Rainer Kroth RC Silves President began with an overview of some of the activities and Isabel Flores RC Silves founder member translated into Portuguese for the Governor and our Portuguese guests.  Jim Kennedy incoming President presented a booklet telling the story of the fundraising walk to Santiago.

David Trubshaw, who had arranged an exhibition of the “Arte e Poesia” books, explained the history of the underlying work with the schools and handed over one of the books to the Governor as a present.

Following the flag ceremony, the governor delivered a powerful speech on the importance of friendship and fellowship within and among Rotary clubs. He emphasized that friendship is a high value and one of the most basic human needs. Rotarians help each other, and together they help others. Good relationships make us happier and healthier. “Treasure your relationships, not your possessions. Give hope to the world.”

As a symbol of Rotarian attitudes and values, David Valente presented a piece of art created by Guilherme Ildefonso de Melo Gomes Pontes to celebrate the work of Rotary clubs. The artwork is made of Estremoz marble (bottom), steel (middle), and pine wood (top). David explained the symbolic meaning of each piece, using examples from our work in Rotary.

As a symbol of their friendship, our guests from the Rotary Club of Sines represented by Vice-Presidente Manuel Guedes handed over their flag to our club President Rainer.

Rainer expressed his pleasure in welcoming José as a new member and highlighted important milestones in his life, including his past experience as treasurer and president of the Rotary Club of Boquete, Panama. The governor pinned on the Rotary emblem, and all members present welcomed José to the club.