Dear Members
At the time of "Passing on the TESTIMONY’ to Tiago Lousada, I would like to recall the roles I have played and the states of mind I have experienced over the years since I joined the Club in 1988, when I bought the MGA 1600 MKI, the first of a triad.
From 1990 to 2013, I was Vice-President of the Board, with two interruptions: one in 1999 and the other in the 2013-2014 biennium, although I did publish the book "MG Clube 30 Anos" at that time. During all these years, the Presidency belonged to Preces Diniz and I had the pleasure of working in tandem with Victor Saraiva, Raul Almeida and Tiago Silva, of whom I have fond and amusing memories.
Faced with the meagre and uninteresting activities carried out by the Board in 2014, I approached the MAG President – J. Gouveia Fonseca – to talk to him about the feeling of division I was experiencing between leaving the Club or running for election.
From 2015 until the present date, when I have been replaced, I have worked with the constituents of this and other lists to whom I am very grateful for their co-operation, help, contribution of ideas and, essentially, their tolerance for my autonomous and solitary way of working.
There are people like that and that hasn't stopped me:
- Setting up a Club Headquarters in April 2016;
- Revising the Club Statutes to introduce digital interaction with Members;
- Hiring a chartered accountant to meet accounting requirements;
- Oppose the proposal for a 15% increase in the premiums of the 2 car fleet policies that we have with Cia Tranquilidade in the first term, promoting the acquisition of more insurance for Classic and Non-Classic vehicles, whether MG or not, and adding the option of Occupant Coverage. Successfully, I managed to increase the value of the sponsorship that helps us to be present at the Motorclássico Show;
- Define, with the help of Luís Cunha Matos, who is still in charge of it, a PPPDP to comply with the GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation;
- Launching a bilingual website that displays and documents all the activities organised/participated in, reveals the “Histórias Contadas”, publishes themed news, publicises announcements and partnerships and provides the ‘Forum’ available for the exclusive use of Members under the administration of Tiago Silva;
- Thanks to Tiago for taking over the administration of the Facebook page and for representing the MGCP at the MGCC_Uk after, 10 years after our membership, we attended the 17th European Conference where other affiliated Clubs have a seat;
- Implement co-operation protocols with HIV certification entities. First with the CPAA and then with the Caramulo Museum;
- Create the MGCP YouTube channel and edit videos on it that recall activities participated in by other Members;
- Honour 81 of the Club's longest-serving Members;
- Offer all Members various souvenirs such as key rings commemorating the Club's 40th anniversary, windscreen bags and grille emblems alluding to the Brand's Centenary;
- Putting the e-Vote into use.
My biggest regret was the inability to realise the MG EEOTY 2021, which was later postponed to 2024, but I think I can be proud of the work done with the help of the ‘anchors of trust’ that were established.
As is public knowledge, I remain available to help the elected Board, to whom I wish the greatest personal and club success.
My Octagonal Greetings to all,
Isabel Tinoco
March 29, 2025
