GSE Team Leader and Member Applications

Click here for various GSE Team forms.

Itinerary for Incoming GSE Team-2008

2008 Incoming GSE Team Host Bid Sheet

Fill out this form if your club would like to host the Incoming GSE Team from District 1610, The Netherlands. Visit dates are April 5 through May 3. See the form below for additional contact info and guidelines.

Bios on 2008 Incoming GSE Team from The Netherlands

District 6840 GSE Bulletin for 2008 Exchange

GSE Information and Forms

See the Programs page on this Website for various forms and info related to the GSE program.

2007 Visiting GSE Team

The GSE Team from District 2040 (Milan-Lake Como, Italy) will be visiting our District from May 1-29, 2007. See the bios and photos below on the District 2040 Team.

Pinuccia Paraboni, Team Leader

After completing her Masters degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University and a brief stint with the Center for Neuropsychology with the Policlinico of Milan, she began her career in Marketing with Kraft General Foods. In her ten years with Kraft she became head of Consumer Relations and Trade and Consumer Promotion. In 1986 she joined Mondadori as Promotions Director for the periodicals area and, later, became Communications Director for Prime, one of Italy's premier investment funds and life insurance companies. In 1992 she accepted the appointment to Director of Integrated Communication for the advertising agency Leo Burnett where she developed significant experience with clients like Kellogg, Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble, and United Airlines. Since 1998 she has been working in Ketchum as Associate Director and afterwards CEO. Today she is Vice President with the responsibility of the professional output of the agency. HOBBIES Pinuccia likes reading, travelling and recently Latin American dancing. WISH LIST Pinuccia will gladly join with some of the team members for their vocational visits.

Maria Vittoria Ceresoli

Maria Vittoria works in Filmmaster, a production company of commercials. Her favorite assignment is in advertising. She likes very much this job because she thinks there are always such many things she could learn! Her school education has been very diversified: she took a degree in ancient literature, taught Latin and ancient Greek at various high schools for some years but then she changed and started working in advertising production after a Master in Brand Communication. She was born in Desio in December 1978, a town in the outskirts of Milan but a few years ago she moved and now she lives in Milan with two roommates. HOBBIES She like travelling, reading and watching movies. WISH LIST (For her vocational in New Orleans) Digimation,Inc. 100 James Dr., Ste 150 St. Rose, LA 70087-4052 Essential Images, LLC 1706 Loumor Ave. Metairie, LA 70001 Highwire Ad/Design, LLC 757 St. Charles Ave. N.O., LA 70130 PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. 7257 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Graham Group Baton Rouge 11505 Perkins Rd., Bldg 3, Ste G Baton Rouge, LA 70810 **Plus other Ad Agencies, MediaProducers, Imaging etc. in New Orleans and surroundings.

Silvia Pasquinelli

Silvia studied law at the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan. She got her degree whith an essay on the History of Roman Right and was very lucky to find employment the same day she got her Degree. Since that day she has worked in a legal office. She completed her compulsory legal practic two years ago, and now she is specialized in criminal law, assisting her clients also in prison, writing legal acts and appearing in the Court of Milan. Her office is in the heart of Milan in a very prestigious and historical road, which took its name by the famous ancient Italian poet, Dante Alighieri. Everyday she starts work early in the morning and finishes late in the evening, (usually she eats her meal at the office) so she hasn’t a lot of leisure time. On the weekends she practices her favorite hobbies: she likes animals in general and everything concerning nature. In particular she loves dogs; for several years she attended courses of handling and basic obedience; now she is a handler. She loves sports too, and when it is possible, she goes skiing; she is a ski race referee. VOCATION The opportunity to visit an Anglo-Saxon Country and to meet with a foregin professional environment, offers the chance to compare two different legal systems: the common law and the civil law systems. Fist of all, it allows me to improve the tecnical knowledge and to reach a 360 degree vision. But this opportunity doesn't finish on the professional profile, it continues on the personal one. This is the reason why I expect to grow up as a lawyer but expecially as a person. WISH LIST 1. Trial 2. Legal office 3. Alligators 4. Jazz

