NORTHEAST LINK

Welcome to NORTHEAST LINK

WELCOME TO NORTHEAST LINK – now offering 2 different orientations:

  1. NORTHEAST LINK in the fall, for Inbound and outbound Ambassadorial Scholars, University Teachers and World Peace Fellows. Registration for the September 26-27, 2008 orientation in Worcester is now open.

  2. NORTHEAST LINK II in the winter, for Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team Leaders and Team Members, and Outbound Ambassadorial Scholars. The 2009 orientation will be held on January 17, 2009 at the Boxborough Holiday Inn in Boxborough, MA.

NORTHEAST LINK II is a new orientation designed to help Group Study Exchange Team Leaders and Team Members prepare for their month long vocational and cultural experience in a foreign country.  Diplomacy, and the challenges and opportunities of spending an extended amount of time abroad, will be emphasized.  This important focus applies directly to our American Ambassadorial Scholars who will be spending 3-9 months living in a very different environment in their host country.

In February, many GSE participants will be preparing for their departure in the spring.  Outbound Ambassadorial Scholars will know the country and university to which they have been assigned by the Scholarships Office of The Rotary Foundation, more questions may have surfaced, and they will have an opportunity to reconnect with other Scholars, and former Scholars, whom they met at the NORTHEAST LINK orientation in the fall.

For both orientations, the goal is to “link” scholarship and grant recipients with Rotarians, to promote deeper understanding and greater effectiveness of the Educational Programs of The Rotary Foundation.  All participants, including Rotarians, district leaders, and current and former awardees (Ambassadorial Scholars, GSE Team Leaders and Members, University Teachers, and World Peace Fellows), have specific roles and responsibilities.

There are extraordinary opportunities and some real challenges which go along with involvement in these programs.  During NORTHEAST LINK, in the fall session (mostly “Scholars”) or in the winter orientation (mostly “GSE”), presentations, skits, breakout sessions, games and discussions are intended to promote maximum effectiveness of participation:

 

For Scholars or GSE participants:

  • Learning about Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation
  • Building a lifelong relationship with Rotary
  • Sharing and learning about cultural differences
  • To be an “Ambassador of Goodwill”—for country and Rotary

For Rotarians :

  • Supporting Scholars and GSE Team Members in their preparation and the fulfillment of their responsibilities
  • Welcoming Scholars and GSE Team Members into the “Family of Rotary,” through Rotary club activities, friendship, and continuing involvement

For District Leaders :

  • Promoting the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program and its potential for preparing future community and world leaders
  • Promoting the Group Study Exchange Program for its potential to promote world peace, generate vocational knowledge sharing, develop friendships, and foster understanding across cultures
  • Including Scholars and GSE Team Members in district events, and developing financial support for their participation

Foundation Alumni (former Scholars and former GSE participants) are critical for the effectiveness of both orientations.  They play a key role as they share their personal experience and strengthen their bond with Rotary.

On behalf of the dedicated NORTHEAST LINK Planning Committee, I wish you joy, insight, commitment, inspiration and laughter for the educational adventure ahead!  Have fun, and make new friendships at NORTHEAST LINK, in the fall or in the winter!  Through Rotary, may we all, together, strive to build a better and more peaceful world.

Yours in Rotary service,

Karen

PDG Karen Swaim Babin

NORTHEAST LINK, Chair