President Elect Margie Booyens was the speaker today. Margie is helping District 5360 enter a new portion of youth service with the New Generations Service Exchange program. The program is being led by noted Calgary Rotarian Christina Assan, and provides an opportunity for youth professionals, either during their post secondary education or their initial years as a professional, to experience a cultural and learning exchange.
The New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) program is a short term International Exchange program, the objective of which is to create goodwill and international understanding. In addition to vocational experience and cultural immersion there will be the opportunity to take part in international voluntary service opportunities.
Two youth adults have taken part already, one from Italy in engineering in Calgary and one from German who is a geologist and was in Drumheller, AB.
The program is very inexpensive for Rotary, the applicant is responsible for most costs and there is no youth certification required. It is intended to help build interest and appreciation for Rotary in the next generation of adults who could be Rotarians. Margie talked about opportunities and next steps and got several suggestions from the club.