Group Study Exchange to District 4680 Brazil
May 6 through June 3, 2007
The 2007 GSE Team Members
Kym Hemley, a Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland program officer, has been chosen to participate in a four-week Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Rio Grande, Brazil, sponsored by The Rotary Foundation and Northeast Ohio Rotary District 6630.
Stanley Socha is a charter member of the Brunswick Rotary Club and was club president for 2001-2002. Currently Stan is on the club board as International Director and serves as the RYE Chair. Stan also serves on the District Grants Committee and The District GSE Committee. Stan has participated in six NID's and is involved in several community organizations.
Samantha L. Stephens, sponsored by the Downtown Club, currently works as a Trade Compliance Specialist at Alcoa Wheel & Forged Products. Originally from Randolph, Ohio, Samantha graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College with a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science and will graduate in May with a MBA in International Management. Samantha serves as a member of the Associate Board of Shoes and Clothes for Kids as well as the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.
A Cleveland native, Melissa Williams is responsible for Commercial Development in the historic Buckeye-Woodland Hills community. As a graduate of the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University with a Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Design and Development, she has been trained by some of the nation's best to deal with the social and economic ills prevalent in many urban centers. Ms. Williams's career in Economic Development began with an internship at the Buckeye Area Development Corporation (BADC) in 2000 and from the onset, it was a perfect match. She rose through the ranks of the agency, first as the Special Events Coordinator before ultimately landing her current position as the Director of Business and Commercial Development. As the director she is responsible for the recruitment and retention of area businesses and also for the physical redevelopment along the Restore districts commercial corridor. Currently, Ms. Williams is the Director of the Seed Factory and is overseeing a comprehensive redevelopment of Buckeye Road including the Artisan Square live/work brownstone development and the future renovation of the Historic Moreland Theater.
Vanessa Brown is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of two Ohio Universities: Kent State University receiving a B.A. in Individual and Family Studies and Cleveland State University obtaining a M Ed. in Adult Learning and Development. Ms Brown works as a Social Worker for the Department of Children and Family Services. She has served in this capacity for the past 11 years working as an Investigator- investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect and as a Homestudy Assessor - licensing potential homes to become foster and adoptive parents. In her leisure time, Ms Brown enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and event planning/organizing.
Some facts about Brazil and District 4680: District 4680 is located in Rio Grande do Sol and includes 53 clubs with 1070 members.Rio Grande do Sol contains 10 million inhabitant; the capital city is Porto Alegre with 1.5 million.
Brazil Occupies 47% of South America with a population of 180 million 58% forests,22% pasture, 6% crops, 14% other The offical currency is the Real, approx 2.15 to the dollar Brazil has the 9th largest GNP in the world. The official language is Portugese. Most citizens speak this language,although others are in common use. Ethnic diversity is widespread with significant influence from German, Japanese, Italian, African and Lebanese immigrants. The capital is Brasilla, a Federal District similar to D.C.
