Group Study Exchange

The Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation makes provision for every District in the world to participate in the Group Study Exchange program. By utilising some of the District Designated Funding (money contributed by Clubs and individuals to The Foundation) a second GSE team can be selected.

A Rotarian Team Leader and four non-Rotarian Team Members are selected to participate in an exchange to another District in another country to experience social, economic, business and cultural conditions and to observe their own professions in action.

GSE offers a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, work on team building, and increase self-confidence. The program is designed to have an invaluable impact on the career of a young professional in the increasingly global workplace by creating networking opportunities and lifelong friendships.

Individuals who participate in this rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience will return home with a broadened cultural perspective and new understanding of a nation’s history, language, commerce, and government.

Message from GSE Chairman, PDG Ian Sayers:

At both PETS and the District Assembly, DGE Michael Pedler told us all about his Group Study Exchange (GSE) plans for 2009-2010.  There will be two exchanges during 2009-2010: with District 5490 - Arizona, USA and District 0052, China.  The Arizona Exchange will have a single vocation focus, the vocation being "tourism".  The China Exchange will have the traditional, multi-profession focus.  This Exchange will one of the first, certainly the first for Australian Rotarians, with China.  What a coup of DGE Michael.

We have now further details and can progress the planning.  The Team from Arizona arrives on 20 September 2009 and the Team from China on 12 October 2009 - in other words soon, very soon.

Clubs interested in hosting the Teams are requested to submit proposals to me no later than 25 June 2009.  The proposals must include outline plans not only the hosting of the Teams but also of their itineraries.  In thinking about the itineraries please refer to one of the key Rotary Foundation publications, GSE ... Program Guide for Rotarians.

We are also seeking nominations for Rotarians to lead the Teams bound for Arizona and China.  Applications can be found on the Rotary International website - http://www.rotary.org.  Go to Service and Fellowship and then scroll down to Fellowship and across to Group Study Exchange.   You'll find the Team Leader Application under Related Documents.  Because of the tight time frame applications will close on 10 July 2009 with interviews on 18 July.

Applications for Team members are also being sought now.  These will close on 31 July with interviews over the weekend 8/9 August.  Remember, the Team going to China is multi-vocational, whereas that going to Arizona is tourism specific.  When considering possible applicants please ensure that they comply with the eligibility requirements specified in various GSE documents, certainly in the brochure and Application Form.  To access these documents follow the above directions.  I have a limited supply of the brochures so will be able to let you have one if you get in early enough.  I'll get more if we need them.

Without for one moment trying to interfere, if anyone wants some wrinkles on where to find tourism people - that's my vocation - I'd be happy to help if I can.

Yours in Rotary

Ian

Dates to Remember for 2009-10 Exchanges

Application forms for Team Leader and Team Member can be found on Rotary International website.