Editor: Paul Molley, National Councillor, Region 11
41 NEWS IN BRIEF April 2013
Pre-National Conference Edition!
In a little over 2 weeks, National Conference will be under way in Llandudno celebrating another tremendously successful year for 41 Club. Nearly 600 revelers will be entertained, wined, dined and presented to at the National AGM which for the first time will be streamed live to your Smart TV, PC, laptop, Ipad, Ipod or smart phone. This is a step in the right direction towards online voting which will see improved communication all round. It’s still not too late to join in if you too want to be there on this momentous occasion!
National President’s Thoughts for Conference It’s that time of year again! When we pack our dinner jackets and evening dress, our fancy dress costumes and casual wear and set off to the Conference venue looking forward to greeting old friends and meeting new ones. This year the A55 North Wales Expressway will be full of 41ers’ cars travelling to Wales’ largest seaside resort, Llandudno. And the welcome members will receive there will be second to none – the Conference Committee have been working tirelessly for over two years to ensure that members of the Round Table Family experience the Conference of a lifetime – all we now need is the weather………………….! For me, Conference this year will be tinged with a small degree of sadness as at the conclusion of the AGM I have to give up this marvellous position of President of our Association. Kay and I have had a wonderful year and are so grateful for the kindnesses and hospitality shown to us wherever we’ve visited. But all good things must come to an end and I will hand over the office to Vice President Martin in the knowledge that he will promote and hold safe the Aims and Objectives of 41 Club which are so important to us all. If you’re going to Conference I know you’ll have a great time; if you’re not, you can watch the AGM via your laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc (see the Spring Edition of the Magazine for details) and it will, I hope, inspire you to join us next year in Bournemouth. Hwyl am rwan! David Smith National President 2012-13
National President Elect Looks Forward….. The AGM in Llandudno starts the ball rolling for a new 41Club year of which I have the honour of becoming your National President. I have a number of things that I will be focussing on during the year ahead. Firstly I have major concerns of our membership numbers. Our numbers are dwindling and we need to turn this around before we plummet like Table did many years ago. There is much we can do about this and this will become clearer throughout the year. In addition I will be promoting heavily my Charity - Macmillan Cancer Support. Over 850 people a day are diagnosed with cancer, and our ever-stretched NHS who do their best, cannot give the support that a person or their family need when they go through the cancer journey and hopefully come out the other side. Macmillan provides that support. Enough of me about the future – please enjoy the Conference – if you can’t be in Llandudno – at least please try and watch the AGM on the internet. Maria and I are looking forward to meeting everyone next year, as we visit Clubs around the country. Martin Green National President Elect
I have never been to a 41 Club / Tangent conference and I am coming as a guest. Not sure what to expect really. I am looking forward to a new experience coming to the weekend, and I am sure it will be full of fun and friendship. So perhaps my words should be: I am really excited about sharing a new experience with friends and seeing how Tangent and 41 club "Make the Difference"! Marjory Aird National President Ladies Circle GB&I
Tangent National President is Excited to be there! My first 41-Club/Tangent conference was in Ipswich in 2011. Even though my husband is not in 41-Club I felt very much at ease attending on my own. I soon met up with people I knew and also met lots of new friends. Those friends made at that conference are still with me today. My lasting memory from Jersey National Conference was on the Saturday Final Night Party being clapped in by 600 people to the song 'Simply the Best'. It was so exciting and probably the only time I felt like a real celeb. What I could not get over is that 41-Club/Tangent conference is just like a Round Table/Ladies Circle conference. The Saturday night party is full of mad people dressed in peculiar outfits having so much fun. An awful lot of hard work goes into organising such an event. Volunteers give up endless hours of their time to ensure that the week-end is well planned. All we have to do is turn up and have a good time. Come along, take part and have a brilliant time. Do come and say 'hello'. Sue Marlow Tangent National President 2012-13
Fellowship Rules at Conference! My goodness conference is nearly here again. I have been really impressed by the Llandudno Conference team under the leadership of Andrew Macareth. They have organised a busy, interesting and fun weekend for us all. Llandudno is a smashing town on the north Wales coast boasting TWO beaches. There is a beautiful mile long bay with headlands either end. The architecture is impressive and it will be brilliant to be able to walk along the promenade into the small town centre. Our Conference hotels are located on the bay with fantastic views. Llandudno will probably top out at around 550 attendees. For those of you not coming you simply do not know what you are missing - the fellowship is brilliant, there is a Thursday welcome party, a Friday formal Presidents Night and a Saturday fancy dress. David Smith our National President has promised to have a half day AGM and finish for lunch, so more time for fellowship and exploration. Guys he really means it! I hope I have wetted the appetite of all those coming and to all those who are not, there is still time to book as the venue can actually take well over 700. See you there Barry Durman National Fellowship Officer
