionate about this particular Charity. France is certainly not flat, so it’s going to require a great deal of training over the next couple of months. So, how can you help? Well I need to raise lots of money which is no easy task but with your help I am confident I can do it. If you feel you can support me towards achieving this goal I would be over the moon. To make things easy I have setup a donation page. Just follow the link to www.bmycharity. com/v2/robrichardson The route for the ride itself is being finalised but we will ride through beautiful Normandy and Picardy countryside, stopping at historic sites to remember those who have fought and died there. We then finish at Dunkirk on the 70th anniversary of the evacuation, accompanied by the flotilla of little ships. There will be various ceremonies and events along the way to take our minds off our saddle and if you want to have an idea of the wonderful atmosphere of the ride, check out the videos of the last two rides at BOBBR 2009 OVERVIEW. I am also organising a Help for Heroes Ball on the 24th April 2010 in Northumberland Hall in Alnwick. Anyone wanting tickets please contact me - mailto:[email protected]. I am sure you would agree that this is a very worthy cause so I hope you can support me in this challenge. I would like to thank you all for your support. Rob, Coquetdale 41 Club

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Wanted Urgently

41 Club Cartoonists

Apologies to Giles for stealing one of his wonderful cartoons, but I would like to include some topical 41 Club cartoons in future Newsletters. Do we have any budding Giles or Macs in our ranks? We have so many members with a wonderful sense of humour there must be some out there who could supply suitable cartoons either on a regular or ad-hoc basis! If you think that this is you then please contact the editor at [email protected]. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Meet Your Councillor

Region 5 – Andrew Mackereth

I was born into a farming family that had farmed the same farm for over 4 generations namely Waterside Farm, Stodday, Nr Lancaster. The farm was 120 acres plus buildings and farmhouse. Waterside Farm was originally part of the Ashton Estate which was split up on the death of Lord Ashton in the 1930’s and was bought by the late Henry Mackereth. The story moves on to the 1950’s when my father Brian ran the farm and invested heavily in Waterside and had

the first tandem milking parlour in the north of England with a loose housing system and silo clamps. He had many open days with the then Ministry of Agriculture. This was the way farming was to go for the next ten years and he was a highly regarded farmer in those days. In the early 60’s my mother Margaret developed cancer in her leg and ended up having to have it amputated to save her life; she is still with us but presently is not very well. At that point the adjoining farm was for sale and father, because of mother’s health, decided not to buy it, a decision he regretted ‘til his dying day. I took over the farm in the late 70’s and in 1980 married Mildred by whom we have had 2 wonderful daughters Rachel and Sarah. Rachel has just given us our first grandchild Jack Thomas in January this year. I came to the conclusion in the 90’s because I did not have any sons to take over from me at some stage I would have to sell the buildings for development which I did in early 2000 and ceased farming. It seemed strange at the time all the history going under the hammer and not milking cows 7 days a week. We still live in the old farmhouse and I then started looking for future employment after taking 6 months off to sort everything out. It was a challenge having worked for myself for many years to go into the job market but I soon was employed by Fisher Wrathall Estate Agents in Lancaster part time doing house viewings and have never looked back since now managing my own office in the market town of Bentham. Apart from marrying Mildred and having our children, joining Round Table was the best 15 years of fellowship and I did every post, then moving to Area 34 where the only post I did not manage was Area Chairman due to time constraints of farming, which I regret to this day. Three years ago I applied to be National Councillor for Region 5 of 41 Club, which covers most of Lancashire and the whole of Cumbria, and have enjoyed the fellowship of the 31 clubs in my Region.

Accounts 1946 Style On the right you will find a copy of the very first set of club accounts, presented at the AGM in 1946. Capitation was charged per club, was dependent upon the number of members and was charged in guineas. Total expenditure was the equivalent of £1.50 today and nobody now knows who or what Spink was, but we hope that he was worth the expenditure. Whilst we are debating the accounts at Scarborough I ask you to consider how long it took them to accept the accounts in 1946.

