Rotary Clubs in District 5080, which includes south-eastern British Columbia, Canada, northern Idaho and eastern Washington State, USA, are seeking four outstanding professionals to visit Rotary District 4510, Brazil from April 20, 2013 – May 20, 2013, as part of the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foundation.
During the exchange, team members will share personal knowledge of their own country and vocations and experience the customs, vocations and lifestyles of Brazil. D4510, described as an ecological paradise, is located in the mid-western region of Sao Paulo State. Metal industries, textile manufacturing and agriculture including coffee, sugar cane and oranges make this state the economic and industrial powerhouse of the Brazilian economy.
The purpose of the Group Study Exchange is to promote international understanding and goodwill through person to person contact. While abroad, team members stay in Rotarians’ homes and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They will also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country and respective vocations.
The Rotary Foundation provides a round trip air ticket, and local Rotarians in the host country provide meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Team members pay for personal and incidental expenses including immunizations and visas.
People interested in applying should be employed full-time for at least two years in their vocation and be in the early stages of their careers. Young professionals within the age range of 25 to 40 at the time of the exchange are encouraged to apply. Applicants must live or be employed in Rotary District 5080.
The following are ineligible to apply: Rotarians, employees of Rotary clubs, districts, or other Rotary entities and relatives of Rotarians (lineal descendants, ancestors, spouses, or spouses of ancestors or lineal descendants of Rotarians). Last year a Golden Rotarian participated.
For application forms and local club application deadlines contact a local Rotary club or download the Group Study Exchange Team Member Application Form from the Rotary International website. All applications must be made through a local Rotary club and forwarded to the District Group Study Exchange Committee Chair, Sheila Hart, 2751 Lower Six Mile Road, Nelson, BC, V1L 6L5 E-mail: sheilahart@shaw.ca by September 8, 2012. Interviews will be held in Spokane, WA on Saturday October 6, 2012. Further information contact GSE Chair Sheila Hart at (250) 825-9241; email: sheilahart@shaw.ca
