Another positive year for Round Table (Malta) 2

Round Table (Malta) 2 (or RT2) has ended yet another eventful year of tabling experiences and Tablers are now looking forward to one of their first events of the year and main fundraiser, the annual New Year's Eve Gala Dinner, to be held at Le Meridien Phoenicia in Floriana.

As confirmed by outgoing chairman Andre Formosa: "This year in Table has proven to be another successful one for RT2. We have had some memorable social events, we donated a substantial amount to charity and we managed to increase the number of members in our Table, indicating the growing interest in our club.

"We look forward to building further on the success of this year, and I am sure that the new members will bring energy and new ideas to our Table."

RT2 forms part of Round Table International, an international organisation started, by a then young member of the Rotary Club, who had the idea of setting up a club for men between the ages of 18 and 40. From then on the organisation expanded rapidly and now boasts more than 40,000 members in over 71 countries worldwide. In fact Round Table is represented in every continent of the World.

Round Table (Malta) 2 was chartered on April 19, 1980, and to date has held over 500 meetings. Meetings are held every first and third Thursday of the month and they are the focal point of Table activity. Meetings alternate between business meetings, where general Table matters are discussed and social fellowships which involve diverse and varied events, such as cooking competitions, go-karting, gala dinners, football tournaments, cultural visits and wine tasting events, among others.

While the primary aim of Round Table is fellowship, fun and meeting people from all walks of life, Table values are also about being charitable. In fact, Round Table is also well known for organising novel fund-raising events, which form an important part of its activities and culture.

With an emphasis on local and practical help, charitable events include organising Christmas collections, outings for underprivileged or disabled children, party for refugees, donating essential equipment to charitable institutions as well as the disbursement of funds to a number of worthy local and international causes.

Round Table is also about travelling. All Table members are encouraged to travel, at least once a year, to attend international Table events, such as the Euro 2 Meeting held annually in a different country, or visit another Table during their own national AGM.

Travel subsidies are provided where possible as an added incentive to encourage members to expand their Table experience overseas. As Jim Conway, Round Table International Officer, 2000-2001 said: "International Tabling is without doubt the best part of the Round Table movement.

"In what other circumstances would you get on a plane, be met by complete strangers and within a couple of hours, those strangers will be friends for life.

"Round Table offers you the opportunity to travel and visit tables in countries as far flung as New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil and Nepal, offering you an insight into the way people live in those countries and hospitality you would find hard to better anywhere."

Commenting on the overall experience of being a Tabler, incoming chairman Kenneth Micallef suggests: "Young men looking to join a social club, which apart from being loads of fun also promotes values such as friendship, loyalty, camaraderie and charity, should consider joining Round Table. We guarantee it to be a great lifelong experience!"

If you are interested in knowing more about RT2, or in attending their forthcoming gala dinner, contact membership officers Kevin Camilleri on 9945-1601 or Sandro Zammit on 9947-0357.