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Over “His” Dead Body

Alan Reynolds, Wickford / Algarve / Brasov 41 Clubs and National President 1994-95 I cannot remember precisely when I met Einhart Melzer for the first time; the difference in our ages meant that he had already left Round Table before I had even heard of it. Whilst I was attending RT events at home and overseas during my time with the juniors, he had already served as Vice President of our Association and gone on to establish himself as a figurehead amongst the seniors of Old Tablers Deutschland. It was after I took on the role of Toastmaster at The Association Annual Conference in 1984 that he made himself known to me. Initially he was attracted by the uniform, but during the seventeen years I held that post he would talk to me about the way events were organised, so as to ensure that everything ran smoothly and efficiently, particularly the formal ones. On a number of occasions he enquired if I would travel to Germany to carry out similar tasks, but I never took him up on it. In due course of time I was elected Vice President of The Association and became involved with him in his role as Special Ambassador of 41 International. Immediately following the 1991 AGM in Trieste we had resigned our membership due to disagreements over member countries acceptance of Non Ex-Tablers. My predecessor had already met with Einhart to discuss the way forward before I was sent to the 1993 HYM in Cyprus to move this along. I had already broken the ice with the representatives of Club 41 Francais and had received a verbal assurance that, providing we accepted the status quo, the practice would be discontinued. On that basis, I went as President to the 1994 AGM in Hamburg to confirm the reunification. No doubt Einhart had had many other meetings with other interested parties, but he gained much praise for the way everything had been handled and for the end result. It was a shame that others did not honour their word. Whilst all this was going on it came to my notice that, although Einhart had been awarded a Life Honorary Membership by The Association in 1975, he had never been presented with his collar and I had the honour to correct this during the Hamburg weekend. Another year or so on and we found ourselves working together again. During the 20 years since 1975 the Rules of 41 International had been added to and amended to suit current circumstances, but not always properly documented or collated. I was asked to bring these up to date, but only agreed to do so provided I could call upon Einhart’s memory to help me pull things together. Very little has changed since we completed that project together. And so we come to 1997 and, as 41 International President, I enjoyed a most memorable visit to Berlin. The Melzers had not yet moved to Mariendorf and space in their apartment was at a premium, but Frances and I were well hosted with skill and precision. A visit to Anneliese’ weekend house and garden was a must, in addition to the Olympic Stadium and a number of historic and public buildings. Einhart was at pains to show us how the city was being put back together again. It was during this visit that I found out that Einhart couldn’t drive, at least not from behind the wheel anyway, as he considered he could do it perfectly adequately from the passenger seat – much to Anneliese’ annoyance. The main purpose and indeed our invitation had been to travel through Eastern Germany and to take part in the charter ceremony of Schwerin Old Tablers, an event I was proud to attend. Einhart Melzer had a reputation for doing things correctly and in accordance with established traditions. He and I were appalled at the disgraceful behaviour by certain delegates to the 2002 International AGM in Brasov and disappointed by the way decisions were massaged subsequently to satisfy the perpetrators. He could see no justification for what went on. There was no doubt that his enthusiasm for 41 International started to drain away from that time. Subsequently he began to lose faith in The Association also, when it started to talk seriously about open membership. ‘How can you be a member of an Ex-Tablers organisation if you were never in Round Table? It doesn’t make sense! How can you be an Old Etonian if you never went to Eton?’ These were the questions he asked. As I visited him for the last time in January at the cemetery in Krugenbergstrasse I remembered the conversation we had when I spoke to him after the 2009 AGM in Southport. He asked again ‘IS THE ASSOCIATION SERIOUS? DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WILL CHANGE THE RULES IN 2010?’ I sincerely hope the decision, if and when it comes, does not make Einhart Melzer “Turn in his Grave”.

How The World Has Changed 1945 - 2010

Entity 1945 2010 Great Britain Controlled the World’s largest Empire Only a few small territories remain British Germany Defeated, divided and governed by the Allies United and the strongest economy in Europe Japan Defeated nation in ruin World’s leading high tech manufacturer Russia Communist dictatorship Democracy Switzerland Only males had the vote Universal suffrage Church of England All male clergy Women ordained Catholic Church Mass conducted in Latin Mass conducted in English Boy Scouts Only open to boys Open to both sexes Rotary All male membership Mixed membership Round Table Maximum age 40 and by invitation only. Maximum age 45 and advertising for members Ladies Circle Restricted to the wives of Round Tablers Open membership Tangent Did not exist Open membership 41 Club Argued over open membership at the founding meeting Still arguing over open membership at the 65th AGM

“So NO Changes There Then!”

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First of all congratulations to all concerned on the production of the electronic newsletter - the best thing we have done to improve communications for years. I have a group mailbox which I use to communicate with all the members of our Club and it works like clockwork! With regard to the membership debate - the most sensible comment in the March newsletter was “ It is for every club to decide where its future lies.” I have a suggestion - a simple minor modification to the proposed rule change could accommodate all points of view, something along the following lines:- “From April 2010 41 Clubs may introduce selective open membership if they so desire.” This would give each 41 Club the option of moving forward in whatever direction the majority decided. No need for any further angst! Mike Jane, Chairman Topsham & District 41 Club Editor: New Rule 4.1 is designed just for that purpose Mike

Postbox All members are invited to submit views on any topical subject. Please do not make them too long and definitely no personal attacks will be allowed. Further debate on these topics can be found on the club forum at http://41forum.notlong.com. Send your letters to

