Since our Charter in 1987, our club has gradually built a reputation of doing things somewhat differently and unconventionally. It started with our VERY unconventional club banner (sadly, bowing to progressive thinking pressures, now relegated to 'History' – you can still find it on our website), and continued with being rather relaxed about attendance at a time when Attendance was still written with a Capital letter (anyone remember Col Johnson’s ”50 mile rule”? 😊). Another one I remember is a record for the shortest speech by a District Governor ever (at our Changeover 1997, when Paul Gillet (may he rest in peace) broke all records with a 30 seconds speech...)We now have another unconventional event to add to the list: A District Governor’s visit where the DG doesn’t give a speech at all, but engages the troops in a Question and Answer session. Very refreshing indeed!
His concept is “Look outside to see what’s happening outside” (I don’t know whether willingly or accidentally, he borrowed this from a Horror Game “Look Outside”...) After briefly introducing himself (you can read it all on the District 9640 website) he asked questions. And John answered in a clear and uncomplicated manner. Including a question on what is happening with Regionalisation? The answer is too complex to publish in this post. Allow me instead quote the (in)famous Italian politician and diplomat, Niccolo Macchiavelli: “There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order.”