Ambassadorial Scholarships Program
by Lew Kaminga, ChairmanDistrict 6890 Ambassadorial Scholarships
Chairman - Bill Carlson, Jr.
The Rotary Foundation sponsors one of the largest and most internationalscholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a country other than theirown where they serve as unofficial "ambassadors of goodwill." Since1947, more than 36,000 scholars from some 110 countries have receivedscholarships as a cost of almost $429 million. In 2002-03, 868 scholars from 70countries studied in 70 countries. Program awards were $16.8 million. Rotary World Peace Scholars in starting its third class. Each year up to 70scholars study at one of the seven Rotary Centers for International Studies inpeace and conflict resolution. In 2002-03 69 scholars from 30 countriesstudied at the seven Rotary Centers totaling $3.4 million for the 2002-04two-year program.
The Ambassadorial Scholarships Program supports the mission of The RotaryFoundation to further international understanding and world peace by:
- Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending Ambassadors of Goodwill to study in another country.
- Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self" through active participation in Rotary service projects.
- Encouraging scholars to dedicate their person and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home communities and countries.
- Developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community.
- Impacting all areas of the world through a balanced geographical
- distribution of scholars.
- Fostering a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars.
During the study period, scholars are expected to be outstanding ambassadorsof goodwill to the people of the host country through appearances before Rotaryclubs and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums. After studyhas been completed, scholars share their experiences with the people of theirhome countries and with the local Rotarians who sponsored their scholarships.
During the 2003-04 Academic School Year, Erica Falchetti sponsored bythe Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club spent the school year at theUniversity of Exeter in Exeter, England. During the Academic Year 2004-05 KevinGutherie, sponsored by Sebring Rotary Club, will be spending the year atUniversity of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland and Danielle White, sponsored byYbor City R. C. will spend the year at National University in Canberra,Australia. On Saturday, May 8, 2004, the Ambassador Scholarship Committedselected Lynne Williams, sponsored by New Tampa Rotary for the 2005-06 Academicyear.
There will be one Ambassador Scholarship available for 2006-07, and acandidate for the World Peace Scholar. Here is the time line for recruiting candidatesfor the 2006-07 Academic year.
| October 15.2004 - April 1, 2005 | Clubs secure applications | |
| April 15, 2005 | Deadline for Clubs to submit applications to District. | |
| May 7, 2005 | District interviews candidates and selects scholar |
Refer to the Rotary Web site, www.rotary.org,for applications, additional details pertaining to what the scholarship covers,the Multiyear Ambassadorial Scholarship, Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship, andWorld Peace Scholar and Terms of the Scholarship.
For information contact:
Bill Carlson, Jr.
813.714.0204Ambassador Scholarship Committee Members:
- Bill Carlson - Tampa Rotary
- Dr Bill Leonard - Sun City Center
- Jeff Roth - Sebring
- Clagett Taylor - Sebring
- Jim Weaver - Lake Wales Breakfast
Group Study Exchange Program
From the official site of Rotary: "Since its inceptionin 1965, the Group Study Exchange program has provided grantsfor countless teams of men and women in the early stages of theirbusiness and professional careers to travel abroad and share vocationalinformation with the representatives of their respective professionsin another country. Team members spend four to six weeks studyingthe host country's institutions, economy, and culture, while observinghow their own professions are practiced abroad. More than 500exchanges between paired Rotary districts occur each year, advancingthe program's ultimate goal of promoting international understandingand goodwill."
Program Update as of Aug. 1, 2005
The district GSE committee met July 23 and interviewed candidates for GSE trips to Korea and Australia. Assistant Governor Harry Heuman was selected to lead our team to Australia. Past President Ed Odom, of the Riverview club, was selected to lead our team to Korea. Both teams will depart for 30 day trips during the spring of 2006. Team member selection begins on August 6th. All Rotarians in the district are encouraged to join in the search for qualified team member candidates. Team members must not be Rotarians, or related to Rotarians. For applications go to www.Rotary.org. Keyword is GSE in the search block. Download forms for team members. District GSE contacts are:Ed Odom (813) 468-7446.
District 6890 has sponsored many GSE teams. The following table provides links to websites for many of these teams. Click on the name of the team leader to visit the home page for that team.
| YEAR | DISTRICT | LOCATION | OUTBOUND | INBOUND |
| 1994 | Chile | Blondet | ...???... | |
| 1995 | Brazil | Neugaard | ...???... | |
| 1996 | Venezuela | Knecht | ...???... | |
| 1997 | Brazil | Viera | ...???... | |
| 1998 | 3050 | India | Tompkins | ...???... |
| 1999 | Nigeria | Lewis | ...???... | |
| 2000 | 1400 | Finland | Banning | Mannisto |
| 2001 | Philippines | Kontny | ...???... | |
| 2002 | Japan | Van Leer Peck | Tono | |
| 2003 | India | Minesh Patel | Probir Bannerjee | |
| 2004 | 9700 | Mexico | Kevin Kitto | ...???... |
| 2005 | 9700 | Australia | Kevin Kitto | Graeme Fleming |
Youth Exchange Program
Each year about 7,000 young people will see the world the way it is best seen — from the inside out — through the youth exchange program. This could be your year!
