A Steep Learning Curve

Our GSE team to the Philippines has two important responsibilities.  First, we are ambassadors of the United States and Rotary District 7370 to our host country. As such, we are teachers and like all teachers, we communicate as much by what we say as by how we conduct ourselves.  Second, we are students. A GSE exchange is a program of professional development. We are committed to learn from our counterparts in the Philippines and bring back to the U.S. new insights, practices, and tools that we can apply. 

So there is much to learn in the short time we have between the time the team is selected and the time we depart. We have to learn about Rotary International, its organization, and its values.  We have to learn about the host country and its culture, history, and economy. 

We have to prepare and rehearse a Power Point presentation about ourselves.  Above, Stacey and Nicole work on the presentation.

We will present this presentation at Rotary Club meetings throughout District 3860 during the exchange.  There are over 100 Rotary Clubs in the district. It's likely many clubs will double up, but it is entirely possible that before the exchange is over, we will have given the presentation more than 25 times.  Then when we return back to Pennsylvania, we will give the presentation to a number of Rotary Clubs who want to hear about our experience in the Philippines.  We will also give an extended version of the presentation at the District 7370 District Conference in April.