Group Study Exchange: Districts 7250 & 3810
by Mike Muchmore
Our outbound Group Study Exchange Team spent an unbelievably wonderful month of March as guests of District 3810 in the Philippines. Now it is our turn to reciprocate by hosting the Philippine GSE team here in District 7250. Their team arrived April 19, and will be with us through the District Conference on May 17-18, 2008. They are being hosted by several of our district’s clubs and will visit some of Long Island's historical, cultural, and educational sites. Team members will also get an opportunity to spend some tourist time in Manhattan. Since an important part of the GSE experience is to be vocational in nature, the team will spend several days with their Long Island counterparts, seeing how their work is done here. GSE is a 40-year-old program of the Rotary Foundation aimed at promoting international friendship and understanding. Every year thousands of young professionals participate all over the Rotary world.
Group Study Exchange Mexicali 2007 Installments from Bill Jacobs
What is Group Study Exchange (GSE)?
The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional men and women in the initial years of their careers. The program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young people to better prepare them to address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.
What constitutes a GSE team?
1 Rotarian team leader who is not the current DG, immediate PDG, or the DGE and 4 non-Rotarian team members who are:
Between the ages of 25-40
Currently employed, with 2 years of experience in their chosen profession
Not lineal descendants or spouses of Rotarians
How can club-level Rotarians get involved in GSE?
Rotarians can promote GSE in their communities by identifying qualified team member candidates or businesses that may have potential applicants. Rotarians can offer to host visiting GSE team members in their homes and participate in the local host itinerary for the team. Rotarians should invite GSE alumni to speak at Rotary club meetings so that the club can learn about the program and meet local participants. Rotarians with leadership and international experience may be qualified to lead a GSE team.
Where can I find GSE team member and team leader applications and other program details?
All GSE program information (including brochures, program guidelines and applications) can be found on the Rotary website under “GSE materials for download”. District GSE Chairs also receive a limited number of handbooks, brochures and applications at the beginning of each Rotary year.
Who pays for this exchange?
Every year, regardless of a district’s financial contributions to the Foundation, districts may apply to The Rotary Foundation for a World Fund Award to cover the cost of sending a GSE team.
Can my district send more than one GSE team?
Yes. Districts may allocate district designated funds (DDF) in the amount of US$11,000 in any program year to cover the cost of sending one additional GSE team. The DDF cost of sending a GSE team to a neighboring country is US$6,000. No district may send more than two GSE teams per year.
What expenses are paid for by the World Fund Award or by my district’s DDF allocation?
A World Fund Award or DDF allocation for GSE covers the least expensive transportation for each team’s travel from the sending district to the hosting district. Subsidies are available for language training for the GSE team and for expenses related to a GSE team’s attendance at the District Conference. The hosting district is responsible for covering the cost of meals and lodging for the team (usually through Rotarian host families) and logistics within the district.
What type of financial assistance is available to low-income districts?
Low-income districts are eligible for a travel subsidy of up to US$600 to help defray the intra-district travel expenses of the visiting GSE team. Multi-country low-income districts are eligible for additional travel funds. To determine whether or not your district is eligible for a low-income district subsidy, consult the Rotary website or contact your GSE coordinator at the Foundation.