Conference Registration Officer’s Warm Welsh Welcome... I look forward to the Llandudno Conference both as the Editor of the Club Magazine and as the Registrations Officer for the conference itself. It is over three and half years ago that I first found the excellent Venue Cymru and put in a bid for the privilege to organise the conference. Now it is nearly with us and I am proud to say that it will be an event that you will remember for many years. This is the 69th Annual Conference for 41 Club (the 68th AGM) and it is only the second time that it has visited Wales in all of that time. The last time was in 1966 when Llandudno was also the chosen location. We are looking forward to providing a warm Welsh welcome to one and all!! Ray Hill National Communications Officer Conference Registration Officer
Http://www.41clubconference.co.uk All news items send as a Word document with separate photographs to: news@41club.org
National Membership: Plenty To Smile About…. Llandudno will be my 26th National Conference, 17 with Round Table and 9 with 41 Club. It’s often said that conference is impossible to describe but for me it’s not. It is simply one of the best party weekends you will ever go to and it’s all about the people. Old friends we’ve been meeting for years, new friends who we’ll no doubt see again in future years, music, costume, humour, laughter, late nights putting the world to rights in the bars oh and of course the AGM. Every year Chris and I promise not to be too late leaving the parties but so far to no avail. I am delighted therefore to have been named in Martin Green’s Council as ‘Head of Sleep Deprivation’ a much sought after post and one I will do my utmost to fulfil. This year is one I am really looking forward to as I am take over the role of National Vice-President with all the excitement to come, but I guess you will still find me in the bar late at night, or early in the morning. If you haven’t been before try it. Like most people who go you’ll love it. If you’re reading this at home, see you in Bournemouth next year. Jim Smith National Membership Officer 2012-13 Vice National President Elect
Treasury Highlights……. This will be my first conference in the limelight, having attended the last five as a National Councillor. I guess I should be responsible and take it easy at the Presidents Banquet on Friday – if you see me in the bar at the end please feel free to remind me as you buy me a drink! In an attempt to get some of the inevitable questions aired beforehand, I have published the accounts and budget on 41club.org (on the Treasurers page). I am still happy to answer any questions you may have at the AGM, but if you want an in-depth answer then tip me off first. I’m happy to listen to any constructive criticism, comments or suggestions you may have, even if I don’t agree with your viewpoint. For the coming year, I intend to publish quarterly accounts online for anyone interested. The first quarter should be live before Llandudno. I will also be updating the capitation notices and reminders to include our bank details for those of you that want to pay online. If you haven’t yet paid for 2013, drop me an email and I will let you have the relevant details. And yes, I will be watching the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury this year!! Mark Fairchild National Treasurer
Is Llandudno Really International? With many of our members travelling abroad, be it on business or pleasure, I am often asked if there is a Club at a certain overseas location. Well the answer is invariably “Yes”. With over 1600 Clubs worldwide there’s a fair chance that you will find one. On the International page of the 41 Club website you will find the “International Club finder”. Based on Google Maps you can easily search your chosen area to see where there are existing 41 Clubs. If you are interested in attending overseas events, please see the International Calendar. Not only does this have a list of other countries AGM, it also has helpful links to event information and registration forms. There is also a comprehensive list of “ who is twinned with whom” please take time to look at the list and let me know if your own Club has not been included – so that we can update the information. Whilst I look forward to seeing many of you in Llandudno at the AGM, I look forward to seeing more of you hosting International Clubs and attending their events overseas…..and no, Wales is not officially overseas!!! Please consider attending an overseas event, either as an individual or maybe as a group. I can assure you that once you’ve experienced the fun and fellowship of international visits – you will be hooked ! So why not give it a try …….. David Campbell International Officer
Programme NATIONAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMME FOR 2013: 41 CLUB AND TANGENT CONFERENCE.
T H U R S DAY, 1 1 A P R I L 2 0 1 3 Evening Banner Exchange and International Welcome Party at the Imperial Hotel.
F R I DAY, 1 2 A P R I L 2 0 1 3 Morning – Golf Tournament and Coach visit to Portmeirion. Evening President’s Formal Banquet and Ball.
S AT U R D AY, 1 3 A P R I L 2 0 1 3 41 Club NAGM and Tangent Luncheon and NAGM commences at Venue Cymru. Evening Saturday Night Party – optional Fancy Dress theme Dungeons & Dragons. Conference Registration Welcome Party and International Banner Exchange Golf Tournament Excursion to Portmeirion President’s Banquet and Ball 41 Club AGM Tangent Day Lunch Tangent NAGM Final Night Party The Dragon’s Den Dai says : Book today, do not let it drag on!!