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will spend a year, or perhaps just an extended period of time, living with a host family in a country other than your own. You may learn a new language; you will learn a new way of living and a great deal about yourself. But there's more! While you are busy learning, the people you meet will be learning as well — about your country, your culture, and your ideas. You will be a young ambassador. You will be helping to bring the world closer together — and you'll be making some good friends in the process.
If you are ready for the challenge and the rewards of living in another land as an exchange student, then you are ready to discover new worlds through Rotary's Youth Exchange program.
Each year, District6890 normally has 3-5 students who participate in Youth Exchanges for high school-aged students. A primary goal of the program is to foster world understanding by way of intercultural exchange.
There are two principal types of exchanges:
- Long-term exchanges usually last for an academic year, during which the student lives with more than one family and attends school in the host country. Our recent exchanges have been with Sweden, Germany, France and Spain.
- Short-term exchanges vary from several days to several weeks. They often take place when school is not in session and usually do not include an academic program. Short-term exchanges usually involve a stay with a host family, recently we have had students from Argentina and Mexico.
For information contact:
Krista Gospodinova, Chairman District 6890 Youth Exchange
Work: (863)
686-0900
Home: (863) 409-6383
Fax: (863)
686-4200
e mail -
Krista@iccfl.com
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Interact in District 6890
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 14-18. The program gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. For more information on the Interact program, click here or contact Steve Brown (813) 436-6555.
The following rotary clubs in district 6890 sponsor Interact clubs:
Club Name Number of Interact Clubs Sponsored
Auburndale 1 Avon Park Breakfast 1 Bartow 1 Brandon 2 Brandon 86 1 Brandon South 1 Carrollwood 1 Cypress Gardens 2 Lakeland North 1 Lake Placid 1 Lake Placid Noon 1 New Tampa 1 Plant City 1 Riverview 1 Southshore 1 Tampa 1 Tampa Down Town Daybreak 1 Tampa East 1 Tampa Hyde Park 1 Tampa Interbay 1 Tampa North 1 Tampa Town & Country 3 Temple Terrace 1 Winter Haven 1
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Bequest Society Membership
by John Grant Jr., Chairman, Bequest Society Members
The objective of The Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund is to provide a predictable and secure supplement to annual Foundation support, thereby guaranteeing a minimum level of program activity and facilitating new or expanded programs in the future. Contributions to the Permanent Fund are not spent; rather, they are invested and only a portion of the earnings generated are used to support Foundation programs. Rotarians are encouraged to consider providing special support to the Permanent Fund as a celebration of Rotary's approaching centenary in 2005 and demonstration of commitment to Rotary as a world leader in international service. Included in the Program are:
- Planned Gifts - Legally made during the donor's lifetime, but its principal benefits do not accrue to The Rotary Foundation until sometime in the future, usually at the death of the donor
- Bequests and Gifts via Wills - This is the best known form of planned gift. Cash, securities, real estate, or property of any description may be given to The Rotary Foundation
- The Rotary Foundation Bequest Society - This occurs when an individual or couple place the Foundation in their will or other estate plan for a minimum of $10,000 and notify the Foundation in writing. Types of gifts eligible include: bequests through wills, living trusts and other retirement plan assets, as well as whole and universal life insurance. There are six levels of recognition for Bequest Society members, as indicated below. There is a single crystal for Bequest Society members given at all levels. Diamond Circle Pin Recognition is same for Major Donors and Bequest Society members at all levels. Because contributions accumulate, donors are recognized as they reach each successive level.
| Contribution Total | Crystal Level | Diamond Circle Pin Level |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | Level 1 | One stone |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | Level 2 | Two Stones |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | Level 3 | Three Stones |
| $100,000 to $499,999 | Level 4 | Four Stones |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | Level 5 | Five Stones |
| $1 million and above | Level 6 | Six Stones |
Our goal during 2004-05 is to obtain four or more bequest society members. If you have any questions contact me at John Grant Jr. or 813 931 3125.
For information contact:
John Grant Jr., Chairman District 6890 Bequest Society Membership
Rotary
Club of Tampa North
Tel 813 931 3125
e mail - JAGrant@tampabay.rr.com
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Heartbeat International
For information on Heartbeat International click here.
For information contact:
Will Mick, Chairman District 6890 Heartbeat International
Work: 813.243.8769
Home: 727.538.2201
Fax: 813.496.1319
e mail - wmick@tampabay.rr.com
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Gift of Life
For information on
Gift of Life click here.
For information contact:
Heidi Hess, Chairman District 6890 Gift of Life
Home: 813.874.7078
e mail - Heidihess@tampabay.rr.com
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This GSE website was developed by Kurt Madsen and donated to the district by the New Tampa Rotary club. To contribute trip reports, pictures, or stories to this site, contact WebMaster.