President’s Message September ’21

On behalf of the association, I would like to thank Past President Corne Burger for his commitment and dedication to the 41ers Association. Even though COVID disrupted his plans during his term of office, he has steered the ship well and guided us through the troubled waters. In Corne’s induction speech he said to us, “If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it” and he has certainly achieved this and has passed on the Association in a much better position to us and for this we thank him. 

The Association’s AGM took place at Lythwood Lodge in the KZN Midlands on the 3^rd to 5^th September. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and thank you for the fun and fellowship you shared with Lynne and me. There is nothing like oiling the hinges of friendship and linking the chains of fellowship to attract friends back to our association. I hope that the AGM weekend will set the tone for the coming year, and that it will encourage you to invite fellow past Tablers to partake in social events organized by your branches. The 41ers MUST become the Association of choice for past Tablers to join. I believe this will best be achieved through showcasing the value this organization adds to one’s life as a means of connecting with friends.  

Vice President Ben and 2^nd Vice Suren and I have discussed how we would like our terms to influence the association. These discussions led to us deciding to implement a three-year plan that seeks to grow the 41er brand, improve our recognition, and make joining the association appealing to past Tablers. This comes from regularly being asked by potential 41er members what this organization will give to them. It is not always easy to convince a past Tabler to join the association when their concerns relate to what they can get in return.  In my experience, the 41ers Association is most fulfilling and rewarding when your focus is on what you can do to better the organization, and what you can do to improve the experience of the organization for those around you. Fellowship is at the heart of this. I therefore encourage current and potential members to view the association in this way:

“This is not a service club, the 41ers Association is an organization formed to foster fellowship among past tablers. The association is therefore a tool that members must use, and have a responsibility to make the most of, to retain the friendships formed during their table careers, and to form new friendships through the mutual bonds of being a 41er.” 

The role I hope to play in encouraging continued and improved fellowship in the association during my term as president is to be on the ground. Travelling, attending meetings, seeing how other clubs run, and spending time with like-minded people. This is half the reason most of us joined Round Table in the first place, and that has not changed for me in my 41er years. Therefore, COVID restrictions permitting, my exec team and I intend on visiting as many association branches, as well as Round Tables, as possible during the year ahead. This includes getting to Namibia to encourage our brothers north of the border to become once again, active within our association.  

Additional to the fellowship opportunities associated with 41ers, I am passionate about the role that the 41ers association can play in supporting and building communications with Round Table. I am sure this is true for all 41ers, but for me this stems from a genuine desire for Table and Tablers to succeed so that the joys of being in Round Table can be experienced by future generations. Our guidance can positively impact the organization that has given us so much. I look forward to all future opportunities to support and grow Round Table and will always encourage my fellow 41ers to do the same.      

To end off I would just like to say to all 41ers that the National Exec is not separate to other members. Every 41er walks a different path. Everybody’s path is equally important. The exec has simply expressed a desire to provide guidance to your association for the next year, and to serve and represent you so that we can all enjoy the continued success of the 41ers. 

I look forward to meeting many, if not all of you during the coming year. 

Stay safe and Stay Healthy!!!

Yours in 41ers

Nico McNamara

MAY THE HINGES OF FRIENDSHIP NEVER RUST

MAY THE CHAINS OF FELLOWSHIP THAT BIND US TOGETHER REMAIN UNBROKEN