Social events and outings are a frequent and popular way of bringing Table members and their families together. These are organised at both a local and national level and could be anything from Dinner Parties, Weekend Outings, Go-Karting, Sailing, Camping, Treasure Hunts, Quiz Nights ..... the list is endless!

Inter-Table and regional Sporting Competitions play an important part in the Round Table calendar and culminate in the National Sporting Weekend.

The main aim of Round Table is FUN and meeting people form all walks of life, however, Round Table is also well known for organising novel fund-raising events which form an important part of its activities.

With an emphasis on local and practical help, service within the community must be fun whether it is car parking at local carnivals, organising Christmas collections or outings for disables children or the elderly.

In The U.K., Round Tables have assisted many National Organisations such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, NSPCC, RNLI and the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Appeal. Over the past years Round Table has donated more than £7,000,000 to the Children in Need appeal alone and have been paramount in organising the Nation-wide 'Great Round Table Toddles' for the BBC.

While the main emphasis of Round Table is on having fun there is also a certain amount of administration plus, of course, the very important work of organising fund raising and charity events. In order for all of this to run smoothly there is a structure to the Round Table both Nationally and at individual club level.

What happens to past members? - Old Tablers never die....

Although Round Table has an age limit of 40 that doesn't mean that you get kicked out, never to be seen again - quite the contrary in fact!

The 41 Club is an association of past members of Round Table. Generally meeting once a month members keep in touch and continue to enjoy the friendships that were made as members of the Round Table.

Even more 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. There is also a tradition in many Round Table clubs of offering past members honorary years or inviting them to be Table President, so a great many ex-Tablers continue a very close association with their Table for a long time.

In addition to joining the Round Table at many functions and dinners throughout the year, the 41 Club also has it's own national organisation, conferences and events.

What is Ladies Circle? - Our sister organisation, the Ladies Circle, the membership of which is generally formed by the wives of a particular group of Tables of a particular area.

The aim of Round Table is to form links between young men in an area, and although the formal meetings are for men, an equivalent organisation exists called Ladies Circle which was formed in 1932.

Working closely with Round Table and operating along similar lines, Ladies Circle have their own meetings, social events and community fund raising projects.

Membership is open to all women ages between 18 and 45. With 'Friendship and Service' as the Circle motto, the emphasis is on having fun.

The Individual "Tables" come under the control and Administration of the "Area", while the "Area" or "Area Bodies" come under the administration of "The National Body".

The core of Round Table are the member clubs and the activities that each of them undertakes. Each Table will have a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Officer and Media and PR Officer. In addition there may be other posts such as Sports Officer, Social, Fund Raising and so on with posts being held for one year. The Table year runs from 1 July to 31 June and posts change at the AGM.

In the same way that each Table has it's officers, so the Area has a Chairman and an Area Executive. In many ways, becoming a member of the Area Executive is just like joining another Table. The function of the Area is to provide a link between individual Tables and the National Council, as well as to co-ordinate certain activities within the region - for example, family days, family get-togethers, Motor Rallies or Camping Weekends.

There are generally four Area meetings in a year when members of all the Tables in a region can meet and socialise while at the same time discussing any business that is of interest.

The ultimate decision making body in Round Table is the National AGM which is attended by a representative from each member club, however, most of the work in running the association is carried out by the National Executive (which has officers post similar to those of a Table or Area) and the National Council.

Each Area elects a representative to sit on the National Council and again there are four meetings each year. Meetings are chaired by the National President who also has a pretty busy time travelling around the country visiting Tables and attending functions during his year in office.

Many Round Tables have links with overseas Tables and Tables may "TWIN" themselves with any other Tables around the world, which may bear a common interest or common feature.

Thanks to Jan Velter, National President 1996/97 of Round Table Belgium for providing this list of links to International Tables.