After a successful application cycle, our district GSE selection committee met on November 10 and interviewed nine outstanding candidates. From among these we have selected the following to represent their professions and District 7150 when they visit District 9780 in Australia during March and April 2013.

First is Amanda Farnham. She is a Medical Laboratory Technologist employed by Laboratory Alliance of CNY located in Liverpool, NY. She holds degrees from SUNY College of Technology in Veterinary Medical Technology and from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Medical Technology. Amanda was proposed for the GSE Program by Onondaga North Rotary Club.

Second is Kelly Guy. She is the Executive Director of Neighborhood House in Auburn, NY. She is a graduate of Wells College (Psychology and Elementary Education) and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, KS. Kelly has been proposed for the team by Auburn Rotary Club.

Next is Melissa Lorah. She is a resident of Genoa, NY and is employed as a Laboratory Technician with Primet Precision Materials, Inc. of Ithaca, NY. Melissa is a graduate of Alfred University with a B.A. in Geology. Her current employment uses her training as a chemist in the field of battery research and technology. Melissa was proposed for team membership by Moravia Rotary Club.

Finally is Shannon Wallingford. She is a resident of Oneida, NY, where she is selfemployed as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She is a graduate of the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in Syracuse. Shannon was proposed to the team by Oneida Rotary Club.

The Team Leader, previously announced, is Karen Macier, a member of Auburn Rotary Club, where she currently serves as Vice-President. She is the Director of Program Development at East Hill Family Medical. A 13 year Rotarian, Karen has traveled extensively, including an Australian trip in 2006. As the Team Leader, Karen is now working closely with Outbound GSE Chair Henry “Mac” MacDonald to prepare her team for the 2013 exchange.

Responsibilities and Qualifications of a GSE 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 interest first. 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 with the GSE team, and not be accompanied by a spouse, companion, or other relative or dependent.

The team leader should help coordinate the exchange by facilitating the submission of pre and post departure documents, develop and conduct the team training and assist in the selection of the team. An ideal team leader is not more than 20 years older than the oldest team member, possesses outstanding interpersonal communication skills, has presentation and public speaking skill and is able to help the team prepare for speeches at Rotary clubs, and has the ability to imbue a team with a sense of mission.

Experienced Rotarians who have an interest in developing their leadership skills above the club level, Rotarians who have traveled internationally, and Rotarians who have sharpened their leadership skills at the local club or district level make ideal candidates.

Interested Rotarians in District 7150 are urged to apply for the all expense paid exchange to Australia. The native language is English. Applications for Team Leader can be downloaded here Team Leader applications.

Qualifications for Team Leader & Team Member

• All interested candidates need to have their candidacy endorsed by a Rotary Club in the community where the applicant works or lives. Endorsed applications are sent on for district level consideration.
• Team members must be between the ages of 25 and 40; be employed in a full time recognized profession; not be a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, Rotary employee; or lineal descendant or spouse of a Rotarian; or spouse of another team member, an honorary Rotarian, or an employee of Rotary; or anyone who has been affiliated with Rotary for the past 36 months.
• Team members must be a citizen of the country in which they reside, and in good health. The candidate must be neat in appearance and able to express himself or herself clearly and logically. They should have a sound general educational background, be interested in and clearly enthusiastic about their chosen vocation or profession. They should be open-minded, tolerant and flexible. The candidate should be comfortable working as part of a team with a schedule that is at times physically and emotionally demanding but incredibly rewarding.

A team member must 1. Be able to participate in team orientations and take the four weeks away from work and family 2. Be non-Rotarian and not a blood relative of a Rotarian, 3. Be between ages 25 and 40 to insure maximum impact on long term career development, 4. Be a US citizen in good health, 5. Be neat in appearance, 6. Be articulate and able to speak before a group, 7. Have a sound educational and professional background, 8. Be enthusiastic about his/her chosen vocation, and 9. Be currently employed on a full time basis - engaged in that business or profession for at least two years. Team member applicants should be open-minded, tolerant, flexible and above all be able to live within and adopt a different culture during the exchange period. They must be willing and able to follow the direction of the Team Leader. An essay of intent is required from each applicant. A brief resume would also be helpful to the selection committee.

There are many ways to recruit team members. Contact the CEO or owner of companies or establishments in your area. Contact your local government heads. Make them aware of the program and ask if they have an employee to nominate. Point out that team members return to work with an understanding of how a similar job is performed in another country and can potentially become better employees. Explain that the program expenses are paid by Rotary and that the employer needs only to provide four weeks off work using a method of his/her choosing i.e. vacation time, leave without pay, etc. Offer a copy of the RI GSE brochure and then followup. Encourage your club members to talk with friends and fellow employees to identify potential participants and then ask your Club's International Chair or GSE Chair to followup.

As a Rotarian reading this, you can help find the young men and women who will make up the District 7150 outbound team. They may be someone you work with, or works for you. They may be your child’s teacher. They may be a friend, or a friend’s child. They may be a neighbor, or your neighbor’s child. We need the help of every Rotarian in District 7150 to identify and encourage young people to apply for this wonderful all expense paid vocational adventure.Download Member applications & the GSE Brochure.

Qualifications for Team Leader & Team Member

• All interested candidates need to have their candidacy endorsed by a Rotary Club in the community where the applicant works or lives. Endorsed applications are sent on for district level consideration.
• Team members must be between the ages of 25 and 40; be employed in a full time recognized profession; not be a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, Rotary employee; or lineal descendant or spouse of a Rotarian; or spouse of another team member, an honorary Rotarian, or an employee of Rotary; or anyone who has been affiliated with Rotary for the past 36 months.
• Team members must be a citizen of the country in which they reside, and in good health. The candidate must be neat in appearance and able to express himself or herself clearly and logically. They should have a sound general educational background, be interested in and clearly enthusiastic about their chosen vocation or profession. They should be open-minded, tolerant and flexible. The candidate should be comfortable working as part of a team with a schedule that is at times physically and emotionally demanding but incredibly rewarding.

A team member must 1. Be able to participate in team orientations and take the four weeks away from work and family 2. Be non-Rotarian and not a blood relative of a Rotarian, 3. Be between ages 25 and 40 to insure maximum impact on long term career development, 4. Be a US citizen in good health, 5. Be neat in appearance, 6. Be articulate and able to speak before a group, 7. Have a sound educational and professional background, 8. Be enthusiastic about his/her chosen vocation, and 9. Be currently employed on a full time basis - engaged in that business or profession for at least two years. Team member applicants should be open-minded, tolerant, flexible and above all be able to live within and adopt a different culture during the exchange period. They must be willing and able to follow the direction of the Team Leader. An essay of intent is required from each applicant. A brief resume would also be helpful to the selection committee.

There are many ways to recruit team members. Contact the CEO or owner of companies or establishments in your area. Contact your local government heads. Make them aware of the program and ask if they have an employee to nominate. Point out that team members return to work with an understanding of how a similar job is performed in another country and can potentially become better employees. Explain that the program expenses are paid by Rotary and that the employer needs only to provide four weeks off work using a method of his/her choosing i.e. vacation time, leave without pay, etc. Offer a copy of the RI GSE brochure and then followup. Encourage your club members to talk with friends and fellow employees to identify potential participants and then ask your Club's International Chair or GSE Chair to followup.

As a Rotarian reading this, you can help find the young men and women who will make up the District 7150 outbound team. They may be someone you work with, or works for you. They may be your child’s teacher. They may be a friend, or a friend’s child. They may be a neighbor, or your neighbor’s child. We need the help of every Rotarian in District 7150 to identify and encourage young people to apply for this wonderful all expense paid vocational adventure.