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Membership Debate

Here’s another perspective on the Great Debate. In our Club, we are what we are. It’s the fellowship born in Round Table that will bind us together until we all fall off the perch. At our time of life we’ve all been there, done that and worn out large quantities of T-Shirts. Though the minds may still be bright, the bodies are less able - but we can be formal when we need to be, and we continue to serve the community in our own ways. We’re not Tablers any more, but we’re well trained, because we have been Tablers. It seems to me that trying to tart up 41 Club is a wonderful example of the widespread practice of treating the consequences and not the cause. Fast food eaters drop their rubbish in the street and walk away - but instead of the authorities enforcing better behaviour, the fast food outlets are penalised if they don’t clear up the mess which they didn’t cause in the first place. Likewise, when 41 Club membership decreases, making spurious changes to its raison d’être may pull in more chaps of a similar age, but it won’t actually get to the nub of the problem. The starting point, surely, is Round Table. In common with very many other voluntary organisations, Table is running out of members - not because 41 Clubs around the country haven’t done their bit to help, but because times have changed. There are millions of young and fit blokes out there who prefer to go out and get bladdered in their spare time, rather than put something back into the community. Governments, greedy capitalists, and the “me first” society they’ve fuelled, have to take a good deal of the blame for that. We should never forget that the structure of Table gave people like us a common purpose and the chance to learn and practice new skills, knowing that someone would help you out if it looked like going tits up - although a bit of friendly urine might still be extracted! Tablers brought a variety of skills from their workplace to Table and vice versa. Success brought its own rewards but failure wasn’t a career calamity. Employers (especially the multinationals and the professions) realised it was worth encouraging and a good way of training -and that helping the community without squeezing every drop out of the promotional opportunities wasn’t actually a bad thing to do. If that ethos is worth preserving, then it’s worth shouting about. So, you chaps at “National”, how about badgering the Government and the captains of industry to take an alternative view? Not on your own, but by linking arms with Table, Rotary and the many other voluntary organisations that are all suffering similar fates. A concerted effort may well help to encourage incentives for putting some of the necessary values back into a society that has lost them. It won’t happen overnight - but then neither did the shrinkage of Round Table. And it might be a bit more fruitful than trying to turn 41 Club into something that it isn’t! Doug Dix, Hon. Secretary, Toddington 41 Club

FROM WESTON SUPER MARE 41 CLUB In common with many clubs, Weston Super Mare made discussion of possible membership rule changes the sole topic for one of our recent meetings. We agreed that membership of the Association ought to be restricted to those clubs whose members all play their fair share in supporting our national organisation by payment of subscription. We agreed that we wish to maintain our current requirement that our club membership be restricted to those who have been Round Tablers, but that we would not wish to try to impose a similar requirement on all clubs in the Association. I am required by the club though to emphasise, that in being content for other clubs to adopt new membership qualifications, we could not accept an imposition denying us a similar right to maintain ours. Martin Booth, Hon Secretary, Weston Super Mare 41 Club

I note that a Public Relations Officer is required to ‘get the message across’. I think the job might be more attractive if 41 Club could produce a sentence or two setting out just what message is which needs to be ‘got out’. I have carefully read the Newsletter , which is really too verbose, and was unable to establish exactly what the message is. Can someone help in a succinct manner please. Ray Challinor

The Message?

Proxy Votes Are Still Available – Closing Date 14th

April

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In response to your remarks in the March News@, could I put forward the strongest possible recommendation that it continues after the AGM. It is, frankly, one of the better things to have come out of National this year - not just my opinion, but that of numerous members of my club who have remarked - and, mostly, probably haven't previously even considered National affairs in the past - that has to be good! The only proviso - don't limit its space. There's no need to and, as previously discussed, there's ample interesting material from here in the Forum alone, let alone from elsewhere. Many thanks, very well done so far, and may there be many more issues (in both senses of the word)! Alan Spencer, Woking 41 Club

Thanks for the latest issue. I know how much hard work goes into its production. I hope that News@ can continue after its trial period. Having been there at the birth, as it were, I am pleased that it grows stronger each month and is certainly the modern form of communication, which we envisaged. Mac Cummings, Lichfield 41 Club PS ...... you missed an excellent "real time" website from your editorial www.lichfield41club.co.uk although at the March full update news was in short supply!

