Members, visiting Rotarians and guests gathered at the D’Mestres Restaurant in Pêra to look back at President Rainer Kroth’s many achievements in the past year and to look forward to President Jim Kennedy’s focus on Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising in the coming year.

Chef Nidia delighted all present with a fabulous authentic Alentejo feast.

As is traditional Rainer and Jim performed the Flag ceremony with honoured guest José Manuel Sosa Governor’s assistant for the coming year.

Rainer reviewed the activities of RC Silves for the Rotary year 2023-2024 and thanked everyone involved. He especially addressed the leaders of projects and the board members. He stated that members and friends commitment to investing their time and talents for the community creates hope in the world and makes Rotary magical. This year’s theme.

Fatima had an extra surprise for Rainer as she presented the club with a recognition certificate for the number of new members the club had recruited over the last rotary year.

The moment then came for Rainer to pass the symbols of the presidency (necklace, pin) to the incoming 2024-2025 president, Jim Kennedy.

Jim outlined his focus for the year was to build on the growth of new members and provide opportunities for the members old and new to bond. He thanked Rainer for his success in growing the membership and drawing the club closer to Rotary clubs across the Algarve. He expressed the need to focus on more fund raising as there was a lot of activities the members wanted to achieve this year. He looked forward to Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising.

He started the year by pinning 3 new members, Angelika Rahe-Marquis and Peter Mapham and Gail Mapham

Representatives from all those Rotary clubs present at the meeting wished Jim all the best for the new Rotary year and Assistant Governor Dr José Manuel Sosa presented the best wishes of the Governor Paulo Taveira de Sousa and his message for the year.