Round Table Austria

Status	Active, Full Member
Chartered	1955
Alias	Round Table Österreich
RTI Acronym	RTAT
RTI Region	CEE
Mother Association	Round Table Sweden
Socials

Gerne — hier ist die englische Übersetzung:

That Round Table came to Austria and that the founding meeting of RT 1 Vienna could take place on January 23, 1954, was made possible by the lawyer Viktor Straberger, born in Wels in 1928. Until 1969, he was an enthusiastic Tabler of RTA 1 Vienna, RTA 2 Linz, and RTA 6 Wels. “Vikerl,” as Austria’s Tablers may still call him today, most recently inspired audiences with his keynote speech at the charter of RT 42 Linz.

The sponsoring tables of RT 1 Vienna were RTD 2 Bremen and RT 5 Borås, Sweden.
When the Hungarian Revolution broke out in 1956 and Austria—already very weakened itself—was flooded with more than 200,000 refugees, many Tablers from all corners of Europe were also among those who provided essential humanitarian aid in the refugee camps.

On January 5, 1957, RT 2 Linz was chartered, and in 1958 the “multiple charter” of RT 3, RT 4, and RT 5 took place at Schloss Kleßheim in Salzburg. Even then, the idea emerged to establish Round Table in Hungary as well—a dream that would not be fulfilled until 1990.

The idea of Round Table spread very rapidly throughout Austria. The enthusiasm with which this happened is demonstrated, for example, by the charter event of RT 18 Innsbruck in 1972, which was attended by no fewer than 400 guests from 90 tables.

Internationally as well, Round Table Austria was particularly active: in 1957, with just over 20 members, it was able to provide the Round Table International President, Frederick Staab.

The WOCO 1961 in Salzburg opened up new dimensions for Round Table Austria, and the founding fathers of Round Table in Austria were able to look back on a highly active period. Incidentally, Round Table Austria initiated the first MASS tour within Europe.

The Friuli earthquake disaster in 1976 was a major challenge, as were development aid projects all over the world. These were followed over the years by countless social projects, always guided by the motto: Those who help quickly help more than twice as much.
The JORPATI project for a children’s hospital for the disabled in Kathmandu, Nepal—initiated by Martin Uitz (RTA President 1991/1992)—has been extremely successful.

It is always Tablers who, with great personal commitment, ensure that direct help is provided without bureaucracy, as far as this is possible in those countries—help that is mostly funded through local events organized by tables in Austria. Tablers successfully perform theater, arrange jobs, and even serve mulled wine. All of this is driven by a single idea: If we tell many people that we are helping, we will also gain their support.

Incidentally, the administration of donated funds is subject to the strictest regulations. There has never been a case in which these funds were used to sponsor club life or the many family events. For that purpose, membership fees are available (varying from table to table, ranging from EUR 110 to EUR 1,200 per year).

Not only social commitment, but also personal openness and a joy of celebration earned Round Table Austria great international sympathy. At the 20th anniversary celebration of Round Table 1 Vienna in 1975, 340 international guests from 10 countries were welcomed at Palais Schwarzenberg.

In 1985, the AGM of Germany and Austria was jointly organized at Lake Constance. This was successfully repeated in the year 2000 together with Germany and Switzerland.