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 Dist 9640 (Australia)

In October a team of 1070 Rotarians and partners spent a fantastic two weeks meeting with and enjoying the company of Australian Rotarians in District 9640 (South of Brisbane).

We began and ended our RFE visit in the Gold Coast area. It didn’t take long before we adopted the Aussie way of life (B-B-Q breakfast!). One of the best features of RFE and staying with Rotarian families is that you are able to experience and gain a greater understanding of the culture and life style of the Country you are visiting. This was especially true when we travelled inland to visit the Rotary Clubs of Glen Innes and Stanthorpe located in small towns which are archetypal Australian.

 

We were invited to visit their places of work, share in their hobbies and meet families and friends. And who better than an Australian to take you bush walking, show you the unique wildlife and explain the ever present dangers of drought and bushfires.

We look forward to May 2010 when we will welcome a team of Australian Rotarians on the return leg and show them the hospitality and beauty of District 1070.

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.

Farewell to our Brazilian Friends

District 1070 said ‘despedida’ (goodbye) to the RFE team from Brazil on the 16th September, after a busy and rewarding visit to four areas of our district.

Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Northampton, Stamford, Loughborough and Kibworth/Market Bosworth provided an interesting and diverse programme of events during their 2 week stay. This included sightseeing, cultural, social and educational visits but above all friendship and kindness.