Dear reader,
I allow myself to write about a particular and concrete aspect that will mark, at the end of this month, the community in which I live. I am referring to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Rotary Club of Caldas das Taipas.
The Rotary Club of Caldas das Taipas, whose constitutional charter, the landmark of its foundation, dates back to May 27, 1999, is a Non-Governmental Organization inserted in the great international Rotary movement, which brings together community leaders, neighbors and friends who, united, enter in action to cause lasting change in society, their community and themselves.
In the specific case of our community, the Rotary Club of Caldas das Taipas, throughout the last barracks, a path of humanitarian service, training of leaders, proximity to populations, support and appreciation of education and promotion of peace – whether in the creation of the Rotary Wheelchair Bank, or the creation of the Rotaract Articulated Bed Bank, banks that provide an important response to the needs of many people who, otherwise, would probably not have access to this care; whether in honoring professionals who stand out in the community, or in valuing the merit of students with the best performance from schools included in the club’s action area; whether in contributions to the Portuguese Rotary Foundation, or in support of institutions in its area of action.
We cannot also underestimate the importance of young clubs, representatives of the new Rotary generations – the Rotaract and Interact Clubs of Caldas das Taipas, created, respectively, in 2015 and 2017, which was largely due to the leadership and great commitment of the teacher and fellow Rotary Teresa Portal, a very important figure in the personal journey of so many students and in the history of the Taipei Rotary club, who owes a lot to him and, therefore, I could not fail to highlight. This path of the last 25 years is, therefore, a work of great maturity and, I believe, deserving of due value from the entire town and neighboring communities.
This anniversary challenges, in my view, a reflection on two major dimensions – one dimension that has to do with appreciation that the community must give to its Rotary club, participating in its projects and being members of its membership, at a time when both Rotary and young clubs are going through a difficult phase of lack of people, a problem that, moreover, is affecting most clubs across the country and which deserves, in my opinion, deep reflection on the part the national structures of the Rotary movement; and another dimension that challenges us, looking at the matrix of values that should guide a good Rotarian, rethink the way we serve others, in any pole of intervention in society where our action is included. In fact, the old Rotary maxim “Giving Yourself Before Thinking About Yourself” should echo more often in people’s thoughts and should mark the actions of so many people who take the opposite path, Thinking about yourself before giving of yourself. In times when we do not look at means to achieve ends, when so many take advantage of supposed attitudes of service to others to serve their personal interests, it is really important to rethink our service to others, so that it actually provokes change. and positive transformation in people’s lives.
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Caldas das Taipas, to all its founders and to those who, in a more or less direct, more or less participatory way, were part of these 25 years of history. Many more will come, with new people, new horizons and more hope for the future!
