Bandey-Hefler Fellowship Exchange

Rotary Fellowship Exchange

Autumn 2015 UK Rotarians Go to Masssachussetts

Return Visit TBA - American Rotarian Friends Visit from District 7910, Central Massachusetts

Please visit the new Bandey Hefler Website

Bandey-Hefler provides a Rotary Fellowship Exchange where Rotarians visit each others countries and are taken around and hosted by Rotarian Families in Massachusetts in late September and early October. Rotarians - Don't miss your chance to be part of the very rewarding experience of either visiting or hosting like-minded American Rotary couples and or being part in a visit to the USA at a future date. Please volunteer to host a visiting Rotarian couple or single for a few days.

Many established Bandey-Heflers will be hosting again to keep up with existing friends and to make new acquaintances, but it is essential for new couples to be involved in the Exchange in order to maintain its ethos, i.e. to keep it fresh and for new participants to qualify for an unforgettable trip to the USA in the future.

• Host an American Rotarian couple for 3 to 4 days
• Show them your favorite places
• Make friendships that will last for years
• Become eligible for a free 2 week trip to Massachusetts USA
• Experience a wonderful opportunity to advance international understanding
• In total, we are looking for up to 80 hosts this year to look after the guests from USA.
• Hosting periods:
  • Period1               Period2          Period3         Period 4
  • 4 nights              3 nights        3 nights           4 nights

• The Welcome Party
  
• The Farewell Dinner.

A recurring 3 year cycle, during which couples from a selection of Rotary Clubs in Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset (D1110, D1140 and D1250) visit Massachusetts and a similar number from that part of the USA come to England the following year. There is a break of one year then the process begins again with the visitors (not necessarily all the hosts) being newcomers.

The event covers a 2 week period in September/October at a time when UK visitors to Massachusetts often find a full blaze of colour as the trees turn to wonderful shades of red and orange.  If you wish to participate in this year's event please use the contact form below

Rotarians interested in participating or hosting now or in the future can also find out more from previous visit examples:

• the 2013 B-H newsletter
• or download the Bandey Hefler Rotary Friendship Exchange 2013 Application Form which gives more details.

A Thoroughly recommended Opportunity.

Two Basingstoke club Rotarians from our region went with twenty or so other Rotarians for two weeks having hosted for a few days the previous year and had an absolutely amazing time being taken all over the place, visiting, meeting, greeting, eating and staying with a variety of fascinating and differing hosts in various Massachusetts locations.  They experienced many interesting and unusual things that most normal 'tourists' would not get to see.  Enduring friendships were made.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is located in northeastern USA, west of the city of Boston and Cape Cod and north of New York.  It is in the New England region bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean.   It lies on a similar latitude to Barcelona but is impacted by a continental climate especially in winter.

Plymouth was the site of the colony founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims, passengers of the Mayflower.   You will see from the map that many county names coming from here hence New England.  As we drove round we soon learned a new geography where our towns exist in a totally changed relationship where each was named by the English migrants after their home towns.

the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state Massachusetts is the 7th least extensive, but the 14th most populous and the 3rd most densely populated of the 50 United States. The commonwealth features two separate metropolitan areas: Greater Boston in the east and the Springfield metropolitan area in the west. (Facts and links courtesy of Wikipedia)

HISTORY
It all began in the spring of 1973. The late FRANK BANDEY, incoming District Governor of District 114, went to the U.S.A. for the Assembly at Lake Placid. While he was there he was invited to attend the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Dedham Rotary Club in Massachusetts. He and his wife were hosted by the late BILL HEFLER, a member and Past President of that Club and his wife.
In October 1973 the American couple came to England and Bill spoke at the District 114 Conference held in Jersey. Attending a discussion at the International Group Meeting, he learned for the first time of the 'contact club' arrangements in Europe. He became very interested in this concept and suggested that similar exchanges should he arranged with American clubs; but having a distinctly vocational aspect. Bill originally suggested exchanges between the two Districts 791 (now 7910 - around the Boston area) and 114 (now 1140 and 1250).

It took four years to set up, but in October, 1977 11 Rotarians (and their partners) left these sunlit climes for Boston, District 791 and "New England in the Fall"; the first ever BANDEY-HEFLER Exchange visit. From Logan Airport these hardy Brits were transported to Milton (the Heflers home town) where they were met by 100 Rotarians and their wives. A great welcoming party ensued and set the standard of generosity and convivial fellowship that endures to this day.

The intention was that, accompanied by their spouses, each Rotarian would stay with a Rotarian of similar vocation and his family. During their two-week stay all the Brits changed homes four times, the idea being to ensure circulation and to meet as many families as possible. The visitors also found it interesting to see the different way in which Rotary Club meetings are conducted in America.

This Massachusetts trip was followed by a visit of 13 American couples to England in September/October 1978.

Those who have been fortunate enough to participate in these exchanges have no doubt that it is International Rotary in action and at its very best. The original basic format has been retained as far as possible; although vocational pairing is no longer practical to any significant degree. The emphasis is now very much based on international fellowship the enjoyment that comes from meeting new friends in different surroundings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Welcoming guests from a different country and culture into your life and home should be exhilarating; but it may also seem a little unsettling.  From the combined experience of many previous hosts and guests, we have collected a number of tips and ways in which hosting can be planned and carried out smoothly and enjoyably.  Remember, though, we are all like-minded people with our common Rotary views on life and our guests are only with you to enjoy your company. A few pointers are listed below.

To become a host is a truly rewarding experience but also one that requires a commitment of time and money for the 3 or 4 days. You and your partner (or just yourself if you are single and choose to do it solo) are in for a fantastic time.

Both you and your spouse/friend are expected to spend meaningful time with the guests and be involved in the planning and entertaining of the visitors. Hosts are expected to devote full time to their guests during the visit. Try to forget about work for a few days and give yourselves a chance to really get to know one another.

BE YOURSELF! No matter what you may have experienced in England or what you may have heard of their customs, please remember that our visitors are here to become acquainted with our American Way of Life and to make new and lasting friendships.

Allow your guests to REST and RELAX. While there will be many places to go and things you want them to see, it is important that everyone has a chance to take a nap, put up their feet, and
otherwise catch up with jet lag and a very busy visitor pace.

Be prepared to help your visiting guests with money exchange, if needed. Your guest may want to pay for a meal, but expenses during the visit are generally born by the host couples.

Be sure to offer the use of your washer and dryer and give instructions on the use of these appliances. Allow time in your schedule for laundry and similar necessities to be done, a trip to a local beauty shop at mid-trip is often appreciated, so be sure to ask.

Smoking is something that is enjoyed by fewer and fewer people. Please respect your guests' wishes, especially if they are nonsmokers. Similarly, pets and young children, while welcome, must be a positive part of the experience.

If you are a first-time host you may find it useful to talk with someone who has hosted before. Every new host is apprehensive about bringing "strangers" into their homes, and every host ends up loving
the experience. A list of all participating hosts is available for your reference in this regard.

They are YOUR guests and you will be responsible for their food and entertainment expenses during your period. However, it's up to you and your individual lifestyle as to whether you have your meals in or out, where you will sightsee or what you choose to do to entertain your Guests. Many of the visiting Rotarians come prepared with a list of things they would like to see and do, and others leave all the decisions up to you, their gracious hosts.