Group Study Exchange

Team Leader Application Team Member Application

For the Group Study Exchange 2008-2009 Rotary Year, we have been paired with District 3212 in Trivandrum, India. Their team will arrive on March 29 and will depart after the District Conference on April 30. Our team will depart on February 1 and will return home March 3. The program involves a four week visit, during which team members share personal knowledge of their own country and experience the customs, vocations and lifestyles of the other country. Participation in the Group Study Exchange is one of the most memorable and worthwhile programs of the Rotary Foundation.

Your club can help by sponsoring a team leader and member applicants and/or agreeing to host the incoming team from India as either a "hub" or "spoke." Generally, five to six Rotary Clubs are asked to be "hub" clubs. These clubs host the incoming team for a four or five day period by providing housing, meals, and scheduling vocational and cultural activities with the surrounding Rotary Clubs. The "spoke" clubs agree to have the incoming team visit their clubs to present a program and to host them for a day of activities. The "host" club would be responsible for coordinating with the "spoke" clubs.

In sponsoring a team leader or a team member for the District 6780 Team, a club is usually requested to contribute around $200 to defray some of the preparation expenses incurred by the team participant. These expenses would be items such as the team "uniforms", gifts for the host families in India, etc.

The detailed requirements for Team Leader and Team Member are found on the applications. In general, the Team Leader can be a Rotarian of any age who is a member in good standing. Team Members must be employed business men or women aged 25 to 40, who are not Rotarians or sons or daughters of Rotarians. All must work or reside in the District 6780 area.

Team Leader Applications are due September 26 and Team Member Applications are due October 10. Applications may be mailed or emailed to the address below.
Attached is the following information which may be helpful in your solicitation of club support:

1. Group Study Exchange, calendar of events listing the time table for this visit.
   
2. A team leader application
   
3. A team member application
   
4. Additional "flyers/Info" designed to be used by your members to take to their church or place of employment to solicit prospective team member applicants.
   

I would appreciate your doing what is necessary to bring this to the attention of your club membership and obtaining their support. I know, from experience, that this program provides lifetime memories and friendships. Thanks for your help and support.

David Townsend
District 6780 GSE Chairperson
1290 Enclave Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415
Phone: 423-870-5150
email: dtownsend2006@comcast.net