On January 8, 2010 Team Leader John drove seven GSE members, including three from the Brazilian GSE Team, down to Winston-Salem, NC for a Conference featuring GSE Teams and Ambassadorial Scholars from Zones 33 and 34. Altogether there were 69 GSE Team members, representing eleven GSE Teams from nine Rotary Districts, 34 Ambassador Scholars and 67 Rotarians, speakers and guests. A very impressive gathering indeed!
Among the excellent lecture and discussion topics were: "Crossing Cultures" which dealt in depth with some of the many of the emotional challenges one is likely to encounter when living in a entirely new environment for a long period of time;"Making Effective and Entertaining Presentations", which presented many of the pitfalls likely to be encountered when speaking to large groups, and how to deal with those situations; and, an emotional and fiery dinner address by Past District 7730 Governor, John Capps, on what being a Rotarian meant to him.
However, it was not the discussions nor the presentations that, I believe, made the occasion a success. Rather, it was the bonding of the teams, both within and outside of each members individual team, that enabled these new-to-Rotary team members to fathom and experience the depth of the Rotary World. If nothing else had been accomplished, this alone would have justified the Conference.
Among the excellent lecture and discussion topics were: "Crossing Cultures" which dealt in depth with some of the many of the emotional challenges one is likely to encounter when living in a entirely new environment for a long period of time;"Making Effective and Entertaining Presentations", which presented many of the pitfalls likely to be encountered when speaking to large groups, and how to deal with those situations; and, an emotional and fiery dinner address by Past District 7730 Governor, John Capps, on what being a Rotarian meant to him.
However, it was not the discussions nor the presentations that, I believe, made the occasion a success. Rather, it was the bonding of the teams, both within and outside of each members individual team, that enabled these new-to-Rotary team members to fathom and experience the depth of the Rotary World. If nothing else had been accomplished, this alone would have justified the Conference.
