OUTGOING ADRESS

from RTI Legacy Magazine - 1 -December - 2022

by Round Table International

WE WANT YOU

Outgoing Address

By Mr GRAHAM CORNELISSEN,Round Table International Past President 2022-2023

YESTERDAY, WE SAW THE INCREDIBLE work done by Round Tablers from all over the world. Earlier tonight, a recap video played, showing a small glimpse of the impact that we have had on each other and on the world. one year ago, I said that the world needs Round Table, and all of you have proven this to be very true.

IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE HONOUR and privilege for me to have been allowed to serve as your President this last year. I am astounded by the level of trust and the love I have received from all over.

To our councillors, presidents, boards and associations – a massive thanks for all your hard work and dedication. Having worked with a great many of you, I am always in awe of your time spent, the dedication showed and the guidance and leadership that you provide to your members.

A special thanks go out to all of our partners and families, as without your support, none of this could be possible. Thank you for allowing us the freedom to Table and to do what we must.

SPEAKING OF PARTNERS, I want to thank all of our side-by-side partners who were with us during the year. All of the support that we, as Round Table, received from the RT Family is incredible, and we have seen that side-by-side is stronger than ever before. Thanks to all of our side-by-side partners who have travelled to be here with us tonight. Thank you for your support, and thank you for always being there for us.

In particular, I would like to thank 3 ladies from LCI with who I have grown very close too. Femke – you have helped me learn and grow, and you have always been there when I needed someone to talk to. Thank you for your friendship and for all your love. Anna – We started our journey together, and I could not have asked for a better partner than I found in you. You pushed me always to be better and to give more, and I thank you for helping me become a better leader. martina – madame Presidente – Thank you for all our little chats, your views, insights and all the fun we have had. I know LCI is in the best hands with you at the top

I WANT TO THANK the members of RTSA - You guys are close to my heart, and I am always and forever a very proud tabler from Southern Africa. Thank you for all your support and acceptance given to me, and thank you for being here tonight. Next year, it is our turn to host the world, and I know that we will be amazing. In particular, thank you, Gerhard, for the hours-long chats we have had over the last years and to Louis for all the trust you are putting in me.

Thanks to my board – you guys are the true superstars, and without your incredible dedication and hard work, none of this would have been possible. I

salute every one of you and cannot begin to describe the debt that I owe to each one of you. Thank you for joining me on this wild ride this year, and thank you for all that you have done for me.

TO MY DEAR FRIEND marc – we met 4 years ago in Sri Lanka where we were the minute secretaries for that meeting. We immediately became good friends, and this has just grown more and more ever since. Yesterday, I had the privilege to announce you as the next Vice President of RTI, and nothing could have made me happier than to do that. Jayant – We have had some incredible times together and shared amazing moments. From properly getting to know you in Varanasi and Delhi to all the times we have seen each other since. We have become good friends over the last 3 years, and I look forward to visiting Nepal soon. Handing over this chain of offi ce tonight is very easy as I know the person who will be wearing this. We are incredibly lucky to have you as our next President, and I was incredibly lucky to have had you as my right hand this year.

To my brother Claud, thank you for all the love and support – being with me from day 1 and helping me to become a better Tabler. Thanks for calling me on all my BS and for letting me know when I need to take a step back. I know all the sacrifi ces you have had to make in your Tabling life because I am where I am, and I am incredibly grateful to you – more than you will ever know.

Thank Yvette – Words cannot describe the debt of gratitude that I owe you. You are my rock, and you are my north star. There was no way that I could have lasted one day in this role without your help and support by my side. I am not deserving of the love, patience and understanding that you have given me for so many years. Stepping back tonight will allow us to spend more time together, and I look forward to that more than you know.

AND THEN LASTLY – Thanks to every single Joe Tabler out there – The ones who stand in the rain, paint a school, feed the poor, or reach our a hand of friendship. I thank all the Joe Tablers that are here to give back, to travel, to experience life and to share moments with friends. You are the real stars, and without you, none of us would have reason to be here. Tonight, we celebrate your achievements. I now invite my Vice President to come share the stage with me as Vice President for one last time.