Rotary District 5960, which includes the Prior Lake Rotary Club, invites business professionals to apply for an exchange to Sweden.

The exchange will focus on sustainable eco-communities.

The Rotary International Group Study Exchange program is an educational experience to further international understanding by connecting outstanding business and professional people to study another country, its people, culture and institutions.

The team will visit another Rotary district for about four weeks. Team members live in the homes of Rotarians, if possible, and follow an itinerary of educational and cultural points of interest. Travel and living expenses are covered during the exchange by The Rotary Foundation, host country  Rotarians and Rotary District 5960.

The exchange to Sweden will arrive in Gothenberg, Sweden on March 4, 2009, and return home on April 1, 2009. This exchange will emphasize the efforts underway in Sweden to develop and maintain sustainable eco-communities. Among other things, the team will explore the effect that the Swedish authored book, "The Natural Step," has had in reducing man’s carbon footprint in Sweden.

Those motivated to have a beneficial impact on the earth’s environmental concerns may find this exchange to be a unique learning experience.

Teams consist of four non-Rotarian professionals and a Rotarian team leader. Candidates must be full-time employees and have been in their profession for at least two years. Employers must give permission for the candidate to participate before the interview process; be between age 25-40; and live or work in the limits of Rotary District 5960's clubs.

Applicants cannot be spouses or lineal descendants of current Rotary members, and must be U.S. Citizens.

All applications are due by Sept. 25 to a local Rotary Club for review, and submitted to the district by Sept. 30.

For an application form or more information contact Jingle Mahan at (651) 636-9054 or jingle@rotary5960.org.

GSE applications available for downloading at:

http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/SiteTools/DownloadLibrary/Pages/ridefault.aspx