About the Group Study Exchange Program
Calendar
District 5300 Team Leader_
Members of the Outgoing 2009 Team
Members of the GSE Committee_

Team Leader Application for 2010 Exchange with Brazil
Mail to:
Doug Fowler, DGN 2011-12
GSE Team Coordinator 2009-2010
18706 Kamana Rd
Apple Valley, CA 92307
Due: 6/30/09

About the Group Study Exchange Program

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women ages 25 to 40 in their initial years of professional life. Teams spend four to six weeks abroad participating in vocational activities in their respective fields, being immersed in cultural experiences, enjoying fellowship with host families and members of the community, and working with the host districts Rotarians at club meetings and various Rotary activities. The ideal team member candidate is someone who is a team player, outgoing, social, has a sense of responsibility, good ambassador, good communicator, loves their profession and is respectful.

Expenses. The Rotary Foundation pays the least-expensive commercial round-trip transportation between districts and up to US$1,000 for language training (self-study or at an eligible educational institution). Additional subsidies include:

1.      The host district provides the visiting teams meals, accommodations, and transportation during the study program.

2.      Team members pay for personal and incidental expenses; visa, passport, inoculation expenses, travel to / from airport and airport taxes; insurance coverage; and the cost of any additional travel after the study tour.

Chris Montan's - Top Ten Reasons to Apply for GSE Team Member
Hosting a GSE Team (PDF File)

Calendar

2008-2009 Group Study Exchange

The 2009 GSE trip will be an exchange with District 2430 in Turkey. As currently scheduled, our outbound team will travel to Turkey from May 5 - June 8, 2009. The inbound team from Turkey will be visiting District 5300 from April 29 - June 1, 2009.

District 5300 Team Leader

Douglas Fowler  Doug Fowler, a native of Southern California, has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Apple Valley since 1995.  In his tenure with the Rotary Club of Apple Valley, he has filled many leadership roles, including Club President in 2000-2001 and been named Rotarian of the Year in 2000 and 2004. Community service is Dougs priority.  Active in many community organizations since relocating to the High Desert, he is currently or previously served in leadership roles with The Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, The High Desert Handicap Services, The Inland Empire Risk Management Association, The High Desert Chapter of the Red Cross, The Inland Empire Small Business Development Corporation, and The Southern California Small Business Development Corporation. Doug began his banking career in San Diego County, California after graduating from San Diego State University.  Having a banking career spanning 14 years in the San Diego area, he accepted a banking position in the High Desert in 1989.   To further enhance his banking education he attended and graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School, (PCBS), The Premier National Graduate School of Banking located at the University of Washington in 2001.   Doug currently serves American Security Bank as a Senior Vice President and Manager of the new Spirit River Office in Apple Valley.  He currently lives in Apple Valley with his wife Deborah, an elementary school teacher and past President of The Rotary Club of Victor Valley, their daughter, Alisha, 19, currently attending UNLV and their son, Zachary, 20, currently attending UCLA.

Members of the Outgoing 2009 Team

Catina Negrete Apple Valley Daughter of an Air Force veteran, Catina has traveled a lot while growing up and even after landing in Apple Valley she knew she would like to continue a life of travel and learning.  Constant movement has, for the moment, given way to a position as Manager of the Department of Leadership and Development at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley where she has been instrumental in improving the educational opportunities for the Hospital and the community.  Her hope is to, one day, return to traveling, living and working abroad.

Olivia L. Segura Los Angeles A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Olivia worked at the United States Embassy in Mexico City on international education programs.  After her return to the U.S. she continued her education in New York to complete a Masters of Public Administration degree.  Olivia moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and is currently the Deputy Director of Redevelopment for the City of Lynwood.  Olivia now works on economic development and urban planning projects to improve the overall economic vitality and landscape of the city.  These projects include partnering with private developers to build commercial and housing developments, attracting and retaining businesses, creating jobs and removing blight from the community.

Liz Hernandez Los Angeles Liz grew up in East Los Angeles under the caring guidance of her parents who work in the ministry.  After living in Sacramento and Washington D.C. working on state and federal policy, Liz has settled as a counselor for the Los Angeles City College where she helps students plan their educational and career goals.  Liz also advises students in personal matters through the CARE program which aids students who are single parents.  Liz has worked closely with the State of California in developing effective education policy and has represented Latinos across the United States.

Leon Farmer Henderson Having begun his career in law enforcement between living in Arizona and Nevada, Leon has been able to develop many talents.  In 2002 Leon took his talents to the Henderson Police Department where he would take up the role of enforcing traffic law.  Formerly in the military reserves, Leon uses his many interests to be an entrepreneurial auto mechanic and property trader when his is not working for the city.  Leons experiences with the military have taken him to Italy, Germany and Mexico, as well as throughout the United States, but now he lives comfortably with his wife and two sons in Henderson, Nevada.

Pictures and Biographies

Members of the GSE Committee
Chris Montan, PDG, District 5300 Foundation Chairman, & Previous GSE Team Leader
Tom Novotny, District Governor
Roger Schulte, District Governor Elect
Doug Fowler, District Governor Nominee, Previous GSE Team Leader, & GSE District Chairman
Charlie Barr, PDG & Previous GSE Team Leader
Gene Hernandez, PDG & Previous GSE Team Leader
Roy York, PDG & Previous GSE Team Leader

 Last update, Friday, June 12, 2009

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