The Goan Association Ireland (GAI) has restructured its leadership after an Extraordinary General Body Meeting, with Richie Dsilva taking over as president, a change that matters to association and institute professionals as volunteer led bodies redesign committees to renew leadership while keeping experienced officers. Maria DaCosta becomes vice president, and a new Sports and Youth Affairs portfolio goes to Maxwell Fernandes.

GAI is a non-profit organisation supporting Goans living in Ireland through Masses, religious feasts, cultural events and social activities. Ajoy Fernandes remains founder and honorary president, and an ambassador network now covers 11 locations across Ireland.

Former president Milton Vaz moves to media and PRO, and former vice president Noel D’Souza takes charge of finance and accounts, so both stay in the organisation.

Aldrin Coutinho, attorney of GAI, said, “The changes reflect the Association’s determination to build on its achievements, broaden participation and place the right people in roles where their experience, skills and availability can deliver the greatest benefit to the Goan community.”

Aldrin Coutinho, attorney of GAI, also said, “This is not about losing leaders; it is about creating more leaders and giving everyone the opportunity to contribute where they can deliver their best.”

The restructure addresses a succession challenge common to volunteer led organisations rather than a routine change of office bearers.

About 654,400 people in Ireland volunteered in the second quarter of 2025, or 16.1 per cent of those aged 15 to 74, according to Changing Ireland. Volunteering rates are higher among 45 to 64 year olds at 17.8 per cent than among 15 to 24 year olds at 13.9 per cent, which puts the focus on succession rather than enthusiasm, according to the Roscommon People.

For the sector, moving outgoing leaders into specialist portfolios keeps institutional knowledge inside the organisation while opening senior roles to newer members. For the sector’s volunteer based bodies specifically, a dedicated youth portfolio and county ambassadors create defined entry points for younger and geographically dispersed members.

Whether the new portfolios attract younger volunteers into lasting roles, rather than adding titles to the same small group, will indicate how far this structure can sustain membership based organisations across the sector.

Source: The Goan / Changing Ireland / Roscommon People