Programs & Projects
Five young South Korean business leaders along with their escort (photo left) sang their national athem during Peekskill Rotary's Centenial Dinner Dance on April 22. They were visiting the U.S. under Rotary's Group Study Exchange Program. |
Rotary’s Group Study Exchange (GSE), a program of the Rotary International Foundation, is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women during their initial years of professional life. Participants range in age from 25 to 40 and have been employed in a recognized profession for at least three years.
GSE teams spend four to six weeks participating in vocational activities within their respective fields. They become immersed in cultural experiences through the sites and histories of the host district, enjoy fellowship with host families and members of the community, and work with Rotarians at club meetings and various Rotary activities.
From April 10 to May 9 this year, Rotary District 7230 and the Rotary Club of Peekskill hosted six young business professionals from South Korea. The group, escorted by South Korean Jinhyun Rho (a realtor) consisted of Sukyung Kim (city public affairs officer), Kyunghee Ma (office administrator), Myoungsoo Che (teacher), Jaejin Chung (financial analyst) and Sungchul Kim (architect).
Among highlights of the Group Study were visits to New York University and the Columbia School of Social Work; the United Nations; the South Street Seaport; Korea Town, Little Italy and the Empire State Building. Also included were visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Military Academy at West Point.
They also traveled to Bermuda to visit other Rotary clubs in the district. And the Peekskill club hosted tem at the club’s Centennial Dinner Dance on Apr. 22 celebrating Rotary’s 100 th anniversary.
Peekskill Rotarians who provided housing for members of the GSE team were: Matt Carlone, who organized the local schedule; Mark Ioset, Pete Goodale, Mike Marx, Don Plunkett, Tina Romeo and Roger Swanson.
The Rotary Foundation provides round-trip airfare and local Rotarians in the host country provide meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Other recent exchanges with District 7230 have been with corresponding Rotary Clubs in Australia (1997), England (1999), Denmark (2000), Brazil (2002) and South Africa (2003).
This unique study exchange is a once in a lifetime chance to develop international professional and personal contacts. For further information contact Matt Carlone of the Rotary Club of Peekskill at (914) 737-0848.
"Toni", Ginny Goodale and "Sue" |
In the May 2005 issue of The Food Source, Michal Winter, agency relations coordinator of Food-PATCH of Westchester, reported on two Peekskill Rotary programs benefiting the local community. Food-PATCH provides food and support to member anti-hunger programs and agencies throughout Westchester County.
Ginny Goodale at Holy Spirit Food Pantry had some volunteers this month that traveled far and wide to help. At a recent visit to the Holy Spirit Food Pantry I was delighted to meet two visiting Rotarians from Korea. Ginny’s husband Pete, a Peekskill Rotarian, is helping to show "Toni" and "Sue" (their American names) different business practices in the United States. What better way to illustrate the American generosity and caring, than to show them how we assist those in need? (Peekskill Rotary this year supported this food program for local residents.)
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