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If you have a district-registered internet address you are receiving this July issue, first of The Governor’s Newsletters 2006-2007, via electronic mail. Otherwise, you will receive a printed paper copy from your club’s president or secretary.
The district leadership and communications teams and I are committed to enhancing the possibility that we can effectively reach most - eventually all - District 6860 Rotarians at a significant saving compared to the printing and mailing costs of the traditionally distributed paper product.

Our message will be a constant; that of Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self” and our district’s role in establishing programs and goals consistent with Rotary International President William B. “Bill” Boyd’s declaration of emphases for Rotary Year 2006-2007. Beyond the challenges of his emphases is what I conclude to be Bill’s equally significant one - sustaining our efforts through planning, pragmatism and patience.
We have been challenged to reinforce the ideals of “The Family of Rotary” and to Lead the Way by committing to and sustaining programs for making our communities better places for a lifetime with focus upon: available clean water; health and hunger projects and literacy.

I will be communicating weekly with District Assistant Governors and Club Presidents via another electronic medium, “Tuesday Topics.” I am confident you will be kept informed of the details and other items of interest associated with team building, goal-setting, and achievement that are essential to accomplishment of our objectives. And, just to remind “He profits mmost who serves best.” is still a worthy bottom line to “Service Above Self.”

Thanks to each of you for your common commitment -

Dennis

A Life Changing Experience –

Rotary’s Group Study Exchange Program

by Jim Hammond

It's time to start spreading the word regarding this year's Group Study Exchange agenda to your members and business friends alike. As you know, I had the honor to be Team Leader for last year's GSE trip to Norway just a few weeks ago. It is an opportunity unlike any other you could possibly find, and one with which a little effort on your part can go a long way in creating a great team for next year's exchange.

I've found that simply mentioning it at a meeting seldom achieves much response. It most often goes in one ear and out the other. This is something that will need to be cultivated through awareness with repeated effort on your part along with specific targeting of potential team leaders within your club as well as possible team member applicants from among your friends or business leaders there in the community. Take a moment to think of any of your members, or any young business professionals you know that meet the criteria below and share with them about GSE.

This year's exchange is with District 1770 in the western half of Paris, France. What an incredible business and cultural opportunity this will be for 5 Rotarians from our district during that month. Why not encourage and enable someone from your city or area to become a part of the process by applying and possibly becoming a member of next year's team. To help create the vision for someone, the passion needs to come from you. I'm available to speak with anyone from your area regarding any questions they might have regarding the experience.

I've included below selection criteria for both team leader and team members to review. Please share this with anyone who you know who might be interested. Please spread the word and don't keep news of this awesome opportunity under your hats.

Group Study Exchange is a shining star in the crown of the Rotary Foundation. Out of all the Foundation funded endeavors (Ambassadorial Scholars, GSE, etc), the largest percentage of new Rotarians comes from GSE Team members. All four members from my GSE Team to Norway wish to become new Rotarians so there's possibly four more that will be added to the ranks of the District as a result of Rotary's influence in their lives.

Here are the specifics regarding application dates and selection criteria--

The application deadlines are:

Team Leader (Rotarian) October 6, 2006

Team Member (non Rotarians) October 13, 2006

Interview dates:

Team Leader – October 21, 2006

Team Members – October 28, 2006

Eligibility criteria and application forms for both Team Leader and Team Member are available on the Rotary website: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/gse/index.html.

Application Process for Team Members

All interested applicants must first have their candidacy endorsed by a Rotary club in the district where the applicant works or lives. From there, endorsed applications are sent on for consideration at the district level. Club and district deadlines for applications vary, often six months before travel. Applications sent to the Foundation without club and district endorsement will be returned.

Eligibility Criteria

Team members must:

* be between the ages of 25-40;

* be employed full-time in a recognized profession;

* not be a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, or employee of Rotary or the lineal descendant or spouse of a lineal descendant, a Rotarian, an honorary Rotarian, or an employee of Rotary;

* not be the spouse of another team member;

* not be an ex-Rotarian or the lineal descendant or spouse of a lineal descendant of an ex-Rotarian or ex-Rotary employee who resigned less than 36 months before the time of application.

Ideal team members are:

* between the ages of 25 and 40;

* employed full-time in a recognized profession;

* a citizen of the country in which they reside;

* in good health;

* neat in appearance and able to express themselves clearly and logically;

* of a sound, general educational background;

* interested in and clearly enthusiastic about their chosen vocation and in possession of outstanding vocational skills;

* open-minded, tolerant, and flexible;

* proficient in the major language of the partner district;

* comfortable working as part of a team with a schedule that is physically and emotionally demanding.

Application Process for Team Leader

The team leader application must first be endorsed by the applicant's Rotary club. The club must then submit the endorsed team leader application to the district's GSE selection committee, which submits the endorsed appliction to The Rotary Foundation. Deadlines for applications vary within each club and district. Any applications sent to the Foundation without club and district endorsement will be returned.

Responsibilities of the Team Leader

The team leader acts as advocate, confidant, mediator, organizer, intermediary, consultant, colleague, friend, motivator, arbitrator, and protector of team members. As the only Rotarian on the team, the team leader is expected to assume complete control of the team and put its interests first.

Eligibility Criteria

The team leader must:

* be an experienced Rotarian;

* not be the current district governor, immediate past district governor, or district governor-elect;

* remain with the team for the duration of the exchange;

* be willing and able, physically and mentally, to keep pace the GSE;

* not be accompanied by a spouse, companion, or other relatives or dependents.

The team leader should help coordinate the exchange by facilitating the submission of pre- and post-departure documents (including the Travel Request) and by acting as an adviser during the selection of team members.

Ideal Candidates for Team Leader

An ideal team leader:

* is not more than 20 years older than the oldest team member;

* possesses outstanding interpersonal communication skills;

* is proficient in the major language of the host district;

* has presentation and public-speaking skills and is able to help the team prepare for speeches at Rotary clubs;

* has the ability to imbue a team with a sense of mission

Your District GSE Committee will be meeting early in August in preparation for the selection process for the 06-07 team. If you have any questions regarding the GSE program, feel free to contact me or any of the GSE committee members (see list below).

Group Study Exchange Committee Members:

Name Club Email

Carol Argo Shades Valley carola@uab.edu

Brad Brascho Pell City bradjbv@centurytel.net

Carol Chenault Decatur carol@pclnet.net

Beverly Crosswhite Decatur Daybreak crosswhite@bellsouth.net

Will Denton Alexander City wdenton@comlinkinc.net

Jim Hammond Arab jim@jimhammondknives.com
Lynn Headley Shades Mtn. Sunrise lynnmhead@yahoo.com

Judge William Hereford Pell City wehjdg@yahoo.com

Bob Hicks Birmingham East bobhicks@aol.com

Barbra Hubler Arab b.brian@worldnet.att.net

Gregory Jeane Vestavia Hills dgjeane@samford.edu