Friendship Exchange News
Posted by Charles Daly
WHAT IS FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE?
The Rotary Friendship Exchange program gives Rotarians and their families the opportunity to experience other cultures firsthand, by participating in reciprocal visits with Rotarians from other countries and their families. It provides Rotarians with the opportunity to form personal contacts and make long-lasting friendships while exploring different areas of the world. District 7090 has participated in team exchanges to many countries including England, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Exchange to Western Australia Update
In the spring of 2016, contact was initiated with District 9465 around Perth in Western Australia. The outgoing team will be led by John and Libby Crossingham who are experienced in Friendship Exchanges. They will be joined by PDG Ralph and Barb Montesanto, Jim and Linda Peters, Rita-Marie and John Hadley, Wayne and Pat Fyffe, Joy Flegg and Gary Snider and Jean Armitage...
The Aussies have elected to visit our district from May 24 to June 6 followed by the opportunity to attend the RI Convention in Atlanta. Hosting has been arranged by the outgoing team and they will start their visit in Dundas, move on to Paris, Brantford, Simcoe on the 27th. On May 30, the team will transfer to St. Catharines then on to Lockport NY on June 2, and will fly out on June 6 to head to the convention. Please look for opportunities to meet the team as they visit our district. The District 7090 team will travel to Australia in September 2017.
Future Possibilities
We have a opportunity for future exchanges especially since The RI Convention will be in Toronto at the end of June 2018. I have made overtures to Districts on the Friendship Matching Board in Finland and Italy and am awaiting responses. If someone in the district has an interest or connection for exchanging with some area of the Rotary World I would be happy to work together. Contact Charles Daly, Rotary District 7090 Friendship Exchange Chair.