Leading From the Chair - December 2011

Seasons Greetings Tablers, Honorary members, 41ers, Pipeliners & Guests of Table plus to your wives, fiancé’s, partners, girlfriends, boyfriends, who ever else you may have and to who ever has the opportunity to read our Natal South Coast Area Table magazine….The SCAN…..it sure is a good read .

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for everything that …………ok ok…. I’ll spare you all the torture of long winded formal words this time round, however, it might still be a little long as sometimes I have been know to get distracted and waffle on about all sorts of things as it appears I might just be dping now. Haha….

My column in the first SCAN for 2011, spoke of the NSCA being Area 10, the 10/10, the Superior Area and I am still unmoved in my opinion and believe in that even more now that ever. Us as NSCA Tablers are not only Tablers from the same Area that meet at our respective clubs on the specified dates and do the odd raid , but through our membership to Table, and a sprinkle of NSCA magic, we have transformed and upgraded the so called fellow ‘ members’ to ‘friends’ friends that have made their mark and will be around for years to come……this being the secret ingredient to our close knit Area and besides us being like minded people (which helps) this Area is where it is because of the copious amounts of fellowship that we enjoy with one another within the boundaries of the NSCA and our energy has been noticed by other Area’s so that is a clear indication that we are doing something right. I mean, I can’t wait to see you guys out and about, here or there and no matter where and I’m sure you all feel the same about me rite coz you all smaak me hey? (Laughs)

Although fun and fellowship is 1st on the agenda of every Tabler, ( Aim and object no. 1 ) as we all know, there is also the business side of Table which needs to be carried out by those that put their hand up for the portfolio/position. Although I have no intention of getting into that now, what I do want to remind you all of, is the importance of having a healthy balance in every aspect of Tabling. Attending meeting after meeting after meeting gets monotonous, too many nights away from home on raids creates its own personal issues, too much drinking needs no explanation etc. What a fantastic organization we belong to, structured in such a way that you have the option of something to do/attend nearly every second day of every week and weekend with so much diversity in venues, people, food, and Lord forbid…..that Sergeants strafdop .  Just remember the golden rule gents, 1st: Family, 2nd: Work, and 3rd: Table. Without the first two, Table wouldn’t be what it is, if it were even possible at all. I find myself seeing things a little different since the arrival of my son Daxon a few weeks ago and find myself with yet another portfolio, one of parenthood, but more about that later.

This year, as every Table year, has been a busy one which according to my records, saw the Tables and Tablers in the NSCA, collectively raise R1 299 478.84, ( that’s nearly R1.3mil peeps), donate a rand value of R 631 420.59 back to local communities and all this accomplished through 9520 man hours as at the end of September 2011. From me, I believe a huge round of applause is in order so…(clap clap clap cheer cheer cheer) to you, your ladies and your friends of Table. Again, a massive well done! Shew! What a team!  Just a gentle reminder that we start the new Table year after the NSCA AGM in March and although we do feel tired near the end, lets try and maintain momentum through the last stretch.

The figures speak for themselves people and as the year winds down to the festive season, please enjoy your well deserved holidays, spend time with friends and family doing what you want for a change as opposed to what you always have to do all year through. For those that are traveling, have a safe trip and get back home to the NSCA nest well rested, in high spirits and ready for our annual silly season yet again.

From me, many thanks, happy holidays and all the best to the lot of you and your families.

Jeron Strydom
NSC Area Chairman 2011/2012