Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) District 7570

 The Rotary Friendship Exchange program gives Rotarians and their families the opportunity to experience other cultures firsthand, by participating in reciprocal visits with Rotarians from other countries and their families.  Similar in many ways to the former Group Study Exchange program  Rotarians and their families can travel to:  Experience first hand life in other countries by living with Rotary families  Make lifelong friendships around the world  No financial liability to Rotary districts or to Rotary International  Transportation and personal expenses are paid by travelers  Lodging and meals provided in local Rotarian homes

 Advance international understanding and peace through personal contact across borders  Meet Rotarians from other countries and learn about their culture firsthand  Arrange international service projects directly with Rotarians in other countries  Develop long-lasting club relationships

 VISITOR EXCHANGE – individual Rotarians and immediate family members. Usually 3-7 days  TEAM EXCHANGE – several Rotarian or Rotary couples travel to different communities in host district. Usually 2-4 weeks  VOCATIONAL EXCHANGE – Both guests and visitors are in the same profession

 All exchanges are reciprocal  RFEs may take place at any time of the year that is agreeable to hosts and visitors  Reciprocal visits may occur in the same year or the following year  VISITOR exchanges last up to 7 days. TEAM exchanges can last up to a month  Guests are expected to pay their travel and personal expenses. Hosts are to provide housing, meals and sightseeing opportunities. Variations from this standard are only at the host family's discretion and should not be requested or expected.

 Interested Rotarians contact their club president, who will inform the chairman of the district RFE committee  The Chairman of the RFE committee contacts his counterparts in other Rotary districts to ascertain if they are interested in pursuing an exchange. If so:  VISITOR exchange: Individuals requesting a VISITOR exchange in each district are paired by the RFE committee and then begin making their own arrangements with each other  GROUP exchanges are coordinated and planned by the RFE chair in each district.

 Interested Rotarians contact their club president, who will inform the chairman of the district RFE committee  The Chairman of the RFE committee contacts his counterparts in other Rotary districts to ascertain if they are interested in pursuing an exchange. If so:  VISITOR exchange: Individuals requesting a VISITOR exchange in each district are paired by the RFE committee and then begin making their own arrangements with each other  GROUP exchanges are coordinated and planned by the RFE chair in each district.

 International Conference in Atlanta in 2017, about 350 miles from D7570.  Let’s begin promoting ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE to our clubs in 2016 so we will be prepared for visitors in 2017  It is anticipated that D7570 could organize 3-5 exchanges per year with other participating districts

 ASSISTANT GOVERNORS: promote RFE at your meetings with club presidents  CLUB PRESIDENTS: Use a sign up sheet to find members interested in being hosts and host/travelers  ROTARIANS: volunteer to host a visiting Rotarian and to be an exchange traveler

Argentina, 6 Australia, 12 Brazil, 49 Bulgaria, 1 Canada, 3 Chile, 1 Columbia, 1 France, 2 Finland, 2 Germany, 1 Greece, 2 Guatemala, 1 Hungary, 1 India, 29 Israel, 1 Italy, 6 South Korea, 15 Lebanon, 1 Luxembourg, 1 Malaysia, 1 Mexico, 5 Netherlands, 1 New Zealand, 5 Nigeria, 3 Pakistan, 2 Peru, 2 Philippines, 6 Poland, 1 Romania, 1 Russia, 1 South Africa, 2 Sri Lanka, 1 Sweden, 6 Taiwan, 6 Thailand, 6 Turkey, 3 United Kingdom, 5 Venezuela, 2 Zimbabwe, 1 Wales, 1 Number of participating clubs in districts in the Rotary World

Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) The End District 7570