President's message

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 Written by Erik Liljencrantz Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:11

Dear Fellow 41ers,

Friendship is on one side - perceptions and opinions on the other. Some of the French may think they have done the wrong thing for the right reason. Yet some of the French think they have done the wrong thing.

Honestly, from the time I was President elect, I have spoken strongly in the Board to our French Past President Jean-louis and tried my best to persuade him to stop his country’s impulsive action.

Unfortunately they decided in their National council and their National Board declared it to the rest of the world at our Chennai International AGM. It was then put up for voting at their National AGM.

As a non French man, I was an observer as the International President at their AGM. But there was a question from their floor as to how a major decision like this can be made before they got the concurrence from the floor. However the vote at the floor was almost like a ratification to the prior act of their council and their Board.

At this point of time, I humbly request all our fellow 41ers across the world not to repent on milk that has already been spilt. Hopefully this French issue maybe temporary, until they sort out the voting issue with their non ex tabler friends and also withdraw their erroneous application for registering the name and logo of 41 International in favor of France.

We at the International have to accept this resignation of one country done at their own will and accord against a voted democracy. We have to accept it with grace so that our minds can be clear and we should still treat them as our normal friends and participate with them within the frame work of our rules and objects.

We have all respects and regards to the non tabler friends in some countries. We have accepted some years back that we will not interfere with what countries do in their home grounds. However without effecting the interest of our 41 International Association. In spite of accepting and being well aware of this fact, the French have resigned from our 41 International Association.

At the global level, there are still many more countries who are small and should have the opportunity to be with us and enjoy the fellowship and participation in our activities. We plan to have a workshop at our HYM at Tampere in August, where democratic decisions will be made to accept all small countries in stages.

I strongly feel to succeed in any walk of life we should be able to convert any disadvantage to an advantage.

Let us all join hands surely and firmly and pledge from our hearts to bring one tabler into our tabling movement and at the same time reach out to those past tablers who have for some reason not joined us, explain the need of their support as a past tabler and be with us for a lifetime as a life tabler.

My important message to every IRO is to please discuss with their National Boards and to select one or 2 countries this year for whom they can play the role of Godfather and send the names of countries to me. The International Board can also follow up too.

To sum up once again One World One Club – we should support the growth of our tablers to support them in their projects with our knowledge and past experience, set an example as seniors by upholding and cultivating the highest ideals in business, professional and civic traditions which we learnt from Round Table and make our future generation of tablers feel welcome into our fold of 41 clubs.

I want all of you to look at the future with positive thoughts, come forward with your views for the growth and welfare of this Association.

Let us not forget we are the most privileged and cream of the society and we are being looked upon by the needy and under privileged for us to serve them. We have more to do in this world to eradicate hunger and lack of education.

Our name and logo is still a common property of our Association. In our friendship organization, it was very disheartening to file an objection at the Trademark Registry against the French erroneous application to register the common name and logo of 41 International in favour of France.

For tablers word is bond and trust is everything. The name and logo was kept in trust as a common property.

At the compromise meeting held at Italy where many countries were present, when I asked Zanoletti the French National President, very clearly as to how they could lay their hands and try to register this common name - he answered it was lying on the table unattended and therefore he took it for the French. Justice will prevail fair.

Dear Friends, kindly do not form an opinion that as your President this year, I am finding fault with the French. I am only expressing views to you for all countries to realize the need to stay together and not allow any thought or influence to create a drift in our excellent movement.

We should remain calm and united. Look at the positive things. We shall stay together, serve together and grow together.

May the hinges of honesty and friendship never rust.

KK
N S Krishna Kumar
President - 41 Clubs International
Chennai, India.