Rotarians visited by former exchange students

The July 13 meeting of the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow was held at the home of Walt Yakiwchuk with two former Rotary Youth Exchange students from Argentina, Dany Borgogno and Jesy Garino, attending as surprise guests.
Dany Borgogno, from Jesus Maria and Jesy Garino, from Buenos Aries, were exchange students in 2005. Dany was hosted by the Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow and Jesy, by the Moose Jaw Rotary Club. This is the second time Dany has returned to Moose Jaw for a visit.
The Rotary Youth Exchange is one youth program offered by Rotary and is open to young people between the ages of 15-25 years and includes two types of program, short term and long term.
Dany and Jesy were in Moose Jaw as a part of the long term program which is intended for youth between the ages of 15-19 years. The exchange student will live with host families and attend school.
Youth Exchange is co-ordinated regionally by the Rotary districts and locally by the Rotary Clubs. There is an associated cost which may vary from one area to anther. Students and their families usually pay for the airfare, insurance, travel documents, clothing, spending money, emergency funds and costs for ancillary travel and tours. Host families will cover the room and board expenses. The host Rotary Club will offer a stipend between $50 and $100 monthly.
There are many benefits to the student exchange program. New friendships are made. Students may learn a great deal about themselves, about another lifestyle and some may even learn a new language. Additionally, the students also act as ambassadors, sharing information about their home countries, lifestyle and culture.
For further information about the Rotary Student Exchange program, please explore the Rotary website at www.rotary.org or contact a local Rotarian.
The next meeting will be Monday at 6 p.m. at the home of Yves Bordeaux. Additional information is available from Judy Vermette at 693-5730.

REDA annual meeting
The annual general meeting of the Moose Jaw Regional Economic Development Authority will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the boardroom of the Moose Jaw & District Business Resource Centre at 88 Saskatchewan St. E.
The meeting will review REDA's 2008-09 year, its last year of a 13-year operation. REDA ceased operations March 31, with its work being taken over by the new South Central Enterprise Region.

Blood donor clinic
A Canadian Blood Services blood donor clinic will be held in Moose Jaw Aug. 4 from 1 to 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Centre on the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. Advance appointments are encouraged but walk-in donors are welcome.