"Just under two and half years ago, on a cold, rainy, dark, January evening I arrived at Cork Airport, already delayed, I quickly hired a car, and head for Killarney, it wasn’t long before my phone was ringing, who else could it be but the then National Conference Officer Paul Jay, “Where are you” he said, this was a very good question, because those of you who have driven from Cork this weekend, will appreciate that the Irish are not big on road sign! So I replied “I don’t know Paul, it rainy fairly hard at the moment, its very dark, and this Fiat Punto I’m in, doesn’t have a lot of go in it” well it was words something on those lines!!!
Well 90 minutes after leaving Cork, I finally arrived in Killarney, and what I was about to see was without doubt the best Conference venue that Round Table has had for many years (and I Chaired one two years ago). The decision of that bid team that weekend to bring Conference to Ireland for the first time was right for two reasons, firstly, the venue is superb in every way, but secondly and by far the most important: This weekend I am the first ever Round Tabler to become National President in Ireland of an association with the name the National Association of Round Tables of Great Britain and Ireland, we are two great Island races, but too often we forget that we are of the same Round Table, this Conference is the start of what I believe will be the regeneration of Round Tabling in Ireland, we been working closely with Irish media, and this weekend I have given my commitment to visit the Emerald Isle as much as I can over the next year to re-build our great links and to re-build Tabling in Ireland. So on behalf of everyone here this weekend, I would like to thank Conference Chairman, Ken Kissock for his hours and hours of hard work, and his commitment to this fantastic weekend.
Just over eleven years, I had the privilege of joining Southend-on-Sea Round Table, I joined because I wanted to meet more people, do something in the Community, but most importantly be part of what I could see was a great movement.
My first Conference was ten years ago in Torquay, when at the last minute, the Table Chairman convinced me to travel down for the weekend, Torquay was in fact the last Conference to be in a tented complex, and Torquay saw the election of Paul Teasdale to National President, and I remember sitting there thinking what a great job that must be, and wondering whether one day I may get the opportunity.
Well last year in Glasgow, you gave me the opportunity, and today you have given to me, the proudest moment of my life, at this point the reality is starting to kick in, and how great it feels.
This weekend many very special friends who have not just travelled a few miles, but travelled from around the World to join me here, and I thank them all.
On the subject of travelling, most know I have a great passion for International Tabling, and I was delighted last year when we saw Arawn Johnson elected as RTI Vice President, he’s doing a great job, and I look forward to seeing him elected as President in South Africa in September.
Being President of Round Table is a tremendous honour, but those that know me, know I’m not doing this for what I can get out of it, I’m not wearing this, because I want a big medallion around my neck, after all, I come from Essex and I have plenty like these at home, in my white sock draw… I’m doing it for one reason, I love Round Table, its that simple, Round Table has done a lot for me, yes I’ve put a lot in, but I’ve taken far more out, and I want to see Round Table move forward, I want to see that opportunity that our founder Louis Marchesi, laid down almost eighty years ago, that has inspired generations of men, to continue for many more years.
Today I follow in the footstep of many great Presidents, and I would once again like to pay thanks to my now predecessor Gary Smith, Gary over the last year has worked tirelessly for Round Table, and he has laid the foundations for me to build upon. I am grateful for your hard work and efforts. You have made my job much easier.
As we build on these new foundations, and embrace the twenty first century, we need to remember those three words, adopt, adapt, improve, lets be frank, how many businesses that were around 80 years ago, are still around today, very few, but I can think of one, and that is Mark and Spencer’s, a business that survived for many years with very little, if any change, it kept the same suppliers, its branding stayed the same, and its customers stayed the same. But in the 80’s and 90’s business change, society moved on along with its customers, but for some time, Marks didn’t. Its business dropped, its customers grew too old, and it didn’t attract the new generations. So they had to grasp the change, in the 90’s they changed their format, things revived again, but today the pace of life moves much faster, and before long, sales were dropping again, a new Chief Executive was brought in, he radically overhauled the business, the branding, and has once again put Marks and Spencer back at the top. By now, I hope you can see some connection, we as Round Tablers must continue to look at our product, if guys aren’t joining, its probably because our product is not what they want, many will tell you, they don’t have the time, which is normally a polite way of saying thanks, but no thanks. So we need to look at our product, need to look at our branding and finally put an end to the words adopt adapt improve, but for gods sake don’t change anything!!
As your new Chief Executive, I start today with two big advantages over my predecessors, the first being, the new three year rolling plan, that you voted on today, and I really thank you for your support, will enable, not just me, but future Presidents to start there year with a clear direction, building on the previous Presidents work, not starting it all over again. And secondly the new three year PR plan, last year I promised a concertive and construct PR campaign, we are now six months into it, the benefits are for all to see having now had TV, Radio and Press coverage for the right reasons, and over the coming months we will build it up, to ensure regular local, regional and National PR coverage.
This year I’m delighted to have such a great National Executive to work with, and the team, that you see behind me today, are a a team that will be working on your behalf, to deliver what we all want, a great future for Round Table.
But please remember we are just Round Tablers, during my years in Table, I’ve heard too often “National are doing this”, “National want to impose this on us” you know what I’m talking about. I don’t want to hear it, but most importantly I don’t want it too happen, if we are to succeed, everyone and I mean everyone must be on board. So if you’re not happy about something, say for instance you don’t like something we’re doing with membership, phone or e-mail Brad Parkes, if you’re unhappy with a rule speak to Pete Manley, the list can go on, and if you are still unhappy, contact me.
So over the next year, when you keep hearing me talk about Change, when your National Councillors update you at your Area meetings, and they talk about Change, you’ll understand why
But remember something…
We’ll never be in a position to make the Changes this association need until we at all levels, National, Area and Table have shown the will to do so.
For too long Round Table has not reflected the changes within society, within itself
We have great Traditions, a great Past spanning almost 80 years, and we must never just throw them all away, but as we seek to encourage guys from all parts of society, look to revitalise Inner City Tabling by attracting more guys from all ethnic Communities, we must become more focused on the changes wanted in today’s World.
We have a massive mountain to climb to achieve what we must to ensure the long term survival of Round Table within the three year plan, but I wouldn’t be standing here today, if I didn’t believe it was achievable.
Eighty years for any organisation is a long time, And today as we talk of the construction of a new Round Table, a new Round Table that will mean, that once again Round Table is the Premier Club for young men of today,
We must never forget about our great past, our great history, but most importantly how Round Table has influenced so many young men…
Because for almost 80 years, Round Table has been at the forefront,
Year after year raising millions of pounds for local, national and International charities…
Year after year ensuring that thousands of children have a smile on their face, as they see Santa Claus on his sleigh outside their house at Christmas
Year after year ensuring that local communities have the opportunity to watch not just a spectacular but safe firework display
Year after year enabling young men from all professions to meet up regularly, and enjoy a great time
Year after year enabling young men from all around the World, experience Round Table not just locally, but with other Round Tablers from all around the World,
But most importantly year after year, is the only service club that puts fellowship at the top of its agenda.
We’ve had a great 80 years, now its time to build for the future, to build for our future generations, to build our new Round Table..
That is our daunting mission. And if we fulfil it, the judgement of history will truly be on our side"
Details of the first Area 35 event for 2006 / 7
