Guidelines for an ICC Intercountry committees promote contact

Guidelines for an ICC Intercountry committees promote contact between districts and clubs in two or more countries and increase fellowship and intercultural understanding among the people of various nations. Rotarians are encouraged to create new Intercountry committees to foster stronger ties between Rotarians, clubs, and districts from different countries and establish networks across borders, continents, and oceans Intercountry committees should be promoted at RI, district and club meetings

The mission of an ICC The mission of an Intercountry committee is to build a force that will encourage Rotarians to visit each other’s countries and homes, to strengthen friendships and projects so formed by encouraging clubs and districts to connect with clubs and districts in other countries, and to contribute to world peace.

Activities of Inter-Country Committees • sponsor new Rotary clubs • develop a sister or twin club network between participating countries • conduct Friendship Exchanges between the two countries • initiate or carry out World Community Service projects • initiate or carry out Vocational Service projects

Rotarians from all over the globe have formed ICCs

A United States Russia committee was Charted June, 8 2007

10 Rotary Districts joined in Charter of US-Russia ICC June 8 th, 2007 at Rotary International Headquarters Evanston Illinois District Area District ICC Chair 2220 Russia West of Urals PDG Andrei Danilenko 5010 Alaska, Yukon Ca. & Russia East of Urals PDG Steve Yoshida 5011 Washington Bill Robinson - 5450 Northern Colorado Dick Richards 5451 Arizona PDG Ron Goodsite 5580 ND, North MN, North WI, & Part of Ont. AG Tim Kaminski 5690 Parts of Kansas & Oklahoma DG Rod Kreie 5790 Texas PDG Jim Aneff 5890 - Texas PDG Jon Eiche 58916840 Parts of Louisiana & Mississippi PDG George Mahl

The Charter ceremony was attended by Bill Boyd, Past President Carl Wilhelm Stenhammar, RIPE Wilfrid J. Wilkinson and the President Nominee Dong Kurn Lee), the RI Secretary General Ed Futa, and the RI Board members US- Russia ICC Charter Signatures

US Section of US-Russia ICC President PDG Jon Eiche, D 5890 Russian Section of Russia- US ICC President PDG Andrei Danilenko, D 2220

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 1. To develop a sister or twin club network between The US & Russia to realize the benefits of twin club partnerships and fellowship • Promote world understanding and peace between clubs. • Fellowship and intercultural understanding through exchanges between clubs. • Complete joint projects in each country beyond the capabilities of one club. • Develop leaders through association and attendance at district events. • Increase member recruitment as the public image of the clubs increases • Retain members by involvement in joint projects and development of a sense of pride through their individual & club involvement • Increase Rotary education by interaction between clubs and districts • Promote high ethical standards in professions and businesses in both countries.

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 2. Joint Projects between US and Russia • Initiate or carry out World Community Service projects • Initiate or carry out Vocational Service projects **Example project St. Petersburg Rotary Club has several projects : 1. Hearing screening for three-year old children 2. Setting up tents on winter nights in several areas of the city for the 54, 000 homeless 3. With only one State Shelter of only 40 beds for the over 10, 000 homeless children the Rotary Club chartered six years ago is trying to set up apartments for homeless children 4. Potential projects to support these apartments could be fish farms or goose farms

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 3. Rotaract and Youth Programs • Youth Exchange • RYLA Exchange • Rotaract and Interact Twin Clubs 4. Friendship Exchanges • Visitor program • Team • Univocational

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 5. Address Legal Issues for Rotary In Russia • Rotary International is not registered with the Russian government as a non-profit humanitarian agency. • Negative affects on banking procedures. • Currency: dues money and funds donated or received by Russian clubs • Customs procedures and taxes are complex. • Support of USA tax deductibility rules for funds donated into Russia need to be implemented.

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 6. Rotary Expansion in Russia • Assist East Russia in forming a new Russian District (Now Part of District 5010 - Alaska, Northwest Canada & East Russia) • Establish Rotary as an official NGO in Russia • Rotary Awareness Campaign in Russia • Club Extension and Development

The Mission of the US -Russia Intercountry Committee 7. Promote the RI Open World Program • The Open World Program, operated and funded by the Open World Leadership Center at the U. S. Library of Congress Though Rotary International. • A special program available to Rotary clubs in the United States. • Designed to give young emerging Russian leaders a firsthand look at the U. S. political system, business, and community life • Promotes understanding and forge bonds of friendship between the two nations.

• 5 participants: • 4 delegates • 1 facilitator • Formed around civic theme Economic Development Environment Local Governance Health & Social Development Youth Issues & Education Women as Leaders Rule of Law Judicial delegations • Participants from different locations in Russia

Host Club Responsibilities • Home-stay for 8 days & 9 nights • Vocational program for selected civic theme • Daily meals • Transportation • Cultural and social events • Professional interpreter

Host Club Tasks Before Hosting: • Local Community Profile • Programming Schedule • Host Families Bios • Professional Interpreter Resume After Hosting: • Post-program Summary Report • Expense Reimbursement Report • Evaluation Form

Programming Schedule 8 -day Program: • 32 hours of formal theme-related activities - Discussions, meetings, tours, roundtables - Meetings with local officials and leaders - Interviews with local media • Social and cultural events • Attend Local Rotary clubs’ meetings

Congressional Funding though Rotary International Reimbursement available though RI for up to: $2, 300 for Hosting Expenses $300 for Ticketed Events/Cultural Activities $1, 500 for Interpretation costs Expenses Eligible for reimbursement: Transportation Vehicle rental & gas expenses; Private vehicle usage & mileage expenses Business related meal/food costs Cultural events Concerts, exhibits, sporting events Small gifts

Host Club must cover Ineligible Expenses: (if any) Payments to host families Payments to visitors Cash to visitors Alcoholic beverages Fines Promotional materials for Rotary Undocumented expenses greater than $25

Results of hosting a Program

Results of hosting a Program

Rotary Open World Contact for District 5580 Tim Kaminski Chair US-Russia ICC Tel: (218) 263 -2281 Email: timothyk@fintegra. net or Natalia Sharova Open World Program Coordinator RI Programs Division Tel: (847) 866 -3381 E-mail: sharovan@rotaryintl. org

To Make new friends around the world… To explore new opportunities for service… To create lasting friendships outside of your own club, district and country… To contribute to the advancement of world understanding and peace… Become involved in your Rotary Inter Country Committee!

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