Severn Vale
Round Table
Aims & Objects
History
41 Club
Ladies Circle
Area 23
National
International
Interested?
Round Table
The main reason to be a member of Round Table is FUN! It provides a forum (usually via fortnightly meetings) for meeting people from all walks of life, as well as organising fund raising events and community activities. The principles are set out in the six Aims and Objects below. The organisation is open to all men aged between 18 and 45.
Aims & Objects
- To develop the acquaintance of young men through the medium of their various occupations.
- To emphasise the fact that one's calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community.
- To cultivate the highest ideals, in business, professional and civic traditions.
- To recognise the worthiness of all legitimate occupations, and to dignify each his own, by precept and example.
- To further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships.
- To further these objects by meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.
History
The first Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927. The founder, Louis Marchesi, was a young member of Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young businessmen of the town could gather on a regular basis, to exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues and play a collective part in the civic life of Norwich. From a very early stage it was agreed that Round Table would be a non-religious, non-political club and this has continued to this day.
Today there are about 1,000 Tables in the UK and Ireland, with a membership of around 13,000. There are also many Round Tables world-wide.
The name Round Table was taken from a speech made to the British Industries Fair in 1927 by the then Prince of Wales:
'The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table, adopt methods that have proved so sound in the past, adapt them to the changing needs of the times and wherever possible, improve them'.
The motto "Adopt, Adapt, Improve" has remained ever since.
The design of the Round Table emblem is an adaptation of the table which hangs in the Great Hall in Winchester. Although this is often claimed to be the Round Table of the court of King Arthur, it is in fact a representation which was made in the 13th century.
41 Club
41 Club is an association of past members of Round Table (the age limit used to be 40, hence the name "41 Club"). Members keep in touch and continue to enjoy the friendships that were made as members of the Round Table.
Just as importantly, members of 41 Club provide invaluable help and support to the Round Table, particularly when it comes to organising fund raising and charity events.
Ladies Circle & Tangent
Working closely with Round Table and operating along similar lines, Ladies Circle have their own meetings, social events and community fund raising projects.
Although originally for the partners of Round Table members, Ladies Circle is now open to all women aged between 18 and 45. With 'Friendship and Service' as the Circle motto, the emphasis is on having fun.
Tangent is a club for ex-Ladies Circle members, in the same way that 41 Club is related to Round Table.
Click here for information about our local area Ladies Circle.
Area 23
Within the UK and Ireland, the country is divided into 53 regions. Area 23 is called Severn Vale, and extends from Worcester in the North to Wotton-under-Edge in the South, and from Ross-on-Wye in the West to Swindon in the East.
Click here for details of the Tables in Area 23.
National
In the UK and Eire, individual Tables are members of the National Association of Round Tables of Britain and Ireland, often shortened to RTBI.
There are several nationally organised events, notably the National Conference and National Sporting Weekend, each held in a different location each year. Such events are an ideal opportunity to meet fellow Tablers from all over the UK and Ireland.
The National Web Site is at http://www.roundtable.org.uk.
International
Round Table proved it had international appeal with the first overseas Table formed in Copenhagen in 1936. Round Table now flourishes in the majority of European countries, throughout Africa, the Middle East, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand and America.
How to Join
If Round Table sounds like something you'd be interested in, please contact us! You will be able to attend a few meetings at no obligation or cost before deciding whether to join. We guarantee that you'll be made welcome!
There is a National Freephone Membership hotline on 0800-1845-1845.