by Emily Francona
On August 7, District 5110 Governor Mike Fischnaller formally inducted two new Rotarians into the Port Orford club - Matt Hall and former GSE team member Melissa Weinblatt.
Melissa was sponsored for membership by GSE team leader Emily Francona.
by Emily Francona
On August 1, GSE team leader Emily Francona and GSE team member - and new Port Orford Rotarian - Melissa Weinblatt presented a slide show and trip report to the Rotary Club of Bandon. Melissa has spent a lot of time working in Bandon and is well-known to the members of the club.
 Melissa with Club President Jim Wathen
Melissa explained the GSE program and her experiences in Argentina, including how their clubs differ from ours, and the difference in how women are treated in the various vocations. Of course, Melissa is best known for "the tractor story."
by Emily Francona
 On July 17, GSE team leader Emily Francona and GSE team member Melissa Weinblatt presented a slide show and trip report to the Rotary Club of Port Orford. The Port Orford club is the home club of the team leader and was the sponsoring club for Port Orford resident Melissa.
Melissa explained her portions of the vocational exchange and the opportunities afforded her through this program paid for by The Rotary Foundation (TRF) - all those contributions we make over the years. Although they had fun and did get to visit some tourist sites - including the world-famous Iguazu Falls - this was not a vacation. Long days and numerous evening Rotary meetings - see photo above....
 Melissa's experiences were humorous and moving - everyone favorite is "the tractor story."
For the Port Orford club, it was money well spent - meet the newest (and youngest) Port Orford Rotarian - Melissa Weinblatt.
by Emily Francona
 Emily Francona, 2008 District 5110 GSE Team Leader extends best wishes and congratulations to her new friends in District 4790 on the occasion of Argentina's Independence Day.
The Argentine flag presented to her by District 4790 GSE Team Leader Osvaldo Gonzalez flew at Emily's house on July 9.
by Emily Francona
This appeared in the Letters section of the July 2008 issue of The Rotarian magazine.
Keep on bloggin'
As 2008 Groups Study Exchange team leader for District 5110, I was pleased to read a letter in the March issue advocating that teams keep blogs to inform more Rotarians about programs funded by their generous contributions. Readers may wish to track the adventures of two teams exchanging between District 5110 in Oregon, USA and District 4790 in northern Argentina, at www.district5110gse2008.org and igeoregon2008.blogspot.com.
Emily Francona
Port Orford, Ore., USA
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