What is Friendship Exchange?

It is a program started in 1984 by Rotary International which offers "participating Rotarians the opportunity to make a personal contribution to advancing world understanding whilst expanding their own horizons". Rotary District 1070 has an active Friendship exchange Program

 

District 1070 has embraced and promoted Rotary Friendship Exchange since the 1980’s. District 1070 teams have visited Rotary Districts in many different Countries during this time (e.g. USA, South Africa, Australia, India, Brazil, New Zealand, and Canada) and District 1070 Rotarians have had great pleasure and have been generous in the hosting of incoming teams from abroad.

 

Rotarians from District 1070 will participate in a Rotary Friendship Exchange to District 9800 (Victoria, Australia) in October 2010. It is planned for Rotarians and their partners from District 9800 to be hosted by Rotarians from our district in May 2011.

All Rotary clubs in District 1070 will be informed, via the baskets at district meetings and email to secretaries, about future exchanges and application procedures.

The 4th Object of Rotary International
 
‘The advancement of International understanding, goodwill and peace through world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service’
 
Rotary Friendship Exchange is a practical and enjoyable way of implementing this object and the benefits derived are long lasting and important to all.

 

• Lasting Friendships

• A greater understanding of Rotary International

• An appreciation of how Rotary International makes a difference around the world

• New ideas and projects can be discovered

• A greater understanding of other races, religions, climate, food, culture.

By staying with Rotary families we hope to gain a greater insight into the true character of a Country and how Rotary influences the lives of many people; something you cannot always appreciate when travelling as a tourist.

 

Brian Dawson, Rotary Club of Rushden

John Tyers, Rotary Club of Soar Valley

Lesley Tyers, Rotary Club of Loughborough Beacon

 

 

Rotarians from 1070 visit the Jaipur Limb Project

Rotary Friendship Exchange to District 9800 Victoria, Australia

Ten of us, who should have been twelve if we had not lost one couple who had to withdraw just before the exchange was due to begin, arrived in Melbourne on Sunday 17th October to begin a delightful fortnight in Victoria. Spring had just arrived in this part of the southern hemisphere, making the gardens beautiful after their wettest winter for ten years. Our welcome was warm from the moment we landed, and the weather followed suite after one cool day. Jeanette Lynch of 9800 and Brian Dawson of 1070 had done a great job preparing the itinerary. We were to spend four nights in Melbourne, three in Bendigo, three in Daylesford and three in Gisborne. Our hosts at each stop were soon firm friends, and made us most comfortable in their spacious homes. In Melbourne we toured several historic sites, enjoyed an expedition to Healesville Sanctuary, and visited the famous cricket ground. We attended two club meetings. In Bendigo and Daylesford we studied the legacy of gold mining. In Gisborne we enjoyed beautiful mountain scenery and a picnic at Hanging Rock, but avoided disappearing.  We were warmly welcomed at Rotary meetings and gatherings wherever we went. A team from District 9800 will make a return visit to our District in June 2012. We can recommend Rotary Friendship Exchanges to anyone who has yet to try one.   Malcolm Cockcroft, Rotary Club of St Ives

Outside RACV Melbourne, meeting place of Melbourne Sunrise Club.

Hanging Rocks, Mount Macedon.

 

District 1070 has had the great pleasure of welcoming and hosting a Rotary Friendship Exchange team from District 9640 Australia.

The six couples from Australia started their tour of our District on the 13th May in Rushden where they were greeted by DG Dick Parsley, President Mike Neville members and guests of the Rotary Club of Rushden.

After Rushden the visiting team went to the RC, s of Northampton, Blaby, Soar Valley and Peterborough where they participated in an excellent program of visits to famous sites and areas within 1070 and surrounding areas such as Cambridge, Stratford on Avon and Chatsworth.

A farewell party was organised and hosted by President Maureen McKenna and Colin Harrison of the RC of Peterborough on the 26th May and Past DG Iain Vernon was there to wish our Australian friends ‘bon voyage’ as they continued their trip around the UK and Europe.

Exchanges to District 9800 Victoria Australia and District 7770, South Carolina have been planned for later this year and all places have been booked. However, further RFE’s are on the drawing board for 2011 and details will be forwarded to Club secretaries as plans are progressed.

Members of the Rotary District 9640 Friendship Excange team visiting Rushden.

Following a visit by members of Rotary District 1070 to District 2400 in southern Sweden, a group of 11 Rotarians and their partners visited our District in October 2011.

A full report is awaited.