Round Table WP Area

Message from the Chairman

Another Table year have started and with it; new challenges to overcome during the year. Being a member of this wonderful organization for nearly 12 years, it is an absolute honour and privilege for me to be selected as Area Chairman of the biggest Area within ARTSA. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be given the opportunity to lead and serve this Area as Chairman, but with the help and support of a more than willing and capable Area council, this can only turn out to be the best year in my Table career.

Our biggest challenge for the year will most probably be to stem the declining membership figures, which has been on a steady decline of about 5 % over the last 6 years or so. If this trend continues, Round Table will be non existent within the next 15 years.

Recognizing the problem is one thing, but turning this around will be much more of a challenge. Round Table has evolved over the last 60 years from mainly a fellowship organization into a charity organization. Times have changed and free time to spend on outdoor activities has become a scarce commodity. There are so many things to do, so many types of organizations and clubs to join and so many activities to take part in, thus the importance to work hard on protecting and retaining our current members.

Now the question: Why join Round Table?

Round Table not only gives you the chance to meet new people and expand your friendship base from your own community, area, country and the world, but it also offers you the opportunity to give something back to your community, while having fun. It also offers the opportunity to grow as an individual and is an excellent vehicle for self-improvement in areas such as public speaking, leadership, project management and meeting procedures.

Travel also forms an important part of Tabling and is integral to the operation and extension of the organization, not only locally, but also internationally. Typically, a visiting Tabler is often looked after and home hosted in that area to make it easier and more affordable for Tablers to travel, both locally and internationally. One must always remember that no Tabler is a stranger, but only an old friend that you haven’t met before.

As previously stated, Round Table started out as a fellowship organization and evolved more towards the charity side. Just remember that there is a place for both fellowship and charity in this organization. We still see ourselves as a fellowship organization; we just have a serious charity problem. We embark on charity events and fundraisers and in doing so, we have fun. We have fun while serving our communities and give something back to the less privileged in our societies. There is no bigger reward than seeing the smiles on young children’s faces when you hand them something small or help them in their hour of need. The best of it all, we can honestly say that we had fun while helping others.

In conclusion, if you are looking for something to do in your spare time, or maybe want to contribute in some way towards the need in your own community, Round Table might just be the answer for you, even if it is just to have some fun.

James Janse van Rensburg
WP Area Chairman 2011/12

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