John McCaskill-- Hosting an Inbound Group Study Exchange Team
GSE involves vocational exchange between countries. A team and leader exchange with a group the same size in another district. Our District is exchanging with a team from Mississippi and Louisiana. Our District’s role is to find out what the professions are of the US team and to arrange vocational visits. Rotary Club of Carlton might consider hosting some of the incoming team. This involves hosting a person at a member’s home for 3-4 days and arranging 1-2 vocational visits. Other days would be spent on social activities and free time.
The Club could also be involved in nominating people to go on the Australian team to the US. The team members are not Rotarians, but the leader is. The suitable age range is 25-40 years, with a preference to younger people. Team members should be professionals who want to advance their careers, want to learn and want to bring back ideas. The aim will be to select people who want to learn and contribute, rather than going on a ‘junket’. It is best to have a diverse set of vocations represented in the team. The cost to the Club is around $300 for a team uniform. Applications close 3 October for Team Leaders and 10 October for Team Members. Interviewing will take place in October-November.
John spoke of the advantages to the Club on being involved in GSE. This can result in lasting friendships with people from other countries. It can also result in new club members from the outgoing team being supported. It is also possible to invite people who have associations with the country the incoming team is from to come to social events and meet the team being hosted. This can also result in interest in Rotary membership.
John also spoke about DIK, which sends containers of equipment to third world countries. Only about 30 clubs in the District have an international project. John is asking clubs which do not have an international project to consider supporting DIK. This could involve financial support for a container or a working bee to pack a container. DIK sent 85 containers last year and is aiming for 120 this year.