Cezar Augusto Sad (photo) was born and brought up in the city of Marilia. He has been a Spiritist since childhood and has become a successful electrical engineer and businessman. In this interview, he talks about the Spiritist group he leads in Marilia.

It was founded on September 8th 1936 by a group of friends. Its first president was Mr Manoel Alves Sobrinho. 

What is the group's main goal? 

To study and disseminate Spiritism. 

How do you get organised to work from Monday to Monday, with 86 different activities every week? How do you organise your volunteers, the schedule and the activities? 

We begin our activities every day at 6h30 with a morning prayer. From Monday to Friday we have daily open meetings, with a public speaker, in the evenings in the main room. In the meantime, we carry out courses for beginners and study groups in smaller rooms. We also have our mediumship meetings and we assist those who come to us in need of counselling and advice. For families from a poorer background, we have a special breakfast on Sundays and take-away soups. We also run hairdressers' training courses for them and provide them with a monthly staples basket. We also run our youth groups on Sundays. 

How do you organise your teams in order to cover such a wide range of activities? 

The group is organised in several smaller groups. Each one of them has a coordinator and three deputies, who also help the team leader. We meet every month to discuss our goals, exchange ideas and discuss new proposals. 

What is, in your view, the overwhelming reason behind the union you have in your group? 

I believe we are united by the Spiritist ideal. 

Do you also take your volunteer work to other cities in the region? 

No, we do not do any activities outside our area. 

In the modern and comfortable facilities you have, what is the main source of income? 

We raise money through a monthly meal, with our traditional pizzas and lasagnes. We also have our own bookshop selling Spiritist books. And we get donations from our group of regular members. 

We can see here a great number of young people, aged between 18 and 25. Do they also work as volunteers in the Spiritist Centre? 

Yes. We have made a concerted effort to include, whenever possible, everyone who comes to our meetings -- the old and the young. We try to encourage everyone to get involved, to take responsibility and to eventually join the most senior jobs in the Spiritist Centre's board of directors. 

How many mediumship groups do you have? 

We have 18 regular mediumship groups, which work at all levels: from beginners level, to learning and development, psychography and disobsession or spirit detachment.  

How does the Spiritist Centre help to disseminate the Teachings in the city of Marilia? 

Through our work, which is quite well-known and respected in the city. 

How many other Spiritist Groups are there in Marilia? Do you keep regular contact with them? 

There are 22 Spiritist Centres in Marilia and we have a great working relationship with them and other groups in the area.