Rotary Club International GSE Team Member Has Marlin Roots
Rotary Club Marlin introduced guest speaker Rachelle Elizabeth (Chelly) Bell at the meeting of August 12, 2020. She is the granddaughter of Marlin's own Volunteer of the Year, Ms. Hermetta Paul. Chelly is a San Antonio native who resides in Austin, TX. Chelly is a Rotary International Alumni and was a member of the final Group Study Exchange team (GSE team) in 2012 which ventured to India for 32 days.
Rotary Club international’s Group Study Exchange Program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries.
For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
As a result, Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district and organize receptions honoring our guests and vocational visits with those in their area of expertise.
The Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) was founded in the mid-1960s as an opportunity for non-Rotarians to promote international goodwill and understanding around the globe. This Foundation funded educational opportunity is unique in that these GSE team members gain exposure to the world of Rotary locally and internationally.
Chelly attended the Rotary Club of Marlin to speak on her journey with the Rotary and how it changed her life. Chelly also was a recipient of Rotary Club International’s SERVICE ABOVE SELF award The purpose of this award is to recognize those individual Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. This is Rotary International's highest honor for individual Rotarians. Chelly describes it as one of her greatest accomplishment.
In Austin Rachelle Elizabeth (Chelly) Bell works closely with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and in 2015 was awarded Volunteer Ambassador of the Year. Chelly's roots are in Marlin and she looks forward to becoming a Rotarian, giving back to a community that is her family. Chelly encourages all young persons to look to serve their community and affecting the world by their positive actions.