International Service Committee

GSE Team Leader Jim Hunt is in India, his blog is at www.intoindia.wordpress.com.

The area of International Service focuses on activities that encourage enhancing
goodwill and international understanding. This is achieved through a variety of
activities initiated at the Club or District level. One area this committee
concentrates on is international projects where White Bear Lake Rotary teams up with
an international Rotary Club, primarily in developing countries, where there is a
need (examples might include clean water, limb restoration in war-torn areas,
sustainable agricultural projects, or projects that enhance the lives of children)
to financially sponsor and see a project to completion. The Rotary International
Foundation provides “matching grants” to financially help develop these projects.

Another major area of emphasis for International Service is in the area of cultural
exchange. This comes primarily through the Youth Exchange program where the Club is
host to one or more exchange students to provide them an understanding of our
culture and way of life, and in return, we learn about their lives and world views
as well. Other Rotary exchanges that expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the
globe include the Group Study Exchange (GSE), Ambassadorial Scholars, and Friendship
Exchanges.

Photos from a well project in India