The inbound team from Australia: Ray De Lai, Raquel Nicholls-Skene, Lescha Palmore, Rob
Antoniazzi, Melinda Louden, Brad Phelps.
Group Study Exchange 2009-2010
by Ken Tucker, District GSE Chair
District 7750 finished up a very successful Group Study Exchange Saturday, May 29, with the departure of our inbound friends from Australia and the return of our outbound team to Canada.
From the beginning, some 20 months back, through last Saturday-the GSE program put together by DG George Fletcher and our district’s GSE Family was outstanding.
Team 9550 from Australia was a wonderful and delightful bunch and had nothing but positive things to say about their stay with us. “Treated like royalty.” “Vocational days were excellent.” “Life changing experience.”“Unbelievable hospitality.” “Words cannot express our appreciation for all that has been done for us while we have been in district 7750.” “Truly unbelievable.”
These comments are the direct result of our dedicated GSE Family in 7750. Our district governor, GSE committee, area coordinators, host families, Rotarians and Rotary Clubs that make things happen.
It should also be noted that our team that visited Australia had the same things to say about their stay in 9550.
GSE this year provided some opportunities we have not had before. DG George said OK to having two exchanges. 
The Outbound team to Australia: Rich Winley, Rysheeka Bush, Dan Garrison, Jenni Jeffrey, Patrick Lee, Amanda Perkins
One with Australia (9550), and in particular-Queensland because of the sister state relationship between Queensland and South Carolina and the relationship between Queensland University of Technology and Clemson University.
Piece of cake. No other districts would want to exchange with Australia.
The second was a neighboring country-vocation specific (forestry) with Vancouver-British Columbia, Canada. First time we have done one of these and there were a couple of bumps in the road but the end result was well worth the effort.
From full speed ahead to looks like this may not happen to this will not happen, we ended up with a modified exchange. There would not be an inbound team from Canada but we would send our team out for three weeks instead of four.
The Canadian exchange was a classic example of dedication and commitment from Rotarians, beginning with our DG George and his counterpart DG Gord. In ten or so days, the exchange went from life support in ICU to one of the better exchanges we have had the pleasure to be a part of.
In a matter of three-four weeks using a unique concept, communication through conference calls, a schedule was put together with the leadership of George and Gord along with numerous Rotarians in districts 5040 and 5020. Yep-two Canadian districts and 7750 worked together to fulfill the commitment made to a GSE Team.
There is no doubt that all three teams are most appreciative.
Click below and enjoy Team Blogs
Canadian Team Blog Link
Inbound Australian Team Blog
Outbound Team to Australia Blog link
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June 2010
