The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

2012 Outbound Service Opportunity

Application Process for Rotarian Team Leader

Our GSE team will travel to Holland in 2012

May 6 thru June 3, 2012

The team will consist of 1 Rotarian and 4-5 non-Rotarian business people between the ages of 25 & 40.  All expenses are paid for by The RotaryFoundation and the Host district (D1590 Netherlands).

Team members will experience Holland’s institutions and way of life, work on peace & conflict resolution programs, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

Team Leader Qualities:

• Experienced Rotarian in good health
• Good walking skills
• Excellent Leadership skills
• Good command of the English Language

Team Leader Responsibilities:

• Submit Application
• Assist with Dutch team visit in April 2011
• Participate in selection of your team members
• Participate in the entire duration of the team visit to Nederland (Holland), May 6 – June 3, 2012.
• Be open to new ideas and concepts.
• Be available upon return to speak at local Rotary clubs upon request.

The Application Process for Team Members

All applicants must first have their candidacy endorsed by a Rotary club near their home or workplace. From there, endorsed applications are considered at the district level. Club and district application deadlines vary, but they often fall six months before travel. Applications sent to The Rotary Foundation without club and district endorsement will be returned.

Eligibility criteria

Team members must be

• Between the ages of 25 and 40
• Employed full time in a recognized profession

Team members cannot be

• A Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, or Rotary employee
• The lineal descendant of a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, or Rotary employee, or the lineal descendant’s spouse
• The spouse of another team member
• An ex-Rotarian who resigned less than 36 months before the time of application
• The lineal descendant of an ex-Rotarian or ex-Rotary employee who resigned less than 36 months before the time of application, or the lineal descendant’s spouse.

Links:

Rotary International

Contact:

For more information about the Group Study Exchange program in District 5320, contact Chair Tito Parola or Ken Montgomery.

Documents

Group Study Exchange: Program Guide for Rotarians
Group Study Exchange brochure
GSE team handbook
GSE team leader application
GSE team member application
Group Study Exchange news kit