Your Foundation Dollars at Work
Members of the Group Study Exchange Share Experiences from Taiwan
By Jerri Haigler
           
"Multi-lingual…democratic…peaceful…prosperous…safe…beautiful" - These were words three members of the Group Study Exchange (GSE) used to describe Taiwan in their presentation to the Charlotte Rotary Club this week. The GSE Team from Rotary District 7680 included five representatives made up of professionals representing a variety of backgrounds. They proudly served as ambassadors from our district visiting Taiwan in April and May. Through their presentation on Tuesday, three of the team members conveyed how life changing the experience was and how our Rotary Foundation dollars are being put to good use through this program.
 
Joni Stanley served as the 2008 GSE Team Leader and shared some of her experiences and reflections from the visit. A member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Mecklenburg County-South, Joni is a passionate advocate and supporter of Rotary's humanitarian and peace projects. She began the presentation by thanking the group for their direct and indirect support of the trip to Taiwan. In addition to Joni, Jennifer Pearsall, Director of the English as a Second Language program in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Charlotte Rotary Club nominee for the GSE program, as well as Lena Warmack, journalist/reporter and Rotary Club of Mooresville Top of the Lake nominee, reported on the trip. The team shared a little history of Taiwan and the Japanese influence from 1895-1945 when Japan occupied Taiwan. In the 1960's, Taiwan became independent from China and today still continues to seek a peaceful balance.
 
Religion and education were noted as two of the top priorities for the people of Taiwan. The team noted that religion was imbedded in the lives and culture of Taiwan. Referred to as the "life of happiness and slow," the people of Taiwan concentrate on taking time for reflection and are committed to their religion, which is primarily Buddhist. During their trip, the team visited several schools in Taiwan including Yong-An Elementary and Taipei First Girls High School. The children of Taiwan take great pride in their education and in their school facility. As a result, they are involved in cleaning the school building and are required to wear slippers while in the building. Every inch of space in their building is used for some type of education experience - from planetariums to racquetball courts in the open area forum. At the high school level, the Taipei First Girls High School was known for its competitive entry criteria, which is similar to our college application process in the U.S.
 
The team commented on the well trained workforce in Taiwan and the "human resources" available. Instead of natural resources, Taiwan "exports know how." Taiwan is also known as a 24 hour city with something to do every hour of the day and every day of the week. While in Taiwan, the group stayed with seven host families and truly had the opportunity to experience the beauty of the area and the friendliness of its people. According to the team, Rotary in Taiwan is "alive and well." Rotary clubs in Taiwan are busy internationally and have been involved in several projects including purchasing special wheelchairs for handicapped children.
 
When asked about the differences between the people of Taiwan and Americans, the team shared there are more similarities than differences. "They are hard working people, who love their families, have strong values, and are very spiritual," commented Joni.
 
The group ended their presentation by sharing several flags with President Mac and thanking the group for their support. For more information on the GSE Team and to view some great photos, go to their blog at http://TaipeiTeam.blogspot.com Joni encouraged anyone interested in being part of the GSE Team in March 2009 to get their applications in early.
  
 
Head Table: Bill Stegelmeyer, Ed Lewis, Mac McCarley, Carol Jordan, Neil Burkhead;
Invocation: Ken Samuelson;
Visitors & Guests: Bill Allen; Health & Happiness: Tony Zeiss; Song: Matt Ryan; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Bill Barnhardt introduced James Tolliver on Tuesday. James was a member of the Dunwoody Rotary Club in Atlanta and has recently relocated to Charlotte to serve as Director of Development at Queens University of Charlotte. Contact James at tolliverj@queens.edu.
 
• Bill Allen is the latest new member to complete the Red Badge Club program and has been presented with his "clear" membership badge; Alan Adler reported the final donation from Hood-Hargett Breakfast Club for the Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic - $23,000! Auction items (valued at $100 and up) are needed, as well as goody bag items. Items may be dropped off at the Rotary office.
 
• Luther Moore reported the club will have 2 inbound exchange students this year. Luciano Quintanilla is from Chile and will be enrolled at Myers Park High School. John and Lee Tabor are serving as Luciano's host family for three months. Carolina (Carol) Santos Antunes arrives from Brazil on Wednesday and will attend Charlotte Country Day. If you are able to serve as a host family in the November/December time frame, contact Luther (704-426-8403). Social outings (game tickets, dinner, etc.) are appreciated for these two as well.

• Tyler II Construction (Katie Tyler) was selected as a finalist for the 2008 Nine Who Care Awards by WSOC-TV; Thomas Moore will lead the 11th annual Hymn Sing at 6:30 Sunday, August 24th (MP United Methodist Church); Janet Fortner celebrated 25 years as President and CEO of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region; Charlotte Law School (Gene Clark) has moved into their new location at 2145 Suttle Avenue (28208)

• Condolences are expressed to the family of Edward L. (Jim) Horton, who passed away on August 15, 2008. Jim was a member of the club for forty-four years and was a dominant figure in the club's WW II Oral History project. A memorial from the club will be sent in Jim's honor.
     
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 
• Volunteers Needed: 1 for the AV committee; 3 for Sergeant-At-Arms. The AV committee is responsible for set up/take down of the AV equipment. Bob Brietz (704-953-9858) chairs the committee and will be glad to give you the crash course on how to accomplish this task. Jesse Hite (704-375-2438) needs 3 volunteers to man the visitor check-in desk.
  
• Participants for the Peru 2009 trip and needed. At this point, only 2 have confirmed and a total of 10 are needed (by September 1st). If you have questions about any part of the trip, contact Paul Schmidt (704-506-1133). Again, the approximate cost is $2500 per person and the dates are February 6-15, 2009. Newsletters detailing all that's happening in Peru are posted on our website (Peru Report).
   
        DATE February 6 to February 15, 2009      COST Approximately $2500 per person

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 8/25/2008.