Rotary Clubs in District 5080, which includes south-eastern British Columbia, Canada, northern
Idaho and eastern Washington State, USA, are seeking four outstanding professionals to visit Rotary
District 4510, Brazil from April 20, 2013 – May 20, 2013, as part of the Group Study Exchange
program of The Rotary Foundation. During the exchange, team members will share personal
knowledge of their own country and vocations and experience the customs, vocations and
lifestyles of Brazil. D4510, described as an ecological paradise, is located in the mid-western
region of Sao Paulo State. Metal industries, textile manufacturing and agriculture including coffee,
sugar can and oranges make this state the economic and industrial powerhouse of the Brazilian
economy.
The purpose of the Group Study Exchange is to promote international understanding and goodwill
through person to person contact. While abroad, team members stay in Rotarians’ homes and have
the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They will also give presentations to Rotary
clubs and other groups about their home country and respective vocations.
The Rotary Foundation provides a round trip air ticket, and local Rotarians in the host country provide
meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Team members pay for personal and incidental
expenses including immunizations and visas.
People interested in applying should be employed full-time for at least two years in their vocation and
be in the early stages of their careers. Young professionals within the age range of 25 to 40 at the
time of the exchange are encouraged to apply. Applicants must live or be employed in Rotary District
5080.
The following are ineligible to apply: Rotarians, employees of Rotary clubs, districts, or other Rotary
entities and relatives of Rotarians (lineal descendants, ancestors, spouses, or spouses of ancestors or
lineal descendants of Rotarians).
For application forms and local club application deadlines contact a local Rotary club or download
the Group Study Exchange Team Member Application Form from the Rotary International website.
All applications must be made through a local Rotary club and forwarded to the District Group Study
Exchange Committee Chair, Sheila Hart, 2751 Lower Six Mile Road, Nelson, BC, V1L 6L5 E-mail:
sheilahart@shaw.ca by September 8, 2012. Interviews will be held in Spokane, WA on Saturday October
6, 2012. Further information contact GSE Chair Sheila Hart at (250) 825-9241; E-mail: sheilahart@
shaw.ca