1220 Foundation News
May 2005
Scholar returns after a life changing
experience.
Jenny Blackman our Ambassadorial scholar has returned after a
fantastic year in Australia. This is a report she wrote for “Rotary Down
Under”.
“Being a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar is a commitment to represent
Rotary and my country”
In July 2002 I was awarded the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial
Scholarship and I haven’t looked back since. The Scholarship covers nine
months of study in a foreign country of your choice. I chose Sydney,
Australia. The area that is sponsoring me, during my stay in Australia
is the District of 1220 in Nottingham and Derbyshire. I am currently
being hosted by the Rotary Club of Rose Bay and have enjoyed many a fine
night in the company of Rose Bay Rotarians.
After completing my joint Honours degree in Sports Science and Social
Science at Loughborough University in 2003, I decided to further my
studies in the area of Sports Science and also to develop a new interest
in sports broadcasting. As a volunteer, I had worked along side the BBC
during the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and wanted to develop my
skills. I chose a Postgraduate course at the University of Sydney
reading Sports Science and Media and Communications.
The course in Sydney has provided me with new fresh new challenges
including designing fitness programs for people with cardiac diseases or
who have suffered a stroke. From the moment I arrived in Australia I’ve
felt at home. My Rotary counsellor for the academic year, Doug McArthur
has been taking care of me like one of the family. I was fortunate to
attend the 99th Anniversary of Rotary at the Rose Bay Club which
provided me with the opportunity to meet past and present District
Governors and hear about their experiences as active Rotarians.
I was also privileged to go to my first District Conference at
Sydney’s Convention Centre. I managed to meet many friends and started
to understand what Rotary `Down Under` was all about.
The last six months have gone by so quickly it is unbelievable. Being a
Rotary Ambassadorial scholar does present a commitment to represent
Rotary and my country but it has also offered opportunities I could only
have dreamt of like making friends with young people all over the world,
learning about different cultures and seeing wildlife I never knew
existed, like cassowary to mention a few.
As a member of Sydney City Rotaract Club, over the next couple of months
I look forward to getting involved with more Rotaract projects like the
2004 Terry Fox Fun Run. I shall be dusting my trainers for the Fun Run
on the 5th September at Wollongong University in aid of the University
Cancer fund.
One of my commitments to the scholarship is to make speeches at
Rotary Clubs in Sydney and the local area when I return to the UK. I’ve
received a warm welcome at all the Rotary clubs I have visited in Sydney
and look forward to future invitations from other Rotary clubs who want
to find out more about home life in Nottingham from my perspective.
Group Study Exchange.
The group Study Exchange team arrived back very tired from
Mississippi on Sunday 8 May but they had a very successful four weeks.
It will be interesting to talk to all the members at the team debrief
and they will be at our Conference in October. I have seen Matt Mitchell
and he could not stop talking about the visit saying, “It was an
experience I will never forget.”
We are now recruiting for two outgoing
teams for 2006. A team from India will be with us on Saturday 24
September to Saturday 22 October 2005.
Our return team will go to Andhra Pradesh, India from Tuesday 3 January
until Wednesday 1 February 2006. We also need four more team members to
make up the returning team to West Virginia. This exchange will depart
on Wednesday 3 May and return on Saturday 3 June 3 2006.
TEAM LEADERS
We
need a Team Leader for each Exchange
Completed application forms for Team Leaders
should be to Rtn Don Mackenzie by 8 July 2005. Interviews will be held
on Saturday and Sunday 17 and 18 September2005.
TEAM MEMBERS
Completed application forms for Team Members
should be sent to Rtn Don Mackenzie by 1 September 2005.
Interviews will be held on 17 and 18 September 2005
Application forms can be downloaded from
www.rotary.org or obtained from the GSE Officer, Rtn Don Mackenzie.
This is a fabulous opportunity for eight young people between the ages
of 22 and 39 to spend four weeks in another country and they have the
opportunity to look at their own vocation in that country. Please start
looking now for potential candidates.
Think of your friends and neighbours, do you
know of anyone who we should consider? They must be able to be released
by their employers for four weeks.
Who's Who for Foundation in 2005/2006
Please
click here for details of the
team for 2005/2006
         
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP ON
OFFER FOR 2006/7 MUST BE WITH RTN TERRY LEIVERS, SHERWOOD SUNRISERS, BY
31 MAY2005.
Interviews are to be held on Saturday 2
July 2005.
LINK WEEKEND
We are hosting the RI Link Weekend on
Friday 30 September, Saturday 1 October and Sunday 2 October 2005. We
are expecting approximately 180 Ambassadorial Scholars from all over the
world to be in our District for the weekend. All clubs have been asked
to host three scholars and we are STILL waiting for responses from some
clubs despite repeated requests!! If you are one of these clubs please
contact Rtn Michael Guest, RC of Derby South as a matter of urgency. We
also need a contact Rotarian in each club. Please note that a hosting
form is required for each member who has agreed to host so that we can
match scholars accordingly. This will be a superb weekend so please
ensure that you and your club are involved.
CHANGES TO HUMANITARIAN GRANTS
A number of very significant changes are
coming into force from 1 July 2005. Full details will be published in
the next Newsletter. If any club wishes to take part in a Matching Grant
or Individual Grant they MUST contact Rtn Mick White, RC Church Wilne,
for further details. District Simplified Grants funding remains the same
but there are changes to the reporting system.
CLUB VISITS
I have already been invited to speak to a
large number of clubs in the coming Rotary year. If your club has not
had a recent Foundation talk please contact me to arrange a visit.
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PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS
NEWSLETTER WITHIN YOUR CLUB.
It is intended to update all
members.
Val Leivers
Foundation Committee Chairman
May 2005 |
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