Local Rotary Clubs seek candidates for South Africa visit

Rotary Clubs in the Thames Valley are seeking suitably qualified candidates to take part in a vocational and cultural exchange visit to the central area of South Africa later this year. A team of four young professional persons, accompanied by a senior Rotarian, will spend from the 27^th of October to the 23^rd of November on this visit to an area roughly the size of the entire United Kingdom, which includes most of the Eastern Cape, a small part of the Northern Cape, the entire Free State and part of the North West as well as the independent country of Lesotho. They will have the opportunity to meet organisations working in the profession of each team member in an organised programme of study, discussion and reciprocal exchange of ideas. There will also be opportunities to study the peoples, cultures and institutions in the country.

Rotarian Anthony Hatch of the Rotary Club of Ascot said “The Group Study Exchange scheme has been operated by Rotary Clubs for many years, and is often quoted as ‘the best management training that money CAN’T buy’. It gives huge personal development opportunity in the vocational fields of all participants.”

Previous visits organised by the Thames Valley Rotary Clubs include British Columbia (2008-9), Romania and the Republic of Moldova (2007-8) and Hong Kong (2006-7). In each case a similar “incoming team” from the overseas territory is welcomed to the Thames Valley to give those national candidates the same opportunities for study and personal development in the UK.

Team members must be potential up-and-coming leaders in their vocations and proven to be on their way on the managerial ladder. They are usually between 25 and 35 years of age and must work or live in the Thames Valley area. Anyone who is interested in applying for the 2009-10 exchange visit and lives or works in the Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale area should contact Anthony Hatch on 01344 299803. Others should contact their local Rotary Club (see the Thames Valley Rotary Clubs District Web Site on www.rotary1090.org to locate the nearest club). Interested applicants should initially contact a local Rotary Club by the end of March. Formal applications have to be submitted by 27^th April, with interviews and selection taking place on 16^th May. The visit is funded by the Rotary Clubs and there is no cost to either the team member or their employer.