The Rotary Friendship Exchange programme gives Rotarians the opportunity to experience other cultures first hand by participating in reciprocal visits with Rotarians from other countries. Rotary Friendship Exchange provides Rotarians with the opportunity to form personal contacts and make long-lasting friendships while exploring different parts of the world. The policy is for three incoming and outgoing exchanges per Rotary year. Exchanges last for fifteen days and usually involve five supporting club hosts for three days each.
Rotary Friendship Exchange is considered a very important part of the outward looking life of our District and club support for the programme is both vital and beneficial. Rotary Friendship Exchange is funded entirely by its participants with no cost to Rotary International. Guests are responsible for their own travel expenses and personal spending, while hosts are expected to provide housing, meals and sightseeing opportunities. Rotarian participants travel as individuals, couples and may include non-members.
OUTWARD EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
13 April to 28 April 2026
Known as the ‘Great West’ the district comprises 67 clubs and is the second-largest geographical Rotary district in the world. The two largest cities are Albuquerque, and El Paso, Texas. The exchange will start in Albuquerque.
The business environment includes agriculture with huge ranch’s to small farms and high tech companies, the likes of Intel Computers.
New Mexico has the oldest European based history (Spanish) in the USA and the state capitol is the oldest in the country.
Topography is generally “High Desert” ranging from 400ft to 14000 ft. Summers can be hot hence the exchange is taking place in the cooler Autumn time.
Please send your Expression of Interest to Caroline Lampp by 16th November 2025 at p.c.lampp@xtra.co.nz
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Chair:
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Inward Coordinator
Sharon Hitchcock
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Outward Coordinator
Caroline Lampp
(Ahuriri Napier)
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Committee Coordinator
Christa George
(Papamoa)
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