1993 Volume 116 No 1–4 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

Phis lead Rotary International
Group Study Exchange Teams
Above: Eighteen members of
Texas Epsilon's 1969 Phikeia
class met for a reunion at
Horseshoe Bay Resort outside
of Austin, Texas, over
Memorial Day weekend,
(back) R. King, K Perkins, J.
Little, M. Leaverton, T.
Mclntyre, R. Hurst, M.
Scarborough, B. Craig, T.
Fields, P. Swatzell; (front) R.
Black, D. Flesher, D. Schilap,
M. Hazelwood, M. Stnipp,
and P. Barney.
Two Phis had the rare opportunity of leading one of Rotary International's Group Study Exchange
Teams. Dr. Edward G.Whipple, Hanover '74, General Council president, led District 5390 (Montana)
to France this past spring. Robert J. Miller, New Mexico '50, Phi DeltaTheta Foundation
president, led District 6670 in southwestern Ohio to South Africa in the fall of 1992.
More than 435 of these exchanges occurred
this year between Rotary districts
world-wide. The program, totally funded by
the Rotary International Foundation, seeks to
improve international understanding and
good will.Teams examine the district's way of
life—economic, political, social, cultural, and
its history.
Teams are composed of up to six members.The
team leader is a Rotarian from the
district.The other members are non-
Rotarians, between the ages of 25 - 35,
representing an array of professional occupations.
The program is varied, visiting different
towns and cities.Team members live in
Rotarians' homes assimilating into the host
district's life, exchanging ideas, and establishing
lasting relationships.
Dr.Whipple's team traveled to France's
Normandy- Picardy region April 12 - May 27.
The French team had visited Montana the
previous year.The team was composed of an
attorney, social worker, graphic artist, and
nurse.The team stayed in nine different cities
and came in contact with 24 French Rotary
clubs.
Cities included Rouen, Dieppe, Fecamp,
Deauville, Bayeux, Cherbourg, Avranches,
Caen, and Alencon.The team visited numerous
historical sites. As Normandy was the
site of the D-Day invasion, time was spent at
Arromanches and Omaha Beach. The famous
Mont St. Michel was also a high point Dr.
Above: Team
member Drew
Hildebrand and
Scott Miller, a
Miami U.
graduate in charge
of water park
installation at
Lost City,
Bophuthatswana,
with Bob Miller;
right: Dr Whipple
next to a World
War II bomb still
lodged in the Notre
Dame Cathedral
Whipple spent much time at various educational institutions and had the opportunity to teach for
a day at the Universite de Caen, where he had studied as an undergraduate.The team visited such
sites as a nuclear power plant, the Renault automobile factory, and the Haras National du Pin, the
internationally famous French horse racing breeding farm.
Brother Miller's team visited 18 Rotary Clubs in South Africa. In addition, the team toured
three mines, attended three civic receptions, went to four universities, and went on safari in
Kruger National Park.They also watched a production of "A Chorus Line" and toured Sun City
and Lost Cities. Aside from signs of increased security in Johannesburg, the team saw little evidence
of violence or political turmoil. Team members learned that many of their hosts were
against aparteid and were prepared for black African rule. Midway through the visit, Brother
Miller's team met with the South African Exchange Team before its departure to Cincinnati.
As a follow up to the Group Study Exchange, team members will be speaking throughout the
year to Rotary clubs about their experiences. •
FaU 1993 187