The time has come for me to relinquish my Chairman’s role.
I’m done with organizing and signing meeting minutes.
I’ve kept all sorts of secrets without telling a single soul
and I’ve stayed strictly neutral, foreswearing all my favourites.
But I do sometimes wonder why it hasn’t worked a little better,
cajoling our members to enter events
by phone, or by email or pleading letter,
though one must always be careful not to cause offence.
Then there’s the matter of chairing committee meetings
attended by so many of our more dedicated reps;
steering the discussion out of unproductive sidings
and only reaching conclusions with some stumbling steps.
I’ve found I have less time to play my game of bridge.
I am really not quite sure if this is a relief or a shame.
I thought I knew enough, more than just a vestige,
but sometimes as I play, well, I wonder why I came!
As we contemplate the future we should do so full of hope;
we have our able Officers and our Programme is all in place.
But we always need volunteers ready to stand up and cope;
we need them in every Club and I’m afraid that’s not always the case.
So I am signing off now and there are too many for me to thank,
but I really have appreciated all the help I’ve been given.
We are blessed in our fair County with many individuals of first rank,
ready to give their time to others with the strongest sense of mission.
Delivered at the HBA AGM at Ross.