Rotary District 6080 Group Study Exchange [GSE]

DG Joe Beltz has arranged an exchange with District 4750 which includes Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We will be hosting their team April 8th through May 8, 2008. In turn they'll be hosting our team May 9th through June 9th, 2008.

The exchange district seems to be rich in cultural, historical, and recreational areas according to the brochures we have received.

THE GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Since its inception in 1965, the Group Study Exchange program has provided grants for countless teams of men and women in the early stages of their business and professional careers to travel abroad and share vocational information with the representatives of their respective professions in another country. Team members spend a minimum of four weeks studying the host country's institutions, economy, and culture, while observing how their own professions are practiced abroad. More than 500 exchanges between paired Rotary districts occur each year, advancing the program's ultimate goal of promoting international understanding and goodwill.

Rotary districts select teams comprised of a Rotarian team leader and four non-Rotarian team members, engaged in different businesses and professions. Each of two paired districts sends and receives a team. While visiting abroad, GSE team members follow a carefully planned itinerary, including visits to government and cultural institutions, schools, religious and historic sites and other points of interest. In addition, each member spends at least five days studying and observing the practice of his or her profession in the host district.

The Foundation grant, funds round-trip air transportation for each team member. Rotarians in the host district provide lodging in their homes, meals, and group travel, allowing the opportunity for participants to be acquainted with the customs and culture of the people in their host district.

Eligibility
Team Leader must be an active Rotarian from the district in good health and be able to lead the team to complete all of RI requirements prior to, during and following the exchange.

Team Members must be between the ages of 25 and 40 and employed full-time, with a minimum of two years experience, in a recognized business or profession. In addition, candidates should have some proficiency in the language of the country to which they intend to travel, must be exemplary in their business or professional conduct, enthusiastic about their vocations, and capable of deriving maximum educational value from the program. After their study abroad, participants are expected to speak about their experiences at Rotary meetings and other civic functions.

SHARON JENNINGS
District GSE Chair
1465 GRANDVIEW DRIVE
WARRENSBURG, MO 64093
660.429.1109
SJENNINGS@UCMO.EDU

GSE Forms

 
Link to District 4750 Website

Link to the GSE Incoming Team Website

GSE Outbound Team

GSE Team Selected; Prepares for Brazil

District 6080’s GSE Team has been selected and is preparing for their upcoming departure to Brazil.  You will get to meet this team and hear their presentation just prior to their departure for Brazil at the District Conference in Springfield on May 2 and 3, 2008.

The team will departing Missouri for Brazil on May 9, 2008 returning June 9, 2008.

Team Leader Kent Bagnall Sponsor: Rotary Breakfast Club	Kent is from the Rotary Breakfast Club and has been a Rotarian since 1991.  Kent is married with two children but has hosted several youth exchange students including 4 from Brazil.  Beginning professionally as a civil engineer, Kent is a jewelry designer and has owned a retail store for more than 20 years in Rolla.  He enjoys music, theatre, the arts and baseball.  He’s very excited about this opportunity and his team.
Team Member Crystal Uthlaut Sponsor: Columbia South Rotary Club	Crystal is from Columbia originally moving there as a student to attend the University of Missouri.  Her numerous activities took her to the state senate and then to Washington DC to work on the 2004 presidential election. Crystal has been working for the Boys & Girls Town of Missouri and has been working on her Master’s in Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame.  She hopes to complete the degree in August.
Team Member Alexandria Zylstra Sponsor: Columbia Rotary Club	Alexandria earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  After practicing family law for Legal Aid in KC, she returned to Columbia to provide legal services to students at the University of Missouri. In 2001 Alexandria completed the Master of Laws Program in Dispute Resolution at the University.  Since 2002, Alexandria has taught full-time at  Stephens College in the Legal Studies program as an Assistant Professor.
Team Member Justin Roberts Sponsor: Columbia Rotary Club	Justin is the current president of the Rotaract Club of Columbia.  After completing degrees in agricultural economics at the University of Missouri and a master’s in pubic administration from the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at MU, he stayed with the University first in the College of Agriculture but currently with the College of Education. Justin is responsible for college-wide special events and promotions including student, alumni and donor activities (including fundraising for programs and scholarships), involvement in national conferences and organizations, providing outreach to educational leaders throughout the State of Missouri.
Team Member Susan Sherrick-Benson Sponsor: Rotary Breakfast Club	Susan is from Rolla.  She completed the six-year dental program at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry and then completed her orthodontic residency at St. Louis University.  Upon completion of her master’s thesis, she returned to Rolla to practice with her mentor and former orthodontist; two years later she purchased his practice. Susan practices orthodontics in Rolla and is a member of the Junior Club.  She is married wit