What Is Day of Portugal?
The "Day of Portugal" is a holiday celebrated every year on June 10th in every corner of the Portuguese-speaking world. Officially known as "Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas" (Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities), June 10th commemorates the death of the revered Portuguese poet, Luís Vaz de Camões in 1580. Camões is best known for his epic poem, Os Lusíadas, which is a tribute to the golden age of Portugal’s maritime exploration and discoveries.
Muda-se o ser, muda-se a confiança;
Todo o mundo é composto de mudança,
Tomando sempre novas qualidades.
Continuamente vemos novidades,
Diferentes em tudo da esperança;
Do mal ficam as mágoas na lembrança,
E do bem, se algum houve, as saudades.
~ Luís Vaz de Camões
THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION, DAY OF PORTUGAL AND PORTUGUESE HERITAGE IN RHODE ISLAND, INC. IS:
1) to celebrate the holiday, Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas
(Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities), in the State of Rhode Island;
2) to preserve the traditions of the Portuguese culture for future generations;
3) to promote the contribution of the Portuguese people, language and culture to the rich fabric of the State of Rhode Island.
Mission Statement
At the Rhode Island Day of Portugal General Assembly Meeting on June 20, 2013, an ad hoc Nominating and Bylaws Committee was formed and charged with two tasks: 1) to search for a nominee for the 2014 president of the celebrations and 2) to draft bylaws for the non-profit corporation, Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.
The ad hoc committee was comprised of ten representatives of the Portuguese-American communities of Rhode Island including the corporation's accountant and attorney. Six of the ten members were past presidents of Day of Portugal in RI.
The committee members were Al Nunes, 2013 President and presiding chair, Lídia Alves, António Ambrósio, José Borges, Marie R. Fraley, Luís Lourenço, C.P.A., Susan A. Pachedo, Esq., João Luís Morgado Pacheco, António Rodrigues, and Victor Santos.
The final draft of the bylaws was ratified unanimously by the membership at the General Assembly Meeting on January 23, 2014 at the Clube Juventude Lusitana, 10 Chase St., Cumberland, RI 02864,
BYLAWS OF DAY OF PORTUGAL AND PORTUGUESE HERITAGE IN RI, INC.
ESTATUTOS DO DIA DE PORTUGAL E DA HERANÇA PORTUGUESA EM RI, INC
Bylaws
The Board of Directors in its capacity as the governing body of the non-profit organization, Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. (d/b/a RI Day of Portugal) may establish policies and procedures that uphold its mission, protect its reputation and safeguard its status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the IRS tax code.
POLICY RELATIVE TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION AT RI DAY OF PORTUGAL EVENTS