Congratulations to Brian Southgate who won his Mastermind first round. Watch out now for Woking 41 Club's country member Tony Forward who, around June, features in a Toastmasters' team v. the Eggheads! Alan Spencer, Woking 41 Club

41 Club Platinum Privileges have arrived! In the latest edition of the Links Magazine you will find four pages of benefits for members of 41 Club. Although we provide an important service to our Clubs, and a magazine 3 times a year, we have listened to the comments from some members about having some ‘tangible benefits’ of being a member and paying capitation. We have teamed up with Marketing Solutions to start to provide you with some discounts on holidays, golf breaks and at high street retailers. These are early days with this and as it becomes more used, more companies will join the scheme and bring benefits to you. We will be devoting four pages of the next 2 magazines after this one to Platinum Privileges. After that, if the scheme is successful, we will start to produce a separate brochure with benefits, so not to reduce the amount of articles in Links. It will of course only be successful if it is used. The companies who offer the discounts will only continue to do so, if they get the sales! Space to show the offers is not available in this Newsletter, so you will need to get hold of a copy of the magazine or look on our website www.41club.org . Offers this time include: 5% off Golf Breaks A £50 food and drink voucher if you spend a night at the Copthorne Hotel Plymouth 55% off admission charges at Sea Life 35% off admission at Legoland Discounts off Virgin Holidays Up to 25% off Warner Leisure Hotels 10% off Superbreaks £40 off Green Fees at Open Fairways 10% off trampolines 15% off Central Vacuum Systems £50 off per week on rental of French Country properties

Discounts on vouchers for many High Street Retailers including Currys, Debenhams, Focus, Homebase, PC World, Asda etc.

As with any offer you need to look carefully at the small print before doing anything. As an example the High Street vouchers only work on large purchases as there is a secure postage cost to obtain them. Please also remember we also offer members a fantastic deal with Hyundai for anyone looking to purchase a new car! Martin Green, National Sales & Marketing Officer

Future Of The Newsletter

My name is Didier Letellier. I’m a member of the French CLUB 41 (Old Tablers). My family and I are living in a town named CHAMBERY in the Alps, 90 km southwest of Lyon. My son Lucas (14 years old) is looking for a family able to welcome him during the next summer holidays (between July the 15th and August the 31st) for 2 or 3 weeks. In return we can accommodate a child who wants to perfect his French, or simply explore our region whatever the period. My wife and I both speak English quite well. I have another two children: Mathilde (16 years old) and Leopold (7 years). Our house is large enough to give to the youngster a private bedroom and bathroom. Maybe some of them will be interested? Didier Letellier [email protected]

41 Club Quizzers

Foreign Exchange Visit Offer

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Jim Parkes

National President 1983-84

I have selected Jim Parkes as the second in this series. Jim was a personal friend of mine, having met him at my first ever Round Table meeting. He had just completed his year as 41 Club National President and was always a fine ambassador for the whole Round Table movement. Jim was the personnel officer at the Ideal Standard factory in Middlewich and lived in a very modest house in the town. He was always a source of unusual gifts for charter nights and instead of tankards he provided Middlewich Table with suitably inscribed miniature porcelain products on several occasions. (I still have a miniature washbasin from one such event). But he is probably best remembered for the Jim Parkes Trophy, which is awarded annually for international visits. The aeroplane trophy that you now see is not the one presented by Jim, for he presented the Association with a

perfect scale model of a toilet bowl, bright yellow and suitably mounted on a wooden plinth. The original trophy was unfortunately lost many years ago at a hotel in Bristol. Jim and his wife Vivien never had children and they worked tirelessly for many charities. Nothing ever fazed Jim, he was always very calm and considerate, and he was always the perfect host.

So why have I selected Jim for this article? Well, he is the perfect example of a club member who rose to be National President whilst still holding down a job, whilst living in a modest house and with the support of a relatively small 41 Club. He proved that this is a position that all members can aspire to if they really wish. Sadly Jim died only a few years after his Presidential year, and he never enjoyed the fruits of retirement, but his spirit lives on in the trophy awarded annually in his name.

The Back Page

Round Table News

And Finally …….

This is the final edition for the six months trial of [email protected]. May I pass on my sincere thanks to all who have contributed over the last six months and in particular to David Hewitt and David Addison for their help and advice in getting the newsletter to production quality. (We have had to overcome many production and compatibility problems). I have enjoyed being the editor and I hope that you have enjoyed reading it. As to the future …… well I would like to remain editing the newsletter if the membership wish it to continue. Hopefully we will be able to move on to topics other than selective membership, and I will be relying on the members to provide far more items on topical subjects of interest to the other members. My initial vision of a two-page newsletter has blossomed into what you see today. Together we can go forwards into a new era for 41 Club.

Visit www.harrogate2010.co.uk for details of the RTBI Conference in Harrogate.

President Richard showing his new presidential motor to the members of Isis 41 Club. (In your dreams Richard!)

The presentation of two cheques of £535 each for Help for Heroes at Gordano Valley Ladies Night on 13th March 2010. In the picture are 41 Club Chairman David Pugh, Tangent Chairman Maggie Pearce and Dick Stanley the National Councillor for Region 21. (But not necessarily in that order.)

Photo Album

6 - April 2010 Newsletter 41 Club

Documents

Transcript of 6 - April 2010 Newsletter 41 Club