The International Exchange Committee is now in the planning process for the 2012 Milt Matthews Governor-Elect Hospitality Program. In preparing for the 2012 program, we would like to recruit a much larger cadre of Rochester Rotary hosts so that we may continue to promote international understanding through our commitment as Rotarians. This District 7120 hosting program is one of the best known programs of its kind in the Rotary world, and has been so for over forty years. The Rochester Rotary Club will be hosting some of the District Governors-Elect Tuesday, January 11th through Saturday, January 15, 2011. (In January 2010, District 7120 hosted twenty-eight (28) visiting Governors Elect, with members of the Rochester Club hosting five of them.) If you have never hosted before, you may be unaware of the great experience that our guests have had as they spend some time in our area and get to know the Rotarians of District 7120. Conversely, we get to know our guests and the mutual exchange of Rotary thoughts and ideas goes a long way in sustaining one of the primary objectives of the Four Way Test – building goodwill and better friendships. When individual Rotarians become involved in this program they make a meaningful commitment to support the goals and ideals of Rotary. Check out http://clubs.rotary7120.org/international/MMGE-Hospitality.htm for more information on the Milt Matthews Governors-Elect Hospitality Program. If you would like to be a 2012 host please send your name, address, phone and email to Dave Luitweiller at rochdave@rochester.rr.com; 585-924-5022; 1268 Wellington Drive, Victor, New York 14564 or fill out the attached form through this link.
Rotary International is a worldwide organization and international service is having a stronger influence as our world becomes smaller. The Rochester Rotary Club International Exchange Committee works diligently to meet the diverse needs of our Youth Exchange Program. The program allows high school students to travel abroad as ambassadors for Rotary International. Rochester Rotarians are actively involved in hosting youth exchange students visiting the United States.
Annually, Rochester Rotary hosts visiting district governor-elects as they travel to Anaheim, California for the International Assembly. District governor-elects stay in the Rochester area for approximately 10 days. For many, it is their visit to the U.S.
Another facet of international exchange is the Group Study Exchange Program. Past Group Study Exchanges have been conducted with Italy, Sweden and Australian.
The International Exchange Program is an invaluable resource for Rotarians to share their culture and fellowship around the globe.