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Look at each other. Knowing how to see, care, not be indifferent. It is with this philosophy that António Goes Madeira lives. Remarking 80 years of age, he heads the Rotary Club of Viseu until June. The institution celebrates 90 years of service to the community. The president of the Viseu Rotarians sees the Senior University project as one of the highlights of the institution as it approaches its centenary
Photographer: Jornal do Centro
He was first elected president of the Rotary Club of Viseu in 1989. It has now been 35 years. Now lead him again. What society was this? And what values guided you?
When I was born, my father was already a Rotarian. He was a Rotarian until the day he passed away. I joined the Rotary Club of Viseu, a few months after my father’s death. I was educated in the values of solidarity, looking at others, trying to be aware of what surrounds us, not being indifferent. We often walk and don’t see anyone on the street. We pass people without looking at them. At Rotary we try to overcome this and be aware of what is happening around us.
When you entered, what actions were, for you, most fundamental to take forward?
Rotary is an international organization dedicated to implementing humanitarian projects. Club members, on a voluntary basis, must act and collaborate where these projects are most pressing. Without invalidating all the actions that clubs have in relation to the local community. It is in these two parameters that we place ourselves. And they are complementary: supporting the local community and being open and available to support humanitarian projects. At this time, we must be attentive to projects that go to poor countries, where many people do not have a voice.
In the case of Viseu, what projects have advanced?
Specific support projects for what is most needed. The Rotary Club of Viseu is the fourth Portuguese Rotary club and was born in 1934. At that time, the club was in a society where poverty was very, very high and in which there were dozens of single mothers. And this was the first focus of the Rotary Club of Viseu. It was the start.
At a time of strong uncertainty, where can the Rotary movement act? Can you reach this magistracy of influence?
Also. We try to draw attention to the problems that exist and that we often pass by without looking at them. We try to be attentive and, to the extent of our capabilities, we can help resolve issues. We currently have the major Senior University project, which began in the 2000s. It received the support of Viseu City Council, Misericórdia de Viseu and Politécnico de Viseu. There is an interaction. It is a fundamental project for people who have had their entire professional lives, in the most varied areas. For reasons of age, they retired and suddenly lost their everyday friends. One of the biggest problems we see seniors have is isolation. And what we sought with the Senior University was to provide them with new knowledge, interpersonal relationships and combat isolation. This academic year, which ends at the end of June, there were 209 registrations. It is already significant and already needs organization. And it is extremely important to mention that everything works on a voluntary basis. We have 27 teachers, from various areas of study, who are volunteers and the vast majority are not Rotarians.
There was then scope…
Through the Senior University, we managed to bring together students and teachers. We meet frequently to understand what can be changed, study visits… It is a project that has been running for 22 consecutive years.
Are you experiencing your greatest moment today?
One of the. The project was well studied and structured from the beginning. And in the first year we had 112 students. The project was presented in October 2001 and January 10, 2002 was the date of the first class. We also have support for scholarships for university education, above all. When Rotary movements grant scholarships, it is based on comprehensiveness. In other words, as long as the student is successful, once the scholarship is approved, it is guaranteed for the entire course. This year we awarded two scholarships, through the Portuguese Rotary Foundation, and our support is 750 euros, approximately the value of the tuition fees.
But there are more projects…
We support the Viseu Food Bank against Hunger, either by collaborating in the collection of food or through individual donations. At Christmas, we offer Christmas hampers for the poorest. It is not we, Rotary, who choose people. We went to the Viseu Hospital and the Misericórdia de Viseu. It is the institutions that tell us who needs the support most. They are the ones who have these problems at hand on a daily basis. The intention is to be comprehensive and have other institutions at our side and be able to collaborate with them. We continue to support the Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Disabled Citizens of Viseu and the Cerebral Palsy Association of Viseu.
The selection of the president of any Rotary club takes place once a year. There are no terms of office that last more than one year. It’s a rule. Is this renewal important?
I would say it is fundamental. What marks us and differentiates us is that Rotary clubs include professionals. They have to be people who have some profession. They do not practice their profession within the club, but will provide their knowledge and professional experience. In Viseu, we try to follow the order of seniority for leadership. The president leads a council that has five members, in addition to himself: the outgoing president, the incoming president, the secretary, the treasurer and the chief of protocol. There are no elections. It’s an internal choice. The president of the International Rotary Club, who also changes every year, cannot come to the Viseu Rotary Club and say that he does not like a certain member and that he should therefore leave or choose someone else to be a member. He can not. Admission of members is done at the club itself. Imagining that someone considers that another person has the profile to be able to join Rotary. Inform the board of directors that there is a person who seems capable of being admitted. Everything is treated with the utmost confidentiality, because we are talking about a person who does not even dream that he is being nominated for a future Rotary career. The board of directors sends this information to all members of the club and members have ten days to comment. Anyone who does not express themselves is understood to be in agreement. And it is from here that the person will be invited to join the club by the member who presented the proposal, who becomes the sponsor in Rotary.
How many members does the Viseu Rotary Club currently have?
We will end the Rotary year, on June 30th, with 40 members. For a Portuguese club it is a good number.
90 years later, where can Rotary act?
I will limit myself to Viseu. In Mangualde there is a Rotary club and it has its own area of activity. In Tondela, too. We try not to invade other clubs’ areas, although it is normal to get in touch with a nearby club and talk. We try to understand if we can think about a certain issue together. This dialogue takes place. In Viseu, the Senior University project is to continue, because new seniors enter every year. And support local entities that continue to need our support. I spoke about APPACDM and APCV, another institution may emerge and the club must be attentive and open to analyze the situation and, if necessary, support it. We have no barriers. There are no walls. In fact, what is important is to tear down walls.
Precisely, about tearing down walls, does humanism today have to be defended more than ever?
I think so. I have this deep conviction. Humanism is fundamental. Have a behavior of looking at others. Being able to do something for someone who is by our side, who lives next to us. There are more than 38,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic regions. Therefore, you must always be attentive and open. Things don’t stop us in our laps. We have to be proactive and look, see, analyze and, if possible, support.
Do we today have a society with problems like it may never have had before?
It may require other answers. Social problems end up repeating themselves, with different nuances. As Rotarians we must be attentive and have humanism as a compass, as a guide. The Rotary Club of Viseu maintains this compass. I hope this continues in the future. I’m pretty sure this will continue to happen.