Marco Trozzi

Marco Trozzi, is the third of four male brothers, born in Sicily 33 years ago. This beautiful island was the place where he grew up and studied until he was 16. In 1990, Marco moved to Rome and there he finished his studies in a language high school. His job experience started in 1992, joining the main national police force “Polizia di Stato” becoming an Agent. During his job, Marco served in Rome as a mounted police officer. In 1995 he left Rome to go to Bologna where he patrolled for “113” (Italian emergency number like American “911”). In 1996 he returned to Rome to serve as a “N.O.C.S.” Special Agent (Italian Police antiterrorism S.W.A.T. and Hostage Rescue Team). Now is working in Milan and in Pescara as Police helicopter pilot. His work in the national police is also his great passion that he shares with his family, except the youngest brother, Daniele, who is attending the Military Naval Academy in Livorno. His father, Domenico, with the rank of General is the head of the Polizia di Stato Air Service and is also an helicopter Pilot. Donato, the oldest brother is a Police helicopter pilot since he was 21. The second brother, Francesco, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel is an investigator on duty in Rome for the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police and in 2005 he successfully graduated after attending the 221st FBI National Academy course in Quantico -Virginia. The United States is a friendly place for tha Trozzi family, in fact, also Daniele in the same year (2005) graduated in Eugene – Oregon, after having attended a whole year in an high school, joining an International Exchange Study Program, while Domenico in 1981 and in 1982 took part in the New York City Marathon. Even if all members of the family are not pilots they skydive together to share in a different way the same passion for flight. Just his mather, Rita, prefers to stay always with her feet on the ground. HOBBIES In his spare time, Marco, studies Sociology sciences at Chieti University. He plays tennis, practices swimming and running. He loves travelling around the world and particularly, he visited in the past years, United States (Miami, Washington D.C., Portland and New York). He would like to come back to the United States to live there for a long period and he’s very proud to have the opportunity to represent Italy in this Group Study Exchange. This program is a way to enrich his cultural experiences with American people and blend with them the great past (Europe) and the great future (America).. WISH LIST 1. Navy Air Base & Helicopter Base 2. Army Aiur Base &Helicopter Base 3. Cost Guard Air Base & Helicopter Base 4. Marines Base 5. Louisiana State police 6. American Football Match 7. Helicopter Factory

Francesca Trucco

27 years old the 3rd of May She lives in Legnano, a small city near Milano, with her family (mum, daddy and granny) and her lovely dog, Daisy, a two year old beagle. She earned a degree in Science and Communication Technologies at IULM (University Institute of Modern Languages) in 2002 and then she attended a Master in Audio - Video Production in 2003 at Catholic University of Milan. Since April 2004 she has been working in a company that organizes educational courses for other companies, students, graduates, etc., with the purpose to reach different aims, such as: Vocational guidance after high school/degree; Teaching a work very requested in the territory; Professional re-qualification for workers; Continuous education; and Adaptation to new laws (for example inheriting security, privacy, etc). She personally follows the different kind of courses from the beginning (writing the project) to the end (administrative closure). HOBBIES During her spare time she practices different hobbies: She loves playing with her dog; She loves horse riding; She likes guiding groups of foreign students visiting Italy/on study exchange. She had the opportunity to follow a group of American students coming from Miami last year and now she is going to host them for a week in March, with a group of Italian students; And last, but not least, she loves travelling all around the world, meeting people, knowing different behaviors and way of living to enlarge her horizons to the world. WISH LIST Place to visit Audubon Zoo Backstreet cultural museum Oyden Museum of Southern art New Orleans museum of art House of blues Vodoo museum For her vocational day LTV- A news TV of the State of Louisiana Web: www.ltv.com 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116 ABC 26- Local news, whether, sport Web: www.abc26.trb.com FOX 8- Notizie, sport e previsioni del tempo Web: www.fox8live.com PRESS CLUB: A group of journalists, trainees in the field of journalism and PR professionals whose aim is to form and empower the skill of those working in such ategories NOTMC: A team of journalists who help to write, shoot movies, etc covering the reconstruction process of New Orleans

2007 District 6840 GSE Team

Sharron Newton, Team Leader

I am Sharron Newton, GSE Team leader and a member of the Slidell Northshore Rotary Club. My classification is nursing. Presently, most of my nursing experience concentrates on volunteer work with Rotaplast International, a program performing surgery on children with cleft lip or cleft palates in South American and Asian countries, sponsored through Rotary Clubs. I only recently moved to Slidell, Louisiana, with my husband Bill, after living many places in the United States. We have a 27 year old son, Jim. The past 15 years I was living in the San Francisco Area. I think the GSE Program offers great opportunities to young professionals, and feel honored to be selected to be a part of this team. My grandparents were immigrants to the USA from Antrodoco, Italy (a small village north of Rome). I look forward to experiencing the culture and energy of Italy.

