Maria Aparecida Mazzo:

“We are held responsible for what we put in the members’ hands”

Settled 33 years ago, the Spiritist Book Club “Cairbar Schutel”, from São Carlos (SP) is an example of a well-executed idea, on behalf of the Spiritist Doctrine

Affectionately known as Cidinha, Maria Aparecida Mazzo (picture) became Spiritist in 1983, after reading the book Nosso Lar. Graduated in Law and public worker at the Judiciary, she attends the Spiritist Association Bezerra de Menezes and also works at the Union of the Spiritist Societies of São Carlos, where she is currently the vice-president and coordinator at the Spiritist Book Club “Cairbar Schutel”. On the following interview, Cidinha talks about the success of the club.  O Consolador: The Spiritist Book Club of  São  Carlos  is  one  of  the
biggest in Brazil. When was it settled and how many members does it have?

It was founded in 1975 by José de Almeida – confrere, today, active in other areas – and Miguel, who moved away from São Carlos a long time ago. We currently have 1,980 members. 

O Consolador: Does it belong to any Spiritist Center? 

It belongs to the book department at the USE São Carlos which, besides the Club, also maintains the Newsstand, Bookstore and Spiritist Book Fair coordinated by Claudia Regina Manfrin, who is the book department director.

O Consolador: How many collaborators do you have to keep it up and running? 

We have about 40 collaborators from many Spiritist Centers. 

O Consolador: How are the books delivered? 

A great deal of collaborators linked to our club delivers books, which is done voluntarily. Each of these collaborators is responsible for the delivery in a part of the city. 

O Consolador: Does the Club work only in São Carlos, or do you also work in other cities or countries?  

Most members are from São Carlos, but we do have members in other states, and also in Portugal, Spain and Holland. We also have what we call as "protégé", an idea in which a person from another city is responsible for the amount of partners he/she can get, delivering the books to them.  

O Consolador: What are the criteria adopted to choose the book to be delivered? 

We have a team who is responsible for reading the book and only then we have the delivery. We try to assess the content first, because we are held responsible for what we put in the members’ hands. 

O Consolador: Does the Club receive many books for analysis? And how are they picked? 

Yes, we do receive many books. The selection is very salutary, because it gives us the opportunity to take to our member good books, books with Spiritist content, which will surely help those who want to study the Doctrine. 

O Consolador: What have been the best sellers so far? 

We’ve had many, among them Paul and Stephen, Evolution for the Third Millennium, Renounce and all the novels by the medium Yvonne A. Pereira. 

O Consolador: How much is the monthly fee currently? 

The fee is R$ 8,00 and members outside the city pay an additional R$ 2,00 for mailing. For members out of the country there’s a different price too. 

O Consolador: Due to the experience of some years and the amount already distributed, did the Club need to establish an internal statute? 

There’s no such thing. Experience has shown us what is best and how can we enhance our work. 

O Consolador: Do you have the information of how many titles have been delivered so far? 

Yes, we have written down all the books have been distributed and the amount of each of them every month since the first one, which was Sublimation, by the medium Yvonne Pereira. In these 33 years the Club only once has not delivered a book. 

O Consolador: The Book Fair in São Carlos is also renowned. Is there any Clash between those two? 

Actually, the Book Fair helps the Club a lot, since during the 15 days of Fair that our numbers of members increase. 

O Consolador: For those who want to join the Club, what’s the contact? 

You can call (16) 3307-5495, or log on to www.usesaocarlos.com.br  or e-mail use.sao@itelefonica.com.br .