The outbound group will be selected on a “first come first accepted” basis with two provisos.    We will need at least two Island clubs (Victoria area and further north) and at least two Washington State clubs (again geographically spread) to give our visitors a real cross section of District 5020.  Hopefully, clubs that have NOT been involved with the last two Rotary Friendship Exchanges will become involved. 

Rotarians, PLEASE NOTE, that when you apply for the exchange you are guaranteeing that your Rotary Club will host the six couples of the inbound District 3060 group.  Please check with your club president and president elect before applying.  The Rotary Friendship Exchange group from District 3060 will visit District 5020 in May 2012.  They will be hosted for three night stays in five Rotary Clubs on Vancouver Island and Washington State. 

If you are interested in being part of this RFE, please send your name, email address, snail mail address, phone number and your Rotary Club name to Jeff Young [jeffrey.young5980@yahoo.ca] or phone (250) 748 3263.  Before applying please ensure that the proposed dates do not conflict your or your clubs activities.  The first outbound group meeting will be on Saturday October 22, 2011 most likely in Duncan, BC.  Please keep this date open!!!!

Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) has been described as Rotary’s “best kept secret”.  RFE allows Rotarians and their partners the opportunity to experience other cultures firsthand, by participating in reciprocal visits with Rotarians from other countries.  An RFE could also be set up between districts within a country or between clubs within a district.

District to district RFEs usually involve five to seven Rotary couples (or singles) for a period of 12 to 18 days.  Traveling Rotarians are responsible for their own travel, personal and sight seeing expenses.  The outbound team should also be prepared to present a program for their hosts high lighting their own clubs and District 5020.  The host clubs supply meals and accommodation for the visiting team, show them the cultural, historical and industrial aspects of their local region and transport the visitors between clubs within the district. 

Rotarians unable to travel on an RFE can participate by hosting international visitors when a member of their club is in the outbound group.  You would supply accommodations and meals for a couple for three days.  You could also participate in all the activities with the visiting team.

Information about proposed RFEs will be sent by the District RFE Chair to all club presidents and A/AGs for dissemination to all Rotarians in District 5020.  The outbound group is determined on a “first come first served” basis understanding that an effort will be made to have as many clubs involved as possible.