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Click here for a record of some of their activities whilst in Napier.
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GSE Team 2005 - from USA and Canada
Below is the photo of the GSE team who will visit us from Friday 15th to Thursday 21st April 2005. Ian Findlay will be calling for three volunteers to host three of the team but will only know their names when he has met with Robert Patullo of the Taradale club.
Contact Ian Findlay for more details.
Click on the team member's name to read their bio
From left to right we have - Valerie Burns (alternate team member ), Wendy Michalski, Ed Marocko, Ed Link, Suzanne Mondalek, and Susan Pollack.
Harlan was not able to be present for the photo.
NAME: Wendy Michalski
VOCATION: Engineering - Product Design
EDUCATION: B.S. Mechanical Engineering - 1998, M.S. Engineering Management - 2002
E-MAIL ADDRESS: wmichals@peoplepc.com
CITIZENSHIP: United States
DATE OF BIRTH: August 30th, 1975
NATIVE LANGUAGE: English
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES: Japanese
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: None
SPECIAL DIETARY OR MEDICAL NEEDS: None
BIOGRAPHY:
I was born, raised, and currently live in the metro-Detroit area of Michigan where the automotive industry is a very large part of the economy. My grandfather worked at Chrysler for 42 years, my father worked at General Motors for 30 years, and I have worked at Ford Motor Company for 7 years. Presently, I am an Exterior Lighting Design Engineer for Ford F-Series Trucks, but I will hopefully be moving to an assignment in Business Planning soon. I enjoy working for a large company because it offers a broad scope of work assignments. So far I've had the opportunity to work on the design of many different truck parts (sheetmetal, mirrors, etc.), lead teams, and be trained as a Six Sigma Black Belt (we apply statistical methods to a formalized problem-solving process). One of the other aspects of my job I most enjoy is that I get to work with people from all over the world (although I've never worked with anyone from New Zealand, I have worked with a part supplier located in Australia), and sometimes even get to travel to or live in those places (Japan is the closest I have been in distance from New Zealand).
Outside of work I have many interests (fitness, politics, reading, volunteering, etc.), and I really enjoy spending time with family and friends. I live about a 30-minute drive from my parents, but my brother lives in Toronto, Canada right now so I don't get to see him as often as I'd like. My favorite after-work activity is getting in a good workout at the gym, the pool, or outside running. My newest activity is volunteering at our Science Center, where I use my education/background to help the children learn and hopefully become more enthusiastic about science. Right now I am single, but would like to be married someday and eventually have children.
VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
1. Visit a Ford or other automaker's dealership (if possible, one that sells trucks) to learn how they address their customer's needs, stay competitive, and discuss any unmet product wants.
2. Learn about engineering education curriculums in New Zealand
3. Speak with Ford truck customers (maybe through a truck club) to learn why they choose their vehicle, how they use them, and of any issues they have.
4. Tour a manufacturing facility (if available, one that produces automotive parts) to get an overview of practices in New Zealand.
5. (Out of District) Meet with Ford of New Zealand team members located in Manukau to discuss business planning, homologation, & import restraints. (I can provide a contacts)
6. (Out of District 9930 / Non-Vocational) Visit New Zealand Parliament & possibly meet with government officials to discuss automotive import regulations/strategy.
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NAME: Edward John Marocko
VOCATION: Police Officer (Staff Sergeant)
E-MAIL ADDRESS: emarocko@leaminton.ca
CITIZENSHIP: Canadian
DATE OF BIRTH: 30 Nov 1968
NATIVE LANGUAGE: English
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES: Slovak (Minimal)
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: N/A
SPECIAL DIETARY OR MEDICAL NEEDS: N/A
BIOGRAPHY:
I am a happily married 35-year-old father of 2 lovely young girls. Alexia age 7 and Gillian age 4. My wife Tammy of 12 years is a full time homemaker that definitely works as hard as I as a police officer. We live in the Municipality of Leamington which is a vibrant community of 28,000 people. The community is located on the north shore of Lake Erie and is very successful in the commercial fishing, agriculture, and automotive parts industries. I was raised in Windsor, Ontario with my older brother and twin sister by loving parents. I attended high school, Collage and University in Windsor and while in school I was in involved with various clubs, teams and community groups. While growing up I kept in touch with my Slovak heritage by participating in a folk dancing troop that traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada. The appreciation and respect for ethnic diversity remains as the cornerstone for the value system that I put in place for life and career.
