BCS Membership

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I’m joining the British & Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro (BCS)!

Thanks for your interest in joining, or renewing your membership to, the British & Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro (BCS) in 2021!

Signing up and paying is very easy.

The benefits of joining the BCS and the different types of memberships are shown below.

Once you’ve decided your membership type, please send us a bank transfer, with the comprovante de pagamento, emailed to Janice at bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br

If you have any other questions or details about your membership, Janice can also help

Bank Details:

Banco Bradesco S/A (237)

Agency: 3369

Account: 3894-6

Name: The British and Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro

CNPJ: 33.716.572/0001-20

PIX: 337165720001-20

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2021 annual memberships:

Free membership

Free for anyone aged 21 and under

Free for anyone aged 80 and over

Single membership

R$ 100 for one person aged 31+

Double membership

R$ 180 for any two people aged 31+ Any two people sign up together for a 10% discount. This could be two friends, two acquaintances, two colleagues, two partners, a married couple with no kids, and so on

Family membership

R$ 180 for any two partners aged 31+ along with an unlimited number of children aged 21 and under. Single parents sign up as “single membership” with “free membership” for kids. Two parents aged 28 would sign up for two “half price memberships”, and so on

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To sign up and pay, please send us a bank transfer, with the comprovante de pagamento, emailed to Janice at bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br

Here are some of the key benefits of being a member of the BCS:

Being part of a close-knit community in Rio. Make friends, have fun!

Network with business leaders, teachers, diplomats, expatriates & more

Support a society in Brazil that focuses on Britain and the Commonwealth

Support the Botafogo site, home to The British School & Christ Church

Discounts for entry to BCS events

Fun get-togethers & events around the city of Rio

Priority for members to use the Botafogo site for relevant cultural events

Over 21s vote at BCS AGM, to influence the future of the BCS

British & Commonwealth citizens can join the Council of the BCS

Your help supports our Community, Welfare and Property funds

Donations to BCS causes and local charities

In addition to providing members with benefits highlighted above, the BCS supports many local charities and BCS-related causes with strong links to our community. Most of the charities depend entirely on voluntary work and donations, and they make important contributions to local society; some of them are described below.

If you would like to donate to a specific BCS-related cause or local charity described below, please email Janice in the BCS office bcsrio@bcsrio.org.br with a proof of payment and name of the BCS-related cause or charity you’re supporting.

Our Causes

BCS Welfare Fund

The BCS Welfare Committee Members work hard to support those in need. Apart from financial support, we can make friendly visits and provide advice and companionship. If you would like to volunteer to help with visiting people in need, please contact the Office. We are also extremely grateful for any donation you direct to the Welfare section.

British Burial Fund

The “English Cemetery” at Gamboa is one of the oldest British institutions in Rio. It is a state-listed monument and has to be kept in first-class repair. With the revitalization of the port area and the “Porto Maravilha”, the Prefeitura has been particularly demanding over the last few years and we are therefore in dire need of donations to help meet costs.

BCS Community Fund

This Fund covers most of the BCS’s activities, with the exception of Welfare for our own community. It is out of this Fund that we contribute towards several local charities. All our membership services, office expenses including salaries, subsidising of events, running the Website, are also provided for by this Fund.

BCS Property Development Fund

Due to its age and status as a listed building, the property at Rua Real Grandeza 99 requires constant maintenance. An enormous amount of work has been done in the last years, some routine and some emergency (electric wiring, roof guttering etc.). Over the last year the Jubilee Hall has had an almost complete makeover thanks to a joint effort and contributions by all site users. We still want to address the lighting issue and renovate the kitchen. Please consider contributing towards further improvements that are sorely needed.

ASA RIO – Anglican Social Action in Rio de Janeiro (formerly Boys’ Town)

Instead of an orphanage for boys, the premises and resources in Araras, near Petrópolis, are used to reach out to whole families, with pre-school education and a crèche for the very young children of bread-winning mothers. We also have a “Help to Families in Need” Project. Funds are used to help with building of more adequate accommodation for families as well as monthly food parcels, treatment for health problems and psychiatric issues, including drug and alcohol dependence, which can destroy family life.

Ambulatório da Praia do Pinto

Founded in 1954 by Rev. R.K. Reibs and the wives of the UK, USA and Canadian Ambassadors. The Ambulatório continues to offer healthcare to underprivileged families in the city and state of Rio. Over 20 doctors/dentists are employed, covering a wide range of specialities and the medication prescribed by them is given FREE to ‘clients.’ Tapestry work is also provided for about 80 ladies who work at home; they are given all the material necessary and are paid per square metre produced.