Rotary District 7090, which stretches from Brantford, Ontario, to Jamestown, and its 72 clubs, including Westfield/Mayville Rotary Club, is offering a cultural and vocational exchange for young business and professional men and women with Rotary District 3800 in the Philippines from Feb.15 through March 15, 2013.
Dan Smith, a Westfield/Mayville Rotary Club member who serves GSE as District 7090 co-chair, said as a Group Study Exchange, the Rotary Foundation covers most of the costs involved, including airfare, accommodation and meals for four team members and a Rotarian team leader. The hosts, Philippine Rotarians, and their clubs plan the itinerary.
Rick Sterne, district governor, notes the benefits of the GSE program for the young people who participate and their employers.
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Westfield/Mayville Rotary member Dan Smith, serves GSE as District 7090 co-chair. The next trip will be to the Philippines from Feb 15 to March 15, 2013. The deadline for candidates to apply is Nov. 2.
"The personal and professional growth from being part of a team, being immersed in a different culture and seeing one's profession from a new perspective is remarkable," said Sterne.
The criteria for GSE candidates, Sterne said, is "any person in good health, age 25 to 40, who, for two years, has been fully employed and living in Rotary District 7090, is not a Rotarian or related to a Rotarian, can be free from personal and work responsibilities for a month and can devote time to the team in the weeks leading up to the exchange. The best candidates are enthusiastic about their professions, exemplary in their work, are open-minded, personable, articulate and demonstrate leadership as well as cooperation and flexibility in working and traveling with a team."
Chautauqua County Rotarians recently welcomed back from Brazil five Group Study Team members after their opportunity to experience a cultural and vocational exchange for a month.
The deadline for candidates to apply is Nov. 2. Applications can be obtained from the Westfield/Mayville Rotary Club. Successful candidates will be called for an interview in November. If chosen, team members are responsible for passports; visas, if required; inoculation; gifts for their host families; and spending money for personal items.
For more information, call Dan Smith at 269-9900, email dsmith@plantrol or visit www.rotary7090.org or www.rotary.org.