November'20 Message from the President
Peter C Morrison MNZM
President Skål International 2020
As my year as World President of Skål International comes to an end on 31 December 2020, I reflect on the year that has been and what the future may have ahead for us.
Like a number of our Christchurch, New Zealand and International members, my employment has been seriously affected by ‘The Pandemic = Covid’.
We continue to be the most affected industry worldwide. Alert level restrictions, pivoting and border closures have resulted in significantly reduced Tourists. Also, with ongoing unemployment (2021 Winter) the future does not look exciting at all.
News this month of a vaccine is very encouraging though. It could still be late 2021 that we see any let up.
We all need to build a path to survive, revive and thrive! (Not as easy as writing this).
With the new governments now in a number of countries around the world; I am hopeful of better things to come in 2021.
Sadly worldwide it is not looking that hopeful. The Americas, Europe, India and other countries are all going through 2nd waves of the pandemic.
Never has it been more important that domestic travellers need to travel in their own countries, dine and drink in their local hospitality venues and also be social and connected with Skålleagues, friends and neighbour's.
New Zealand Economist Brad Olsen recently wrote that "Young people are ready to innovate, but need to be given the chance". This is so true. Employment for them has got a lot harder since Covid started. I ask all members to reflect on this. They are our future.
Recently I have been clearing out my home office and came upon this poem that my parents gave to me on the occasion of my 21st Birthday.
The poem ‘If’ by the India-born British Nobel laureate poet Rudyard Kipling is a poem of ultimate inspiration that tells us how to deal with different situations in life. The poet conveys his ideas about how to win this life, and after all, how to be a good human being.
The poem, written in 1895 and first published in ‘Rewards and Fairies’, 1910, is written in the form of paternal advice to the poet’s son John. It can easily be for woman as well.
I read it a number of times and could see the whole of my 2020 year as your President amongst these words.
I ask you as Area Executives, National Executives, Club Executives and specifically you as a member to reflect on this poem.
The Skål International world will be a lot better for us all if we all read and acted on these Rudyard’s profound words.
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Please remember to take advantage of the deals that are out there to renew your membership for 2021.
It will be the best thing you will have done for yours and Skål International ongoing futures.
Yours in Skål!
