GSE Zone meeting in Winston-Salem, NC

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.

Nov 19th Meeting at DG with Wanida Thai language Instructor

Everyone,

It was a very nice meeting last night with John, Linda, Amanda, Jenifer, myself and special guest Wanida the Thai language instructor. Wandida was wonderfully helpful, personally I feel much better about learning some basic. Below are the videos of her lessons I took. Hope you enjoy them despite the occasional background noise interruption.
tnx -Jeremiah

SORRY, WE FINALLY HAD TO REMOVE THE VIDEOS TO CONSERVE SPACE ON THE BLOG

First Meeting of District 7570 GSE Team to Thailand

Standing: John Zimet (Team Leader), Nee Hopple and Mike Kitt
(owners of Thai Winchester), Kip Mumaw, Linda Taylor

(Alternate Team Leader), Brooke Conover, Jeremiah Shifflett

(Alternate); Kneeling: Amanda Compher, Jennifer Green

Although the District 7570 GSE Team to Thailand has been sending emails back and forth to each other for two weeks, the members of the team had never met each other as teammates until the first meeting, held on October 31st at (appropriately) the Thai Winchester restaurant in Winchester, Virginia. Not only were the actual team members present, but also the alternates. We were also joined by Steve Gyurisin who had designed this Blog for us.

After we got to know each other, Nee Hopple and Mike Kitt, owners of the restaurant, introduced themselves. Nee gave us a short lesson on Thai cuisine and explained the etiquette of Thai dining. Contrary to what one usually experiences in American Thai restaurants, native Thais never use knives or chopsticks. Holding a large spoon in the right hand, one cuts the food and, with the back of the fork, held in the left hand, you push the food towards and onto the spoon.

As we were receiving this lesson, Mike presented a slide show on his laptop, depicting sights of Thailand. It certainly whetted our interest!

Once we indulged in a delicious meal of Thai delicasies, as well as tested our tolerance for hot, hot, HOT, Steve explained the general idea of Blogs and made himself available for any future questions. John passed out handouts about the history of Rotary and of District 7570, basic Thai phrases and grammar, the history of Buddhism, and copies of emails from Quanchai Laohaviraphab (Ernie Bentley's counterpart in District 3330), containing maps and prelimiary details regarding the areas that we will be visiting in Thailand.

After lunch we discussed language training (John has arranged for a Thai-speaking professsor from Shenandoah University to help us), uniforms, our responsibility as ambassadors not only from Rotary but also from America and, most challenging, Quanchai's desire that we present an American Culture Show at their District Conference. We made excellent progress on all topics except the Culture Show (but we haven't given up.)

Our next meeting is scheduled for November 14th.

About GSE - Group Study Exchange

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.