Our District was very fortunate to receive the support and interest of four excellent, committed Rotarians, who were willing to undertake the responsibility of serving our District as GSE Team Leader. Our task was to select one GSE Team Leader, as well as one alternate GSE Team Leader from the 4 qualified candidates.  We are pleased to announce that the following Rotarians have accepted to serve our District as GSE Team Leader and Alternate for the upcoming exchange with Hong Kong District 3450:

 
 (1) As GSE Team Leader: Frank Burton Dibble, M.D.
     Burt, as he is called, is a member of the Rotary Club of Exeter. He has been a Rotarian for 5 years and has served as his Club's Sargeant At Arms, Fundraising Chair, and is a member of the Club's Executive Committee and Community Service Committee.
     Burt worked as a family medicine practitioner for over 30 years. He is currently an Urgent Care Clinic Physician with the U.S. Veteran's Administration.Burt has served as President of the New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicians, as a Member of the Board of Trustees of
     the New Hampshire Hospital Association and as Chair of the Medical Records Committee and Credentials Committee at Exeter Hospital. He is delighted to have been selected as GSE Team Leader and looks forward to representing our District and preparing the team for the
     exchange with Hong Kong.
 

(2) As GSE Team Leader Alternate: Susan Shirley Christ, R.N.

     Sue is a member of the Rotary Club of Newburyport and has been in Rotary for 12 years. She is currently  Foundation Chair and Literacy Chair, as well as President-elect of her Rotary Club. She is also the Chairperson of the District's Friendhsip Exchange. She has served as Club
     Secretary, Sargeant at Arms and Vice-President and has chaired numerous Club Fundraising events. She has also spearheaded a District Simplified Grant for Safe Sleep and a Foundation Matching Grant for a Pacemaker project in Africa. Professionally, Sue has managed a
     cardiac physician practice in Newburyport, a hospital affiliated group practice and most recently a family practice in Exeter, NH and a psychiatric practice in Newburyport. Her community service outside of Rotary includes membership on the Salvation Army Community Board,
     President of the Swasy Fund, Inc. and Past President of the Newburyport/Bura Alliance. As the alternate, Sue will participate in the training and orientation sessions and will be prepared to step into the position on short notice if needed.
 

On Tuesday, October 5th, the GSE Selection Committee will meet again, this time to interview the Team Member applicants. Thus far, we have received applications from five very qualified young professionals, including registered nurses, a physical therapist and a mental health social worker. The deadline for team member applications is October 1st. Please be sure to continue to get the word out in your clubs and throughout the District, as GSE is a wonderful opportunity to provide a young person who works or lives in our Distict with a transforming once-in a-lifetime experience, as well as to educate our community about the goodwill that Rotary promotes throughout the world through GSE and other programs.  

Our thanks to all who applied.  Respectfully,  District Governor Ann Lee Hussey and District GSE Chair Grace Connolly.