My career in policing has been rewarding and exciting with secondments to the Drug Squad, Leamington Police Investigative Branch, and now as the Operations Staff Sergeant. I am presently responsible for our Communications Centre, Identification Unit, Training Section and Criminal Investigation Branch. I have served on our Police Services Strategic Planning Committee and our Officers Association Executive. In 2001 I along with two fellow officers were awarded the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery.
As part of my career I taught for 8 years at St. Clair College. Subjects included Police Powers, Various Regulations, and Police Ethics. I still remain active in the college and support college activities.
I enjoy hiking, biking, golf and all other outdoor activities.
VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
1. Tour a police station and training facility, ride with officers while on duty.
2. Learn about the standards regarding criminal investigations, training, emergency management, victim services, courts, correctional facilities.
3. Visit local and regional government to pass along greeting from our elected officials.
4. Learn about technical training provided by your Universities, Colleges and apprenticeship programs regarding policing.
5. In order to fully appreciate the people and culture of New Zealand, I would like to visit anyplace ranging from the family farm to the government and big business.
6. Learn about the Maori culture and its forms of policing and government.
7. I understand the New Zealand has a Heinz Processing Plant. I have arranged to tour our local facility and would like to visit their local Heinz Plant to pass along greeting from Leamington officials.
8. I want to experience as much of New Zealand culture as possible and I trust that you will guide me along the way.
9. A Ruby Match is a much while in New Zealand. I am following the "All Blacks" on through the New Zealand Harold News online.
10. I feel this trip is social as well professional so I hop we will be able to tip a few cold beers back throughout the trip.
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NAME: Ed Link
VOCATION: Civil Engineer
CITIZENSHIP: Canadian
DATE OF BIRTH: 8-18-1949
NATIVE LANGUAGE: English
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES: Lithuanian (basic understanding)
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: none
SPECIAL DIETARY OR MEDICAL NEEDS: none
BIOGRAPHY:
My parents emigrated from Lithuania following the 2nd World War and settled in Windsor Ontario. I was born and raised in this community and attended the University of Windsor where I obtained my degree in Applied Science. The majority of my career has been devoted to municipal service and I was the Building Commissioner (Chief Building Official) for this municipality for the past 15 years. I am currently semi-retired but continue to offer consulting services from my home. Based upon my active involvement in the regulatory process, I received two Provincial Cabinet appointments. I am a member of the Building Code Commission which arbitrates disputes between designers and Chief Building Officials. I was also appointed as Vice-Chair of the Building Materials Evaluation Commission which approves the use of new and innovative materials and techniques for construction.
I have been a Rotarian for the past 10 years and have held numerous positions in our club, including Secretary, Director of Club Service and was the Chair of our annual TV Auction. In 2003 - 04 , I was elected as the President of the Rotary Club of Windsor St Clair. I am looking forward to becoming Rotary District 6400's Vocational Chair next year.
I enjoy reading, walking, hiking, biking, golf and all forms of outdoor activities. My wife Lee and I have been married for 33 years and we have 2 adopted daughters. My eldest daughter Kristin is a grade school teacher and my youngest daughter Erin is completing her degree in Political Science at the University of Windsor. In my spare time I am involved with Habitat for Humanity and am a member of the Building / Property Committees for the Art Gallery of Windsor, the Capital Theatre Performing Arts Center and my church.
VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
My primary goal is to ensure that our GSE Team has a wonderful experience and that they achieve all of their vocational and personal goals. If time permits, I would like to pursue the following activities:
1. I want to participate in Rotary activities, both social and fundraising.
2. I hope to build some new friendships and to experience a new culture.
3. In the event you have a chapter of Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand, I would like to talk with members of Habitat and / or participate in a build.
4. Our province is moving towards a new regulatory model for construction monitoring similar to what has occurred in other parts of the world (similar to what I understand has taken place in New Zealand). I would like to meet with other "authorities having jurisdiction" (regulators) over construction activities to understand the regulatory framework in New Zealand.
