District Council 25th September 2016 GROUP INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGES

WE NEED YOU !!

What is a Rotary Friendship Exchange?

The main aims of a Rotary Friendship Exchange are:- The main aims of a Rotary Friendship Exchange are:- * An International Exchange Programme for Rotarians, families and friends. * Opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians, visiting their clubs and participating in the lifestyle and activities of their communities. * To see a country from the perspective of those who live there. * An opportunity to advance international understanding and peace through visits across borders.

Open to individual Rotary members, couples, families, or groups. We communicate in advance re format, timing, and duration of each visit. The host District will plan an interesting schedule. Hosted by local Rotarians. Funded by the participants; hosts do not have a significant financial burden. Visitors receive warm hospitality and great international travel experience. Long-term international relationship between two clubs. New friendships can form basis for partnering service projects.

NOW SEEKING HOSTS Each incoming Exchange team requires about 8 hosts Areas (1 – 8) Clubs (89)

Details- Each Exchange team is hosted for 3 or 4 days for 2 weeks in our District. Requires 4 clubs (or neighbours) for each team.

Team 1 from South Africa District 9400 covers Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique and the South African provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga. Mainly around Johannesburg. When – Come here in September/October 2017 Go there in Spring 2018

Team 2 from Eastern Australia District 9650 sits in northern New South Wales, Australia and covers the coast and far western areas. When – Come here in May/June 2017 (26 want to come!!) Go there in Autumn 2017

Team 3 from Western USA District 5340 is in Southern California, USA and includes the city of San Diego. When – Come here in May/June 2017 Go there in Autumn 2017

Team 4 from Eastern USA District 7120 is in New York State, USA. When – Come here in May/June 2017 Go there in Autumn 2017

What can I get from this. New friends What can I get from this? * New friends. * Great experiences of seeing things that tourists don’t get to see and do. * Opportunity to meet others and see their cultures for a better understanding. * Lasting friendships which can cross over to other members of the family. * A network of people you can call on when visiting in the future. * Clubs working together in the future on projects. * A lot of fun and laughter. * Some gifts!

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS (IF ANY). i) WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS (IF ANY)? i) Getting someone who is not like you and complains! This very rarely happens and in the unlikely event arrangements are made to move them or they are told! ii) Do not worry about the size of your house or its tidiness. All that is asked is that it is clean! iii) Cost? This is not high but it will cost you and your spouse/partner money as you are expected to look after them and join with them in what you do. They pay for themselves but you will pay yours. Gifts are agreed by the coordinator so that there is no competition, all are simple and not expensive. The cost of getting to and from the country you are to visit.

FINALLY This District has hosted such Exchanges before and there is a core of those who have been involved. The quotes from them include – “a wonderful experience and they looked after us so well when we visited.” “We have made some new friends and stay in touch not just by Christmas cards but by phone and even Skype”. “I would recommend this to anyone. The people we hosted were terrific and very grateful for everything we did for them.” WE NEED YOU to help and host these visits, but I am also looking for volunteers to go. These will be the same. Obviously there will be more hosts than tourists. But those not able to go will be first on the list next time. I would like to spread them around the District including the islands. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in hosting and visiting and we can discuss. This is not a commitment at this time. 0771 505 2718 keithhopkins@hotmail.co.uk