CEE REGION

ON I REG CEE

ASSOCIATIONS rtalbania rtaustria rtbelgium rt Czech republic rtgermany rtgreat britain and ireland rthungary rtluxembourg rtmoldova rtromania rtthe netherlands CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE REGION

TABLERS RISING - HUNGARY & MOLDOVA

By MARC GERMESHAUSEN, CEE Chairman 2021-2022

WHEN TALKING ABOUT expansion, we typically focus on chartering new Associations. Expansion is much more than just growing by country numbers. We need to focus more on our internal growth. We need to see the white areas within our region and where a group of motivated prospects can charter a new club.

Even if your Association is small and you are facing a lack of members – never give up. Contact RTI for support, and we are showing how strong we can be together. The CEE Region is strong by Association and membership. Moldova was the previous chartered Association within the CEE Region in the last couple of years. Two new countries joined the Family: RT Czech Republic and RT Albania. Next to these Associated Members, we have a full-Member Association which struggled a bit in the past: RT Hungary. Nevertheless, we can see that together we can achieve more, and we were able to bring them back on track.

Round Table Moldova was chartered in 2019 by Round Table Germany and Round Table Romania. Chisinau 1 focuses on fellowship, strength, and expansion as a young, chartered club. Especially in the last couple of months, we saw how strong this club can be. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, RT1 Chisinau pushed every button and was active from the first moment. Establishing a refugee camp and supporting them during this challenging period was not always easy for RT Moldova. Coordinating various help activities with the convoy team from RT Germany and trying to support and give guidance wherever possible. Within this challenging time, they still could organize their AGM with international guests and attend AGMs within the region.

Almost 30 years ago, in 1990, Round Table Austria chartered Round Table Hungary. RT Hungary s clubs in Budapest, Eger and soon in Tata. In the last couple of years, RT Hungary was not much present on an international scale. As RTI, we were afraid of not having a functional National Board in Hungary. In 2014 they organized the CTM and, in 2016, the first Round Table International Half Years Meeting (former IRO’s Meeting) in Eger. This year the situation changed, and RT Hungary is vital again. Members are travelling and joining AGMs and other Charter Meetings. At the beginning of July, we visited Tablers of RT Hungary in Budapest. Together with a delegation of RT Austria, we spent a great weekend in the capital. During this meeting, they informed us that they will join the RTIWM in Denmark with a big delegation. They agreed to host the CEETM in 2024 in Hungary. If we are trying to not lose the line to an Association, we can support them and strengthen them from the inside.

We can see that both countries have exciting potential to bring Round Table to higher peaks. Let us show all our commitment towards smaller Associations and help them grow. Sharing best practices and models for increasing membership, community service, or implementing new projects: The Round Table Family is always #StrongerTogether, and we live it within CEE.

Yours in table

Marc Germeshausen

ceechairman@round-table.org