5. I would like to meet with Architects, Engineers and builders to understand your options for building materials and construction techniques to overcome the challenges New Zealander's face in construction activities.
6. In my Province, all constructors and venders for new housing units must be registered with a warrantee company to provide the new homeowner with mandatory insurance against construction defaults and defects. I would like to speak with providers of new homeowner warranty protection in New Zealand, if this product is available, to learn about the methods used to provide consumer protection.
7. Learn about technical training provided by your Universities, Colleges and through your apprenticeship programs.
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Full Name: Suzanne Marie Mondalek
Likes to be called: Suzanne or Suz
Marital Status: Never been married, no children
Vocation: Fundraising Executive
Email address: suzannemondalek@yahoo.com
Residence/Citizenship: St. Clair Shores, Michigan/U.S.A.
Date of birth/Place: 10-18-77/ Detroit, Michigan
Native language: English, no additional languages spoken
Special Accommodations/Dietary Needs: None
BIOGRAPHY:
I was born and raised in the Detroit area and currently live in an eastside suburb of Detroit that borders Lake St. Clair. My mom, dad, two younger brothers, grandma, cousins, aunts and uncles all live within a few miles and we are a very close-knit family.
I was educated in the Grosse Pointe public schools and attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, which is about 100 miles from my hometown. I loved Michigan State-but had to graduate some time and did so in May of 2000. I studied art, architecture and interior design, and my first job out of college was at a Lansing area hospital managing interior renovation projects.
After two years, I decided to return to the Detroit area to pursue something else and was offered a position at a small non-profit organization. I started out managing volunteers (which is how the majority of our work is done) and then ten months later, was moved to fund development. I am going into my third year as fund development director and am responsible for all of our fundraising activities including special events, grant writing, major gift development and annual fund campaigns. I also edit our monthly newsletter and am responsible for meeting our advertising goals.
In my spare time, I take Yoga and Salsa dancing classes, run, walk and ride my bike. On the weekends I like to see live music with friends, go to the cinema, make dinner, go shopping and catch up on my reading.
I am actively involved in the Junior League of Detroit, which is a women's organization whose purpose is to raise money for underprivileged children in the city of Detroit.
I love to travel and have been many places within the United States. I have friends/family all over the country including Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and Washington D.C. Last summer I drove 3,000 miles from Detroit to Seattle, Washington, which was one of the best travel experiences of my life. We drove through Yellowstone National Park and the Rockies which are breathtakingly beautiful!
I have also traveled to Ontario and Quebec in Canada and to England, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Italy. New Zealand will be the furthest from home I have ever been and will also be my longest travel experience!
VOCATIONAL:
I've only been in the work force a few short years and am open to many different vocational experiences.
I'm interested in meeting with other professionals in any non-profit organization. Eventually, I want to work for a university, environmental or public health organization. I would like to meet with other fund development directors, executive directors, marketing and special event managers, etc. Attending or volunteering at a charity special event would be great too.
There is a huge trend in corporate giving to non-profit organizations right now. I'd like to meet with individuals who are responsible for corporate giving programs, for example marketing, special events and public relations professionals in the for-profit area. I would also be very interested in meeting with anybody who does grantmaking or works for a private or public foundation.
One of my favorite job responsibilities is talking to local businesses about their advertising needs and to sell advertisements in our monthly publication. A visit with a journal or magazine to see what their advertising sales department is like would definitely be a worthwhile endeavor.
As stated above, I am very open to other vocational visiting opportunities not listed here. I know that there are many career possibilities that I have not yet explored and have about 40-50 or so more years in the work force to do so!
PERSONAL/CULTURAL:
I want to explore the local culture and history, so any regional or national events/festivals, museums, theatrical productions or live music would be great to see. I am really interested to get to know people and want to see what their every day life is like. I am also interested to observe and participate in urban life in New Zealand and how it is the same/different from our American cities.
I would like to see as many of the natural wonders in New Zealand as possible and am excited about the possibility of getting outdoors. Everyone I have talked to who has traveled to New Zealand says that it is one of the most beautiful countries on earth! I am up for just about anything that is a great way to explore the national parks, lakes, mountains, etc. Having been born and raised in a Great Lakes state, I am very water-oriented so anything having to do with water is always desirable! I'm also interested in exploring the countryside and other remote areas by bike, on foot, by boat, train or car.
