Round Table (club)

The Round Table is a friendship organisation, founded in Norwich, England, in 1927 . The Round Table is a club for young men aged between 18 and 45 (originally 40, which is still retained as the age limit outside the United Kingdom and Ireland) that provides a selection of social and community service related opportunities for its members. Members come from all parts of the community.

The name "Round Table" is not drawn from Arthurian Legend; rather both its title and its maxim comes 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 phrase "adopt, adapt, improve" is a key facet of the organisation, and is often seen on Round Table literature and regalia.

Logo

The design of the Round Table emblem or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
] is, however, an adaptation of the table which hangs in the Great Hall in Winchester. Although this is claimed to be the Round Table of the mythical court of King Arthur, it is in fact a representation which was made in the 13th century.

History

The founder, Louis Marchesi, was a young member of Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young business men of the town could gather on a regular basis. At their meetings they could exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues and play a collective part in the civic life of Norwich. Within a year of inception the membership of this Round Table had grown to 85 and interest was being shown in establishing Round Tables elsewhere.

A second Round Table was established in Portsmouth in 1928 and subsequent growth was rapid, with 125 Tables and a membership of 4,600 by 1939 . Round Table proved it had international appeal with the first overseas Table formed in Copenhagen in 1936. During the war years Round Table continued to expand in Denmark although in the British Isles activity was restricted and was in the nature of a 'holding operation'.

After 1945 the pattern of growth was rapidly re-established with Tables being 'chartered' all over the UK. Today there are about 900 Tables with a membership of around 10,000. Round Table now flourishes in the majority of European countries, throughout Africa, the Middle East, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand and America. 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.

Activities

The focal point of Round Table is its regular meetings. Normally, most Tables meet twice a month, usually in the evening and often with a meal. The regular meeting is the forum for speakers and many other forms of activity and entertainment. Visitors and potential members are always made particularly welcome as Round Table provides an ideal opportunity to establish new friendships. Another opportunity of the Round Table, is that it allows its members to socialize and form lasting friendships.

With Round Table clubs worldwide, its members can - either when moving areas permanently or simply on holiday or travelling on business - easily meet other Round Tablers in their destination area. This is sometimes seen as the biggest benefit of Round Table, in that wherever you find yourself - there is always the opportunity to make instant acquaintances with a common interest.

Round Table is frequently associated with its charitable fund raising activities and community service projects. In the UK many Round Tables operate these activities through charitable trusts which are registered with, and regulated by, the Charities Commission.

Aims and Objects

1. To Develop the acquaintance of young men through the medium of their various occupations.
2. To Emphasise the fact that one's calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community.
3. To Cultivate the highest ideals in business professional and civic traditions.
4. To Recognise the worthiness of all legitimate occupations and to dignify each his own by precept and example.
5. To Further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships.
6. To Further these objects by meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.

External links

International Round Table Website
* [http://www.roundtable.name Round Table International]

National Round Table Websites
* [http://www.roundtable.org.uk The National Association of Round Tables of Great Britain & Ireland]
* [http://www.rtd.dk Round Table Denmark]
* [http://www.rtn.no Round Table Norway]
* [http://www.roundtableindia.org Round Table India]
* [http://www.roundtable.be Round Table Belgium]
* [http://www.round-table.de Round Table Germany]
* [http://www.roundtablehk.org The National Website for Round Table in Hong Kong]
* [http://www.roundtable.org.za ARTSA (South Africa)]

Regional Round Table Websites
* [http://www.roundtablearea5.co.uk Round Table Area 5 (Shropshire/West Midlands)]
* [http://www.area24.org.uk Round Table Area 24 (Mid Anglia)]
* [http://www.area33.org.uk Round Table Area 33 (Essex)]
* [http://www.area45.co.uk Round Table Area 45 (Midland Shires)]
* [http://trf19region.unblog.fr Table Ronde Region 19 (Auvergne Pays Roannais)]

Local Round Table Websites
* [http://www.wellingroundtable.com Welling 503 Round Table]
* [http://www.wellingroundtable.com Welling 503 Round Table]
* [http://www.wetpaint.bridgnorthroundtable.co.uk Bridgnorth Round Table 612]
* [http://www.shrewsburyroundtable.org.uk Shrewsbury Round Table]
* [http://www.wetpaint.bewdleyroundtable.co.uk Bewdley Round Table]
* [http://www.billericayroundtable.co.uk Billericay 594 Round Table]
* [http://florida21roundtable.blogspot.com Florida 21 Round Table, South Africa]
* [http://www.rt48.org.uk Round Table London Hammersmith 48 - the Club for West London]
* [http://www.kenilworthroundtable.com Kenilworth Round Table]
* [http://www.rt2malta.com Round Table 2 Malta]
* [http://www.wellingroundtable.com Welling 503 Round Table]
* [http://www.lookingforseriousfun.co.uk Crewe & Nantwich District 198 Round Table]
* [http://www.swansearoundtable.org.uk Swansea 57 Round Table]
* [http://www.brighouse451.co.uk Brighouse Round Table 451]
* [http://www.round-table.co.uk Whittlesey Round Table 846]
* [http://www.portsmouthrt2.org.uk Portsmouth & Southsea Round Table No.2]
* [http://www.wert.org.uk Windsor & Eton Round Table]
* [http://www.mayeticvillage.com/huyton856 Huyton Round Table]
* [http://www.lichfieldroundtable.co.uk Lichfield Round Table]
* [http://www.bloemfontein25.co.za Bloemfontein 25 Round Table, South Africa]
* [http://www.tr34.be Round Table 34 Hannut (Belgium)]
* [http://www.roundtable110.be Round Table 110 Beveren (Belgium)]
* [http://www.ert123.com Exeter Round Table]
* [http://www.rtmp.co.za Round Table - Mpumalanga Area (South Africa)]
* [http://www.dunstableroundtable.org.uk Dunstable and District Round Table No. 400]
* [http://www.rt130.nl/ Round Table 130 Drechterland]
* [http://www.wareham-roundtable.org.uk Wareham Round Table No.1224 - Area 48 Dorset & Guernsey]
* [http://www.wokingroundtable.com Woking Round Table No.64]
* [http://www.jerseyroundtable.com Jersey Round Table No.192]
* [http://www.saffronwaldenroundtable.co.uk Saffron Walden Round Table No.582]
* [http://www.swindonroundtable.org Swindon Round Table No.25]
* [http://www.yeovilroundtable.co.uk Yeovil Round Table No.222]
* [http://www.withamroundtable.co.uk Witham Round Table No. 701] also part of Area 33
* [http://www.rt161.org Thornton Cleveleys Round Table No. 161]
* [http://www.derehamroundtable.org.uk Dereham & District Round Table No.175]
* [http://www.round-table-berlin.de Round Table 175 Berlin]
* [http://www.trf161.unblog.fr Table Ronde de Montluçon No.161]
* [http://www.blackburnroundtable.org.uk Blackburn Round Table No. 83]
* [http://www.rt27.org.uk Worthing Round Table No. 27]
* [http://www.sheppeyroundtable.co.uk Isle of Sheppey Round Table No. 776]
* [http://www.pontypoolroundtable.co.uk Pontypool Round Table No. 867]
* [http://www.rt119.de Round Table 119 Singen]
* [http://www.leylandroundtable.co.uk Round Table 665 Leyland, Preston]
* [http://www.goytvalleyroundtable.org.uk Round Table 1134 Goyt Valley, Derbyshire]
* [http://www.rt1ny.org Round Table 1 New York City, US]

ee also

*Round Table India