How times flies ! Three years have just whizzed by. My second term as
Captain will draw to a close at the Annual General Meeting on4th July.
In my last edition of The Captain’s Corner it is appropriate that I recap
some of the major events and issues - both successful and not so successful
- that happened on my watch.
My first priority as Captain was to restore the financial strength of the
Club. The Committee, Sub-committees and Management worked hard to avert the
crisis that was looming upon us. Today, I am happy to report that we are now
out of financial danger. During this time we also had to grapple with a
couple of tough issues concerning membership and management downsizing.
These I feel were handled with some measure of success.
However, in concentrating on the big issues Management, so to speak, lost
some focus and this resulted in a less than commendable effort in dealing
with several smaller issues. These issues resulted in much acrimony among
Members, and for this I feel a deep sense of personal regret. Much has
already been said so I shall not labour them any more. On hindsight, things
could have been done differently. I know that doing one’s best with the best
of intentions is never enough. Today’s society is demanding. It’s results
that count.
If
there is a final thought that I wish to share with you, it is this: please
remember that every one who steps forward to serve in The Committee and
various Sub-committees do so voluntarily knowing that the job is thankless
and expects a great deal of personal sacrifice. They only get the chance to
do the job with your support.
For those who do not measure up they can be got rid of at the AGM. This has
always been our tradition. Once every year approximately half The Committee
steps down by rotation, allowing for the election of others in their place.
This orderly and gentlemanly way has served us well. All that is needed is
some patience.
Removing Committee Members at EGMs should be an extraordinary affair and
should be used only when time is of the essence, when we must act
immediately, because major and irreversible damage may occur by waiting.
Removals through EGMs are usually contentious affairs and can easily result
in the division of the membership. This process can cause long lasting
damage to the image and prestige of the Club and more importantly the
congenial ambience that we all love.
Another unintended side effect is the impact that this may have on the
willingness of good and capable Members to come forward to serve. Those
people who serve voluntarily and with no ulterior motives should be accorded
dignity and respect.
Finally, I wish to thank members of my Committee and members of the staff
who have worked tirelessly with me over the past 3 years in tackling some
major problems, but whose efforts and successes are in danger of being
drowned out by the rancour of the recent events. However, I am confident
that after the dust has settled, history will judge their contributions in
the right light that they have indeed made a positive contribution towards
our collective welfare.
20th May was indeed a watershed for our Club. I hope Members and
future Committees can learn from some of the mistakes that were made. Let us
put this unhappy episode behind us. Let us work towards bringing the Club
back to normalcy when we can once again enjoy the fine traditions of
clubbing in goodwill and friendship.
I
wish to take this opportunity to wish all of you the very best for the
future and to thank you for having given me the chance to be your Captain.
