Registration
During REM Thessaloniki 2008 over 250 Rotaractors from more than 25 countries from around the world gathered in Thessaloniki! We celebrated 40 years of Rotaract in the biggest ever Rotaract event held in Greece confirming that Thessaloniki Rotar-acts and Shares with Spirit Culture and Fun! The days of 11 to 13 January 2008 were full of Rotaract activity, Greek food and drinks, excursions, dancing and joy!

The REM started early with the arrival of certain Rotaractors even a couple of days earlier, but as you can imagine even sooner than that! Organizing and planning began a long long time ago...Jim had discussed the issue with us and Anna-Maria managed to secure the REM for Greece and Thessaloniki while in REM Bursa in 2007. After that many months of planning and organizing took place. Stylianos with the Site, International Relations and Communication for the REM, Pepi with the Secretariat assisted by Zoi and Marios, Jim and Christos with Marianna, Christos and Alexandros with the Treasury and Public Relations – every one put a lot of effort into preparing the largest until now Rotaract Europe Meeting!

Registration kicked off early Friday with Rotaractors arriving from far awyay by bus, trains, airplanes and welcomed at the airport with traditional Greek sweets and delicacies! Many participants enjoyed their first encounter with the city shopping, sightseeing, following the City Game, while some rested after their long trips to Thessaloniki. The night closed with dinner at a traditional taverna and clubbing until late!

Saturday was a full day with the excursion and the gala and meetings for the board and country representatives! We visited the archaeological site of Vergina, the site of the Ancient Greek Royal Macedonian Tombs, where King Philip the Second, father of Alexander the Great is buried, and all Rotaractors were impressed by the presence of rich history spanning thousands of years! The Gala dinner in the evening was something extraordinary that had not been witnessed before – over 330 Rotaractors with Rotarians, Inner-Wheelers and distinguished guests, as the Consul General of the United States of America in Thessaloniki, enjoyed traditional Greek dances by young students from Anatolia College, theatrical musicals by the Kafantari dance school, great food and wine, dancing and partying until very late or better until early in the morning!

Sunday was the day we had to part as participants started making their way back home with some having the chance to enjoy bougatsa first! Our next appointment: Rotaract Europe Autumn Meeting Budapest 2008! Good luck Budapest!

Special thanks go to our Grand Sponsors Albus Leibadopoulos Bakeries, all the Rotaractors who participated in REM Thessaloniki 2008, all the Rotaract Clubs of the City of Thessaloniki and their members, Grand Hotel Palace, the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the Traditional Dances Group of Anatolia College, the Kafantari Dance School, M.G.K. Web, Dayrise Travel and Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas Member of Parliament of the 1st Electoral District of Thessaloniki who contributed much to our efforts for the excursion to the archaeological site of Vergina, the site of the Ancient Greek Royal Macedonian Tombs, where King Philip the Second, father of Alexander the Great is buried. Special thanks also go to Mr. Yannis Sarafidis of Sarafidis Stores (Electric Appliances) and Mr. Marios and Markellos Mouratidis of Peter Sport Stores (Shoes) for providing the best competitive prices.

All of you Rotaractors and Sponsors made it possible for REM Thessaloniki 2008 to produce a financial result of 1900Euros offered to the Refugee Reception Centre of Thessaloniki administered by the Non Governmental Organization Social Solidarity. (750Euros in fees were also given to Rotaract Europe/E.R.I.C. by REM Thessaloniki 2008) Adding to the offer by REM Thessaloniki 2008 the Rotaract Club of Thessaloniki - East and the Rotaract Club of Thessaloniki - West added another 500Euros each to bring the total amount of the offer to 2900Euros (4600USDollars). The offer of assistance was made in materials needed by the Refugee Reception Centre of Thessaloniki: Electric Fans, Shoes, Socks, T-Shirts, Shorts, Childrens Clothes, Childrens and Womens Swimwear, Material for Painting, Colouring and Arts and Crafts for the Children.

On behalf of REM Thessaloniki 2008,
Yours in Rotaract,
Stylianos A. Kelaiditis
REM Thessaloniki 2008 Communication and International Relations
www.remthessaloniki2008.com