Leslie Burge, Team Member

My name is Leslie Burge and I live in Gulfport, Mississippi. While I grew up in Gulfport, I attended college in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at the University of Southern Mississippi where I received my bachelor and masters degrees in history and education. I currently work in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi as a junior high history teacher at Our Lady Academy, the only all-girl school in Mississippi. I teach ancient world history, early US history and geography and so I am looking forward to incorporating the long and rich history of Italy in my classes. Working with students is sometimes a challenge, however, I enjoy the interaction with students and I am always encouraged by their questions which creates a fun working environment. I am excited about the opportunity to serve and learn as a part of the group study exchange program in Italy so that I may share this world experience with my students and enhance my teaching abilities. As a part of this experience, I would enjoy visiting various educational institutions including secondary schools and colleges as well as visiting the Santa Maria delle Grazie to view The Last Supper.

Heather Herrin, Team Member

Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, I, Heather Herring, aspired to live up to the hospitality and creativity that surrounded me. Art was always a large part of my life and I sought out opportunities to create. I majored in psychology and art at Mississippi College and went on to receive my Masters Degree in Art Therapy from VT College of Norwich University. As an art therapist, I allow others the opportunity to create and learn to use art as a tool for learning and self expression. Today, I use my skills to help educate others to build “Healthy Lifestyles” in children by giving them the opportunity to build self-esteem, learn positive coping and decision-making skills, as well as, teach health education and exercise. I have channeled most of my own creativity into designing and creating jewelry. I love being able to create something that others can use and enjoy. Another one of my favorite things is “bargain shopping.” Nothing beats a good deal! Outside of work and hobbies, I find comfort in spending time with my family.

Jamie Jackson, Team Member

My name is Jamie Jackson. I am 28 and have been coaching football and baseball and teaching math for six years at North Pike High School. I come from a large family and enjoy spending lots of time with all of them. When I’m not teaching I enjoy exercise, reading and learning new things. I have basic knowledge of the guitar, piano and harmonica. I have had the opportunity to travel to France, Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and Belize. I have my masters but plan on furthering my education in administration or counseling. I plan on retiring at 47 and traveling.

Rebecca Ott, Team Member

Rebecca Otte works as an environmental planner at the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes in southeast Louisiana. Her responsibilities include overseeing the Brownfield Redevelopment Program and Lake Pontchartrain Restoration Program projects. Rebecca holds a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans, with an emphasis in historic preservation. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa, in the water and sanitation division. In her spare time, Rebecca volunteers at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, and enjoys taking advantage of the many cultural and artistic activities available in the New Orleans region. She especially enjoys spending time at City Park, listening to live music, and traveling to new places.

Sonja Jean Robertson, Team Member

Hi, My name is Sonja Jean Robertson and I live in Gautier, Mississippi. I am the daughter of the late Enoch and Johnnie Robertson. I am the youngest of six children. I have been an educator for 15 years. I taught junior high school social studies in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for 9 years. I have served as an administrator for 6 years, three years as assistant principal at Laurel High School in Laurel, Mississippi and 3 years as principal in Moss Point, Mississippi at Magnolia Jr. High School and currently at Charlotte Hyatt Elementary School. I am working toward my PhD. in Educational Leadership and Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi. My international travel includes being an Earthwatch Fellow to Zimbabwe, Africa and a brief visit to London. In Zimbabwe, I worked with 16-20 other volunteers on a Maternal Health Project with mothers in the Berejena Village. I enjoy working out, family gatherings and watching romance movies. While in Milano, I would like to visit a primary, elementary, secondary and post-secondary institution. I would also like to visit Duomo, Castello SForzesco, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and an Opera House.

General Information

Through the GSE program, teams of young professionals from two different countries exchange visits. For four to six weeks, team members experience the way of life, customs and vocational practices of another country, while sharing information about their home country. The purpose of the Group Study Exchange program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through personal connection. While abroad, team members stay in Rotarians’ homes and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country. Rotary pays for round-trip airfare, and Rotary club members in the host country provide meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Team members pay for personal and incidental expenses. Young adults between the ages of 25 and 40 who are interested in applying should be employed full-time in a business or profession. Applicants must live or be employed within the boundaries of Rotary District 6840 (southeast Louisiana and south and central Mississippi). For more general information and a copy of the application, visit the Forms page at www.rotary6840.org. Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in some 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 165 countries. The person chosen as Team Leader traditionally serves as the Incoming GSE Team Chairperson the following year. In this role, the chairperson schedules the itenary of the incoming team. The Team Leader and Team Members are obligated to make presentations to District 6840 clubs upon their return and to make a presentation at the District 6840 Conference.

