Six months after receiving our founding document, Rotary Club Atlântico is moving from its organizational phase to operational reality, as announced by our President, Georges Lebeau. In his recent address, he outlined his vision and commitment to the club, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie, respect, and a benevolent attitude among members. He took an unexpected path to leadership, accepting the role of president-elect for 2024-2025 and stepping into the presidency earlier than anticipated, ready to embrace the challenge despite the absence of prior Rotary experience.
His vision for the club is clear: to make it a space of sharing, laughter, and mutual respect, reflecting a community that enjoys coming together. He stresses the importance of every member’s voice, advocating for respectful communication without interruptions. Additionally, the club’s multicultural and multilingual nature is highlighted as a challenge but also as an opportunity for growth and inclusivity, with a commitment to making all club-related communications accessible to every member through translations.
At its core, Rotary Club Atlantico is defined by service and the active, motivated participation of its members in club meetings and activities. Georges underscores the need to focus on a selected few projects to ensure their success, rather than spreading resources too thinly across too many initiatives. He also mentions the importance of collaboration with the wider Rotary community.
His vision stretches beyond everyday club operations, embracing a deep respect and admiration for our host country, Portugal. It suggests the club serve as a conduit for members to celebrate and appreciate Portugal as a cherished home, noted for its exceptional quality of life. This approach includes incorporating cultural experiences into our activities, from artistic events and concerts to tours of historical landmarks and culinary events, aiming to enrich members’ experiences and deepen their connection with the rich cultural heritage of Portugal.