Vila Vita Parc, Porches will be the home of a new International Rotary Club, starting in May.
Lunchtime meetings will be held on three Thursdays every month, from midday to 1.30pm, with an option for lunch.
The last Thursday of each month will be a Rotary dinner for members, their partners, family and friends. “This will not be a business meeting, more an evening of friendship and fellowship in the true Rotary tradition,” said David Trubshaw of the new club.
The three initiators are Paul Lantau, Theo de Jager and David Trubshaw, who between them have over 50 years of past Rotary service and experience.
They told the Algarve Resident “how delighted and honoured” they felt for the opportunity and challenge to start from scratch and develop the new Algarve West International Rotary Club in Porches.
Paul, a past Rotarian President, had experience in the Netherlands, UK and Portugal. He said that after meetings and discussions with Mário Rebelo, the District Governor and others, it was agreed that the status of “Provisional Club” would be granted during the current Rotary year, which ends in June and the full Charter Ceremony would take place in October. Paul was asked to be the first President of the new club.
He added that when a new Rotary Club is proposed, the District Governor appoints a mentor or special advisor to liaise and help in establishing the club. Isabel Flores, a Fellow Rotarian and past President of the Silves Rotary Club, had been selected. “We are delighted with his choice as we all know Isabel and have worked together on joint Rotary projects,” said David.
Theo de Jager, the Secretary, confirmed they already have an encouraging number of potential new members, some with Rotary experience, others keen to learn and participate. He stressed how important it was to start a new club in the West as there were many business and professional men and women “who could not spare the time to travel 100-120 kilometres to either of the two existing International Rotary Clubs in the East”.
David, the Master of Ceremonies and Press Officer, explained that the decision to set up a new Rotary Club in the West was not a new idea. “It had been discussed nearly four years ago as a natural progression after the two existing International clubs in Almancil and Estoi were fully established,” he said.
For more information about the Algarve West International Rotary Club, please email Secretary Theo de Jager at theo.dejager@world.net.pt
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