Group Study Exchange Program

Rotary District 6450

Birthplace of Rotary

Richard Ziegfeld

Program Chair

2923 Sun Valley Court

Plainfield, IL 60586 U.S.A.

richardziegfeld@hotmail.com

815-370-1395—cell

Changing Lives and Fostering Peace—One Relationship at a Time

To: Prospective donors

Date: February 17, 2006

Thank you for considering a donation to a team member from Rotary’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program. We are preparing a cultural/educational exchange with South Korea April 22-May 20, 2006.

Rotary: founded in 1905, Rotary is the oldest service organization; we have 1.2 million members in 169 countries. We espouse no religion and endorse no political party (though many Rotarians are active spiritually and politically).

GSE Program: sends young people abroad to study culture and business practices. This exchange has been broadening horizons since 1965 for 2500 people a year. The purpose is to foster world peace and a better business environment. Exchanges occur all over the world, matching Germany with Japan, Taiwan with Sweden, etc.

Each year we select four participants (who are not Rotarians) and a Rotarian team leader. Rotary covers travel, housing, food, and tour costs. Team members are U.S. citizens, are between the ages of 25 and 40, and have been in a profession for at least two years. On return, they act as "cultural ambassadors" by giving talks to groups interested in the experience. These young people stay in Rotary homes and become acquainted with a number of individuals who contribute substantial quantities of time to making this exchange experience meaningful. As a team, they all visit businesses, government facilities, educational sites, and places of worship, and they participate in cultural, athletic, and social events. One day each week, each person shadows someone in his/her own profession to exchange ideas on how that profession is practiced in each culture. During their 30-day stay, they meet thousands of people.

Rotary’s investment: we invest about $30 million a year in these exchanges (travel, housing, meals, language-training, and entry fees to sites on the program). Members also donate 1500-2000 hours of labor to organizing each half of 250 exchanges each year. For example, when we host the five team members from Korea, Chicago-area Rotarians will marshal 300-500 volunteers to organize 80-100 events during the 30 days our guests are here.

Request: we ask members to gather modestly priced gifts that they may give Koreans who contribute significantly to their experience. We seek items that reflect the culture / products of the region our team represents. We ask them to gather donations from the community because this effort informs more people about this exciting program.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

Donation examples: books, calendars, caps, CDs, letter openers, memorabilia, pens, stickers, works of art

Recent Chicago-Area Exchanges: England (2004), India (2003), Brazil (2002), Germany & Philippines (2001)

Team to South Korea

· Leah Bleuer: Nurse, specializing in organ transplants; Children’s Memorial Hospital

· Rick Brands: Manager, Receiving Department, McMaster-Carr

· Kimberly Crockett: Research financial analyst; Northwestern University

· Michael Sula: Writer; Chicago Reader

· Andrew Kim: team leader; Chicago One Rotary Club; business executive in the financial industry (retired)

· Anne Ford: team member alternate; editor, Rand-McNally

· Mary Ann Egger: team leader alternate; Joliet Rotary Club; accountant

Link (additional information about the program): www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/gse