Honored to Join the Club
As my movie hero Groucho Marx once said: “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member”. However sometimes a membership invitation comes along where you just can’t say no. One that is steeped in history and legend. And even though I might not feel I belong, I am truly honored to be included.
Just recently I was selected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
The Geographical Society of London was founded in 1830 as an institution to promote the advancement of geographical science. Like many learned societies at the time, it started as a dining club in London where members held informal dinner debates on current scientific issues and ideas. Then under the patronage of King William IV, it later became known as The Royal Geographical Society and a Royal Charter was granted under Queen Victoria in 1859.
I am more than humbled to join a club whose members include Livingston (a piece of the tree where his heart was buried in Africa is at the club), Stanley, Burton, Speke, Shackleton and Hillary. These men are legends. Today the club boasts a diverse membership and offers a wide range of programs and initiatives.
I was in London for a week and spent time at the club, where they have over a million maps and an unsurpassed collection of documents that are steeped in history. What an honor and privilege to be a member.