I am a curious person by nature and am interested in so many things that it is impossible to touch on all of them here… So I leave it to the experts, those of you who live there, to guide me to the things that I must not leave New Zealand without seeing!
Thank you for taking the time to read about my vocational and personal interests, and I am very much looking forward to meeting you!
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NAME: Susan Pollack
VOCATION: Public Relations and Marketing
E-MAIL ADDRESS: susan48124@yahoo.com
CITIZENSHIP: United States
DATE OF BIRTH: April 13, 1978
NATIVE LANGUAGE: English
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES: none
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: none
SPECIAL DIETARY OR MEDICAL NEEDS: none
BIOGRAPHY:
I am the youngest of two children born to George and Nancy Pollack of Dearborn, Michigan. I was born on a rainy Thursday morning in April 1978. My parents raised me as a Roman Catholic and I attended both a Catholic elementary and high school. A life-long Dearborn resident, I live with my parents and my 28-year-old brother Kevin.
In 2001, I graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a bachelor's of art degree in communications, focusing on corporate communications, public relations and speech. After graduation, I worked for a non-profit museum, the Automotive Hall of Fame, where I served as an event planner and public relations specialist.
As an Account Executive at Campbell & Co. in Dearborn, my role spans the spectrum of the communications and marketing. I serve as project manager for a variety of clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations. As a communications specialist, I develop public relations campaigns, pitch stories to the media, supervise advertising development, organize special events, and manage corporate programs.
I enjoy reading, embroidery, photography, calligraphy, exercising, traveling, music, and meeting new people through work programs, social activities and "people watching." In my spare time, I am a volunteer usher for the Fox Theatre and a member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Arts, Sciences and Letters (CASL) Alumni Affiliate Board of Directors.
VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
1. I would like to visit a marketing, communications or advertising agency. I am interested in sharing ideas and learning how other agencies develop programs and special events for major corporations and small organizations. If possible, I would like to assist on a program during my visit.
2. Meet with public relations agencies to discuss campaigns and methodologies. If possible, I would like to assist on a campaign during my trip. I am curious to discover the obstacles and solutions communications experts face with local, regional and international media.
3. Interact with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ). I have attended meetings with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and would like to exchange ideas with my professional colleagues.
4. Meet with various newspapers throughout the country. Specifically, I am interested in meeting with news, managing and assignment editors. I would like to learn about the New Zealand methods of source gathering and news reporting. I would also like to investigate the New Zealand perspective on world news.
5. Meet with the New Zealand equivalent of Detroit's local television and radio personalities.
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Here is the proposed programme for the visit.
Arrive Friday in Napier ---------- Art Deco Walk ,evening with hosts
Saturday--------- Cape Kidnappers tractor ride/ visit,or if tides out of kilter overland to the Cape
Evening attend Dame Malvina Major concert, a Ahuriri club project
Sunday a.m. Church or with hosts
p.m. farm visit,sheep,cattle deer.forestry then a BBQ with Rotarians.( This will be to Robert Pattullo's property)
Monday Morning Tea/ official visit to Napier Major then walk on Rotary Pathway
Lunch and visit to Apollo a massive fruit packing complex one of the largest in the country
Evening--- team presentation to all H.B.Clubs at Ahuriri venue,sailing club.
Tuesday-Viticulture-Winery,lunch etc.etc.
Wednesday---- Full day Vocational activities -
Wendy Michalski: A visit to Eastern Trucks a large heavy vehicle workshop plant and also to the Engineering dept at the E.I.T.
Suzanne Mondalek: The day will be with Rotarian Sue Page a professional events organiser and also with Jessica Maxwell a professional Fundraiser.
Susan Pollack: A day with a major public relations company and advertising agency.Also time with a privately owned independent local newspaper.
Edward Marocko: Time with the police force and a visit to Heinz Watties in Hastings.
Ed Link: a day with a civil engineer and local council and with an architect.
Thursday------ Take to Taupo to hand over team to Turangi.
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