Viliam Pichler

President RC Zvolen

My name is Viliam Pichler. I am 56 years old and a graduate of the Faculty of Forestry. Since 2013, I have been a university professor. I am married to Magdalena, and we have a daughter, Eva Magdalena.

The main focus of the Rotary Club of Zvolen is charity, specifically helping the differently abled, socially disadvantaged, and talented youth. Since joining Rotary, I have observed that this focus stems from the profound empathy and understanding of the club members toward those who need assistance.

Every activity the club undertakes fosters a friendly collective spirit among members and enhances the club's capacity for action. This readiness to help extends beyond immediate needs, allowing for the planning of larger projects. I find our joint club events, which are based on common interests in sports, cultural, and educational activities, to be particularly beneficial. For example, the traditional charity tennis tournament held in memory of Blazej Maliniak, our late member, and excursions focusing on natural, cultural, and historical attractions both domestically and abroad. These events naturally build a sense of belonging and cohesion among club members, generating new energy for further philanthropic activities.

In the past, our main beneficiary was the Symbia Social Services House in Zvolen, where we completed a project to improve the quality of accommodation for the clients of this facility.

This year, we provided financial assistance to the VIA ABA Civic Association, which unites parents and professionals to enhance the comprehensive care and quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as their families.

Among the many admirable qualities of our club members, I most appreciate their reliability over time. This allows us to effectively plan and execute our club activities.

My goal for this Rotary year was to fully resume all traditional events that were subdued during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes multi-day field trips, the club ball, benefit concerts, and more. It was also important to appropriately commemorate our club's 25th anniversary with a series of events.

Why did I accept the invitation to become a Rotarian? The answer is very simple for me. I was invited by friends whom I knew and respected even before, due to their philanthropic activities.

Viliam Pichler

Prezident RC Zvolen