Year End Message – 41 International [Engelbert Friedsam]
Dear Tablers, dear friends around the world,
The year is coming to it’s end. It is the time to settle down a bit from the never ending run in the hamster wheel where to a certain extent we are all in. It is often the time to reflect on what went well and what needs attention and action in the new year
As the 41 International President I have the honor together with the board to drive global initiatives to visit to your AGMs and spread ideas to improve our wonderful organization. Already more than half of my time as your 41 International President has passed as quick as a snip with my fingers. I have seen so many great achievements around the world, especially in regard to improvement of the relationship with Round Table. Key is that there are joint actions done with great outcome. More and more associations have started this joint journey. I have seen many examples of joint activities and joint projects through my visits.
Thank you so much for the activities. My “hat is off” to you and your achievements. Congratulations, great work!! Please carry on with this in 2017. It will strengthen your association , your districts, your Tables.
I cannot comment here on the numerous activities, but want to state a persional recent observation. A wonderful example is the Christmas gift convoy to Eastern Europe that the German Round Table family (RT, OT, LC and Tangent) is organizing for the last 16 years. This year another record number of gift packages has been reached: 106.000 gifts packaged by school children, kindergardens, Tablers, Ladies,…) all over Germany. Also Austria RT participated this year the first time with hundreds of gifts. More than 300 Tablers, Ladies, friends helped to successfully organize the logistics at the central logistics center, joined the convoy to Romania, Moldavia, Ukraine and for the first time to Bulgaria. A challenging trip for everyone, but with the smiles of the children in the heart it has been a great experience for everybody. More than 100.000 children have received a gift, in some cases the first one in their life. The convoy has returned save and all went well. Without the hands-on help of each individual person this would not have been possible.
This is an example how we can work together an achieve more and make the world a little better. My wish for 2017 is to encourage more 41 Club associations who have not yet started on this journey to become more active.
With this recent activity and great achievement in mind I wish you all and your families a great year-end and an easy “slide” into 2017 J!
We are all Tablers!
Yours in continued friendship!
Engelbert Friedsam
President 41 International 2016 – 2017