The “Last Leg Rule” is an exception to the Age Rule introduced by Round Table Malta for its own membership. It helped drive up membership in a short time, resulting in the association being recognised with the Mission 2X Award in 2024.
As Guidance and Best Practises, the following is the rational that was used:
In 2021, the National Board of Round Table Malta observed that its membership was on the verge on experiencing a demographic problem; A substantial core number of veterans were about to graduate due to the age rule resulting in a sudden drop of membership and a loss of their Table experience. Most of the newer members were very new having joined when Covid was less of a hinderance. This would have also negatively affected the oeprating budget of the Association and its main income is from Capitations. To mitigate this, possible solutions were discussed:
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- Increase age to 45? 43?
- Add a one-off exception due to Covid?
- New younger 41 Club?
- Do Nothing…..?
As a National Board, tried to think outside the box, and broke down the problem to find a solution that benefitted everyone without creating longterm issues. They asked themselves the following questions:
“What do the members who are gratuating want?”
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- To Tabler for longer,
- To leave a legacy
“What do we want as an Association?”
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- Preserving & passing on Table Culture
- New young members
- Growth of the Association
- All while not increaseing the Association average age
With this goals in mind, we created this rule, which was approved during the Annual General Meeting:
“Tablers that exceed the age rule may remain members of the Association, subject that they form part of a new Table… This exemption may only be applied for two years for any person.
Such members may occupy roles within their Table’s Councils. They may not put their names forward for elections for roles on the National Council…”
These members are encouraged to invite eligible individuals to join their Table, and to pass on the spirit of Tabling to a new generation. Within one year, the project was incredibly successful. Not only did we not lose these valid members, but we kept them on for two years while creating a brand new Table, and brought in new members who would have otherwise probably never joined in the first place.