2006 Outgoing GSE Team

Team Leader: Merlin Duke, Bogalusa,LA Team Members: Jenn Erderly, Baton Rouge, LA Justin Reuther, New Orleans, LA Nicole Williams, Marrero, LA Daisha Walker, Perkinston, MS

Merlin Duke, Team Leader Merlin Pommier (Appletree) Duke: I am from Bogalusa, Louisiana, and proud to represent our wonderful Rotary Club, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. I am the director of a federally-funded program called Prevention-Connection. Our purpose is to educate school children about the harmful affects of illegal substances, the pitfalls of teen pregnancy and the advantages of proper exercise and diet. I am a retired school speech pathologist and a retired corrections classification officer. This year I am chairman of my Methodist church’s centennial anniversary celebration, of my parish’s political party, of the heart surgery survivors’ club, and the parish’s coalition of community services agencies. I am most proud of having been named as the citizen-of-the-year of my community in 1974. Thirty years ago, in 1976, I was a Group Study Exchange team member from Louisiana/Mississippi district 6840 to India. My wife, Eleanor, is a retired school teacher and serves as a member of the local school board. I have two grown sons: David, a bachelor and attorney, and Damon, a TV commercials videographer and married to Nikki Stewart.

Team Members JENN ERDELY Hi! My name is Jennifer Erdely. I am 27 years old and live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I’ve work for the Shaw Group in Human Resources for the past two years. I work in the division of retirement plans and medical plan administration. Before that I worked on recruiting employees in Salt Lake City. I have a masters’ degree in Communication from the University of South Florida in Tampa. While pursuing my studies from 2002-2005, I taught beginning Speech class to university students. While living there I also worked with retirement plan administration. I maintained 401 (k)’s, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), brokerage accounts, and mutual fund accounts. My dad, Ben, is a ship parts salesman and my mom, Connie, is an elementary school counselor. They live in New Orleans while my sister, Laura, 24, is an architect in Tampa, Florida. I also have two dogs, Bud and Zeke, both Boston Terriers. I enjoy exercising, playing tennis, learning about different cultures, learning languages (Italian and French) but my passion for life lies in traveling. Besides visiting 32 states in America, I have traveled to 11 countries. What I love most about Europe is, first, France, of course, and second, its proximity to the world. I look forward to the opportunity to improve my French and to get to know new people JUSTIN REUTHER Bonjour, my name is Justin Reuther. I was born in New Orleans and reared in San Francisco. After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I decided to return to New Orleans to be closer to family and friends. Since returning, I have primarily worked within the hospitality industry on various levels and currently hold the position of reservations supervisor for the Renaissance Arts Hotel. Before that I worked as a New Orleans police officer. Some of my family roots have ties to France. My great grandmother emigrated from France to Louisiana in the late 1890’s. Once in New Orleans, she married a German immigrant and opened a flower ship in the lower Ninth Ward which remained a family business until 1990. I enjoy playing music and have played at various music venues around New Orleans. My music primarily leans toward the singer/songwriter genre. My other passion is painting. I was supposed to have my first solo gallery show the week after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf region. Needless to say, the opening was cancelled. Fortunately, none of my art was destroyed during the floods. My other loves are meeting new people, motorcycles, reading, traveling, and eating. NICOLE M. WILLIAMS I am 25 years old and a public school teacher. I am the youngest child of Claudia W. Huling and we live in Marrero, La. I have dedicated myself to improving the education opportunities of students from my hometown. I attended Loyola University of New Orleans, where I obtained my bachelor of arts in History. I served as Arts and Sciences President of my university and as the Programming Committee Chair of the Nu Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. At present, I teach at Lily White Ruppel Elementary School, a small but effective public school in Marrero, La. I work with students diagnosed with emotion disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity or Bipolar Disorders. In my spare time, I like to read, knit and sew. I love to work with different textiles and wish to learn textile making techniques from the seven continents in order that my art would have “worldly authenticity”. I’m also interested in capoeira ( a Brazilian martial art and dance form). DAISHA L. WALKER I am in my 11th year as a speech and theatre instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at the Perkinston, Mississippi campus. Before that, I worked for a year at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, and the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesbrug. I am very much active in my professional organizations, church’s activities and community and civic affairs.

2006 GSE Team Itenerary in France

2006 Incoming GSE Team

The GSE Team from France will arrive on May 8 and depart on June 3. They will make a presentation at District Conference on May 20. Biographies on each team member are provided below. Two of the team members are sisters. Their professions include a high school physical education teacher, engineer, physiotherapist, dietician and manager with a healthcare company. But as the bios show, there is much more to these visitors than their careers. The biographies are most informative and very interesting with photographs of the team members, their families and other points of interest. Check it out, especially if your club is hosting the GSE Team.

Itinerary for 2006 GSE Team while visiting District 6840

District 1720 Itinerary

Biographies on 2006 Team Leader and Team Members from District 1720

Alan Birer, Team Leader

Remi Christin

Isabelle Marchand

Virginie Marchand

Fred Bilde

This bio may take a few minutes to download.

Banner photo courtesy of Rotary International